Berks County U18s v Wokingham Town U18s
Berkshire County Girls Football League
Sometimes plans change and that is exactly what happened to me today. I had planned to head off to Knaphill for an afternoon kick off in the Combined Counties League but, with some incredibly bad planning on my part, that was ruled out when I scheduled an important delivery for Saturday afternoon. Looking at no Saturday football for the first time this season it was a godsend to see a social media post mentioning this game was on, just 200 yards from where I live, and was due to kick off at 9.30am meaning I could get back for the delivery. Result!
So I ambled down to the local sports centre in the late summer sunshine, albeit with a breeze fresh enough for you to know the change of season is upon us, to catch my first under 18s ladies match, the opening game of the new season in the league for both Berks County and Wokingham Town.
The game started briskly and after a few skirmishes at either end it was the hosts who took an early lead. A quick break led to Ella making space for herself before smashing the ball into the corner of the net from just inside the box. 1-0
Wokingham looked to respond and a pass from midfield found Shira in space. She ran to the byline inside the box and pulled the ball across goal but the defence blocked well before her teammate could get a touch.
It wasn’t long before County doubled their advantage, a corner swung in by Lottie wasn’t cleared by the visitors defence and Rosa was there following up and to knock the ball into the net from close range. 2-0
Wokingham again rallied, Milanna found space on the edge of the area and sent the ball towards the far corner but the home keeper was there, diving full length to her right to save well.
Lottie once more made a nice run and hit a shot on target only for Beth in the visitors’ goal to save well with her legs. Moments later though Berks County did make another chance count when Emily scored, her shot going in at the near post from a tight angle. 3-0
Emily nearly scored a quickfire double when she forced the Sumas keeper to palm her shot away to safety. Just before the break County made it four, Ella picked up a loose ball in the area, skipped past a couple of challenges before poking the ball just inside the far post. 4-0
Berks County 4 Wokingham Town 0
Wokingham looked a much better outfit after the break, their defence looking a tighter unit than in the first half and looked a lot more dangerous up front. It wasn’t long before they pulled a goal back, a stunning Milanna strike from fully 35 yards out sailed over the home keeper and into the roof of the net. 4-1
It was now a much more evenly contested game with chances coming and going at both ends in a game with a good ebb and flow to it.
The hosts did manage to grab another after a succession of corners. The set piece from Lottie was cleared straight back out to her, she drove into the box and shot across the keeper into the opposite corner to make it five for the home side. 5-1
Wokingham forwards Milanna and Shira gave the hosts plenty to think about in the last quarter, the former having a half chance but Hannah E was there to block at a vital moment which allowed the keeper to comfortably retrieve the ball. The home side defended well to see out the rest of the game for Berks County to take the spoils in this entertaining game.
Berks County 5 Wokingham Town 1
Some very promising performances all over the pitch with both sides looking to have a good base to build on for the rest of the season.
The front line of Berks County look good with plenty of pace, skill on the ball and well supported by players breaking well from midfield. I think they will cause a few teams problems this season. I was told they were missing another pacy forward who was unavailable today but will also make their forward line more potent. Things are looking positive for this side as defensively they look strong too so they should be in for a good season.
Wokingham are a team made up of a combined U17s & U18s squad this season and will no doubt develop as the season progresses. Amy W at right back, with Milanna and Shira combining well further forward, impressed for them in today’s match.
Good luck to both sides this season!