DOC U/11 Girls Great Win!
DOC United FC 5 vs 2 Eltham Redbacks - 31st July 2011
The game started well with both sides desperate to win this local derby. Just seven minutes into the game, we put on our super-sub Olivia and with her strong kick to shoot whenever she found space. She did just that, scoring the opening goal with a cracking shot from 15 metres. The Redbacks had a few good penetrating runs into our goal area, but our defenders, Anthea, Emma and Kate were solid enough to not allow them through. DOC increased their lead when Niamh nipped in to score from close-range giving the girls a handy half time 2-0 lead.
The second half were a different ball game and DOCs goalkeeper Eliza was put to the test on many occasions pulling off a number of brilliant saves. Ten minutes into the second half, Niamh scored her second goal from a corner kick deflected by one of the Redback players into their own net to make the score 3 - 0 .
The game was becoming very intense as Redbacks were not going down without a fight and started to become very physical in their efforts to stop the rampant DOCS. The referee was kept busy when on three occasions they brought down DOC players when they were closing in on goal and this clearly had an effect on our skilful ball playing girls. Redbacks had little chance to penetrate the well drilled DOC defence. Finally, the Redbacks produced a goal and lifted their confidence in their efforts to try and get back into the game. Their rough tactics were paying off and another shot found the DOCS net to make the score 3-2.
The DOC girls had to “tighten up all the nuts” not giving the Redbacks anymore loose bolts. Eltham moved in for the kill but Anthea and Emma kept them at bay with two brilliant headers just outside the penalty box. DOC United are not top of the league for nothing and it was going to take a much better team than Redbacks to stop their two year unbeaten run. The girls rose to the challenge and 17 minutes into the second half a fantastic through ball from Holly found Niamh who outrun the Redbacks defence at high speed to score a great goal making it 4 – 2.
The last five minutes was a fiery encounter with both teams putting in strong challenges. Lucy was doing a great job in midfield blocking many Redbacks moves and DOC nearly added another goal with good efforts from Rebecca, Aiofe and Amanda just failing to score.With two minutes to go DOC scored again when a superb long pass from Anthea found Holly creating a one-on-one with the Redbacks goalkeeper. The keeper was no match for Holly who calmly slotted the ball past her to make it 5-2.
The Full time score remained at 5-2 once again showing our supremacy over our close neighbours. After the game our girls had a few bruises but victory overcomes all pain.
The victory was all the more satisfying as Redbacks had three over age players in their team (legally with dispensation letters from the FFV) and our girls have a number of eight and nine years old players.
Girls you have passed the “Pressure Test”
WELL DONE!
