15 Oct 2005, Girls U13: Oswald Rd 3 – 2 Unicorn Saphires (HT:0-0)

The girls got off to a bit of a slow start, not quite sure of Unicorns abilities. After we had gotten used to them, we started to play better and better, clearing all shots on goal, if a few near misses, and almost scoring one or two ourselves several times. We finally had Annie back on the team, and, after fifteen minutes, she came on in defence, swapping with Niamh. She did brilliantly, and so did Roberta, the other defender. Hanaan, who was playing in Midfield/Defence, was fantastic, passing the ball up to Frankie, who always dribbled along the line, but never once let the ball off the pitch, and skilled many of Unicorn’s players. Rayne, who was in net, made some fantastic saves, and got the ball up to Molly and Jody all the time. We occasionally lost track, letting Unicorn in with a sly chance or two, but, as the half time whistle blew, we all knew that we had done great. A nil-nil draw against one of the best teams in the league at half time!

As we got back on the pitch, we started to force the ball back into Unicorn’s half, all the time keeping strong at the back, so it wasn’t long before Rayne, who had swapped positions with Jody, slipped a well earned goal into the back of the net. We were going good! After that, Unicorn seemed to fight back harder, but the defence held their ground, with a little help from Rayne, and shot after shot on goal were cleared. Unfortunately, every shot we took on their goal seemed to be cleared as well! Time after time we cheered only to realise that the ball hadn’t really gone into the net. But, eventually, Molly managed to shoot in. The ball rolled across the line, and hit the post. It bounced off the post and into the net! We were ecstatic! But we were also a little bit tired, and, as time wore on, the ball was more frequently being hit towards us. However, when Jody caught the ball and kicked it out of her hands, Rayne was waiting, and scored another magnificent goal.

But then Unicorn fought back. They managed to get the ball, dribble down the sidelines and score a goal which could have been prevented. Five minutes later, another fluky goal was scored, putting new spirit into the Unicorn girls, and bringing ours down to an all time low. We were tired, sore and only winning by one goal, yet still, we fought back and held them off, clearing corners, receiving fouls, and tackling for England! When the whistle blew, we were all so relieved, that we hardly had any breath left to cheer! We had WON!!!!! Well done girls, you were incredible!!!!

by Niamh Gordon

Oppositions’ Player of the Match: Jody Murphy

Managers/Players’ Player of the Match: Annie Dixon

Goals: 2nd half – Rayne, Molly, Rayne

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