22 Oct 2005, Girls U11: Deans Sports 4 – 4 Oswald Rd (HT:4-1)

This game was close as in the first half they knocked in 4 goals but when our 7^th player, Naomi, came on we perked up a bit and didn’t let in anymore goals until the whistle blew. We missed lots of unlucky shots but that didn’t put us down as Ruqayyah ran the ball down to Naomi who crossed it into SophieA who whacked in a goal. The team were all tired as we had no subs and so were all playing full time. The Referee blew the whistle for half time. In the second half SophieA got the ball, ran down past some players and crossed it in, the Goalie stumbled and Ruqayyah was in position and tapped it in. The next few goals were just the same. It was then 4-4 but the referee blew the whistle and everyone thought that it would be penalty shots. But we didn’t so it was a close game. GOOD GAME GIRLS!

by Ruqayyah Hashmi

Comeback Queens !

This game reminded me of my childhood when I used to watch westerns, The Os were rounded off at the pass and well and truly ambushed! However in traditional style the Lone Ranger came to the rescue and everything worked out O.K. The Os started the game in a poor fashion, with a haphazard approach and a "whatever" attitude. Fifteen minutes into the game and they where 3-0 down. We kicked off with only six players and boy did that difference tell !

It was 20 mins into the game before the Cavalry arrived in the shape of Naomi, which made the teams into even numbers, but whilst the team organised into a coherent shape, Deans took a well deserved fourth goal..... HELLO Os ! The team woke up and Sophie led from the front, lining up a great shot straight into the net. Half time 4-1 down

Quick switch of Rebecca to Goal and Sukdev out ..... to keep the defence solid, with "player of the day" Angie and Tanya into the middle to make the defence unbreakable, and an instruction for the middle, Naomi, Ruqayyah and Sophie to go for it , big style! .......... and they did ! Sophie suddenly looked a different player and was cruising around the field at will – this was comeback style with a vengeance. Ruqayyah, who has been watching Ruud Van N. for far too long, decided to take a leaf out of his book. Against an extremely underrated Deans team, "The Ruq" slowly put in a superb hat trick to pull the game back to 4-4, the Os were in the ascendancy when the Ref frustratingly pulled the reins in on the Os and called it a Day.... !

"Give us five more minutes" pleaded the Os, but Dean had earnt a Draw and full credit to them and their first goals of the season. Next weeks cup encounter should prove a thrilling match!!!!

Prediction ............Another close game, but this time, the Os will have the edge !!!!!

by Mick Gennery

Oppositions’ Player of the Match: Sophie Abbotts

Managers/Players’ Player of the Match: Angharad Englefield

Goals: 1^st half – SophieA, 2^nd half – Ruqayyah x3