U15s Diamonds vs AFC Bolton (A) - 4th Dec 2022
7 from 7!
Match Report
AFC Bolton 1 v Diamonds 13
It was a later than usual kick-off time for the girls this morning at 11:30am, on a bitterly cold morning/early afternoon over at Ladybridge, where AFC Bolton entertained the Diamonds on their 3G pitch.
The team had struggled over the past week with illness, but on the day, we went into the game with only Maisie missing. The girls were once again dominant, playing some lovely football in a 13-1 away victory, to make it 7 wins out of 7!
Despite the coldness, the Diamonds soon warmed the travelling parent support up with another fast start from kick-off. After only 2 minutes, Libby’s lofted ball over the AFC backline, found Holly’s run for her to easily pick her spot to finish for 1-0.
It was constant pressure from the Diamonds, with AFC unable to get out of their own half. A couple of half chances came and went, notably a long-range effort by Ava, that went just over.
After 13 minutes, the girls got a deserved and overdue second, when Libby’s sublime lob, evaded the keeper for 2-0 and within 60 seconds, a third goal game. A great through ball by Lois saw Libby and the keeper challenge each other, but the keeper’s clearance hit Libby, who was alive to the free ball and tap home for 3-0.
It took AFC 16 minutes to have a first real attack of any note but that was mopped up by the ever-impressive Megan at the back.
It’s got to be said, our forwards are on fire so far this season and Libby got another hattrick on 21 minutes, when she controlled a difficult ball to finish well for 4-0.
Bolton began to put a bit of pressure on and forced a good save from Ellie and then a minute later, a brilliant shot and goal from the AFC No.10, left Ellie with no chance – it’s only the second goal this season that her and the defence have conceded! 4-1.
After 28 minutes, Milnrow restored their four-goal advantage with some brilliant football between Cienna, Lois, and Libby. The ball was played wide to Cienna, who took it past a defender and put in a cross to Lois, who in turn played a fine squared ball for Libby to calmly put away for her fourth and a 5-1 score line.
Three minutes later, confusion from the Bolton keeper after another brilliant Cienna cross, left her fumbling the ball to Libby’s feet and in her efforts to try and make amends, the keeper brought Libby down for a penalty to Milnrow. Lois duly stepped up and put the penalty to the keeper’s right to make it 6-1.
Half Time: 6-1
It took the girls a minute after the break to score a seventh, when superb skill from Lexie sent Cienna away and her cross was put away by Lois, 7-1. Confidence was flowing throughout the Diamond’s team and just a minute later, Holly’s deft finish made it 8-1.
The girls were really playing some fantastic football, with Mia once again dictating everything in midfield, superbly supported by the impressive Lexie and Ella. We had Lois holding the ball up superbly in the hole up front, bringing in Libby and Cienna and Holly’s pace out wide. The rotating defence of Megan, Keeva, Liv, Ava, Sadie, and Poppy, dealt with anything that came their way calmly and composed. Unfortunately, we lost our stalwart defender, Poppy, who started on the bench due to illness, but the coaching team decided to give Poppy a rest for the duration of the game, still suffering illness.
Ten minutes into the second half, another good cross from Cienna, picked out Lois, who’s first touch totally took out the AFC defender, leaving her space and time to finish for a well-deserved hattrick and a 10-1 score line.
Five minutes later, the same pair combined but this time the roles reversed, for Lois to play in Cienna for a great finish, making it 11-1.
On one of AFC’s rare sorties into the Milnrow third of the pitch, they saw a long-range effort saved by Ellie for a corner. And from the resulting corner, was mopped up with the minimum of fuss by the defence. Ellie, once again largely uncalled upon, but whose concentration was first class throughout, will be called upon more than today during the rest of the season, so it’s brilliant to see her keeping her eye on anything that evades the defence.
Holly deserved a goal 20 minutes into the half, when a brilliant strong run down the left, running three quarters of the length of the pitch, breezing past AFC’s efforts to tackle her; but at the final moment, the ball just ran away from her, and the oncoming AFC keeper managed to clear. It really would have been a superb individual goal.
On 25 minutes saw some excellent teamwork by the girls, passing and moving at pace, resulted in Cienna’s pass to Libby, who looked up and laid it on a plate for Ella to tuck home for 12-1.
With 5 minutes to go, AFC’s keeper made a great save, but the resulting ball fell to Lexie 5 yards outside the edge of the box, and she finished brilliantly 13-1.
Full Time: 13-1
Goalscorers
Libby Newton: 4
Lois Lennon: 3
Cienna Williams: 2
Holly Forder-Brown: 2
Ella Cavanagh
Lexie Ingoe
Girl of the Game
In a team effort full of outstanding performances, special mentions must go to Megan, Libby, Cienna, Lexie & Mia. Lois got the nod for GOTG for some great hold up play, playing in the hole up front and constantly bringing others into play. A well-deserved hattrick and 4 assists – well done Lois.