U15s Diamonds vs Rainford Athletic Girls (A) - 30th Oct 2022

The Diamonds made the trip up the East Lancs on Sunday to play Rainford Athletic Girls at their temporary home ground at Billinge FC.  Rainford, the last team to defeat the Diamonds, always prove tough opposition at home and the last meeting, was a narrow 3-2 win in the Cup Semi-Final back in April.

 

This time, there was to be no close encounter, in the most complete performance seen by a Diamonds team.  Power, pace, and skill was seen in every single department of the team and the girls ran out 11-0 winners!

​

The tone was set immediately from kick-off when the Diamonds won a corner after only 30 seconds.  Holly, who was sensational all game, with her assists and crossing ability, put in a great corner, a tussle in the box between Ella and a defender, resulted in the ball falling to Cienna, who made no mistake to put the Diamonds 1-0 up in the first minute.

 

It was constant pressure from the girls from that moment forward, and in the 7th minute, Keeva put a lovely ball up the right to Cienna, who in turn, nipped it past a defender and put in a great cross.  The keeper fumbled the cross, and the ball fell to Lois to calmy slot away (2-0).

 

In the 11th minute, Ava, who has been playing out of her skin this season, put up a fantastic ball to Holly down the left, who then provided another assist with an equally fantastic cross into the box and Cienna produced a brilliant first-time finish past the keeper (3-0).

 

On 12 minutes, Lois showed great strength and control, held off two players and calmly played in Mia.  The work wasn’t over, as Mia took the ball on and finished like a seasoned pro to the keeper’s right (4-0).

The girls were playing fantastic football at pace and Rainford were struggling to contain the Diamonds runners off the ball.

 

Substitutions 20 minutes: Liv for Libby & Lexie for Poppy

 

On the 22nd minute mark, great combination work between Lexie and Cienna, resulted in the latter’s cross/shot evading the keeper for her hat-trick (5-0).

 

It took Rainford 25 minutes to get their first real attack but the ever-impressive Megan in centre of defence, mopped up any danger before it became a real threat.

 

On 26’, fine work again by Mia, put Cienna through one on one with the keeper, but dragged her shot wide.

 

Substitutions 32 minutes: Poppy for Ella & Libby for Lois

Substitutions 33 minutes: Lois for Cienna

 

Shortly before half-time, Liv fed a fine ball through to Libby, who outpaced the defence and put a shot in but a brilliant save by the keeper kept Libby off the score sheet – for now!  Two minutes later, the keeper made another excellent save, this time from Lexie.

 

Half-time: 5-0

 

Two minutes after the break, some great work on the right by Lexie, found Holly and from a tight angle, Holly – who was a constant threat throughout the game, brilliantly finished in the far corner (6-0).

 

After 45 minutes, Libby produced a fantastic turn, taking out two defenders in the process and putting herself in on goal.  She took it on a few yards, before slotting it past the keeper.  It was just reward for Libby, whose commitment and skill were mesmerising to watch at times (7-0).

 

Rainford huffed and puffed, trying to get a way through the Diamond’s defence which was superbly marshalled by Megan and Poppy and supported by Keeva, Ava, and Liv.  But when they did, it’s got to be mentioned, Ellie was there to pick up the pieces.  With little to do much of the game, it would have been easy for Ellie to switch off, but she kept 100% concentration throughout.

 

Substitutions 47 minutes: Ella for Keeva

 

On the 56th minute mark we saw some fantastic work by Lois, showing great strength and skill that deserved a goal, but unselfishly squared the ball to Ella to tap home (8-0).

 

Two minutes later, a great ball by Mia, put in Lexie to tidily finish for (9-0).

 

Substitutions 63 minutes: Keeva for Ava

Substitutions 66 minutes: Holly for Megan

 

On 66 minutes and some great skill again by Libby, resulted in her being brought down on the edge of the box - but from the resulting free kick, a deflection took the ball onto the post to safety.

 

With 8 minutes to go, the impressive Ella, whose tenacity and work rate was brilliant throughout the game, got on the end of another superb cross from Holly, to get her second of the game (10-0).

 

5 minutes to go, but the girls weren’t letting up!  More fantastic work by Ella who put Libby through but her shot hit the post but was alive to finish the rebound (11-0).

 

Full time: 11-0

 

*Note*

Sensational from the girls!

Ellie’s concentration was first class throughout in goal.

The defence: Keeva and Ava both had a fantastic game and are getting stronger game by game; Megan & Poppy are just a class act at the centre of defence – strong and tidy and go about their work with the minimal of fuss and that applies to Liv too, who, when asked to drop in to play at the back from midfield, is always neat and strong.

The midfield: Mia, Lexie, Ella, Libby & Liv complemented each other brilliantly – working so hard, but with a mixture of strength, skill and grace, that was hard for Rainford to handle.

Up front: Holly’s crosses and ability were a constant thorn in Rainsford’s side, Lois’s strength and skill caused all sorts of problems and Cienna’s pace and skill the same - not to mention when Libby goes upfront…it was frightening!

 

Girl of the Game

In a game full of outstanding performances, the award this week went to Mia who was awesome in the centre of midfield.  She orchestrated, encouraged and dictated play throughout and won every ball in the midfield and added a wonderful goal to her magnificent display.  Well done, Mia.

 

Goalscorers

Cienna Williams: 3

Libby Newton: 2

Ella Cavanagh: 2

Holly Forder-Brown

Lois Lennon

Mia Bond

Lexie Ingoe