Under 11s Girls Cup Final 26th April 2008
26 Apr 2008
Girls secure second cup win in successive seasons!
GIRLS UNDER 11s CUP FINAL
At Jockey Farm, Rusthall
SATURDAY 26th April 2008
Tunbridge Wells Foresters Girls Under 11s 3
Hastings Hawks Under 11s 1
The clash of the titans! The Crowborough League had seen the entrance of Hastings Hawks at the beginning of the season, and they proved to be a team worthy of challenging Foresters & Eastbourne’s dominance.
After not being able to secure the league title, Foresters Girls looked to their last chance of silverware for the 07/08 season. The cup final against Hastings, who had, to date, only lost one game all season. However that game they’d lost had been to Foresters in the league!
Tensions were high at the beginning of the match as the girls were lead out onto a pitch surrounded by excited spectators. The girls looked nervous, the coaches looked nervous and the fans just wanted the game to start.
The game kicked-off on time at 2pm. Foresters were shooting uphill in the first half and immediately put pressure on the Hastings defence. The pitch was quite difficult to play on as it was very dry and the ball was bouncing all over the place. Half way through the first half, after some good prolonged pressure from Foresters, the dead lock was broken from a corner taking by Gemma Rathmell. The ball was floated into the Hastings penalty box and before having time to bounce Emma Salter rattled the ball into the back of the net. One-Nil Foresters!
Hastings looked shocked by the goal, but the Foresters team were playing with such determination and focus that they looked comfortable playing the ball around the pitch. Then moments before half-time, a quick break and a dodgy bounce of the ball let in Hastings who surged toward the goal. Gabrielle Morris, later announced of player of the match, cleared the ball out for a corner. However from the resulting kick and a desperate scramble in the area, Hastings kicked home the equaliser! One One! Tension returned!
No changes at half time for Foresters, and the game kicked off after a well needed break. The girls being unlucky to find themselves all square in what had been 25 minutes of one way traffic. Literally after a minute of the second half the ball broke through to Millie Everett who coolly slotted home a well deserved goal. Two-One Foresters!
Hastings was rocked by the goal and then had their best spell of the game with ten minutes of some brilliant attacking football. Foresters managed to soak up the pressure with an amazing resolve and Hastings never looked like they were going to get an equaliser, apart from one ‘heart-in-mouth’ moment when a goal line scramble was eventually cleared by a strong and positive Madalena Hernandez.
The clock was ticking down and everyone was getting a little more restless now! That is with the exception of the players. After bringing on Phoebe D’albertanson and Victoria Eales, it added a new lease of life into the team and Foresters started working their way goal wards again. It was now Hastings’ turn to defend, but their resolve was not as strong and after a well worked passing move on the left, Gemma Rathmell broke behind the Hastings defence and smashed home a third and deciding goal. Three-One Foresters and game over!
Moments later the full time whistle went and the girl’s team had won the cup, for a second successive year – a remarkable feat for a squad that only got together two seasons ago. A triumph that will take some beating and my huge congratulations to the girls and a massive thank you to the coaches and supporters for making a dream day come true.
The Foresters Girls Squad managed & coached by Mark Nicholson, Simon Howie, Steve Avis & Simon Lewis will be looking to set up new teams next season. They are looking for new players in the Under 13 and Under 10/9 categories. We would also welcome any new players of any age group
Foresters Girls aim to offer all teams League & Cup matches next season. If you have any daughters/nieces/friends that would be interested in playing for an outstanding, friendly and easy going girls squad then please feel free to contact Mark Nicholson on 01892 539374 or e-mail him at mark@mnipc.co.uk for more details.
Tunbridge Wells Foresters Girls Squad will be holding trials in June & July, exact dates have not yet been confirmed, again ask Mark for more information.