Haslingden u16s 8 v 1 Walshaw

A frosty home pitch this week for the u16's as we welcomed Walshaw. The girls were keen to get off to a quick start today to keep warm as it was a cold morning. Emily must have been coldest as she was soon running at the defence, it only took 5 minutes for her to get the first goal of the day. A cross from Alannah, on the wing for a change, found her in the middle for an easy opener. Walshaw had been caught early on but soon found their feet and were pressing well and attacked with purpose. Tanya had the low sun in her eyes as she faced a few shots in goal, luckily they were quite tame and she dealt with them well. It didn't take long for Haslingden to score again, this time it was Alesha who played a great ball past the defence for Emily to run onto and put beyond the keeper for her 2nd. Alannah and Emily were getting plenty of the ball on both wings and were getting past the defence nearly every time. Walshaw were still causing problems but Daisy and Amelia, at left and right back, were slowing them down until help arrived and we could clear our lines. Emily turned provider for the 3rd, playing in Holly who fired the ball into, and nearly through, the net. Ashy and Rebekah were working very well as a defensive duo helping each other out and clearing any danger. For me, the best goal of the game came next. Emily, again got clear of Walshaw, and was in on goal with just the keeper to beat, but instead of shooting she played the ball square to Alannah to tap into an open goal. A selfless act that showed Haslingden play for each other and not themselves as it would have been a first half hat-trick. 4-0
Another half time team talk where I couldn't give them any advice.
Time for a change in goalkeepers and positions. Rebekah went in goal and Tanya came out to the wing. Haslingden continued to play some excellent football, playing the ball out of defence with confidence, tackling with force and attacking en masse. Holly, burst through from midfield and her strong shot rebounded off the post to the feet of Alannah, who got her 2nd of the game. Walshaw got a deserved goal back with a shot from just inside the area that Rebekah couldn't hold onto. They didn't stop there and continued to look for more, a late challenge from Amani drew a foul ,but we dealt with the free kick. Tempers got heated after another late challenge, this time on Ashy. Haslingden were told to calm down and get back to playing football. With Tanya and Alannah regularly swapping positions between right wing and striker the Walshaw defenders didn't know who to mark and it paid off with Tanya firing a shot from wide, and was unlucky to see it hit the bar. It landed with Holly who also got her 2nd of the game. Chelsey was playing some good passes from deep midfield which was helping us keep Walshaw away. Amelia and Daisy have really grown in confidence in the last few games, their passing and willingness to receive the ball is improving each week. Robyn was allowing Holly to get forward from midfield but decided she wanted to get a goal. Last week she was just wide, this week it was closer, but just hit the post. She is another who has upped their game recently. Holly was the 1st to get the hat-trick as she took the ball off a defender and fired into the net. There was still time for one more goal though, Alesha came out of defence for a corner and stayed up as we kept the ball. She played Emily through for her 3rd and final goal of the game.
Final score 8-1
Emily x 3
Holly x 3
Alannah x 2
Player of the match - Emily
Special mention to Amani who took it on herself to go and apologise for her tackle after the game.