Cramlington Town v Bedlington Town Wildcats

10 September 2011

At long last, we have come to the start of the football season for the Wildcats and what a season it promises to be. We are one of 11 teams making up the Northumberland Girls Football under 13s league, and will be playing against girls a year older than ourselves; not only this, but we are now involved in 9 a side football, the offside rule, two halves of 30 minutes instead of four quarters, together with home and away matches on bigger grassed pitches. These are big changes, but we are more than capable of coming to terms with them and giving a very good account of ourselves at the same time.

After winning the under 11s league last season and tournaments at Blackpool and North Tyneside, Monty took the decision to test the girls by missing out under 12s football altogether and pitching in with the older year group to ensure that we get more competitive games than some of those we had last year. This decision was made to help with the development of the Wildcats and to get them away from the narrow plastic pitches of last year onto bigger grass surfaces on which we will play with three defenders, three in midfield and two forwards in front of our goalie. With all of last years girls available again, we needed to recruit two more players who would be able to compliment the 'old girls' and we were able to welcome Demi and Amy to the squad for today's game.

We have a great set of girls playing for the Wildcats, we have strength and versatility in all areas of the pitch and a willingness to work hard for each other which will be vital in the weeks to come. We have a challenge ahead of us in the weeks and months ahead, but we also have the opportunity to rise to this challenge and do very well over the season.

Come on you Wildcats!!!

The kick off time was approaching and we had everyone available except Erin who was still on holiday. It was a warm overcast day with a strong wind blowing straight down the pitch and Monty reminded the girls about the off-side rules and the need to press the ball without leaving big gaps between defenders, midfielders and forwards. Mid fielders in particular were asked to funnel back and forward to support defenders and attackers where necessary, and when we were kicking into the strong wind then we would need to ensure that we got some power into the passes to make sure they found their target.

Caz had to wait her chance to play as Monty sent out the following team:-

Moley in nets with Amy, Mazie (captain for the day) and George in front of her. Midfield three were Demi, Ellie and Bella with Lauren and Alice up front. Cramlington had fourteen players available and looked to be bigger physically than our girls and they were also kicking with the wind in this first half. The whistle blew, and season 2011/2012 was underway. Cramlington made the most of the kick-off and attacked from the start, but we were defending well and with the initial attack snuffed out, we were beginning to assert ourselves and won the first corner of the game. This corner was taken quickly and following a goalkeeping fumble, the ball was bobbing about within the Cramlington goal mouth before being cleared off the line. Lauren won the ball on the left and sent a great ball towards goal which was met by Demi who was unfortunate to see her header go over the bar.

This was a great start to the game especially as we were playing against the wind, and it was obvious that we were the better footballing side even at this early stage. We were making good use of the width of the pitch and shots from Bella (over the bar with the 'keeper beaten) and Lauren (just past the far post) were very encouraging and appreciated by the Wildcats supporters who were sensing that it would not be long before we opened the scoring.

A very long kick by the Cramlington goalkeeper put us under a bit of pressure, but our back line was solid and able to convert the Cramlington pressure into Wildcats pressure very quickly. Another very long kick, making full use of the strong wind gained Cramlington their first corner of the game and a snap shot was well taken by Moley at the base of her post. Moley then cleverly got the ball to Demi who stormed up the right wing before finding Lauren with enough time to control the ball, take aim, and open the scoring; the Wildcats were on their way.

The rain started as Cramlington came more into the contest with their long ball game, but we were able to cope with the threat and feed our forward players. We were getting a lot of joy from both wings, with Demi, Lauren and Bella able to beat defenders and send in dangerous crosses, which we would need to capitalise on if we were to make the game more comfortable.

Bella gathered the ball and ran up the left wing, and as Lauren made a good run taking defenders with her, a hole opened up in the Cramlington defence which Bella was able to run into and shoot over the bar. Bella and Lauren combined well again and battled to win the ball away from three opponents before finding Demi who won a corner. Demi was then replaced by Caz who reverted to right back and allowed Amy to move forward to midfield. This change was seamless as we continued to win most fifty fifties and comfortably contained any threat from Cramlington.

It was only a matter of time before we increased the lead if we continued to play like this, and right on cue the second goal came. Alice got to a ball which she was second favourite for and ran down the wing before crossing and finding Lauren at the far post to take us two goals up.

The rain was belting down now, but this did not stop the Wildcats and we almost increased the lead further when Amy hit a post and the rebounded ball found its way to Lauren, but her shot was cleared. Bella had another shot from distance which was missed by defenders and subsequently cleared. The occasional Cramlington attacks were well defended and we were then playing the ball comfortably out of defence which was exactly what was required against the strong wind and the driving rain. Moley played another clever pass out to Caz this time and she was able to carry the ball forward before finding Amy who played a quick one/two with Alice before shooting.

The half time whistle blew with Wildcats winning by 2 - 0. We were by far the better team and could have scored many more goals, but those of us on the sidelines were very pleased indeed with the standard of our play and the attitude of our girls.

As the second half got under way, Ellie was given a well earned rest after her usual bustling display in the centre of the pitch with Demi returning to her right wing spot and Amy taking over in the midfield.

We kicked off, attacked and scored!

Lauren was available to score her hat trick and the game was as good as won even at this early stage, as Cramlington were already looking a beaten team. We were in control and still looked strong but we needed to be careful not to run ourselves into the ground and hand over the advantage.

We continued to do most of the attacking with regular corner kicks from both wings causing all sorts of problems in the Cramlington goalmouth; we were running at Cramlington from all angles with Bella and Lauren combining well again to provide Alice with a scoring opportunity which was well saved. The rain was heavier now, but the pitch was holding up well and we were continuing to boss the game, winning the ball, distributing it and generally playing some excellent controlled football.

Because of the ability of our girls to get the ball wide and send in some great crosses, we were able to bring our midfield into the attack more. A Lauren corner was met by Amy on the volley and fizzed just wide of the post, while runs and shots from Demi and Bella were marginally wide. Even though we were exerting most of the pressure and were almost camped out in the Cramlington half, we were still disciplined enough to keep our shape and we were playing very well all over the pitch. Further opportunities by Lauren and Demi were beaten away before Demi set off on yet another run down her wing before sending a shot across the 'keeper and into the net for her first goal for the club, and the Wildcats fourth.

Alice took a rest before Demi did a carbon copy of her first goal to increase the lead further as the rain stopped, the wind died down and the sun came through.

Cramlington started to throw their bigger girls up front in an attempt to get on the score sheet, but they were well dealt with by Caz, Mazie and George at the back. We were winning everything at this stage and it was no surprise when goal number six hit the back of the net when Demi completed her hat trick following good work from Bella and Amy.

We were still powering forward when the final whistle blew with Wildcats winning their first game in the under 13s league by a score of 6 - 0 with both Lauren and Demi hitting hat tricks.

This score did not flatter Wildcats who were better than their opponents at everything on the day. This was a very encouraging performance right throughout the team. Moley touched the ball only once in the second half, but made a good save at a crucial time in the first half. Caz, Mazie and George were solid and reliable at the back; our midfielders Bella, Amy, Demi, Ellie were everywhere; Lauren and Alice were a constant threat up front.

The team played as a unit even allowing for some excellent individual performances, and some of the football we played was fast accurate and exciting. We made full use of the larger pitch and while we will probably come across better teams during the course of the season, we have good cause to be optimistic. Wildcats supporters were proud of our girls and Monty was over the moon with the performance

Cramlington awarded girl of the game to Amy, and Monty's award was give to Bella for her non stop work.

Thank you girls for a great Wildcats Saturday.