Aston U16 Girls 2 – 3 Barton United U16 Girls

This Saturday was one of the biggest sporting fixtures to hit Stanton-Harcourt village for some time on a damp Saturday morning in February. The Harcourt-Arms a buzz of activity this early on a Saturday morning, as Aston hosted Barton United in this rearranged fixture due to floods earlier in the year. These two teams always have a great game together, and today's match was to prove a nail biter right to the end.

Barton, with just the 10 players available, therefore meant that the game was 10-a-side, together with some injuries and tiredness from the last few weeks, and with no subs to Astons many. It was down to Bartron to tap into their inner strength to see this game through.

First Half

From the off, Aston, still on a high from their 4-1 win against Witney last weekend, were straight onto the attack. Having a shot within the first few minutes. Barton, a little unfocused to start, struggled to respond to this initial unexpected burst of pressure from Aston. The ball somehow failed to get cleared in time, gave Aston a chance to shoot at quite close quarters, and they scored. 1-0 (3 mins). 10 mins in, Aston had a free kick, taking a chance at goal to be saved superbly by Tihanna. The next phase of play over the next 10 minutes saw Barton try to reset and re-shape, regain their confidence, and start to turn the pressure the other way. With Hope, Courtney and Claudia on the back three, Ella and Antonia in centre and Jennaya on the right, Sophie on the Left, Georgia and Liz up front, working hard to come back from a goal behind.

12 minutes in a shot from Georgia, expertly saved by the Aston keeper, provided one of many Bartron corners. 14 minutes in, Barton had a free kick, the super kick from Hope denied by the Aston keeper. A chance for Georgia, and with Antonia and Sophie putting the ball into the box. 18 minutes in a corner for Barton saw the ball cleared out to an expertly positioned Hope, who was able to strike the ball cleanly over all players in the box, beating the keeper and into the back of the Aston net. 1-1 (18 mins)

Barton now on level terms again started to increase the pressure further, pushing up the pitch. 21 mins in saw a great run on the right from Ella, crossing the ball into the box. Some great play from Liz followed, chasing down the ball. A great through ball from Jennaya, a cross over from Sophie on the left. 30 mins in a shot from Jennaya. Some great play leading up to Georgia getting the ball and beating the keeper 1-2 (38 mins), which was followed almost immediately by another run and shot for Georgia.

HT 1-2

Second Half.

The half started with Barton on the attack with chances being created, really trying to pressure Aston, looking for that third goal. Some great chances for Ella, Georgia, Jennaya, Sophie, and Liz, with many being saved by the Aston Keeper. Antonia holding the middle, with Claudia, Hope, and Courtney helping to push the play high up into the Aston half, whilst responding to any threat swiftly as it occurred. With 14 mins left to play, Aston had a break, shot, and the ball bouncing, making for a very tricky save for Tihanna to be able to get to, 2-2 (66mins). It was now all to play for again, the Barton dug out, trying desperately to think of what best could be done. With no fresh legs to bring on, some words of encouragement with the belief in Barton play that the team would rally to the win, was the only real possibility available now as the match was well into that last 15 mins. With 10 mins to play a chance for Georgia, with 9 mins left a massive expertly timed tackle by Courtney, denying Aston a break, 7 mins left a chance for Aston, but it was straight down the other end with 6 mins left to play with Georgia getting the ball into the Aston net from a tight angle to give Barton a well earned lead. 2-3 (74 mins), Barton continued to pressure Aston all the way to the end.

Phew, what a match.

Full Time 2-3

POMs

Hope – Amazing goal scored from great reading of the game and positioning to make it happen. Even the Aston manager said so.

Courtney – Working so hard, battling with a bit of injury, getting the ball out and up the field. Super stuff in pushing the team on.

Team Mentions…

Tihanna – Great work today, unlucky with the bounce, cool and composed. Some great saves, especially the Aston free kick. Well done

Sophie – Worked your socks off on the left, some great turns of the opposition, super crosses over.

Ella – Amazing, really pushing the ball through, runs down the right, crosses in and having a go at goal, really giving the team the energy in the play.

Claudia – Great work, holding the back expertly, pushing up, and putting pressure on the opposition.

Antonia – Super work today, getting stuck in working hard on what was a tricky pitch, some great balls into the box too.

Georgia – Really well done, standing firm against the opposition, some great runs through, and some amazing goals.

Jennaya – Great work, pushing balls through, some great tackling, and having a shot or two. Well done

Liz – Really getting on with the game, even had a few chances. Some really good positioning, making the opposition defender think, worked so hard the whole game.

The whole team – The amazing compliment that that Aston manager gave you, those kinds of things don’t happen very often. You all worked so hard today, battling injuries, niggles and a bit of a rough and sticky pitch. Following on from the last couple of tough games, you had the desire and belief to win.

“We don’t grow when things are easy, we grow when we face challenges”