U16 Girls’ Football. Match report by Mr Warren
Pyrland School 1-3 Buckler’s Mead Academy
Our U16 girls bowed out of the county cup after a hard fought game against a strong Buckler’s Mead side. Despite early pressure from Buckler’s on the home goal, it was Pyrland which started the scoring after some powerful solo work by Ella, who battled and tore her way past five Buckler’s defenders before cooly slotting the ball past the onrushing keeper.
The Buckler’s Mead pressure continued and although Lily, EJ, Ali and Taylor defended resiliently, it was the away side which finished the half in the ascendancy. Buckler’s levelled with a neat through ball which was calmly despatched by the centre forward. Minutes later, after some solid goalkeeping work by Chloe, Pyrland failed to clear the ball from inside their own box, Buckler’s scored their second, a scrappy goal, to go in at half time 1-2 in front.
The girls came into the second half knowing that the next goal was crucial, the midfield of Tilly, Freya, Elsie, Esme, Mya, Iris and Abi worked tirelessly to break up the Buckler’s attacks. Ella and Sophie created a few half chances, but unfortunately, it was not meant to be, and Buckler’s got a third shortly before full time to put the game to bed.
All in all, it was a spirited performance against an experienced opposition. The PE team is so proud of the endeavour and resilience shown by the girls, especially those who performed immensely well on their school football debuts.
Team: Chloe, Ali, Taylor, Lily, EJ, Esme, Tilly, Abi, Sophie-Mai, Elsie, Ella, Mya, Iris, Freya.
Player of the match – Lily C