Denham net 5 on opening day

The u14s started their 2016/17 league campaign with the long journey to Bishops Stortford for a 10.30 kick off.

The game began with us shooting downhill, the girls were told to make the most of the first half as the decline would play a big part in the game. To start we looked a bit nervous with the majority of the game being played in midfield. Lauren and Maddie worked hard together to win the midfield battle and get us going forward as a team.

We took the lead 15 minutes into the first half with some great play between Elle-Mae and Katie on the left hand side of the pitch who eventually found Melissa at an acute angle to place the ball past the goalkeeper. We shortly doubled our lead after some great defending from Kaitlan and Ellie, a well worked move found Maddie running at the defence and finding Aislinn who played a cross along the 6 yard box for Katie to head the ball goal wards, a good save from the goalkeeper parried the ball back to Katie who used her back to put the ball into the goal.

We continued to be on top of the game and managed to get to half time 2-0 up.

At half time we discussed that we will have to play football slightly differently with us clearing our lines rather than trying to find a pass due to the wind and the continuous downpour.

The second half started with the game mainly being played in our half with us counter attacking well and at speed. Tessa "Neuer" Van Zanten was alert and quick off her line with any passes that caught our defence out. Tessa played a part in the 3rd goal with one of her clearances evading everyone and some good pressure from Melissa caused confusion between the oppositions defender and goalkeeper, allowed Melissa to nip in and steal the ball from them to smash the ball into an empty net. Melissa completed her hat-trick in the last 10 minutes of the game when some great play from Sophie who spotted Melissa free on the right hand side of the pitch. Melissa cut inside and bent the ball into the top corner of the goal, the ball hitting the post as it went in, an unstoppable shot and a great way to complete a hat-trick and secure the 3 points for the team. Denham grew in confidence with Ellie, Kaitlan and Aislinn also come close to scoring. The final goal came in the closing moments, after we won a corner, Maddie took the corner their goalkeeper decided to try and clear the ball with her feet and ended up kicking the ball into the back of her own net.

Player of the match was awarded to Maddie Kirkby for her hard work and determination.

It was a great result for a team who hadn't played a 9 a side match since the end of last season, and also had 2 new recruits in Maddie and Tessa who have both fitted in really well. There is still lots to work on but it is definitely a step in the right direction.