Brent Schools’ FA’s U14 girls had a tough away match in the sunshine, on what felt very much like the first day of spring, against Alexandra Park Youth.
The 4-1 score line in favour of the hosts was not reflective of an end to end, counter-attacking game between two well-matched teams.
Brent started well, piling early pressure on Alexandra Park. An early shot from edge of the box by defender Pele, had the hosts sitting back. A strong tackle from Georgie, a run and a searching cross across Park’s goalmouth was left unanswered, while a shot by midfielder Amira into the home side’s side netting showed early intent from Brent.
Setting the tone for their performance, Alexandra Park came back strongly on the counter-attack. A good chance was denied by a magnificently well-timed one-on-one save from Brent ‘keeper Sara.
Alexandra Park then broke through with several counter attacks, their pacy number 2 darting first down the left flank and then down the right wing following a tactical change by Alexandra Park’s coach.
A third of the way into the first half, following a Brent miskick sliced across their 18 yard box, Park opened the scoring, arguably against the run of play. Brent replied with a charge into the box by striker Isabel, deflected out for a Brent corner.
Alexandra Park started the second half strongly, with ‘keeper Sara forced to parry an early shot wide. Brent responded with some tidy interplay between Liv and Amira and a left footed shot wide of the post. Alexandra Park immediately countered with their number 2 slotting a second goal for her team. This was quickly followed by a third goal after a goal kick and a well timed pass made bypassed Brent’s defence to create another one on one situation, which was finished tidily.
Brent replied with some dominant football in midfield with Maia holding the ball up well, repeated tackles from Poppy and Violet to deny the opposition, and strong interplay between Isabel, Liv, Sasha and Christie in the centre resulting in a shot from Amira clipping the crossbar and going over. More chances followed for Brent – a run at goal by Christie, a shot from Pele and a teasing cross by Amira which flashed across the home goal mouth. Park responded with a characteristic counter-attack, their number 17 forcing an amazing save from Sara. A minute later, the home side scored an impressive goal from a tight angle at the near post to extend their lead to 4-0.
Brent responded well in the final minutes; a cross from Georgie found Christie, her shot rattled the post, Holly met the rebound and scored with a tidy side foot finish. This at least gave Brent something to show for a match which had been closer than the final score might suggest.