The new Brent Schools’ FA girls side continued their superb start to the season with a great display in a mini-tournament before London Bees took on Millwall Lionesses in The FA Women’s Super League at The Hive.
The squad has been brought together from the Wildcats sessions hosted by BSFA and supported by Grow the Game funding from the Football Foundation. The borough’s girls were unbeaten in all three games and thanks to superb defending from Keely Dibley-Dias and Matilda Easterby and a brilliant debut from keeper Milly-May Blue conceded only two goals.
The highlight of the tournament was a 2-1 win against a strong Ruislip Rangers side. Brent started brightly and kept Ruislip in their half for long periods. Then against the run of play Ruislip broke, forcing debutante goalkeeper Blue to make a stunning save from point-blank range. After that Ruislip’s opportunities were limited as Matilda Easterby and Keely Dibley- Dias impressed in defence.
Brent’s confidence grew and the team’s passing improved as the game went on. Playing from the back, Dibley-Dias released captain Guissepina Carnavale down the left and after a neat interchange of passes with Sophie Kew and her sister Maria, Carnavale rifled an unstoppable thunderbolt of a shot into the roof of the net. Having taken the lead, Brent dominated as the Carnevale sisters caused Ruislip all sorts of problems. Brent brought on Maya Rosenberg, Maud Ampofo and Esther Huber and the trio made an instant impact, playing a part in releasing Guissepina Canavale into the box to smash a low drive past the keeper to make it 2-0 at the break. Ruislip came out strongly in the second half but with Dibley-Dias and Easterby defending superbly their opportunities were limited. With five minutes remaining, Ruislip counter-attacked and finished a good passing move with a good strike giving Blue no chance. Brent had to dig deep for the remainder of the game as Ruislip piled on the pressure, but solid defending kept Rangers out and secured a deserved win.
Brent coach Chris Ampofo commented “I’d like to congratulate both teams for playing a great game with a great spirit. The Brent girls are improving with every game. Their hard work is paying off”.
Squad: Esther Huber, Guissepina and Maria Carnevale, Keely Dibley-Dias, Matilda Easterby, Maud Ampofo, Maya Rosenberg, Milly-May Blue, Sophie Kew