Brent Schools’ FA U15 Girls 2-1 Enfield Town Ladies Youth
Match winner and player of the match Giuseppina Carnevale celebrates the win with Sophie Kew who set up the opening goal.
Brent Schools’ FA’s U15 Girls produced their most assured team performance of the season to overcome title chasing Enfield Town Ladies Youth at Capital City Academy. This post-COVID season has been a challenge for Brent who have struggled to field a full team so with the full squad available this was a chance to really benchmark the progress made following promotion to the top tier. The previous match between the two teams was a feisty encounter with Brent having been in front initially then going behind before equalising with the last kick of the game to get a 4-4 draw so this was always going to be a competitive fixture.
In a great advert for girls football, which was expertly refereed by the newly-qualified Maya Blackstone, Brent were testing the Enfield back four from the earliest moments of the match. Laiba Mir and midfield partner Apollonia Margetson started to get the upper hand in midfield, winning the ball and passing well. The Brent defense of Muir, Dibley-Dias, Macarthur and Kew also started well, passing from the back and Enfield had a let-off when Gracious Olamona showed blistering pace, sprinting through before shooting inches wide.
Brent kept up the pressure with Chloe O’Donoghue going on a jinking run but her shot was well saved. Brent broke the deadlock when Sophie Kew slipped an inch perfect pass to Margetson to fire a snapshot into the bottom corner. The goal spurred a reaction from Enfield who showed why they have been flying high in the Capital Girls’ League. Sara Khene made an excellent save from a cross shot but despite the visitors’ efforts, the solid Brent defence limited their opportunities. However, on the stroke of half time Enfield launched an attack and a speculative shot dipped under the bar to make the score 1-1.
The second half erupted straight from the kick off. Brent skipper Giuseppina Carnevale dribbled past three defenders then rattled the crossbar with a fierce shot. Shortly after that, Gracious Olamona raced down the wing and cut the ball back the ball to Scout Waddington. Waddington showed exquisite technique to volley home. Brent celebrated but to the dismay of the fans the goal was disallowed. Having a contender for goal of the season chalked off could have put heads down but this Brent side are made of strong stuff. Carnevale went on a mazy dribble past two defenders then launched a thunderbolt but again it smashed against the bar.
Brent brought on Maya Rosenberg and Sophia Malta to add fresh legs into the midfield and both made an instant impact. Rosenberg showed a cool head, passing well under pressure and combining with Muir down the left. Sophia Malta, a karate champion, introduced some tenacity as the game flowed from end to end. As both teams tired from the relentless pace, Brent showed composure and began to pass through the Enfield press. Keeper Sara Khene released Kew on the right. She slipped the ball inside to Dibley-Dias who made a superb pass Carnevale out wide on the right. Carnevale dribbled past two Enfield players, then outsprinted the defence before cooly passing the ball beyond the keeper into the far corner to make it 2-1 to Brent. Enfield battled bravely but Brent showed spirit and courage matching the physicality of the Towners to see out the game and clinch a well-deserved win.
Brent coach Chris Ampofo commented: “Congratulations to both teams on tremendous match. Brent showed great team spirit. They worked their socks off and I’m so happy they got what they deserved today”
Brent: Apollonia Margetson, Keely Dibley- Dias, Brooke Dyke, Chloe O’Donoghue, Giuseppina Carnevale (capt), Sophie Kew, Sophia Malta, Gracious Olamona, Laiba Mir, Maddie Muir Maya Rosenberg, Sara Khene , Scout Waddington, Olivia Macarthur.
Elsewhere, Brent’s Under-11 Girls continued their winning streak claiming a 3-1 victory to progress into the next round of the Regents Park Cup.