In a fiercely competitive match, the Brent U12 Girls claimed the Regent’s Park League ‘bragging rights’ with a 2-0 victory over the U13 side.
The match was end-to-end from the start, with the Under-13 team deploying a possesion-based passing style with the younger Brent side adopting a more direct approach.
Just before half-time, Olivia Henry from Brent U12 broke free down the right hand side. It looked as though a heavy touch had cost Henry her chance of scoring, but she regained her composure and was able to strike the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal.
That was the final significant action of the first half and Brent U13 began the second half looking to turn the game around.
The intricate passing from Brent U13 caused the U12 team problems but despite dominating possession for long periods and creating several chances, the older girls were unable to find a way to score past the outstanding U12 goalkeeper Emily Danicka.
With the Under-12 defence under enormous pressure, a moment of magic allowed the younger team to hit the Under-13 side on the break and – perhaps against the run of play – double their lead. Gerssa picked out a lovely ball in behind the defence to put Olivia Henry through on goal. Henry had been kept quiet for much of the second half by the Under-13 defence but needed only one opportunity to score and powered a shot into the net at the near post.
Brent Under-13 ramped up the pressure again, with captain Giussepina Carnavale making several mazy runs. On one of these runs, Carnavale dribbled past four defenders before driving the ball goalwards. The shot cannoned off the brilliant Danicka in goal and off the inside of the post. Carnavale turned to celebrate but the goal was not awarded and despite constant pressure from the Under-13s, Brent Under-12 stood firm, defended superbly and clinched a well-deserved win.
U12 squad: Olivia Henry, Kate Fox, Maia Fox, Pele Fakahau, Emily Donicka, Megan Deards, Olivia MacArthur, Atlanta, Anita, Gerssa.
U12 Coach Patricia Taylor: “The girls worked very hard against the odds to achieve this win. They played with desire, determination and strength with great team effort. I’m very happy and proud of their performance.”