Brent turned on the style in this Regent’s Park Youth League tussle and eventually claimed the ‘bragging rights’ in this local derby.
Both teams started brightly but the Schools’ FA eventually took control. The breakthrough came when Schools’ captain Apollonia Margetson dribbled into the box and was just about to shoot when she was tripped. Ugomma Ekendu-Obi stepped up and fired the penalty home off the underside of the bar to open the scoring.
Margetson wasn’t to be denied a goal as she started to run the game from midfield; she dribbled through again and this time shot into the roof of the net to increase Brent’s lead.
Having taken a grip on the match, Brent made the score 3-0 with a great team goal. Debutant Evie Roe, who had a fine game at centre back, passed to Holly Palmer in midfield. Palmer cleverly passed to Olivia Henry who in characteristic style sprinted through the defence before unleashing a thunderous drive into the net giving the ‘keeper no chance. The Schools’ FA side took that lead into the interval.
The second half burst into action straight from the restart. Brent Cross were battling bravely to start a comeback while the Brent Schools’ squad were looking for the all-important next goal to put the game beyond their opponents. Brent Schools’ went close and piled on the pressure, then Brent Cross broke and excellent defending by Kate Fox, Scarlett Hunn and Roe kept them at bay.
The vital goal came from a moment of brilliance. Maia Fox slipped the ball wide to Henry who burst down the left and drove the ball across the face of the goal. Ekendu- Obi sprinted to meet it and showed incredible technique, volleying the ball into the net.
Brent introduced Liv Bicknell and Tashelle Redwood to shore up the midfield and both impressed on their first outing of the season. Brent Cross continued to fight and were rewarded with a goal. They then came close to a second but Meg Ingram made a superb reflex save to thwart any hope of a comeback. Brent nearly extended their lead further with Marnie Hunn coming on at centre forward and leading the line well.
After the match, Brent Schools’ FA coach Chris Ampofo remarked: “The whole team contributed today. They showed great spirit. It was a wonderful team performance.”
Brent squad: Apollonia Margetson (captain), Evie Roe, Holly Palmer, Kate and Maia Fox, Liv Bicknell, Marnie & Scarlett Hunn, Meg Ingram, Olivia Henry, Tashelle Redwood, Ugomma Ekendu-Obi.
Next week Brent’s Under 14 Girls start their Capital Girls League campaign away to Sporting, while the Under-13 Girls face Jolof Sports and the U9 Girls take on United Dragons at Regent’s Park.