Brent Under 14 Girls moved to the top of the Capital Girls’ League Division Two with a 6-1 win over Ruislip Rangers.
Brent took the lead when midfielder Apollonia Margetson made a good interception and passed to in-form striker Olivia Henry who made no mistake, slotting a powerful shot low into the net.
Henry increased Brent’s lead with another cool finish, latching onto a through ball from Brianna John-Etiko. This helped Brent to dominate proceedings and Giuseppina Carnevale drove through from midfield and hit a thunderbolt onto the bar. Henry showed a goal poacher’s instincts, reacting first to complete a fine hat-trick and volley home the rebound. Brent’s skipper Maddie Muir then drove down the left and cut the ball back to Sophie Kew whose fierce strike was acrobatically pushed over the bar by the Rangers’ goalkeeper.
Ruislip continued to put up some spirited resistance and only an excellent save by Brent keeper Emily Danicka – diving at full stretch to push a shot past the post – kept Ruislip off the scoresheet in the first half. Brent responded well to this scare and went on the attack. Ugomma Ekendu-Obi linked with Chloe O’Donoghue to win a corner. Carnevale hit a great corner to Maya Rosenberg, who showed good technique to control the ball and fire home. The first half ended with Brent 4-0 ahead.
The game looked over but Brent ‘keeper Emily Danicka had sustained an injury making the full-length save which had preserved her side’s clean sheet. With Danicka needing treatment, Brent were forced into a reshuffle and Carnevale stepped in as an impromptu goalkeeper. This spurred Ruislip on as they realised they might have an opportunity and they were rewarded for their spirit when they gained possession in midfield and their midfielder Skye scored with a superb 25 yard chip giving the makeshift ‘keeper no chance.
Buoyed by the goal, Rangers piled on the pressure. Brent pushed Keely Dibley-Dias into midfield to support Laiba Mir and began to regain control of this key battleground. Dibley-Dias gave a superb passing display and this helped Brent to regain their focus. Following treatment, Emily Danicka returned to the Brent goal and this helped Brent to settle.
Dibley-Dias made a pin point pass to Tirion Lewis who flicked the ball to Margetson. Margetson drove at the defense and unselfishly released Scout Waddington on the left of the box and Waddington scored with a smart left-footed chip over the excellent Ruislip ‘keeper, to seal a 6-1 victory.
After the match, Brent coach Chris Ampofo paid tribute to the opposition: “Credit to Ruislip. They showed great spirit and never gave up. The Brent girls also showed great resilience. It was tough at times today and they worked hard and tried to play. They should take confidence from their efforts.”
Squad: Apollonia Margetson, Brianna John-Etiko, Chloe O’Donoghue, Emily Danicka, Giuseppina Carnevale, Keely Dibley-Dias, Laiba Mir, Maddie Muir (capt), Maya Rosenberg, Ugomma Ekendu-Obi, Olivia Henry, Scout Waddington, Sophie Kew, Tirion Lewis.
Brent face Regents Park away next week knowing a win will give them their first Capital Girls’ League title.