The Brent Under-14 Girls squad produced their best performance of the season so far to go three points clear at the top of the Capital Girls’ League, thanks to a victory in their top of the table clash away to Broomwood Panthers.
Broomwood went into this match at Wandsworth Common having scored 13 goals in their opening two Capital Girls’ League games. However, Brent went on the attack right from the kick off, Scout Waddington firing just wide after good work on the right wing by Chloe O’Donoghue.
Next, Olivia Henry out-paced the home defence but saw her shot well saved. Brent continued to pile on the pressure and got their reward after 20 minutes. The quick-thinking Emily Danicka found Sophie Kew and Kew’s neat pass released Giuseppina Carnevale on the left wing. Creating a contender for ‘goal of the season’ Carnevale dribbled from the halfway line and past three defenders before blasting the ball into the roof of the net.
The game developed into an end to end contest as the hosts fought for an equaliser but could not find a way past Brent’s rock solid defence of Kew, Elizabeth Ulusele and Keely Dibley- Dias.
Brent extended their lead when Laiba Mir broke up yet another attack and found Brianna John-Etiko. She threaded the ball to Carnevale on the edge of the box. Carnevale jinked past a defender and unleashed a fierce shot. Broomwood’s goalkeeper made a reflex save but top scorer Waddington raced in to hit a thunderous drive into the net.
Broomwood rallied at half time and came out fighting. However, even when the Panthers broke through the brilliant Brent defence, ‘but ‘keeper Emily Danicka dived to her right to make a superb point blank save.
Brent brought on fresh legs and Tirion Lewis came close to scoring a third goal with a neat snapshot. Maddie Muir marauded down the left as Brent absorbed the pressure and continued to counter with Henry working tirelessly up front as Brent managed the game to its conclusion, claiming a well-deserved win.
Brent coach Chris Ampofo commented: “The team defended brilliantly and scored two great goals. They are improving and growing in confidence with every game.”
Brent squad: Keely Dibley-Dias, Ugomma Ekendu-Obi, Olivia Henry, Emily Danicka, Tirion Lewis, Chloe O’Donoghue (capt), Sophie Kew, Apollonia Margetson, Brianna John-Etiko, Maddie Muir, Maya Rosenberg, Elizabeth Ulusele, Scout Waddington, Laiba Mir, Giuseppina Carnevale.