The Brent Schools’ FA Under-14 Girls squad started their campaign with a 2-0 victory at Sporting Duet Panthers in the Capital Girls’ League.
With all fixtures at Regent’s Park postponed, this match was also in doubt following relentless rain overnight but put a pitch inspection allowed the game to go ahead at Wandsworth Park on the banks of the River Thames.
Brent started strongly but found it difficult to play their usual passing game on the bumpy pitch. However, the squad’s top scorer from 2019-20, Scout Waddington broke the deadlock. Keely Dibley-Dias passed to Laiba Mir who released Ugomma Ekendu-Obi down the right. Ekendu-Obi’s pinpoint pass was met by Waddington who smashed the ball into the net.
The hosts fought hard to equalise but good work by Apollonia Margetson in midfield and excellent defending by Elizabeth Ulusele limited their chances. In attack, the pace of Olivia Henry and Waddington caused the hosts all sorts of problems as Brent pinned them back for long periods.
Sporting showed spirit and fought for an equaliser, hitting Brent on the counter-attack but goalkeeper Pele Fakahau saved well.
Brent increased their lead with a classic counter attack of their own. Sophie Kew intercepted a pass and slipped the ball to Brent’s captain Giuseppina Carnavale. Carnavale then dribbled from the halfway line jinking past two defenders and did a slick one-two with Waddington before passing the ball coolly into the into the far corner to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half time.
The second half was an action-packed affair. Sporting burst through to create a one-to-one chance but again Pele Fakahau reacted well and made a superb save. At the other end, Waddington then reacted first in a goalmouth scramble smashing the ball against the bar. Tirion Lewis reacted quickest but her volley was pushed past the post by a reflex save from the Sporting keeper.
After the match, Brent coach Chris Ampofo said: “I congratulated the girls on a great performance in difficult conditions. They showed great spirit.”
Brent squad: Keely Dibley-Dias, Ugomma Ekendu-Obi, Olivia Henry, Tirion Lewis, Pele Fakahau, Chloe O’Donoghue, Sophie Kew, Apollonia Margetson, Anny Da Silva Rosa, Maddie Muir, Maya Rosenberg, Elizabeth Ulusele (capt), Scout Waddington, Laiba Mir, Giuseppina Carnavale (capt).
Brent U14 Girls next face Regent’s Park FC at home at Capital City academy on 10 October while the Under-13 girls are also in action against Jollof Sports and the Under-11 Girls face MGA; both those matches are at Regent’s Park.