Woking 0-1 Brent
Surrey Schools’ FA, U11 Girls League, 12th November 2016
Brent went into this difficult away match in the Surrey Schools’ FA League at the top of the table but knowing that Woking were in control of their destiny because of their games in hand. Both teams went into the game undefeated and in the first half it was easy to see why. The game saw both teams defending superbly, meaning that neither goalkeeper had any meaningful shots to save.
The second half was a lot livelier and more open as Brent started to push for the lead. Despite the visiting team’s efforts, it was Woking who had the first real chance of the game when Brent’s ‘keeper misjudged the pace of a through ball, letting the Woking striker run round her and with an open goal in front of the forward, Brent defender Nia Bowman threw her body in the way of the shot, somehow blocking it out for a corner. Just two minutes later, after a loving flowing move from a goal kick, the ball landed at Nicole Njoku’s feet on the edge of the box and she stabbed it home to give Brent a crucial lead. With only eight minutes remaining, the goal set up a nervy end to the game, but Brent managed to see the game out for an important win.
The Championship is now in Brent’s hands and if they win their final two games they will retain the title won by last season’s Under-11 squad.
Player of the match: Nia Bowman
Team: Lauren Thompson (Malorees), Nicole Njoku (St Joseph’s), Nia Bowman (Sudbury),Caitlin Finnerty (St Robert Southwell), Katie Angell (Byron Court), Shakira Kafero-Roberts (Salisbury), Donica Torraj (Mora) Antonia Lawrence (John Keeble).