Brent U13 Girls resumed their campaign after the Christmas break and started 2020 in style, achieving a resounding 4-0 victory against local rivals Queens Park Sharks.
The game was closer than the scoreline might suggest, but Brent were able to complete a League ‘double’ over Sharks.
The opening goal came from a well-worked set piece, straight off the training ground. Ugomma Ekendu Obi cut the ball back to Sophie Kew who who drove the ball toward goal. Striker Scout Waddington made a glancing header which the Sharks keeper saved spectacularly but Waddington made no mistake, shooting the rebound into the net.
Buoyed by the goal, Brent stepped up a gear and got their passing game going. Elizabeth Ulusele found Keely Dibley-Dias and her superb pass released Waddington to launch a thunderbolt into the bottom corner, doubling her team’s advantage.
Waddington completed her hat-trick after neat passing by Maddie Muir and Maya Rosenberg who slipped the ball through to Waddington inside the penalty box and she shot past the keeper for 3-0.
The second half started at a frenetic pace. The Sharks fought hard to get back into the game and only a great save by Millie May Blue kept them at bay. Now playing into a strong wind, Brent began to get the ball wide early. Dibley-Dias released Kathleen Ferreria who switched the ball inside to Apolonia Margetson. Margetson raced into the box past two defenders and Waddington showed a poacher’s instinct stepping in to blast the ball into the net and make it 4-0.
Brent coach Chris Ampofo observed afterwards: “I congratulated the girls on a brilliant performance. They really work hard for each other. Some of the passing and movement was fantastic.”
Squad: Keely Dibley- Dias, Ugomma Ekendu- Obi, Kathleen Ferreria, Sophie Kew, Apollonia Margetson, Millie May Blue, Maddie Muir, Maya Rosenberg, Elizabeth Ulusele (capt), Scout Waddington.
The U13 Girls next face Little Stars Coaching on 25 January at Regents Park.
Brent Under-12 girls also enjoyed a triumphant start to the New Year, winning a tight game against Little Stars Coaching 3-1. Leading scorer Olivia Henry again found the net in this Regents’ Park Youth League match.
The Under-11 girls also had a convincing 6-0 win against Dragons.
The Brent U13 boys squad put in a strong performance but could not convert their chances and eventually down 5-1 in an exciting Compton Cup game at home to Barnet at Capital City.