Brent U13 Girls 2-1 Highgate Rangers
Brent’s U13 Girls went into this fixture unbeaten in the Regent’s Park Youth League and looking for three points in order to return to the top of the table and worked hard in an effort to achieve their goal.
Brent started in a lively fashion and could have opened the scoring within the first five minutes, but a powerful shot by Finlay Cottle fizzed just past the post.
A shot by Zoey De Souza Mantas (DSM) created havoc in the Rangers box and they were again fortunate to clear the ball off the goal line.
The Brent pressure continued and in the seventh minute their efforts were rewarded. The chance was created by good interplay in midfield; Willow Corbett released Eabha Kennedy to tee up Evie Roe to finish off the move, neatly tucking the ball into the corner of the net.
Rangers responded strongly, pressured the Brent goal and forced a save from Hannah Derks. From the next phase of play Derks attempted to play the ball out while under pressure and the pass was intercepted by the Rangers striker who remained composed and cooly slotted the ball away. After just 10 minutes, the score was level at 1-1.
Brent regained the initiative and both Roe and DSM went close again and were denied by the ‘keeper.
On the stroke of half time another assist by Kennedy saw DSM calmly take on two defenders and remain composed to slam the ball into the net.
Brent had missed several chances in the first half and this continued throughout the second half with Willow Stone, Finlay Cottle and Celia Marmion in quick succession all failing to convert good chances.
At the other end Rangers were trying to create chances against the run of play but the defense of Scarlett Hunn and Tallulah Swaby were equal to the task and snuffed out all signs of danger.
Brent continued to press but were also thwarted by a stoic Rangers defense. With time running down and Rangers determined to get something from the game, they threw caution to the wind and piled pressure on the Brent defense. Derks was solid in goal, managing the defense and dealing well with shots from distance. A final attack by Rangers saw Marnie Hunn making a desperate tackle to retrieve the ball and see the game out.
There were no goals but plenty of action in the second half and Brent eventually claimed a 2–1 victory to go back to the top of the table, one point ahead of Camden Girls. Brent’s final League game is against Camden Girls; a victory will see Brent claim the title.
Player Of The Match: Hannah Derks