Brent U15 Girls 2-4 Actonians
A brilliant debut in goal by Sophia Malta helped to inspire Brent in this Capital Girls’ League Cup match against Actonians, played at the wonderful facilities at Capital City Academy.
Although Brent were ultimately defeated, this match presented a significant contrast to the teams’ previous meeting, just seven days before. Having won Division Two last season, Brent were well aware that the challenge of Division One football was significant but could not have predicted a 9-1 defeat at the hands of a physical Actonians side.
Brent started the rematch brightly and pinned back Actonians with their free-flowing, passing game. Brent took the lead when Maddie Muir tore down the left wing and cooly stroked the ball into the net. Their ever-reliable striker, Scout Waddington then increased Brent’s lead with a typical poacher’s goal, reacting first in a crowded area to shoot into the corner of the net. It was all Brent and a superb dribble by Brent skipper Giusseppina Carnevale created a chance for Apollonia Margetson but her crisp shot was pushed over the bar by the Actonoians goalkeeper. Brent broke again and this time Gracious Olamona outpaced the defense and unleashed a fine shot but again the visiting ‘keeper made another good save. Next, Brent’s Brianna John-Etiko set up Chloe O’Donoghue but again the Actonians goalkeeper made a great save to keep Brent at bay. On the stroke of half time, Actonians broke and scored from close range and the half ended 2-1. Brent would rue only having a one goal advantage despite their first half dominance.
The second half saw Actonians mount a fightback. The Brent defense of Laiba Mir, Lizzy Ulusele and Keely Dibley-Dias were all outstanding. They defended like gladiators whilst also playing out from the back. However, midway through the second half the Brent side began to tire.
Late withdrawals had depleted Brent’s squad due to players feeling side-effects after having the COVID-19 immunisation and this meant that Brent could only utilise one substitute as opposed to the opposition who had a full quota; the longer the game went on, that began to show. Malta in goal made three super saves but Acton weren’t to be denied and equalised.
The next goal would be vital. Brent put together a brilliant passing move from left back to right wing and the ball dropped to Sophie Kew but her shot was again saved by the excellent Actonians goalkeeper. At the other end, despite Malta’s heroics in the Brent goal and brilliant work by the defense, Actonians took the lead with minutes remaining and with the Brent side tiring further the visitors scored again in the dying minutes to complete the scoring.
Despite the defeat, Brent coach Chris Ampofo was delighted by his teams performance “To bounce back from the week before and play like they did showed the spirit in the group. Some of the football was fantastic.”
Brent were further boosted by news from the English Schools’ FA’s selectors that Brianna John-Etiko had been successful at the South East England trials. She has been selected to represent the South East of England to play the South West at the Middlesex FA headquarters Rectory Park on 14 November. It is an honour to be nominated to attend an England trial but to get through even the first stage is a great achievement. Chris Ampofo said: “I’m delighted for Brianna and her family. She is very talented. There are a number of Brent players who could play at a high level if they keep enjoying their football and learning. It is great to see girls football in Brent growing like it is.”
Other Matches
The Brent Under-14 girls showed great improvement but went down 4-0 away to Teddington. The Under-9 girls also showed spirit to lead at half time but lost out against Dragons 3-2 while the Under-11 girls continued their unbeaten run just edging past United Dragons in a game played in a great spirit 3-2. The Brent Under-13 girls continued their winning streak with an impressive 3-0 win against United Dragons.