Brent’s Under-9 Girls’ team drew 2-2 against AC Finchley Central ‘East’ in what was the sixth Capital Girls League match for this newly formed team.
They showed great determination to draw the match after trailing 2-1.
Brent started brightly and came close to scoring first when Eabha Kennedy struck a powerful long-range shot against the post during the opening exchanges. Brent kept up the pressure and Kennedy went on to break the deadlock with a high shot into the roof of the net from inside the penalty area.
AC Finchley responded well, equalised and then went ahead with a second goal after the referee judged the ball to have crossed the line.
Brent didn’t let that misfortune affect them and following a good throw in by Tallulah Swaby, Kennedy gathered the ball, dribbled inside and hit a superb shot into the left-hand side of the goal, scoring her 9th goal in 4 matches.
In the closing moments of the first half, Willow Stone’s shot was parried away by the opposition keeper, and Stone was unlucky not to connect with the rebound. The first half ended 2-2.
In the second half, Brent lifted their energy and workrate once again and continued to attack and search for the goal to take them back into the lead. Alba Summers joined Kennedy in the attack and showed a good work rate to close down and pressure the AC Finchley defence.
Swaby and Carrie Rattigan marshalled the defence well and limited the opposition to only a few opportunities.
Brent were hungry for the winner and as the match entered the last five minutes Kennedy hit the crossbar from a fiercely struck free kick and in the dying moments of the game goalkeeper Hannah Derks made a marvellous save to her right and tipped the ball around the post to ensure Brent extended their unbeaten run to four matches.
The match was also an excellent opportunity for several Brent players to gain ‘game time’ experience. Suki Bell and Ana Chemale (making her Brent debut) both contributed to the team when called upon.
Brent stand-in coach Stephen Kennedy said after the game, “It’s great to see this new team continue to develop, despite losing the lead, the girls showed great character and endeavour; on the balance of play in the 2nd half they deserved to win”.