Match report 19 December 2020: Versus PV U7 Boys
The girls kicked off their first of two games in one day in a friendly against the boys’ under 7s side at Birkenhead Park Rugby Club. The boys, who were playing their first organised match following the lifting of lockdown restrictions at the start of the month, started strong and it was a highly competitive game with both sets of players giving maximum effort.

Erin, who was playing against some of the boys from her school, got the opening goal after finding herself in some space near the goal before finishing decisively with a right footed shot into the right corner of the goal.

The boys fought back shortly afterwards despite some brave goalkeeping from Poppy and some last ditch defending from Natalie and Erin. A well taken direct free kick giving the keeper no chance. Natalie then took a hard kick to her leg after some dogged battling but managed to shake off the pain and play on after the halftime break.

The girls scored again shortly after halftime. A brilliant tackle near the boys’ penalty area by Poppy, who was now playing in her familiar attacking position, won the ball for the girls and played a pass to Rose, who took a couple of touches before firing a left footed shot which the keeper couldn’t keep out despite his best attempts. Rose celebrated in style with Erin! Sofia then went close with a direct freekick which flashed just wide.

Further goals came in the second half from Poppy, with a fantastic shot following some great determination and skill in the opposition box; and Charlotte who powered forward from midfield before giving the keeper no chance with an unstoppable finish. The boys had a number of chances themselves and Erin, who was in goal in the second half was kept busy and made some brilliant saves.

Match report 19 December 2020: Versus Glenavon U8 Girls

The girls played their second game of the day at the Activity for All indoor venue at Arrowe Park. It was the first time the girls have played at the venue and the pitch was noticeably bigger than they usually play on. The girls entered the pitch via the ‘Anfield’ entrance, which must have been hard to take for staunch Evertonians Mackie, Natalie and Poppy.

The girls played well against a very strong and organised Glenavon side. Rose, Anya and Poppy tried their best to force their way towards goal but luck just wasn’t on their side today and the ball always seemed to ricochet agonisingly wide or just out of reach at the last moment. On another day, they could all have scored and will definitely have learned from the experience of playing on a bigger pitch where the importance of finding space can make such a big difference.
Both keepers – Natalie and then Anya – made a number of important stops and Mackie and Erin made some brilliant defensive tackles and interceptions. Mackie’s classmate, Amber, was playing for Glenavon and she managed to score a brilliant solo goal, picking the ball up on the left wing on the half way line before arcing over to the right wing and finishing superbly.

There was some great pieces of play by the girls, who have been focusing on receiving the ball in defence from the keeper before picking their heads up and trying to find a teammate in space further forward. Sofia made some excellent runs forward from midfield and was a constant menace. Charlotte caused a lot of problems receiving the ball wide and demonstrated some excellent close control, even managing a cheeky nutmeg in front of the watching parents!

The girls gave a fantastic account of themselves and signed off with a performance they can be proud of heading into the Christmas break.

Merry Christmas to all of the girls and their ever supportive parents.