U15s Diamonds vs Old Rivington Belles (A) - 12th Feb 2023

Old Rivington Belles (0) v Milnrow Juniors Diamond’s (7)

 

Sunday was the first time the two teams had faced each other since last April’s Chairman’s Cup Final – that the Diamonds ran out 3-1 winners and we welcomed Lexie back into the team after her lay off with injury.

This time there was to be no close score line, as the girls well beat Rivington in what can only be described as a ‘strange’ game.

 

It must be said that the pitch was not the best; it was small, soft underfoot and the bottom left-hand side just rutted mud!  Despite this, it took just twenty-four seconds from kick-off for The Diamond’s to score their 100th league goal of the season, when Lois and Holly combined before the latter produced a great finish past the keepers left and into the bottom corner (1-0)

 

Lois narrowly missed with a header from Cienna’s corner and then Ellie’s long kick after a Riv’s thwarted attack, evaded the back line for Lois to latch onto, but the bounce back did not help, and the ball went over the bar from her valiant effort.

 

On nine minutes, a strong run by Holly saw her square the ball to Ava, whose shot was well saved by the keeper.  The Diamond’s second came on the ten-minute mark and after lovely play by Mia in midfield, the ball fell to Cienna outside the box, and she came on top after a tussle with a couple of defenders to slide the ball into the net (2-0)

 

On fifteen, a fabulous run and cross by Cienna, who was seeing plenty of the ball and running amok down the right, found Ava, who superbly finished from just inside the box for her first goal of the season (3-0)

 

Another great run and cross from Cienna down the right, narrowly evaded Holly at the back left hand post and then Libby narrowly missed, firing into the side netting.

 

Ellie made a good save on thirty-three minutes from a Riv’s attack and saw a bit more action this week than in the previous few weeks!

 

Five minutes before half time, Cienna made it 4-0, when she latched onto a poor goal kick to fire home.

 

Half Time: 4-0

 

One minute after the break saw some excellent work by Poppy - this week playing in midfield and having a great game, fed Holly on the left, who produced a fabulous finish (5-0)

 

It was then a bizarre twist happened, the referee, who I can only presume thought he was referring more junior sides, told us that Rivington could bring on an extra player!  This did not stop The Diamond’s though, and four minutes into the half, a great ball by Poppy, over the Riv’s defence, found Libby’s run, who calmly slotted away (6-0)

 

The referee then told Rivington to put another player on, making that thirteen players The Diamond’s were now playing against!

 

The game became very disjointed – the pitch was not the biggest to start with and with so many outfield players on, the lack of space was obvious, and the girls found it hard to break down.  When they got into good positions, they were surrounded by three players to one!

 

Ellie made a brilliant save from a Rivington breakaway, saving one on one and with five minutes to go, clever work by Cienna and Holly, and Holly’s fine skill, enabled her to produce a fantastic finish - past the keeper at her near post for another Holly hat trick.

 

Full time: 7-0

 

Another excellent display from all the girls.  Cienna was rampant down the right, especially in the first half.  Poppy had a great game playing in midfield, and we saw some brilliant hold up play from Lois.  The defence of keeper Ellie, Keeva, Sadie, Liv, Megan & Maisie had more to do this week than in recent weeks but kept another clean sheet and it was an accomplished display from Lexie on her return next to the ever-impressive Mia in midfield.

 

Girl of the game this week and thoroughly deserved, went to Holly – not just for a fine hat trick, playing out on the left, but for her all-round play.  Well done Holly and all the girls.

 

Goal Scorers

Holly Forder-Brown – 3

Cienna Williams – 2

Libby Newton

Ava Blore

 

Many thanks for our matchday sponsors Tony Keary