 Having topped their league table, the Under 16 Girls A team took on Epsom in a quarterfinal knock-out qualification match to progress to League Finals Day...
The two teams had each won all of their league matches. Epsom had 5 wins from 5 played, scored 14 and let in 6. Guildford were also 5 from 5, scored 25+ and let in only 3. A half-term Sunday may have affected Epsom (only 1 sub) more than the home side, but you never know until you play the game.
And indeed it was very close - for 35 minutes neither team could break the deadlock. Guildford had the first chance early in the game but the Epsom keeper did well. From then on it was end to end with Epsom having a few short corners that the Guildford defence dealt with well.
Guildford's link-up play was excellent in 2/3 of the pitch but we consistently failed to get past the final defenders and looked like we were out of ideas by the end of the first half.
Half-time messages did the trick and shortly after the re-start a fine effort in the D was rewarded with the first goal for Guildford. This seemed to give the girls the confidence to work that final phase of play better and harder and was followed up by two more goals in quick succession.
The rest of the game played out with continued strength in defending and some super saves from Amelia when the ball did make it past the defence.
Excellent result and a great learning experience.
The Girls now get to play in League Finals Day, hosted at GHC, on Sunday 22 March where they will play a semi-final and final against other top teams in the League.
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