 The Under 14 Girls had a keen, young side out for the Barcelona tour with all of the squad being u13. At the 4.30am meet at the airport there was still a real buzz about the squad, many who were participating for the first time...
Friday
Game 1 saw us play the eventual winners of the tournament Sevenoaks who were excellent but we matched them for a lot of the game. We started slowly and conceded a goal but responded well to make it 1-1 with 5 mins to go. With a lack of marking we conceded 2 late goals to make it 3-1. Despite the loss the girls worked hard. It's always hard in the first game to play the best side after a 3am start to the day!!
Game 2 saw us play a decent Club de Campo A team and in a thrilling game we managed to keep pour attacking shape far better and move the ball wide down the wings. Lots of good work at the back between Figgy, Rosie and Cecilia all trying to get the ball wide. Lots and lots of running in the midfield between Liv, Georgie, Rosalie, Imo and Elle. Then the forwards rotated between Georgia, Ruby and Alice all battling to get the ball and score goals.
We started brightly and managed to score a couple of goals before Campo hit back and we ended up in a 6 goal thrilling game. Final score was 4-2 and a real buzz around the squad at the final whistle.
Saturday
Day 2 & Game 3 saw us play a big strong RS Tenis team who managed a win against us. Strangely we had the majority of the ball and the most chances but went down 3-0 at the final whistle. Some very close chances and lots of battling but we couldn’t quite score and then were hit on the break. A real lesson learned by the team and far better to play strong sides.
The team then progressed to the play offs and faced Wayfarers in Game 4.
The team responded brilliantly after the Campo well and had the majority of the possession with Liv dominant in the middle of the pitch. Lots of good runs down the right flank from Roaslia and Ruby and we managed to score a great goal to make it 1-0. Lots of other chances followed and we were deserved 1-0 winners with Lily our guest and star goalie making a couple of great saves.
Wayfarers v close game but we managed to dominate possession and win 1-0 after a great performance.
Sunday
Game 5 and the final game saw us face Club de Campo again and its was a tense affair. After 2 great games on the bounce the team were a bit nervous at the start but then played at a high tempo and had the majority of the possession but the Campo sweeper was strong and threatened to hit us on the break. The girls really did step up and press Campo and all ran their socks off. The first goal came from Ruby who finished well with a fierce shot going high and hitting the net to make it 1-0. Their was a great response from the Barmy Army of GHC parents and supporters. The breakthrough energised us and then Liv finished it off well to make it 2-0 and a strong finish from the squad.
In the end we finished 5th but lost to the eventual winners in a close game and for a young side didn’t take a backward step against older and stronger girls. Five hard games and very long days but a decent record of 3 wins and 2 losses.
Massive thanks to Melinda and the team to make the trip happen, especially all the team that helped look after the girls when we had a day delay (Ems take a bow).
Brilliant to have so many parents along for the trip and to support the girls and enjoy a wonderful tournament. Special mention to Lily for being our tour goalkeeper and mixing so well with all the squad. Thanks to Vanessa and Ems for helping prepare and coach the girls, Claudia for being tour photographer and all the mums for looking after them at the hotel(s)!!
Finally, well done for the girls behaviour and effort on the trip. Very proud of the squad and how they performed.
Coaches – James, Vanessa & Emma
Squad – Lily, Rosie, Figgy, Rosalie, Liv, Georgie, Ruby, Georgia, Elle, Imo, Elle, Alice
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