Rising Stars U16GY H v Langton Green U16s
KGLFL League Cup, Sun 10 December 2023
Risers upped their game for the rematch against Langton Green, having lost to them narrowly in a friendly in November. Buoyed by the return of Lydia and Eva, the girls put in a really strong first-half performance that could have seen them 4-nil or 5-nil up by half time, but they dug in for a 2-1 win, and a well-deserved Hathats post-match hot chocolate!
Right from the starting whistle, the quality of the Risers’ passing and ball control was a huge improvement on the past couple of games. After conceding a free kick in the first minute of the game, Risers started to play more confidently, Lia putting in a lovely cross – a sign of things to come! Risers began switching play across the field and doing some lovely through-balls, which the Langton defenders couldn’t cope with.
Risers started to pepper the Langton box with crosses, leading to quite a few chances on goal. One lovely passage of play saw Grace play a through-ball to Eloise with the outside of her boot, who passed to Sunee and then on to Ella who had a shot that was deflected. Sunee had another chance with a good header that went just wide. Ella continued to run rings round the Langton right-back and put in a lovely cross that was met with a quality strike from Grace, hitting the roof of the net.
1-0 to Risers!
The Risers’ back four (Nancy, Lydia, Emily and Jeea) dealt with everything that came their way. A nasty challenge on Eloise shortly after the restart meant Eva was called into action from the bench. Connie was also called into action, anticipating well and clearing with her right foot to prevent the no.16 getting a shot. Natalie went on a strong run, past 2 or 3 defenders, shooting with her left but it went just wide of the post.
At the other end of the pitch, Lydia was defending solidly, putting pressure on the striker so that a shot went wide of Connie’s post. Syd came on and got involved straight away at centre back, heading the ball clear from a throw, and setting up a lovely move to Eva then to Eloise down the left, which led to a corner. Minutes before half time saw some good link-up play down the left, Jeea doing stout defending and Sophie linking up well with her to pass back when under pressure.
After the break, Langton had a couple of chances from a corner and a free kick (Risers’ handball) but Connie saved comfortably. Some more good attacking play saw Eloise (now at left back) link up well with Ella and the other midfielders. Grace had a chance down the right when a Langton defender misjudged her kick and the ball went under her into Grace’s path, but the keeper saved.
Syd put in another perfectly timed tackle in the box to frustrate the Langton striker, Natalie was helping out to clear another Langton attack, and Madison at the other end had a powerful shot from distance. 19 minutes into the second half, Ella put in a lovely cross from the left (her second assist) that was met by Sunee, who confidently put it past the keeper.
2-0 to Risers!
Although Risers hadn’t quite found their first-half form, they kept working hard. They had to really dig in to protect their lead after Natalie momentarily lost her discipline and was sent off for violent conduct. With 10 Risers left on the pitch for the last 10 minutes, Langton took advantage and stepped up the pressure. With just a few minutes remaining, they put together a decent attack, a cross from the right reaching their left winger, who struck confidently in the far-right corner. It made for a nervy couple of minutes, but the final whistle came. It ended 2-1 to Risers. The girls will play Tonbridge U16s in the quarterfinals in January.
Coaches were pleased with the girls’ effort today, especially switching play and the quality of crosses from the left and right rather than going down a congested centre of the pitch.
Starting line-up: Connie, Emily, Lydia, Jeea, Nancy, Ella, Eloise, Natalie, Grace, Lia, Sunee
Subs: Syd, Mads, Sophie, Eva
Opponents’ player of the match: Ella
Coaches’ player of the match: Eloise
Thanks to Neil and Ethan/Bea for running the line!
