KGLFL, Sun 12 November 2023

Risers U16 girls put in their best performance of the season so far to stay top of Div 2, showing they really mean business in the competition for silverware.

After a somewhat lacklustre performance in last week’s friendly against Langton Green (albeit missing a few players due to illness), this exciting and talented Risers squad showed just what they’re capable of, with a commanding 4-1 win over decent rivals Ashford.

Both sides lined up and gave their full respect for the 2-minute silence to mark Remembrance Sunday, with referee Paul reminding everyone why it’s so important that we commemorate it.

Onto the football, and before kickoff, the coaching team had challenged the squad to get the basics right. We gave them three clear instructions, and asked them to really up their game. The girls couldn’t have responded better!

Right from the start, Risers were switched on, rewarded with a shot on goal and then a corner. But Ashford were strong opponents, and gave an early response. The game was fairly evenly matched for the first 20 minutes. Eloise (playing at left back) was nullifying the challenge down Ashford’s right wing, with Nancy doing the same at right back. Centre-backs Emily and Lia were dominant and confident, making good decisions, timing their touches to perfection, and generally stopping the Ashford forwards getting through to threaten goal. Ella was a constant threat with her runs down the left, and Natalie, Sophie, Madison and Eva were pressing the ball (as instructed) and always on hand to intercept from the Ashford keeper’s goal kicks.

Substitute Jeea came on at left back allowing Eloise to switch to left midfield, and she wasted no time in stretching the defender with a few forward runs. Team captain Natalie put in another impressive workrate, constantly pressing the Ashford back line. She played a perfect ball to Eloise, who took on the defender and got a strong low shot at goal into the left corner. The keeper got a hand to it but the power must have made her misjudge and it went through her legs to go over the line.

1-0 to Risers!

Grace and Lydia came on and you wouldn’t have known either of them had been very unwell during the week! Coaches were really pleased with how the midfield and defence were using support play, passing backwards or sideways to retain possession and make the Ashford players work harder to get the ball. It was really pleasing to see lots of 1-2s, through-balls, good ball control and intelligent play (particularly by Syd as CDM in front of the back four).

After the half time break, Risers again started really positively, Grace putting a perfect through-ball up to Sunee. Nancy was ever reliable at right back, linking up well with Syd for throw-ins and never afraid to head the ball. Connie made an important save from an Ashford corner. She put in another confident performance, moving to the edge of the box when needed, slowing the game a little to allow the defenders to push up (we’d asked them not to play too deep). Altogether she put in another calm and strong performance in the Riser goal.

Sunee showed good anticipation skills to allow Risers to continue the pressure on Ashford’s goal. Unfortunately for Ashford they had no subs, but the Risers took advantage when their forwards began to tire. It was Sunee who got the assist for Risers’ second goal, putting a lovely ball through to Eva, who finished in style.

2-0 to Risers!

Risers really got into their stride now, and were dominating all areas of the pitch. Emily did not put a foot wrong the whole game – a really focused performance from her. Syd was bossing the midfield alongside Madison and Sophie, but was happy to drop back into defence when asked.

But Ashford were not out of the game yet. Just as one of their strikers managed to get past Lydia, Syd provided excellent cover and put in a challenge that surely prevented an Ashford goal.

But Risers kept their focus and continued to threaten with runs down the centre and left, leaving a frustrated Grace on the right! Madison and Grace linked up really well with some lovely 1-2s. At around 70 minutes, Madison (who’d had a few shots earlier in the game) saw the opportunity to shoot from just outside the box. Her left foot made perfect contact with the ball and she put enough power on it that it ended up in the goal even though it hit the back of one of the Ashford defenders.

3-0 to Risers!

The quality of the Risers’ passing and ball control was a huge improvement on last week, and it really showed in the game, with lots of attacks being created down the wings and through the centre. One shot hit the Ashford keeper at close range, who was really brave but needed a few minutes and some treatment to be able to carry on.  

Sophie was still pressing and tracking back, linking up well with Grace on the right to keep up the pressure on the Ashford box.

This was Risers really playing at their best, working together as a team, but still with moments of individual brilliance – as with Ella’s beautiful strike at goal just a few minutes later, which hit the top right corner, leaving the keeper with no chance. Ella clearly has her eye on that golden boot at the end of the season (Eva and Eloise, her nearest challengers, take note!).

4-0 to Risers!

With just a few minutes remaining, Ashford put together a decent attack and got a consolation goal with pretty much the last kick of the game. 

Opponents’ player of the match: Nancy

Coaches’ player of the match: THE WHOLE SQUAD!

Thanks to Steve R and Rob L for running the line!

Next week we travel to Fleetdown for a Kent Girls’ Cup game. No challenge is too great for these girls right now.