Guthlaxton 1 – Beauchamp 0

Player of the match – Abby Wells

Guthlaxton’s under 16 girls unbeaten run continued in fine form with a 1-0 victory away to Beauchamp. Going into the match, having won their previous three league games, Guthlaxton knew a win would put them top and guarantee them a spot in the League Cup Final. Having beaten Beauchamp earlier in the season, confidence was high, despite missing several players.

The game began evenly with neither team really stamping their authority on the game. Beauchamp repeatedly tried to play the through ball to their speedy strikers, but the back line of Leah Grant, Naomi Connor, Grace Westbury and Rosie Cyhanchuk held the line perfectly, continuously catching the opposition offside. At the other end of the pitch, Guthlaxton started to have more chances. Kathryn Reynolds was causing the Beauchamp defender masses of problems, putting her under pressure at every opportunity. Eventually, this paid off as Reynolds fold a opening and crossed the ball well, however strikers Tammy Copp and Abby Wells were unable to capitalise. This gave Guthlaxton a boost as they started to push forward more, looking more and more dangerous. Jade McLaurin and Megan Burnside were starting to win the tough midfield battle. Burnside made the most of this, playing a perfect through ball to Copp. Copp took one touch before blasting the ball past the keeper, only for play to be called back as Copp was narrowly offside.

Beauchamp then had their only shot of the game. After some poor defending by Guthlaxton, failing to clear the ball, the opposition took a shot from 20yards out. With Zara Cook in goal beaten, Guthlaxton watched the ball hit the post, eventually scrambling it clear, keeping the score line locked at 0-0 with halftime approaching.

After a half time team talk, Guthlaxton came out fighting, knowing just one goal could clinch it. With Wells moved out onto the right wing and Meng Meng Zhao making her debut up front Guthlaxton started holding the ball up well and using the width of the pitch to their advantage. Wells was causing more problems for Beauchamp’s defence making some winding runs and putting some dangerous crosses into the box. Guthlaxton almost found a breakthrough 10minutes into the second half. Grant won a free kick just inside Beauchamp’s half. Westbury delivered the ball perfectly onto the head of Tammy Copp, who headed the ball against the crossbar. Katie Connor scrambled to reach the rebound but was unable to convert the ball.

Finally the breakthrough came when Wells again found space on the right. Wells crossed the ball, which sailed over the keepers head straight into net, making it 1-0. With 20 minutes of the game remaining, Guthlaxton worked hard to maintain their lead. The defence pulled together, with McLaurin dropping back when needed to prevent Beauchamp from having any more chances. The final few minutes saw Beauchamp throw everything at the Guthlaxton goal, but Guthlaxton held tight, fully deserving the victory and a place in the final at the final whistle.

Team: Z.Cook, L.Grant, N.Connor, G.Westbury R. Cyhanchuk, K.Reynolds, J.McLaurin, M.Burnside, K.Connor, A.Wells, T.Copp, A.Brown, M.Zhao

Published on Friday 24th April 2009 at 09:00