Lutterworth College 1 – 10 Guthlaxton College

Reigning under 18 County Champions Guthlaxton started the season in emphatic form with a 10-1 thrashing of Lutterworth. Guthlaxton started well proving to be an immediate threat from the kick off, looking to attack at every opportunity. Within minutes this pressure paid off and they were awarded a free kick 40 yards from goal. Jade McLaurin stepped up and hit an unbelievable shot that left the goalkeeper with no chance, putting Guthlaxton in the lead. This was exactly what Guthlaxton needed to settle the nerves and from the kick off, they started to play some lovely passing football, with wingers Tammy Copp and Abbey Wells stretching the Lutterworth defence. After a spell of pressure, Guthalxton were awarded several corners and finally, after a goalmouth scramble, Heather Stuart was able to drive the ball through, doubling the score.

Lutterworth tried hard to get a goal back, but the defence of McLaurin, Naomi Connor, Amy Woodford and Olivia Crowe looked comfortable and thwarted any danger. Eventually, on 20 minutes, Guthlaxton’s third goal came. Great work by Wells on the left allowed her to cut inside and chip a ball to Kayleigh Butlin. Butlin flicked the ball on with her head to strike partner and captain Rheo Smith who coolly rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home. Five minutes later, the new partnership of Butlin and Smith paid off again as Butlin played an inch perfect through ball to Smith who easily finished.

Smith completed her 8 minute hat trick when Copp cut inside and played a left footed through ball, to Smith and she played the ball under the goalkeeper. Smith and Butlin again teamed up for the sixth goal as Smith worked well, holding the ball up near the corner. This allowed Butlin to get into the box and meet a perfect cross, powering the ball into the net, giving Guthlaxton a 6-0 lead at half time.

The second half saw Lutterworth start much more brightly and caught Guthlaxton’s defence off guard. Their centre midfielder was given time to beat 4 players before playing a through ball. Goalkeeper Zara Cook was quick off her line but was unable to prevent the Lutterworth forward from finishing making it 6-1.

Guthlaxton responded quickly and piled the pressure on the Lutterworth back line, however, a combination of a more organised Lutterworth defence and some poor shooting kept the score at 6-1. Finally, on 55 minutes the pressure was converted into a goal. A poor goal kick was met my Butlin who battled hard, using her strength to hold off a defender and place the ball past the goalkeeper. Just five minutes later, Butlin completed her well deserved hat trick when a shot by Stuart hit the cross bar and rebounded out to Butlin who was first to react and tap the ball home to increase the score to 8-1.

Substitutions were then made with Megan Downes replacing Woodford and Megan Schalkwyk replacing Olivia Crowe. Both girls settled into their roles with ease, cutting out and any threats. Guthlaxton were now passing the ball around keeping the ball for long periods of time, showing just how quickly they had gelled as a team. With three minutes remaining, a neat one-two between McLaurin and Amy Thorpe culminated in McLaurin hitting a stunning shot from 40 yards, soaring over the goal keeper to make the score 9-1. Just a minute later, Copp was rewarded for hard work in the match when she side stepped a played and from exactly the same spot as McLaurin, hit a beautiful shot and took the score to double figures. Within seconds after the kick off, the whistle was blown and the girls celebrated their first victory of the season.

Team:

Z.Cook, N.Connor, J.McLaurin, O.Crowe, A.Wells, A.Woodford, T.Copp, A.Thorpe, H.Stuart, K.Butlin, R.Smith (capt) Subs: M.Downes, M.Schalkwyk

Published on Monday 21st September 2009 at 09:00