Kader Girls U10’s finish the season with Cup victory!!
A determined Kader team prevented Teesside from claiming the double with a solid performance in an absorbing game.
The early exchanges between these two sides showed why they were the two most consistent teams all season long. Both teams passed and tackled well and for the most part, all the action was in the midfield area. Then Chloe Biggs reminded everyone why she is so dangerous, only to be stopped during her run and forced wide by Teesside. Then it was Teesside’s turn to have some pressure and forced a corner with the tackle by Francesca O’Connor, but to no reward. Both her and Georgia Rowe and were required to make timely tackles to keep the scores level as the half progressed. Once again the tables were turned and Kader forced a corner of their own, but the keeper was equal to the pressure. As the half drew to a close, Gabrielle Catchpole connected well with Casey Laver and Biggs but once again the Teesside defence soaked up the attack. Teesside then enjoyed their best spell so far with a number of shots blocked as Kader battled to keep even. Bethany Halliday went on a superb solo effort only to be thwarted at the last gasp. The resulting corner produced a saved shot from the hard working Laver to end the half 0-0.
The second half saw Alexandra Friskney called into action in the Kader goal as this seesaw game continued in the Redcar fog. Teesside had breaks towards the Kader goal, but all players had their parts to play to keep the scores even. Biggs once again was nearly on the scoresheet after a fabulous through ball by Neve Craig, but the shot was wide. Kader enjoyed good pressure as the game crept towards extra time with Catchpole, Craig and Halliday all being denied as Teesside defended with all they had. A sweetly struck shot from Halliday late on produced a fine save from the Teesside keeper to deny the girls once again as time was running out. With extra time looming and becoming more a reality, both sides shut up shop, knowing that one goal could win the cup. Eventually, with Rowe, O’Connor and Friskney being as solid as the Oak Tree on the Kader badge, the whistle was blown for extra time.
Charlotte Hallat came on to provide a fresh pair of legs and immediately made an impact by hooking up with Biggs only to shoot wide. However, the deadlock was broken soon after with Hallat supplying a delicious through ball to Catchpole who calmly shot into the corner to put Kader into the lead. The lead was nearly doubled barely a minute later but Teesside stood firm. Towards the end of the half Teesside began to work harder and lay siege on the Kader goal, but O’Connor denied them, making a number of superb defensive tackles to keep the precious Kader lead.
The second half saw Teesside throw everything at Kader in an attempt to level the score and take it to penalties. The sustained pressure forced all the Kader Girls to come back and defend at one point or another. The pressure produced a goalmouth scramble with Friskney blocking at close range but the rebound went towards a Teesside attacker who had the goal at her mercy. The shot went towards the bottom corner but Rowe was there to get a foot to it. The ball deflected onto the post and then back along the line and the Kader keeper was on hand to smother the ball. 2 corners arrived in quick succession but Kader defended as a team to try and build their own pressure. In the dying minutes Teesside nearly grabbed an equaliser with a thundering shot to the top corner but Friskney launched herself to keep the score at 1-0, and only a few seconds later the final whistle was blown.
Players: Friskney, Rowe, O’Connor, Biggs, Halliday, Catchpole, Laver, Craig, Hallat. Note: Macey McGovern was also there to scream the girls on but is nursing a foot injury! Get Well soon!!
In the end, there was precious little between the League Champions and the Runners-Up. This Cup Final showed that they have been evenly matched all season long, as the results below indicate:
League Champions - Teesside Athletic
Runners Up - Kader
MFC Xmas Winners - Kader (2-1 aet)
Runners Up - Teesside Athletic
MFC Easter Winners - Teesside Athletic (4-2 aet)
Runners Up - Kader
League Cup Winners - Kader (1-0 aet)
Runners Up - Teesside Athletic
Just a final point to say well done to the girls for all the hard work put in for this season. They thoroughly deserved to finish the season on a high note.
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