U17s Match Reports/Results
Sat 13 September
KEWFORD EAGLES 3 v FERNDALE GIRLS 3
This was the first game of the season and what a thriller it turned out to be. With a squad of 11 players and no subs we always knew it was going to be tough to last 90 minutes. When we saw the pitch was boggy and only half cut, my immediate thoughts were to the girls maintaining their fitness levels. Kewford had 3 subs so could bring on fresh legs anytime during the game so the advantage was with them.
It only took 6 minutes for the home side to strike. They took a corner which was drilled through the 6yd box for their number 3 to smash in from the back.
Ferndale responded well and although did a lot of chasing, battled through the mud. Ferndale Keeper Heidi Mitchell pulled off 2 fantastic saves to present the home side extending their lead and on 40 minutes the game was levelled when Cat Wassell's 20yd shot was fumbled over the line by the home keeper.
The second half did not start too well for the girls as Kewford put 2 more goals past us within 20 minutes of the re-start. Ferndale spirit is to never give up and Mel Zaffino got a goal back and later linked with Kirsten Oliver to set up Emma Lacey who got the equalizer with a top corner shot on 81 minutes.
Player of the match went to Sophie Medley, who returning after a 2yr break put in a top performance in defence and showed she has not lost any of her skills.
Well done to all the team for pulling back a valuable point in the start of an exciting season.
The girls travel to Evesham on Saturday which again will be another tough encounter away from home.
Any experienced girls looking to join the U17 squad should phone Paul Lacey on 07940 484332
Saturday 27th September
Chasetown Ladies 1 V Ferndale U17 Girls 1
Ferndale again could only gather 11 players for this fixture and managed to keep a clean sheet for the first 45 minutes. Chasetown proved to be a difficult team to break down and were well organised. The score remained 0-0 at the half time interval and 10 minutes into the re-start, Chasetown gained the lead after a through ball split the Ferndale defence and their striker clinically finished passed our on-coming keeper Heidi Mitchell.
The girls were kicking down hill for the second half and piled on the pressure and on 70 minutes it paid off as Cat Wassell got her second of the season as she hit the top left corner from 25yds giving the keeper no chance.
The girls have now drawn 2 out of 3 games and will be looking to get a win on Saturday as they take on Counden Court at home with KO at 10.30am
Saturday 4th October
Ferndale 3 v Counden Court 1
Oliver, Johnson, Chadney
The girls got their first win of the season as they gave an impressive display against their visitors who travelled from Coventry. New girls Annabel, Jodi and Kirsty all put on great displays and the team welcomed them after playing their previous games with only 11 players, and the only game lost, with 9 players.
They had to come from behind though as lack of communication at the back led to Counden’s striker pinching the ball and firing past keeper Heidi Mitchell, who tried hard to prevent it from going in.
Kirsten Oliver blasted a peach of a shot into the top of the net from 30yds to bring the game level at the break.
A change of team positions for the second half saw a brilliant display by the girls who dominated most of the play. Counden put some great passing moves together, but Nat Chadney and Keeper Heidi Mitchell were solid at the back.
Further goals from Nat Chadney, who got player of the match for the second week running, and a tap in for captain Sophie Johnson secured the win.
The referee commented after the game that it was one of the best games he had officiated in a long time, with excellent football coming from both teams and well respected supporters, who were keen to applaud play by both sets of players.
Well done to all the Ferndale girls and I feel sure this win will be the first of many.
Sat 18 October 2008
Marston Green 2 v Ferndale Girls U17 5
Mel Zaffino was the hero of the day bagging 4 goals in a fantastic display of girls football, player of the match Emma Lacey was involved in setting up 3 of the teams goals and new girl Jodi Boraston opened her account.
Ferndale travelled to Marston on a high as each week they get stronger as a team. Marston are struggling to find their form this season and were sure to make the game difficult for us. With a squad of 14 we played a 3-1-4-2 formation, looking to control the midfield. The defence struggled to cope with this and keeper Heidi Mitchell save a shot on the line and 5 minutes later Sophie Medley was clearing off the line. The girls reacted Well to this and Mel Zaffino put Ferndale in the lead on 15 minutes after a perfect pass from Sophie Bradshaw split the defence allowing Mel to slip the ball past the on-coming keeper.
Unfortunately, Mel was brought off after 25 minutes after receiving a nasty bang on the shin.
The second half saw us revert back to our favoured 4-4-2. Marston got back into the game 15 minutes from the re-start and equalised on 55 minutes and looked more threatening after that, scoring again to give them a 2-1 lead. Mel Zaffino came back on at 60 minutes and doubled her account after some fine work down the right from player of the match, Emma Lacey.
Mel was struggling with her shin so we switched her with Sophie Johnson and moved her up front. She wasn’t impressed with this as her natural position is midfield, however 2 more goals from her in 3 minutes certainly put a smile on her face.
With Jodie Boraston getting her first goal for the team, this was a perfect end to the game and a massive lift for a team that gets stronger every week.
Well done girls.
F E R N D A L E Y O U T H G I R L S & L A D I E S F O O T B A L L C L U B
