News

ESFA GIRLS U’16’s NATIONAL CUP

CLAREMONT 2 – 6 ST AUGUSTINE ACADEMY

Mr Challiss, Mr Jones and the U16’S girls squad headed for Hastings as we drew Claremont School away in the National Cup. After our first game two weeks ago in the Kent Cup we all felt like we didn’t do ourselves justice or play to the levels we had shown last year and today we certainly bounced back and proved how good we can be.

We arrived at the fantastic facilities of Claremont with a squad of 14 players raring to go and we started very well playing some excellent passing football which lead to two early goals. A sensational delivery from an Olivia White corner curled to the back post and was met by Evie Wright to fire us into the lead. Soon after, it was Olivia again the architect as she played through Lacey Shepherd who calmly slotted the ball into the corner for 2-0. St Augustine continued to impress with their passing football but couldn’t get the third goals which would have made the game more comforting going into half time. But an incisive counter attack from Claremont would get them back in the game just before half time as their striker paced through and blasted the ball past Faye in goal. We knew the next goal was going to be important but we also had to be patient and keep playing exactly how we were. That is exactly what we did, as substitute Sophie raced onto Ruby’s through ball to put the ball into the goal at the second attempt for 3-1. Soon after it was the energetic Tally who pounced on a rebound to put us 4-1 up. Claremont continued to battle and claimed their second goal, their pacey striker latching onto a through ball and putting the ball into the corner of the net once again. But SAA would finally cement their victory when Sophie got on the end of a superb move by a SAA ending with an Olivia cross for Sophie. Lastly, a Ruby Sykes curler found the bottom corner with her left foot. A fantastic afternoon where we really did ourselves proud, every single player was faultless including the girls that came on as subs. Special mention to Faye who stepped in goal at the last minute.

Player of the Match – Chloe Ackland, a superb display in defence. She got up and down the pitch to defend and attack all afternoon a rarely misplaced a pass.