National Under 15 Cup for Girls

Arnold Hill Academy U15 national quarter-final match report by Lauren Keward

Well, what a thrilling match! Arnold Hill Academy Girls U15 are now in the semi-finals of the ESFA National Cup after beating Madeley Academy 6-4!!

Arnold girls did not get off to a great start conceding a goal within the first 5 minutes from a fantastic free kick by the Madeley centre forward. Madeley really put on the pressure and controlled the game for the first 10 minutes, however the goal failed to diminish the team’s enthusiasm as they regained their composure and very soon afterwards Laura Meyrick scored an outstanding goal in the top right corner. Arnold Hill’s supporters ensured that everybody knew about this goal with enthusiastic cheers of joy!

It was now 1-1 and Arnold Hill knew this match would not be as easy as previous matches. Katie Fish then scored 2 fantastic goals in quick succession with a fast run and great cross from Molly Clifford.  Meyrick then out ran two defenders and went one to one with the keeper, tapping it into the left hand bottom corner. The score at the end of the first half 4-1!

At half time the team were told to continue to play as well as in the first half. In previous games Arnold always seem to go back on in the second half and not give it their whole. Madeley made some changes and pushed three girls up front which put massive pressure on Arnold Hill’s defenders. Katie Fish dropped back into a more defensive role, however the team failed to continue to dominate the second half, and conceded 2 unfortunate goals within the first 10 minutes! Madeley forwards used their speed to their advantage and literally outran the defenders straight through the middle and put away some fantastic goals.

Arnold Hill Academy carried on fighting, and their defence remained strong against some good breakaways from Madeley with some great clearances from Aske and Keward. Arnold Hill’s midfielders also had many opportunities on goal but unfortunately Crosby and Meyrick kept shooting wide. Eventually Laura Meyrick ran the length of the pitch, and scored another great goal, putting Arnold Hill at 5-3.

After missing a couple of excellent chances Crosby made sure this one was on target, taking the score to 6-3, however Madeley Academy continued to fight back and scored another goal. The final 10 minutes of the game were very tense but Arnold Hill managed to hold on, and the final score was 6-4.

The whole team rose to the occasion with every player doing what was asked of them and more, but the outstanding performances of the match were, Laura Meyrick with a hat trick,  Katie Fish putting away two in two minutes in the first half and the Arnold Hill goalkeeper, Natalie Archer who made some excellent saves.

Arnold Hill Academy is now in the semi-finals. Come on girls we can do this!!!

Arnold Hill Academy U15 Girls  5  v  2  Gedling e-Act Academy

LOCAL RIVALRY!    ARCHER GETS GIRL OF THE GAME!

A game that everyone was talking about! The air was tense! Sherwood had a big team of supporters who were making lots of noise. Sherwood started with the kick off but Arnold Hill soon come in possession of the ball, a couple of touches which worried the Sherwood defence, and a shot from Laura Meyrick almost led to a goal in the first minute from Arnold Hill. Sherwood took their goal kick, and got past the Arnold Hill midfield, however they were unable to get past the defence as a powerful clearance from Sylvie Aske lead to a throw in. 

First 20 minutes gone and Arnold Hill were 2 – 0 up, first goal being scored by Laura Meyrick, skilling on three of Sherwoods defence and a low shot rolled in off the outside of her foot.  Second goal scored by Bethan Bough, set up by Molly Clifford who ran from one end of the pitch to another chipping a lovely ball in for Bethan Bough to get on the end of. After Arnold Hill became 2 – 0 up they started slowing down a little giving Sherwood more opportunity on the ball, a few fast runs by Tiffany with Charlotte Steggles dominating the centre lead to some close shots that were wonderfully saved by Natalie Archer. Arnold Hill girls were now starting to realise they had to start playing better football like they had in the first 20 minutes. Even though Arnold Hill were 2 – 0 up the game was fairly even, shots given from both teams, until a ball got through to Esme Crosby who took it to the right wing and chipped it over the goal keeper.

Half time: The second half kicked off by Arnold Hill Academy, Sherwood came back strongly and dominated  the first twenty minutes with Tiffany outrunning a defender and managing to score. The score now 3-1. Arnold Hills heads went down and they weren't playing as well as in the first half, however a ball through to Laura Meyrick led her to take on the Sherwood defence and shot from outside the box. Goalkeeper got her hands to it but was unable to keep hold and the ball rolled into the net. Arnold Hill were now 4-1 up and they started playing better football. Teams were equally on the ball. Once again Sherwood scored with 10 minutes left, now 4-2. This left Arnold Hill panicking because Sherwood had managed to bring the score back in previous matches. However this did not stop Arnold hill scoring yet again with a lovely placed ball through to Molly Clifford which was tapped in nicely. 

This ended the match with a final score of 5-2 .

ARNOLD HILL ACADMEY THROUGH TO THE QUARTER FINALS OF THE NATIONAL CUP! A CUP THAT STARTED WITH JUST LESS THAN 400 TEAMS!

          
                                The Arnold Hill Squad