Supported by

Nottinghamshire U16G 4 v 2 Shropshire U16G

The Nottinghamshire U16 Girls representative squad entertained Shropshire at Dunkirk FC in their first competitive game of the season. This was a 1st Round game in the English Schools’ FA’s Inter County Trophy which this season is being organised for the first time directly from Headquarters in Stafford rather than with qualification from the Midlands competition.

Notts began with a scare when a misdirected back pass was intercepted by the visiting striker who squandered the chance to open the scoring. The home side though immediately made Shropshire pay for their miss when in the third minute after a neat inter play of passes Annalise Daniel slotted the ball home to give Notts a 1-0 lead.

Shropshire looked dangerous at times on the break but with Sophie Towle growing in confidence in goal for Notts and the centre back pair of Courtney Caunt and Jewel Francis Crossley, who had never played together before, establishing themselves into the game alongside captain Naeve Archer and Imogen Lunn, it looked as though the home side would go in to the interval with a slender one goal lead. However, in the last minute of the half a firm shot from a central position found its way through the defence and past the keeper. It was probably no more than Shropshire deserved as on the balance of play they had just about shaded the first half.

Notts came out in the second half looking in much more determined mood with and although Shropshire had a good effort headed off the line Eden Burch had restored the home side’s lead when she cut in from the right and placed a fine shot into the far corner. Annalise Daniel notched her second goal with a powerful run through the heart of the Shropshire defence before rounding the keeper to fire into an empty net.

Shropshire were not done yet though and their pacey striker latched onto a good through ball down the centre to cleverly lob the onrushing Towle. With Lottie Pidding and Eve Raymond keeping the visitors defence busy with their determined runs up front, the home side rounded off a much improved second half display when Annalise Daniel completed her hatrick with a superb curling shot from the edge of the penalty area that flew into the top corner giving the Shropshire keeper no chance.

A pleasing performance that improved as the game went on with the reward for the win an away tie against Greater Manchester or Staffordshire in the second round.

Supported by

This site uses cookies. By continuing your visit, you accept their use as set out in our Cookie Policy. OK