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MATCH REPORTS
Farsley Celtic Vixens away Thursday 1st May.
A complete contrast to Monday night where all the girls played extremely well. Charlotte having her best game for a number of weeks, Samantha tackled and distributed the ball well. Matilda had some good runs with the ball and at one point looked likely to have a shot on goal. Olivia and Evie defended well and captain Coco was her usual excellent self and it was nice to hear her telling the other players what to do. Gabrielle and Yasmin had learnt from their previous game and will prove valuable team members next year. Amber made some excellent saves and has made the position of goal keeper her own. Chloe had lots of shots on goal and they were either just off target or saved, typical of the luck we have had all season. The final score did not give a true reflection on how close the game was.
Girl of the Match Coco
Final score Farsley 2 Wildcats 0
Monday 28th April
Away at Tingley saw what I feel was the worst performance of the season. Maybe it was the fact that we played 6 a side on a large pitch or that knowing Tingley had not won a game and we were not committed enough.
We were 3 nil down at half time but managed to pull back 2 goals but despite pressure on the Tingley goal we were unable to equalise. On the positive side it gave Yasmin and Gabrielle their first competitive game and Evie blossomed in defence having her best match of the season.
Girl of the match Evie.
Final score Tingley 3 Wildcats 2
Saturday 26th April
Saw us away at Leeds city Vixens where we played well with a good performance by Georgia and Chloe as forwards. Georgia tackled well and closed down any Vixens player who had the ball and eventually scored our only goal. Amber had a good game in goal but Vixens passed the ball well and maintained their positions better than we did and it was this that gave them the winning advantage.
Girl of the Match Georgia
Final score Vixens 6 Wildcats 1
Wildcats v Rothwell
We were down to the bare minimum player wise due to illness but we managed to put out a balanced side with a goalie, 2 defenders, 2 midfielders and 2 strikers.
We opted to play uphill in the first half so that when we were tired we would be going down hill. We stared strongly and Chloe and Karis both had good runs with the ball and played well together passing the ball well and supporting their team mate when the other had the ball, Karis had several shots one hitting the post, others going wide and the keeper saving the others, Chloe also had several shots again these were either just off target or waved by Rothwells keeper who had an excellent game.
Half time saw the score 0-0 when we should have scored at least 4 goals. In the second half we continued to play really well Smanatha and Evie starting in Midfield made some excellent challenges and it was nice to see that they looked up when in possession of the ball to find the forward players so that they could pass the ball. We did come under some pressure at the beginning of this half so Evie moved back into defence where she did an excellent job of clearing the ball out of the field of play when necessary.
Amber had little to do in goal but when called on caught the ball well and her goal kicks were exceptional contributing well to the overall team performance.
Coco and Olivia were defensive stalwarts as usual, Coco sweeping up any balls that came through and challenging any Rothwell players who made it past Olivia and Evie. Olivia played well moving up the field of play to keep the game in Rothwells half when were were attacking and this took any pressure later in the game away from our goal. Smanatha took some short corners toward the end of the game which worked well with Chloe and we were unlucky not to score from them. Again the Rothwell keeper made some very good saves. I envisaged that we would either finish with a draw or with the wayr our luck has gone this season a 1-0 defeat.
Finally Chloe scored a goal after the many shots that we had taken we should have had 3 or 4. I am pleased to say say that it was a good all round team effort wehre everyone played their best and we at last got a well deserved victory after having played so well against other teams and still losing. I would have been unable to pick a player of the match since you all did so well, but Rothwell chose Karis.
Final score Norristhorpe 1 Rothwell 0.
Wildcats v Farsley Celtic Saturday 1st March
It was a very windy Saturday morning that saw us playing the team top of the league and the ones most likely to win the cup. The Wildcats were overawed by the size of the opposition and a goal conceeded straight from a corner after only 3 minutes left them shell shocked. A second goal which was struck from the half way line and went into the top corner of the net left most of the wildcats and spectators open mouthed. There was little the wildcats could do to win the game so it was decided to set the target of keeping the score as low as possible. After the first 10 minutes after recovering from the initial shock we began to close Farsley down and limit their shooting opportunities and some good clearances from the back allowed Chloe M to have some runs towards the opposition goal. At half time we were 4 nil down and defending uphill.
However the team played went out in the second half determined to keep the score down and excellent defending by Evie, Olivia, Coco and goal keeping by Amber helped to do this. The mid field team of Samantha, Matilda and Georgia worked hard to close down the opposition resulting in less pressure on the defence and more play in the middle of the pitch instead of in our goal area.Charlotte in particular had a much better second half ( I think she wanted the raffel prize to eat ) and made challenge after challenge to win the ball.Chloe also worked hard and her and Georgia together made the Farsley defenders have to work in the second half. Unfortunatley Chloe had to come off injured and some of the momentum was lost.
I was very poud of the team effort and commitment and think that against excellent opposition you all played really well and would not have been able to pick a player of the match since each player gave their best and that is all you could do. However Farsley gave the player of the match to Amber for the good saves she made.
Final score Norristhorpe 0 Farsley 6
WigtonMoor v Wildcats Saturday 23rd February
It was a cold morning for the shield semi final and after playing so well the previous week we got off to a poor start. Many of the team looked tired and the pitch was very sticky making it difficult for our smaller players to kick the ball with any force. Samantha and Olivia battled hard and worked tirelessly giving good individual performances.However despite their best efforts Wigton proved to be better on the day and scored two good goals from distance which saw them qualify to go on to the final.
Final score Wigton 4 Wildcats 0
Mapplewell Mavericks v Norristhorpe Wildcats
Saturday 15 February 2008
Have already suffered 9-1 and 5-0 defeats at the hands on Mapplewell this season, the Wildcats made the trip to Barnsley braced for a very tough game on a firm (but thawing) pitch.
Whilst the game was challenging the team carried forward the strong showing from the previous week and produced what is arguably their best performance ever restricting the home side to just two goals and being a little unlucky not to score themselves on a couple of occasions.
It really was a true-team performance with every player contributing fully to the cause and they should all be very proud of the efforts.
Samantha and Olivia - both put in probably their best games ever with strong tackling throughout against the largely bigger and older opposition.
Chloe F - played a great anchor role in the heart of defence cutting out many threats from the home team.
Charlotte - worked tirelessly throughout the game contributing al l over the park and taking the play back to Mapplewell whenever the chance arose.
Matilda – great all-round support taking over from her sister in defence in the first half and stepping forward to supply some good link play in midfield in the second.
Karis – isolated as the lone-strike at times but always alert and ready to receive the ball and take the play forward – unlucky not to get more reward for some great runs.
Chloe M and Mica – alternating between attack and midfield our two biggest players on the day caused the home team lots of problems and Mica especially was unlucky with a strong lofted shot that was well saved by the home keeper.
Amber – it is perhaps unfair to single out one player but Amber’s contribution in goal was outstanding and she took the opposition’s Girl of the Game award. Making many brave saves and distributing very well she thwarted the home team on many occasions.
The home goals (both first half) were pretty much down to the Wildcats being caught a little too far forward and allowing Mapplewell behind the defence – but that was a result of the eagerness of the team to carry the game to the opposition and they tightened up after the break to prevent any further deficit.
On this performance the team is really coming of age – and that against generally older opposition bodes well for next season
WILDCATS V FARSLEY CELTIC
It was a glorious sunny day that saw the wildcats at home for the first time in the past few months. Georgia started in goal and despite making some excellent saves one small error led to the first goal by Farsley and the second shot was a superb strike that no keeper could have saved this saw the wildcats two goals down after 10 mins. In the second half her man marking skills were excellent resulting in a few tussles from goal kicks and in midfield but it was a job superbly carried out.
Excellent goal kicks by Charlotte helped both Chloe M and Karis have good runs towards the Farsley goal but we were reluctant to shoot early and didn't follow up the initial shot allowing the Farsley keeper plenty of time to gather the ball without any pressure. Despite this though we were unlucky not to score and as usual the ball never bounced kindly once for us.
Matilda was struck in the face but bravely returned to the field of play to continue to play a vital roll in both defence and midfield, Olivia had a good game in defence and made some good challenges and clearences. Coco marshalled the defence well and led by example in clearing the ball up the field towards the mid field players and forwards, she should however have more confidence in her abilities to run with the ball and take on opposition players. (I know she can do this easily.)
Samantha the mid field terrier stuck to her name and tackled well and if at first she didn't win the ball continued to challenge for it, for her size she also took some excellent throw ins all that training with Tony has payed dividens. Amber as usual worked really hard in the first half to close the opposition down her defensive position for corners was just as I had asked, this meant that Farsley never once threatened our goal from a corner. Several excellent saves in the second half saw her keep a clean sheet in goal and Farsley voted her player of the match.
Overall a very pleasing performance with all players following the instructions they were given and to me we played the better football but had no luck what so ever. Keep it up Wildcats.
Player of the match Amber Beck
Final score Wildcats 0 Farsley 2
BATLEY V WILDCATS
It was a cold windy morning that saw seven wildcat players turn up to play Batley. Many with so many layers of clothing that thay looked like Mitchellin Man. However they soon got warm once the game started and all worked really hard. Captain Micha made a good choice to play with the wind in the first half and tackled any Batley player who had the ball. Several times she was through on goal but was denied by the keeper or just put the ball wide.
Evie and Samantha were dwarfed by some of the opposition and at times when they were marking from throw ins it looked like a comedy sketch. Despite this they put in some good tackles and cleared the ball upfield towards our lone striker Karis as they had been asked. We were 2-0 down when Karis got possesion of the ball near the half way line and made a decisive run, keeping her cool to place the shot around the keeper and bring the score to 2-1. Despite been injured in the second half she bravely went back onto the field to score a hat trick. (Nolan that was £5 you promised her!).
Charlotte kindly volunteered for goal for the first half and did very well against players who may have been nearly 2 years older. The second half saw her in defence where she made some important interseptions and made some good forward passes. Amber also played in defence and worked tirelessly to win the ball and try to prevent the opposition from shooting. Her goal kicks and throw ins were excellent particularly in the second half against the wind.
Georgia had an excellent game, both in defence in the first half where her passion and desire to win the ball took several Batley players by surprise. In goal she made some outstanding saves mainly due to her lack of fear of diving and ability to catch the ball.
Overall a very pleasing performance especially the second half where at times the football we played showed what potential this side has for next season.Batley passed the ball better than we did and kept their positions but It must be remembered that most Wildcat players are playing girls a year older than themselves and this and the lack of training over the past few weeks is bound to make a difference. Well done girls.
Player of the match Karis Roberts
Final score Batley 8 Wildcats 3
WILDCATS V WIGTON MOOR
A disapointing result and performance for the Wildcats. This could be due to the long break since we last played or trained and a lack of understanding of the game which resulted in players crowding round the ball and not maintaining their position this gave a six player Wigton side a definate advantage when they passed the ball and stayed in their positions. The substitutions may also have contributed to the confusion since they made the game disjointed and could have confused the girls about where they were supposed to play.
However on a positive note Amber gave it her all in the first half and worked her socks off, Captain Coco as always kept her position and defended well preventing Wigton having many shots on goal. Charlotte did well in goal and played well in the second half making some good runs both with the ball and without to support the person in possesion of the ball.
We need to do better when we play them in the semi final of the Shield on the weekend of 23/24th February
Player of the match Chloe M
Final score Norristhorpe 0 Wigton 1
WILDCATS V MAPPLEWELL
When we last played Mapplewell we lost 9-0 the target set for the girls was not to conceed so many goals. They all played their hearts out giving 100% effort and commitment and were complimented by opposition parents who couldn't believe how much we had improved. Mapplewells first goal was a brilliant strike which Georgina could do little about. Chloe had a few shots on goal herself and Coco cleared a ball of the line to deny Mapplewell a goal. At half time the score was 2-0 to Mapplewell.
The second half we were playing uphill and had trouble clearing the ball from our own half but the determination to carry on was still there.I was very pleased and proud of all the players and the result is secondary to the performance that you gave. Substitutions were very difficult to make when you all played so well and even Mapplewell had difficulty picking a player of the match, evevtually naming both Amber and Chloe M.
Final Score Wildcats 0 Mapplewell 6
WILDCATS V WIGTON MOOR
A trip over to Leeds on a cold November mornig to show off our new kit was the order of the day, we all missed the turning into the ground, not a good start. The same can be said of the game we went a goal down early on from Wigtons first attempt on goal. At this we woke up and began to play as we are capable of .
Captain Evie did a brilliant job man marking the player she was asked to and followed her diligently around all over the pitch. Amber made some great clearances from our area working hard as always to both try and defend and support the forwards. Chloe (Coco ) as always was magnificent in defence timing her interseptions and challenges to perfection particularly today when she still had a bad chest. Unfortunatley Wigton scored a second due to a lack of communication between the defence and keeper no one to blame just something to learn from. (Please talk to one another on the pitch you never seem to shut up when your off it ! )
Half time saw us loosing 2-0 and this could have been more had not Charlotte made at least one good challenge in our area.
The second half you were a different team, the tackling was better Matilda and Olivia both made important tackles and clearances and Samantha closed the opposition players down well in the middle of the park to prevent Wigton from getting near our goal. Samantha's throw ins have also really improved over the past few games and this helped the team gain a lot of ground today.In the second half Amber as keeper took some excellent goal kicks but thankfully had little else to do.
Karis and Chloe linked up well together and Charlotte managed to kick the ball through the Wigton midfield on several occasions so that Karis and Chloe M (another player who has suddenly blossomed) could put the Wigton defence and keeper under pressure. A goal eventually followed created from a good run by Chloe and only several good saves from the Wigton keeper prevented 3 or 4 other shots from becoming goals. Resigned to another defeat I was overjoyed when Chloe managed to get an equaliser with the last kick of the game.
Well done wildcats once you got going and especially in the second half you were brilliant it was a very tense and enjoyable game to watch which I felt no team really deserved to loose.I look forward to the next game against Wigton.
Final score 2-2. Both goals by Chloe M
Girl of the match Chloe Mitchell
WILDCATS V BATLEY
We were entering the unknown against this side never having seen them play or knowing their previous results.The girls are to be congratulated in a good understanding of the game we set out in a 2,2,2, formation and afterc onceeding an early goal when asked changed to a 3,2,1 which is not bad for 7 and 8 year olds.
Coco was captain fantastic at the back playing her usual excellent game aided by Olivia who was dwarfed by the size of the opposition. Amber as usual did everyhing asked of her and worked solidly and hard to get the ball clear of our goal making some impressive clearances.
The mid field of Misha and Charlotte also battled hard both giving their all so that they soon looked fit to drop and needed to be substituted to prevent that from happening.Charlotte at the end of the game was absolutley shattered from all the running that she had done and that was after swimming 16 lenghts.Samantha who had an excellent game last week was I thought overawed by the size and speed of the opponents but never gave up trying and took some great throw ins.(parents perhaps all the girls need grow bags or going on the rack so we can match the size of the other teams.)
Georgia made some good saves in the first half and one shot was unstoppable by anyone. In the second half she also played well in mid field closing down well and making some good passes.Matilda was nervous about playing and unfortunatley got hit in the face shortly after going on to play but bravely went back on and even went in goal for the second half which is comendable when you have already been hit in the face once.
Chloe was running everwhere in the first half but after half time maintained her position better got the ball passed to her and had some good runs with the ball and a couple of shots that were saved. Karis was very disciplined and kept her forward position well, keeping the ball well controlled at her feet and again if taller and stronger would have scored a couple of goals.
On the whole we had a much better second half and the girls should be proud of the way they played.They shouldn't get disheartened, we are playing in a league where many of the other teams are made up of a majority of under 9 girls not under 8s such as the wildcats, we are learning things with every game we play and this seasons experience will stand in good stead next season.in previous years Norristhorpe teams have had the same thing happen and when they play the second season are a team that usually do very well.This year is about enjoyment and learning.
Subway Girl of the match Karis
Final score Wildcats 0 Batley 4
WILDCATS V TINGLEY
The Wildcats friendly at Tingley saw them playing against a team who will feature in the League this season - but who were actually playing their first ever match together. Overall Tingley were a slight bigger side - but the Wildcats greater experience came to the fore as they ran-out comfortable 5-0 winners.
The first half brought only one goal (scored by Charlotte) though it should certainly could have been two had Chloe M and Karis not ended up competing for the same shot at goal! The Wildcats controlled the game well and all the players showed up well.
However - after the break (and actually playing up the slight slope) the Wildcats really took charge adding four well-taken goals (two from Karis and two from Chloe M) with their superiority being underlined by a number corners that they also forced. The home team only went close towards the end of the game - but are likely be stronger opposition once they have gain experience as the season progress.
Charlotte was chosen as Girl Of the Game by Tingley but all the players contributed well - especially as they were moved around a fair bit to gain experience in different positions. Georgia was confident in goal and Amber and Chloe F gave typically strong performances providing the team with a solid back three and Charlotte showed good all-round skills throughout the game. Upfront Karis gave her usual livewire performance and Chloe M had a number of strong runs using her size to good effect. However the efforts of Samantha and Evie were particularly pleasing as they both showed strength and commitment with strong tackling and running - and Evie in particular showed great courage to return to the field after taking a short break having being hit very hard with the ball.
Overall then a good performance and a welcome result after the previous week's defeat to Maplewell.
Final score Tingley 0 Wildacts 5
WILDCATS V MAPPLEWELL
It was a depleated side that took to the field on Saturday, with only seven players and no subs it was always going to be a tough match. Several of Mapplewells players have also played a season at under 9 and are therefore much more experienced.
We soon went a goal down after persistent pressure but Amber defended excellently and managed to break forward to gain an equaliser.We were soon under pressure and despite Georgia's best efforts and she made many good saves we soon began to conceded more goals.Amber managed to clear a ball of the line in a defensive move John Terry would have been proud of.
Olivia put in a brave performance but was dwarfed by the oppposition forwards size and skill. Misha and Charlotte worked hard in midfield but with no substitutes they soon began to tire. The score at half time was Wildcats 1 Mapplewell 7.
After drink and oranges the second half saw Matilda in goal who also made a couple of good saves and Chloe had some penatrating runs into the oppositions half supported by Micha and Charlotte and even had a couple of shots on goal. However 40 minutes of football with no substitutes is hard work and all the players looked exhausted but carried on playing determind not to concede any more goals. Well done on a good second half performance against a good footballing side who will be tough to beat. I am sure that you all slept well Saturday night.
Girl of the match Misha Burgess
Final Score Norristhorpe 1 Mapplewell 9
WILDCATS V LEEDS CITY VIXENS
What a great team effort you all played really well.
The defensive bank of Chloe, Amber and Georgia who was then replaced by Olivia left Matilda in goal with nothing to do and she was heard to say at half time that she was bored.Playing in front in midfield Samantha, Charlotte and later Evie and Micha broke up the opposition play well and made some good runs towards the oppositions goal. There were several shots on goal in the first half and the vixens keeper made some excellent saves, fortunatley for us Karis caught her unawares and managed to score just before half time.
The second half saw Vixens playing down hill and we were under pressure quite often however Chloe was excellent and prevented much of the forward play and when called on Georgia made some good saves. Charlotte had a few chances along with Karis and Micha to help make the game safe but Vixens defended well and towards the end we were under great pressure and it was a relief to hear the final whistle.
Final Score Wildcats 1 Vixens 0
ROTHWELL V WILDCATS
You all played really well on Saturday against a very strong side who had a majority of players older than yourselves. This was reflected in the opposition’s ability to pass the ball and react more quickly to situations.
Amber and Chloe worked very hard in defence and showed excellent commitment and determination throughout the game.
Macie made some excellent saves and some of the goals scored were unstoppable shots that Wayne Rooney would have been proud of.
Chloe made some good runs in a forward position and on one occasion was tripped just before she had the opportunity to have a shot and other attempts were saved.
Matilda , Samantha and Evie gave good support but against such strong opposition were easily muscled off the ball.
Olivia was very brave and played even though injured but again the age and size difference showed.
We can take a lot of things from the game and work on these in training for the next time we play.
Final score Rothwell 8 or 9 Wildcats 0
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Association Football
