Brent girls net Youth Games gold

BRENT’S girls made history by winning the London Youth Games football competition for the first time.

The team have had several successful seasons which have included winning the Middx county cup, Brent Super Cup and the Regents park cup twice but emulating Brent football superstar Raheem Sterling who won the tournament in 2009 and being crowned as the best in London must rank as their biggest achievement.

Brent got off to a slow start in the group drawing 0-0 with Hammersmith in the opening game. Things improved in the second game with a 3-1 win v Ealing but qualification from the group was temporarily in doubt when Brent lost 1-0 to Southwark. The Brent Girls responded to the situation well and three impressive wins in their remaining games saw them qualify as winners of the group. Next up was Tower Hamlets. Brent started quickly Rachel Oware driving the ball into the bottom corner. Brent keeper Lois Ampofo made yow great saves before Alice Moriggi scored with a superb volley and skipper Charlotte Fraser finished the scoring to make it 3-0. Brent then faced Croydon in the semi-final. It was a very tight game. Brent’s defense was tested but Sienna Varsani and Shreeya Gustave Patel rose to the challenge defending well. Evie Pillar was a threat in attack and Edie Morgan impressed in midfield Skipper Charlotte Fraser scored the decisive goal busting in to the box and blasting the ball into the bottom corner to clinch the 1-0 win.

Brent faced previous national champions Haringey in the final. In an exciting match Haringey scored first with a long range effort. Brent equalised when Angelina Bramble dribbled down the right wing and cut the ball back for Nancy Wales to volley into the net 1-1 Haringey then regained the lead 2-1. Brents long throw specialist Myla Villegas Lewis was causing Haringey problems. Her throw was half cleared and Natalia Mars drove the ball inches over the bar.

Brent launched attack after attack and were rewarded when Bramble beat her marker and fired against the post Wales showed superb technique guiding the rebound into the net to equalise 2-2. It was game on as Brent sensed victory and pushed for the win. Bramble tormented Haringey down the right wing and Oware and Fraser began to dominate in midfield. The mercurial Wales fired inches past the post but despite their dominance the game ended 2-2 and went straight to penalties. Fraser, Bramble and Wales scored for Brent. In goal Lois Ampofo emerged as the hero of the day saving two penalties and the game s was won by Moriggi coolly stepping up and shooting a thunderbolt into the top corner to seal the historic victory.

“I am so proud of the team. They were all magnificent. This is a special group of players with amazing team spirit. Congrats to them and also to the coaches and volunteers who have supported the team. Andrew, Justin, Hamish and Ramesh have done a great job. It is a great achievement and a great day for Brent”.

– Brent chair Chris Ampofo

Brent squad. Angelina Bramble , Alice Moriggi, Charlotte Fraser, Edie Morgan, Evie Piller, Lois Ampofo, Myla Villegas Lewis, Nancy Wales, Natalia Mars, ,Rachel Oware, Sienna Varsani, Shreeya Gustave-Patel