Brent U14 Girls 6-0 Ickenham Youth FC
The Brent Schools’ FA U14 Girls squad began their Middlesex FA Cup campaign with a strong win over Ickenham Youth FC.
Ickenham were overwhelmed almost immediately with Brent applying pressure from the kick-off and Brent forward Eabha Kennedy testing the Ickenham goalkeeper in the first five minutes before finding the net after seven minutes, latching on to a lovely through ball from defender Finlay Cottle. Kennedy added to her tally on the quarter-hour, trading passes with winger Evie Roe before deftly turning a defender and shooting low into the corner.
Unfortunately this was Kennedy’s last contribution to the game; she was replaced by Willow Stone after landing awkwardly coming out of a tackle, with the fall fracturing her wrist.
Brent continued to press and defender Issy Sirkett pushed a long ball forward for Zoey De Souza Mantas to collect and tap in. Ickenham were brave in attack, pushing numbers forward but ultimately came in at half time 3-0 down.
Ickenham started the second half determined to get a quick goal and had a couple of attempts which were well saved by keeper Hannah Derks. Having regained their composure, Brent dominated play with De Souza Mantas hitting the post before scoring from 30 yards with a marvellous solo effort. Brent were not finished yet with Scarlett Hunn driving forwards and releasing De Souza Mantas to complete her hat-trick with another thunderous shot from distance. Ickenham refused to lie down and sought a consolation goal but as they pressed forward leaving gaps at the back De Souza Mantas made an interception in midfield and scored for her fourth goal and Brent’s sixth.
Brent withdrew De Souza Mantas and put on Tashelle Redhead to close out the game and remain both undefeated and with no goals conceded this season.
Zoey De Souza Mantas was awarded Player of the Match.