U9 Girls play full part in superb friendly

United Dragons U10 Girls 2-0 Brent Under-9 Girls

A much anticipated rematch almost didn’t happen; United Dragons had to forfeit the scheduled Regents Park Youth League match as they could only had 6 players available. Instead of wasting an opportunity to play, Brent Head Coach Stephen Poole agreed to play a friendly and loan the Dragons two of the Brent squad. Instead of wasted journeys, the two squads enjoyed an outstanding contest.

A high octane and closely fought match could easily have ended in victory for Brent but United Dragons were more clinical in front of goal and this proved decisive. Brent were sprightly from the kick off with Isla Cohen immediately excelling on the right, but were unable to unlock the Dragons defence. With Sophia Ridley-Swettenham and Esme Bicknell performing for Brent a physical battle was likely, so it proved with the Brent girls competing against two very tall 10 year old midfielders.

For periods of the first half Brent were subjected to a flurry of attacks. Fortunately, they had the indomitable Maggie Barber between the sticks whose heroics saw her save with both hands, both feet and at one point even stopping a shot in her midriff. Debutante Bess Wolstenholme played a blinder in defence, sniffing out successive attacks and calmly intercepting whilst under pressure. ‘Mighty Atom’ Nancy McLaughlin pulled another stunning performance out of the bag and was tenacious, determined and brave to the end.

As the first half settled down, Brent had a number of great through balls from impressive Eadie Jarman and slick passes from Isla Cohen who unleashed a series of attacks from fleet-footed Striker Maisie Close-Smith. Despite these attacking efforts, the first half ended goalless.

The second half began with Brent adopting an attacking formation with McLaughlin moving up from defence and Myla Poole “back in the stripes” after helping out in the Dragons defence during the first half. After being replaced in goal by Esme, Maggie Barber took up role of Midfield General.

Brent came close to scoring midway through the second half when their very own “Edison” Esme Bicknell – who was now between the sticks – launched a long range missile up the pitch allowing Maisie to unleash a shot which flew just wide. Brent had wave after wave of attacks yet frustratingly for the army of fans (and dogs) who had made their way from Kensal, the Dragons had two attacks and scored with both.

Ten minutes from time, the effervescent Myla Poole teamed up with Sophia Ridley-Swettenham, playing a one-two before releasing a perfectly weighted pass through a mass of Dragons players to Cohen. Isla took the ball with deft control and struck it perfectly towards the net for what looked a certain goal. Somehow, Brent once again failed to score, with the ‘keeper making a superb save low and to her right.

Dragons attacked in response but another stoic performance from Leah Blackstone in defence ensured that the door was firmly shut. A wasted opportunity from Dragons meant that soon the ball was in the hands of goalkeeper Esme Bicknell who drilled the ball up the field. This created a four on three overload but Maggie’s shot hit the outstretched leg of a defender. It landed at the feet of Sophia Ridley-Swettenham who hit the deflected ball, first time with her right, but again somehow, the keeper managed to keep her clean sheet.

Despite the final score of 2-0 it was a brilliant game all round with some first class performances.

An extra-special mention has to be made for the incredible sporting gesture from Myla Poole, Eadie Jarman, Leah Blackstone and Bess Wolstenholme for playing for United Dragons for parts of the game.