The Whitehaven u12 Blues were successful on their travels this morning, booking a Semi Final place in the County Cup after seeing off a very hard working Northbank team 8-0.
The girls kicked off the game in cold and windy conditions but it didn’t affect them as they were soon moving the ball well with all players contributing and good movement off the ball. However that final ball or touch just eluded Whitehaven early on, as well as some good defending and goalkeeping keeping it at 0-0. Aarleah Robertson was exciting the onlookers with her silky skills and clever decision making and was at the centre of everything that was good about the Whitehaven team and she got a deserved goal around half way in, picking the ball up from the right and setting herself before a picture perfect shot into the far corner from about 20 yards out giving the keeper no chance to make it 1-0. It was a defender who then really caught the eye early on, not only an excellent option to the attack and making good passes but after a good passage of play, a corner was won and from that corner the ball was moved to Millie Clark who thumped one from distance and it was only the crossbar that prevented her scoring.
Northbank showed great courage and continued to try and play good football and they were really unlucky to find themselves 2-0 down after a very unfortunate OG was scored.
Whitehaven then lost passing sensation Evie Kerrush after an accidental bad coming together, which was a real shame as she had been playing extremely well, picking out good passes and always a threat with her shots.
Half Time was 2-0 and the next goal was going to be key, Girl of the Game Molly Blair made thar next goal hers. Molly played in a range on positions throughout the game, and in everyone of them she excelled, driving from deep in defence and supporting the attack, from the wing, getting good crosses in, and in midfield always being an option for a team mate and she bagged a cracking goal to make it 3-0.
Layla Rudd who played striker and both wings throughout the day, was causing real havoc in the defence and bagged a brace in close succession to really put the tie to bed at 5-0, Layla’s clinical shooting a real eye catcher, scoring with both feet.
Then came the goal of the game, Captain Katie Kegg who was getting support down the left side by the magnificent Erin Duffy playing from deep, received the ball and drove to the bye line, defenders soon closed Katie down but she hid the ball really well and then all of a sudden twisted losing 2 players before travelling across the bye line and finishing off in style from a real difficult angle to make 6-0.
Erin Duffy was now really involved down the left and moving into midfield, strong and powerful on the ball and always tidy with it at her feet, she was causing lots of issues going forward. Her defensive partner Millie Clark was now in central midfield and pulling the strings with excellent range of passing and she grabbed a well deserved goal to top off a great overall performance to make it 7-0.
The final goal was the hat trick goal for the amazing Layla who finished off in style into the corner to make it 8-0.
Although the goals catch the eye, Lauren Glynn when called upon in nets never put a foot wrong and her distribution from the back was very good and very calm.
Girl of Game chosen by opposition went to Layla Rudd.
Girl of Game chosen by Whitehaven went to Molly Blair.
Coach Rob Campbell said ‘I was really pleased with the girls attidude today in, at times difficult weather conditions. Northbank are a very good club and team and tried to play a good style of football and were all really nice lasses who were a credit to their club. I think only negative for us was losing Evie early on through injury but hopefully doesn’t look to serious and we can have her back soon. It was really hard picking a GOTG as they all were tremendous but massive well done to both Layla & Molly. We now go bavk to WCYL action and look forward to the Semi Final in coming weeks.’