This weekend saw a mix of WCYL League games and also the resumption of the 19/20 County Cup for the U12 & U14 Girls respectively before they were suspended due to the Covid19 Lockdown.
U12 County Cup
It was a proud moment for the club who had both U12s competing against each other in the Semi Final. It was a tough game for both sides, with the younger ones being very organised as a team an pressing their older counter parts fantastically for much of the game, only really dropping off in the final minutes after putting so much energy into the game. The older Blues found this pressing very difficult to begin with and with them now playing 9v9 on a larger pitch it was a bit of adjustment they had to make to get to the normal flow and good football they used to playing.
The Blues continued to try and not get frustrated by the powerful younger girls, and eventually started to create chances on goal, and if not for Girl of the Game for the younger girls Anya Brannon in nets the scoreline could’ve been a lot, she was in magnificent form pulling off a tonne of saves.
The Blues continued to work chances and eventually their perseverance paid off and the goals came from Molly Blair, Evie Kerrush, Millie Clark with a real treat of a shot from nearly half way and Captain Katie Kegg all getting on the scoresheet. However it was the impressive Layla Rudd who stole the show with a real battle with the younger Whitehaven Goalkeeper but managing to net 4 and set up 1 in a Girl of the Game performance for the Blues.
The Blues now progress to play in the County Cup Final against Unisun on the 27th September at 10.30am at the Cumbria Football Academy. A clubs Spokesperson said ’We we’re really proud of both teams, the younger ones have really punched above their weight this year. We have to congratulate the Blues and wish them all the best in the Final, they have had a terrific season so far and we hope they finish this final chapter of the 19/20 season on a positive note’
U14 County Cup
It was the battle of the pre lock down U14 West Cumbria & Carlisle Longhorn League Leaders in the County Cup Semi Final.
Whitehaven u13 Vs Northbank 1970 u14.
It was Whitehaven Girls that were out the blocks the quickest with some great interplay which created numerous chances in the first 10 minutes but against the run of play Northbank took the lead when the number 9 spotted the Whitehaven keeper off her line and smashed home from 20 yards!!
Whitehaven continued to press and created a host of chances & Whitehaven thought they had equalised when Ellie May Callander lost her marker on the right hand side and drilled a low ball to the back post were Eden Hetherington thought she had scored only for the Northbank keeper to make a spectacular save.
The second half started the same with Whitehaven team pressing and once with the ball, more good interplay which resulted with Millie Teare losing her marker and smashing home the equaliser.
Whitehaven were in front two minutes later when an Ellie May Callander corner was headed home by Eden Hetherington.
Northbank wouldn’t lie down though and it wasn’t long before Northbank equalised when a loose ball was picked up on the right hand side and smashed in from 20 yards.
The game finished 2-2 extra time was required to define the outcome.
Extra time was just as end to end as the game itself.
Northbank got there noses in front when a lack of communication let there 9 steal in and touch past the on rushing defender.
But Whitehaven heads never dropped & when great interplay again released Ellie May Callander she slammed home for the Whitehaven team.
As the crowd were getting ready for pens with only 6 mins left northbank made sure they were going to the final when one of there midfielders stole the ball and crashed in from 15 yards.
The Whitehaven team were distraught at the final whistle but they made there coach so proud as they all gave 100% and played fantastic football to suprise there older opponents.
U12 WCYL League
Both Whitehaven AFC U12 Yellows & Blues were in action and both competing in their first ever competitive league season got wins on the board in only their second outing.
The Yellows recorded their first league win against a very good Cockermouth team, in a game they dominated from start to finish, getting a 3-1 victory. The Whitehaven girls worked really hard and constantly closed down the ball, winning it back time and time again.
Some of our passing was really pleasing for spectators to watch for a team that hasn’t been together long and they were very confident playing out from the back and using the goalkeeper when needed.
Amy Ashton built on her GOTM performance last week and looked really strong on the ball throughout. Kitty Rooney looked like her namesake footballer with some lovely passing which was top notch. Mirren George was looking very confident, and constantly hassling the Cockermouth Girls tonwin the ball and was really unlucky not to score on a few occasions.
Girl of the Game was Lana Manton. She put some great tackles in all day and set the tone for the Yellows team, and worked really hard and had a cool head on the ball numerous times to play the Whitehaven team out of danger turning defence into attack through clever passing.
The Blues had a very hard and physical game but managed to run out with a 7-1 win.
Moor Row started fast and scored in the early minutes of the game, taking the Whitehaven Girls by surprise.
This seemed to awake the Whitehaven Girls who quickly caught their breath and began to play some superb football. However, it was still going to be hard to compete against girls who had a size advantage and Moor Row did create more shots but goalkeeper Marcie Seath was equal to it and wouldn’t be breached agsin.
All the Whitehaven Girls continue to play exceptional and it was Girl of the Game chosen by the Moor Row coaches Sydney Smith who was the driving force for the Whitehaven team as they grabbed their win.
Full Results
U12 County Cup
Whitehaven AFC U12 Blues 9-0 Whitehaven AFC U12s
U14 County Cup
Whitehaven AFC 3-4 (AET) Northbank 1970
U12 WCYL Blue Division
Whitehaven AFC Yellows 3-1 Cockermouth
U12 WCYL Red Division
Whitehaven AFC Blues 7-1 Moor Row