A successful return to Cheltenham

Marlborough U12 girls had a brilliant afternoon in the Cheltenham sunshine, playing 12 games, winning 9 of them.
Some hectic organisation and cajoling was required by the coaches who found out their original plan to play without a goalkeeper was scuppered. The other teams were brilliant in loaning their excellent goalkeepers throughout.

The Marlborough Mops consisted of Georgina Paul, Ursula Jeffery, Flora Low, Matilda Makin, Freya Henry, Saffron Day, Shelby Horton, Kate Hawthorn and Mia Terry. They won 5 of their 6 games, losing only 1, scoring 8, and letting only 2 in. The highlight was Mia's reverse stick goal into the top corner giving the goalkeeper no chance. There was a noticeable improvement in the team throughout the festival and the teamwork was clear to see with passes being strung together to create opportunities.

Meanwhile the Marlborough Tops went unbeaten, winning 4 and drawing 2 of their games, scoring 14 and only conceding 1. The team were Sophia Hodge, Ella Morriston, Thomasina Keyes, Florence Miller, Isla Ince, Anna White , Cecily Gates, Molly Newham and Rosie Armitage.
The coach's favourite goal was a brilliant pass from Ella to Molly, who picked out Isla for a simple tap in at the back post with the opposition getting nowhere near them. Defensively they were brilliant, with the whole team contributing to keeping the shot count low. Meanwhile they attacked in numbers and with pace that the opposition couldn't cope with.

Undoubtedly a major success. Huge thanks to Robin who umpired all 12 games, Lou Terry for assisting Felicia, Felicia herself for coaching despite Eleanor being stuck in her sick bed at home. Also naturally all the parents for getting the girls up there.