Marlborough Girls U10s at Cheltenham

The Panthers started against East Glos with a midfield battle ending up 0-0, but they saved their goals for the next game where they won comfortably against Cheltenham 7 (or 8)-0. Freya Henry scored 2, Flora Low with 1 but the star was Florence Miller with 4 (or maybe 5!). However, they came unstuck in the next game with a 0-3 loss against the ever strong Cirencester who had a couple of sharp forwards who knew how to find the corners of the goal. The Panthers quickly bounced back, winning 2-1 against another Cheltenham side, with Mia Terry scoring with a diving finish, and Freya Henry with the other. The Panthers finished with a frustrating 0-1 loss in their final game, and even had the ball in the goal at one stage, but long after the whistle had blown for a foot.

The Panthers were excellent throughout with Sophia Hodge, Alice Rich, Thomasina Keyes and Kate Hawthorn backing up the goalscorers brilliantly. With only 1 defender, the midfield were expected to work furiously to provide width in attack and tackles at the back.

Meanwhile the Leopards also opened up with a 0-0 draw with Glos City, but from that start they won all their remaining games. The second was 1-0 against Cheltenham with Isla Ince the scorer, and then Cirencester 1-0 with Eleanor Dennis winning it. The goals kept coming with 3-1 win against Cheltenham with Francesca Smith scoring twice and Ella Morriston the other. Finally they won the last 3-0 against Lansdown with Isla scoring twice and Ella one.

The defence of Ursula Jeffery and Xanthe Boote were strong and worked as a team to cover. The midfielders (Carys Hughes, Mollie Watts and Eleanor Dennis) worked hard to support defence but also the forwards. The forwards of Isla Ince, Francesca Smith and Ella Morriston put lots of pressure and more goals would have been scored especially in first match if the opposition didn't have such a good keeper.

Finally, huge congratulations must go to Jess Worrow who played in goal for every game for both teams. This meant 10 matches and 2.5 hours solid on the pitch. Far and away the best goalkeeper there, with strong clearing kicks and putting her body on the line when needed.

The girls showed great team spirit from all and most importantly they enjoyed it and were hungry to play.

A massive thank you to Felicia for coaching and running a team, with Tom Jeffery for umpiring and helping coach.
Finally mention also to Xanthe's mum and Isla's dad for time keeping and note taking, Alice’s mum for managing the subs and other parents for driving and support in the cold.