I couldn’t think of a better final match to test our team that will travel to Madrid later this month. Our KS4 team was led by Maria in Year 10, whilst our KS3 team was led by Sharon in Year 9. It was a chance for me also to see how much leadership there was within both squads. I was not disappointed by the leadership on show, or the competitiveness and tempo to which the game was played at. Both teams showed determination and allowed their friendships to drop for an hour of football.
Both teams opened the game with an edge of uncertainty: KS3 showed a lack of confidence against a bigger and stronger KS4; whilst KS4 opened with a more stand-off approach seeing how the girls of KS3 would try to play. KS4 were the first to open the scoring. They cut through the open defence of the KS3, and moving the ball with confidence, Barbi was able to capitalize on some loose marking to fire the ball home. KS3 came back and equalised by a well-struck first-time effort from outside the area by Harriet. The KS3 girls looked to have built some momentum, but then KS4 pulled away with their second goal of the match; a cheeky flick with the outside of the boot from Maria, as she found space unmarked in the middle of the penalty area. Barbi managed to score the KS4’s third of the game as she ran unopposed from the middle of the pitch to slot it to the keepers left-hand side. When Charlotte popped up in the area to dispatch KS4’s fourth and final goal of the game, a tie looked out of site. The KS3 Girls showed signs of scoring, but unfortunately for them, the score finished at 4-1.
This was the test I wanted, and the old adage that you learn more from a defeat than a win was for all the KS3 team to see. So in a way it was positive all round; firstly the KS3 have got a defeat out of their system before they travel to Madrid and secondly the KS4 were able to have another win, but against a team that plays in a very similar style to their own. I want to thank all the girls for taking this fixture seriously and for playing so competitively.
by Chris Walker, Head coach of TEAM BISB Girls football