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Sun 07 Oct 2018
KGLB Maidstone
Girls U14
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Age tells as Blackheath slip up at Maidstone
Niall Couper7 Oct 2018 - 15:59
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Blackheath's under-13s tire against a side of under-14s and under-16s
Blackheath's under-14s B string can hold their heads high today, despite slipping to defeat in the county capital.
Blackheath fielded a side made up almost entirely of under-13s, while their hosts fielded a side of under-14s and under-16s. It was also the first time that nearly all of the visitors had taken on the 11-a-side format, having moved up from the seven-a-side game.
Yet, despite the obvious disadvantages, Blackheath held the hosts for most of the game.
Maidstone spent a majority of the first half camped in Blackheath territory. Yet the resolve of Amelia Couper, Caitlin Kinch and Semirah Hart in defence kept them at bay. And on the rare moments they did get through, Ellie Kinch proved their match in goal.
Amelia made numerous crucial challenges and Caitlin also cleared one off the line after a short-corner routine.
However, it was not all one way traffic and on the break Blackheath looked dangerous. Nancy Pilkington and Rebecca Anderson began to take control of the midfield. Nell Williams, Isla Campbell and India Fuller Griffin also began to show. And one neat tackle and lovely turn by Rebecca, set Ria Bennett-Lee free and she was only denied by a great block from the Maidstone goalkeeper. Rebecca's excellent awareness in midfield provided a great outlet for the defence, while Ria repeatedly tormented the hosts' defence and with a little bit more luck could well have stolen a goal for Blackheath on the break. And the pace of Evie Oakley also offered a threat.
The second half, however, proved too much for Blackheath. Unused to the longer and larger format, the young Blackheath side visibly began to tire. The giant Maidstone No 39 fired home from the middle of the D after five minutes of the second period.
Blackheath began to drop deeper and deeper and the defending became more desperate. Amelia made a couple of great tackles and twice Ellia was called into action to deny the fast-moving and fitter Maidstone forwards, including one outstanding save from a short corner.
But with the clock ticking, Blackheath wilted further and Maidstone finally made their advantage tell with two late goals.
It may have ended in defeat, but there was plenty of hope for the future. This young side will only get better.
Afterwards, the team chose Ria as their player of the day.
Blackheath fielded a side made up almost entirely of under-13s, while their hosts fielded a side of under-14s and under-16s. It was also the first time that nearly all of the visitors had taken on the 11-a-side format, having moved up from the seven-a-side game.
Yet, despite the obvious disadvantages, Blackheath held the hosts for most of the game.
Maidstone spent a majority of the first half camped in Blackheath territory. Yet the resolve of Amelia Couper, Caitlin Kinch and Semirah Hart in defence kept them at bay. And on the rare moments they did get through, Ellie Kinch proved their match in goal.
Amelia made numerous crucial challenges and Caitlin also cleared one off the line after a short-corner routine.
However, it was not all one way traffic and on the break Blackheath looked dangerous. Nancy Pilkington and Rebecca Anderson began to take control of the midfield. Nell Williams, Isla Campbell and India Fuller Griffin also began to show. And one neat tackle and lovely turn by Rebecca, set Ria Bennett-Lee free and she was only denied by a great block from the Maidstone goalkeeper. Rebecca's excellent awareness in midfield provided a great outlet for the defence, while Ria repeatedly tormented the hosts' defence and with a little bit more luck could well have stolen a goal for Blackheath on the break. And the pace of Evie Oakley also offered a threat.
The second half, however, proved too much for Blackheath. Unused to the longer and larger format, the young Blackheath side visibly began to tire. The giant Maidstone No 39 fired home from the middle of the D after five minutes of the second period.
Blackheath began to drop deeper and deeper and the defending became more desperate. Amelia made a couple of great tackles and twice Ellia was called into action to deny the fast-moving and fitter Maidstone forwards, including one outstanding save from a short corner.
But with the clock ticking, Blackheath wilted further and Maidstone finally made their advantage tell with two late goals.
It may have ended in defeat, but there was plenty of hope for the future. This young side will only get better.
Afterwards, the team chose Ria as their player of the day.
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