Following on from last weekend’s great performance, today was another opportunity for the County fans to get out and support our u11 Storm Girls – and they didn’t disappoint…
Leigh Genesis Supernovas were the visitors for this one and as the coaches warmed up our troops, there was a quiet air of optimism floating across the Bolton skies. And why wouldn’t there be – these kids have been playing really well – and regardless of the result, they are all heroes to us! So with the final preparations being done, it was time to get out there and get this game underway…
And it was the team in blue that started the strongest – passing the ball really well and moving into the spaces – and within 2 minutes we had taken the lead. A great ball through saw Emily break the lines of their defence and with a skill that belies her tender years, she hammered her shot into the back of their net leaving the Supernova keeper no chance of stopping it. A great start and the County fans were buoyant gathered over on the right…
That start really got the girls fired up and we continued spreading the ball about the park with finesse, switching the play and pressing forward as a unit. This was creating chance after chance for our attacking players – and they did what they do best by sticking the ball in the back of the opponent’s net. Georgia, Robanna and Kendal all got themsevles on the scoresheet and before the whsitle went to end the first-half, Emily also managed to break free and slam home her shot for her second of the game. So when the referee decided that there had been enough action for the first period and blew the whistle for the break, it was the County players that were coming in for their drinks with the biggest smiles on their faces…
Coaches’ jobs afre easy when their team have performed as the Storm just did – but there’s still work to do – so the bosses rewarded their troops with some excellent words on their performance – and reminded them to just go out there and do the same again. Jonny spoke about thinking where we were on the pitch when we were not in possession of the football – as we could then squeeze them tighter and not give them any room to manoverue. The drinks were drunk, the lungs re-filled and before we knew it, we were back out there ready to go again…
Due to the ‘PowerPlay’ that the Bolton & Bury District Football League employ, we were now playing against a team with two extra players but once again our girls showed their mettle by keeping their heads and really showing the faithful home supporters how strong we are as we continued to pass the ball well and mustered up chance after chance at the Genesis goal. We were changing the direction of play regularly which was giving the opposing defenders headaches in trying to work out which angle we were coming from next and as the half progressed, the County girls were clearly enjoying this…
There were more goals for the team in blue as well – with Yasmin smashing in a great shot that their keeper that evaded their keeper by inches and nearly ripped the net as it hit the back of it – and Eliza got herself on the scoresheet when a great move down our right was played into the danger-area and our pocket-rocket swivelled in one, took the ball away from her marker and arrowed it into the roof of the net from agout 12 yards out. The County fans were going wild in the aisles and as the kids kept going towards the final whistle, they themselves knew this had been a fantastic performance…
So when the referee decided he had seen enough and called time on this fabulous spectacle, it was the County players and fans that were cheering the loudest – but all credit must go to the Leigh Genesis Supernovas as they dug in and kept working hard all the way from the first to the last whistle. They deserved the warm round of applause they received when they left the field of play and we really wish them all the very best for the remainder of the season…
This was all about us though and as the girls came in, they were rightly patted on the back by the coaches. From front to back, each and every one of them had worked their socks off out there and it showed in that superb display. Emily was awarded the Girl of the Game but in truth, it could have gone to any one of them today. They all did so, so well and as they trotted off towards their cars, they knew that they had shown exactly what they are capable of now – so the coaches and the supporters will be expecting that every weekend from now on!
Next weekend sees us travelling over to take on our old friends Ramsbottom United Rockets and we would love to see you all there cheering us on – as it feels great taking so many fans with us wherever we go. Who knows – we may well be celebrating again in seven days time. That’s the plan anyway…
A massive thanks once again to our valued sponsors KLSK, Glenbank Care Home and our old mates at Matchwinner – whom without we wouldn’t be able to look at good as we play – so as the dust settled for another weekend, it was another great day for The Storm. Becoming standard practice now…
#UpTheCounty!
