Great British Confectionery Company Under 16 Girls Cup Final

Plymouth Aspire  11 – 0  SB Frankfort Youth

Played at Coach Road, Newton Abbot 20/06/2021

The third game of the day was in complete contrast to that we had seen previously. Whereas the Under 14s and Under 12s were both closely contested this one was anything but as a rampant Aspire team took their opponents apart, scoring nine times in the first half effectively killing the game off. SB Frankfort came into the match as winners of the Devon Junior and Minor League Under 16s division but were completely swept away by a much stronger Aspire team for whom Ellie Sara scored five.

First to strike for Aspire was Sara who had a brace within 12 minutes, the first in the 7^th minute heading in a corner swung in from the left. Her second was beautifully taken running through the Frankfort defence, rounding the keeper Ruby Mitchelmore to slot into the empty net. In the 14^th minute Libby Gimson made it three nil with a powerful strike into the top corner giving Mitchelmore no chance. Next on the scoresheet and completing her hat trick was Ellie Sara driving home a poor clearance. That was followed a minute later by Emily Elliot pouncing on a Kristina Case cross from the right and hitting a powerful drive into the top of the net. Five nil now and surely no way back for the Frankfort girls.

Aspire were certainly not letting up as in the 26^th minute Sara drove home her 4^th from just outside the box and a minute later Elliott was on target again with her teams 7^th. The Frankfort girls were trying their best but were no match for an Aspire team who had gone through the season unbeaten.

In the 33^rd minute Mari Ward got on the scoresheet tapping in the rebound after Mitchelmore had pulled off a brilliant save to push out a right foot shot from Gimson. Sara rounded off the first half scoring with her fifth and her teams 9^th goal in the first minute of added time.

Two minutes later the referee blew the whistle for half time to give the players a much needed break.

Frankfort kicked off the second half with their heads held high despite the scoreline. Mitchelmore pulled off two brilliant saves within three minutes of the restart and it seemed only a matter of time before Aspire increased their lead. Although Aspire still had the greater possession Frankfort were able to keep them at bay until the 77^th minute when Taylor Ford ran in from the right to beat Mitchelmore from close range to bring the score to 10 nil.

As the game drew to a close Frankfort were trying desperately for some sort of consolation and almost succeeded, a shot from Summer Bell blocked on the line with no one able to follow it in. In the last minute of added time Ward completed the scoring with a shot from 25 yards.

The referee brought proceedings to a close from the restart and the Under 16s trophy went to Plymouth Aspire. SB Frankfort fought bravely to the end and it is to their credit that they kept trying to play and did not let their heads drop at any time despite the score.

Player of the Match - Ellie Sara  (Plymouth Aspire)

Dennis Smith

Devon FA