Great British Confectionery Company Under 12 Girls Cup Final

Plymouth Phoenix Girls  1(1) – (2)1  Ocean City Youth

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

 This Father’s Day festival of girls football started with the Under 12s final, played over two halves of 30 minutes, 7 a-side with repeat substitutions. Both teams had had successful seasons finishing 1^st and 2^nd in their respective leagues and an even contest was eagerly anticipated. So it proved, as goals from Aaliya McAdam in the 26^th minute and Kiesha Walker 4 minutes in to the second half, ensured that at full time the scores were level at one goal apiece. The destination of the trophy being determined by kicks from the penalty spot which ended with Ocean City taking the trophy by two goal to one.

Phoenix kicked off but it wasn’t long before good link up play between Maisie Rider and McAdam forced the first corner for Ocean City in the 2^nd minute, well dealt with by the Phoenix defence. Two minutes later Phoenix couldn’t get a touch on an excellent cross from the right which went right across the City goal.

Phoenix started to apply pressure with Walker driving them forward from the back and, in the 10^th minute had a free kick which Mia Dulling couldn’t keep down. In the 12^th minute Faith Walsh in the City goal did well to keep out a shot from Mia Jones. Play went to the other end where McAdam had a near post effort deflected for a corner.

The game was becoming very open now and in the 20^th minute a free kick from Phoenix’s Summer Douglas found Dulling who drew another good save from Walsh.

In the 25^th minute McAdam had a shot well saved by Phoenix keeper Isabelle Warburton but a minute later she was not to be denied, blasting a close range shot into the top corner to give City a one goal lead which they held on to until half time.

City started the second half on the front foot, McAdam finding Grace Lennox whose shot was just off target. Phoenix pushed further up field and, in the 34^th minute, a pass infield from Saskia Brisley found Walker whose lob deceive Walsh and levelled up the score. One each now and all to play for, both teams showing their attacking intent. McAdam was constantly putting the Phoenix defence under pressure but to no avail.

In the 49^th Minute a 20 yard free kick from Phoenix’s Dulling just passed the near post. Clear cut chances were becoming few and far between the best of which fell to McAdam who pounced on a poor clearance but saw her shot well saved by Warburton. Ocean City appeared to be the stronger side as game approached the final minutes but both defences held firm and as the final whistle blew the result was to be determined by kicks from the penalty spot.

There were to be three kicks each and with Warburton saving one and Walsh saving two Ocean City prevailed by two goals to one, Maisie Rider blasting her kick into the top corner giving Warburton no chance.

Star Player - Keisha Walker (Plymouth Phoenix Girls)

Dennis Smith

Devon FA