Two sides that have a similar approach to the game running a number of youth sides with a clear path in place to achieve 1st team football with the senior women's side and this season has seen a number of U18 players feature regularly for their 1st team both of which compete in the Cambridgeshire Women's Premiership.
The venue for this evenings final St Neots Town FC, a newly build stadium on the outskirts of the town, amongst a new housing development going up, is a bit of a rabbit warren to find amongst the new housing and the Sat Nav gave up, still I found it the floodlights visible it was a case of picking the right road. Is a very nice stadium, new a large seated stand along side the pitch with a clubhouse with bar and facilities for hot refreshments although not available tonight. Terraced covered stands at either end. The large pitch looked in fantastic condition. A bright and sunny evening warm and dry total contrast to the monsoon I'd stood in to watch Newmarket Town Ladies in their semi-final game.
Road to the Final
Just 7 sides contested the Cambridge Girls U18s League this season, Wisbech St Marys Ladies were the runaway winners playing and winning all 15 of their league matches whilst Newmarket Town Ladies finished as runners-up with Netherton United Ladies 3rd. Both sides entering in the quarter final stage.
Newmarket Tow Ladies were awarded an away win with Riverside Rovers pulling out. Into the hat 4 the semi-finals were drawn at home against league leaders Wisbech St Marys Ladies. A tough challenge seemingly I went along to watch this semi-final on a Saturday morning played on the Dullingham Polo Fields. On the day Newmarket Town Ladies were by far the better side winning the game 4-0 to reach the League Cup Final.
Netherton United Ladies were at home in the quarter finals showing no mercy as they romped though to the semi-finals beating Sawston 21-0. That result scaring their semi-final opponents Sawtry the game never took place and Netherton United Ladies were into the final.
The venue for this evenings final St Neots Town FC, a newly build stadium on the outskirts of the town, amongst a new housing development going up, is a bit of a rabbit warren to find amongst the new housing and the Sat Nav gave up, still I found it the floodlights visible it was a case of picking the right road. Is a very nice stadium, new a large seated stand along side the pitch with a clubhouse with bar and facilities for hot refreshments although not available tonight. Terraced covered stands at either end. The large pitch looked in fantastic condition. A bright and sunny evening warm and dry total contrast to the monsoon I'd stood in to watch Newmarket Town Ladies in their semi-final game.
Netherton United Ladies U18s starting XI - Katie Cooper, Stacie Boon, Courtney Coles, Olivia Bass, Georgia Clarke, Hazel Sterling (C), Eleanor Mitchell, Georgina Parrett, Savannah Evans, Lucy Johnson & Emma Pollard.
subs - Tia Vacca, Charlotte Akester & Natasha Anderson.
Newmarket Town Ladies starting XI - Lilli Estus, Katie Webb, Chloe Slater, Yasmin Woodfield, Ella Blowes (C), Jessica Linger, Molly Agnew, Abbi Griffin, Olivia Orme, Jordanne Sillitoe & Dominika Szary
subs - Olivia Page & Freya Rule.
(roll on roll off substitutes)
Newmarket wearing yellow shirts with blue trim on the sides and numbering get the 1st half underway with opponents Netherton lined up opposite wearing red shirts with a black bands across the chest, black shorts and black and red hooped socks. Netherton captain, Hazel Sterling imposes herself on the ball in the midfield early on pushing out to the left side tries the play in Savannah Evans ahead of her trying to come in from the left side to get inside the area the pass carries too much weight runs through to Newmarket goalkeeper Lilli Estus for an early touch of the ball.
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| Netherton United Ladies u18s captain goes on the attack early on |
Not only have players from both sides played for their respective 1st teams this season, Newmarket have a few dual signed who have played at a higher level still, defender Katie Webb and attacking player Jordanne Sillitoe have experience in the ERWFL Premier Division with Great Shelford Ladies, whilst I have seen Chloe Slater in playing for Brandon Town Ladies in Norfolk Women's Division One. Newmarket go up the other end the ball put up the right channel for Abbi griffin to chase wins her side a corner kick. Any set piece put in from that side could cause a problem for the Netherton defence with the sun setting low behind that side of the stadium. The ball comes in goalkeeper, Katie Cooper goes up to claim the ball isn't safely in her gloves drops into the six yard box, Netherton scramble it away.
GOAL! The perfect start for Newmarket as they open the scoring just 3 minutes played. the ball from the corner kick isn't cleared far outsdie the Netherton box newmarket regain possession on the left side, comes to the feet of Sillitoe, carries it forwards comng inside reaches the edge of the area pulls the trigger drilling the ball low and fast across the goal and buries it into the bottom corner. 0-1.
Newmarket aome again Sillitoe proving to be a handful on the ball, plays the pass out to Molly Agnew moving into space on the right side again the shot comes in from just outside the area Cooper gets down low and pushes the ball away for another corner. Netherton are trying to release attackers Emma Pollard and Lucy Johnson through the centre testing the Newmarket defence with high balls. Newmarket regain the ball go up the other end winning a throw on the right is put into Sillitoe's feet turns inside and looks to curl a shot in towards the top corner, drifts wide of the target.
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| Netherton's Lucy Johnson with Newmarket's Yasmin Woodfield |
On the left Dominika Szary gets hold of the ball takes on the Netherton defence getting free, shoots from 20 yards out, Cooper dives to her left but a touch isn't needed as the ball rolls a yard wide for the goal kick. Netherton get the ball up though the middle quickly Evans into Johnson who slides Pollard in off the shoulder of the Newmarket defence has a half yard head start, Estus comes off her line to the edge of her area right side beats the ball away with her gloves as Pollard shoots.
Jess Linger in the centre of midfield for Newmarket plays a good ball out for Griffin on the right puts the ball inside into Sillitoe who shoots positioned left of the D, Cooper is down sharply to make the save stopping the ball then claiming it. Courtney Coles gets across and puts in a good tackle to stop Agnew wide left as she looks to travel with the ball deep on the left as Newmarket counter attack. Another block is needed from Netherton as Sillitoe charging forwards with the ball at her feet unleashes a shot, Emma Mitchell getting herself behind the ball to block. the ball looping away for a corner. Comes in high into the middle Szary going up for it connects with her head but sends the ball wide across goal.
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| Dominika Szary gets up to head the ball from a corner for Newmarket |
Staying close together as the ball is put up to them Johnson and Pollard attack the Netherton defence exchanging passes as they work it forwards Johnson gets the ball back to Pollard as she gets free just outside the area takes on the shot the ball looping up turns away from the right post wide.Evans wins a throw inside the Newmarket half on the left taking it gets the ball back lifts it up towards the area picking out Pollard who hits it on the turn sending the ball up into the air comes down into Estus' gloves.
Is a fast paced game, U18s football is alot faster than the senior women's game and that isn't a slow game either. Georgina Parrett bursts forwards played in by Sterling down the wing wins a throw deep in their territory the ball comes to nothing, Newmarket get hold of it, Linger getting the ball up to Griffin who goes for goal 20 yards out puts her effort over the crossbar. Sillitoe who is constantly looking for room to unleash a shot goes for it from 30 yards out left side a fierce drive is off target.
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| Chloe Slater playing the ball for Newmarket Town Ladies U18s |
Change for Netherton with Sterling coming off the armband handed to Coles as Tia Vacca comes on. Evans brings the ball forwards for Netherton plays it inside to Johnson, she and Pollard exchange passes again working their way through the middle, get a shot away Newmarket have bodies in the box the ball is blocked. Szary comes off for Newmarket with Olivia Page being sent on.
GOAL! Netherton get themselves back on level terms, Pollard picking the ball up inside the Newmarket half has Vacca running into space on her left, plays the ball out to her getting hold of it deep is closed down looks up seeing what options she has Parett has come forwards left side of the area the ball is played into her hits the shot sending the ball looping up high into the air flies over Estus and drops behind her into the back of the net 1-1.
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| Georgina Parrett looking to get on the ball levels things up for Netherton |
Sillitoe has taken a knock and needs to come off, Agnew who had sneaked off earlier on returning to the pitch. Netherton put a dangerous ball forwards looking to clear the Newmarket defence, Pollard is interested, but Newmarket defender Olivia Orme does well to keep her eye on the ball watch it drop with a setting sun to deal and get a firm header on the ball to clear.Break on for Netherton Johnson playing the ball down the line for Vacca surging forwards, Griffin tracking back slides in to win the ball back putting it out for the corner. Newmarket get the ball up the other end Griffins cross put behind at the near post for a corner. The ball is put into the face of the area, is rolled out to Griffin right hits it hard towards goal, stinging Coopers gloves as she saves then claims the lose ball insde her six yard box.
Netherton go straight on the attack the ball sent out to Johnson peeling away into space left carrying the ball on left side of the area lets fly sending the shot high looping over Estus once again looks destined to drop under the bar, instead hits it then the post before dropping down central a foot in front of goal, then into the gloves of a grateful Estus. Late into the 1st half and Newmarket have a corner, on the right goes all the way through the area coming to Yasmin Woodfield left side 20 yards out fires the shot back in Copper diving to her right the ball sails wide.
Half-time Netherton United Ladies U18s 1-1 Newmarket Town Ladies U18s
A fast paced 1st half with plenty of chances created, Newmarket getting the better share of them have used the width better getting the ball into the channels whilst Sillitoe has been all over the place in attack hard to mark. Scored early but Netherton held out working hard to chase the ball down have been patient waiting for the mistakes then trying to capitalise, equalised and could have had a lead late in the 1st half.
Netherton get the 2nd half underway the floodlights now starting to take full effect. Both Sillitoe and Szary are back on the pitch for the start of the 2nd half Page and Freya Rule off. After a tentative opening couple of minutes Newmarket win a corner on the right as Sillitoe pushes into the corner. The ball coming in is knocked up into the air at the near post, comes down for Linger edge of the area right of goal, takes a touch shifting the ball into a yard of space to shoot hits it hard but straight at Cooper who holds onto the ball.
Netherton make a push through the middle, Parrett and Pollard working it forwards the latter trying to put Johnson clear on the right side, Slater closing her down tackles and brings the ball away. Pollard comes through the middle shoots 20 yards out sees the ball blocked spins away to the right Johnson winning a corner. Estus decides to come through the crowd at her near post goes to punch the ball misses it drops behind her into the six yard area in front of goal, Webb launches it.
GOAL! Newmarket retake the lead, coming forwards through the middle Slater to Linger the ball rolled on for Sillitoe right of the D 20 yards out, Griffin more central just ahead of her her is given the ball rolls it on for Szary coming into the area goes for the shot pulling the ball across the keeper to the far post strikes it at the base and is turned in 1-2.
Great tackle from Webb on Vacca left side as Netherton attack Parrett on for Pollard who looks to get Vacca through on goal. Johnson has a pop at goal 25 yards out hits the ball wide across the area. Pollard is fouled on the left side close to the top of the area. A good delivery is swept into the box, Johnson rising to attack it sends her header narrowly over the crossbar.
Newmarket are starting to get more of the ball, lifting a ball up into the box Griffin looks to hit the ball across the six yard box with the outside of her boot, Szary making the run is just sort of connecting with the ball before Cooper claims it. Sillitoe with a powerful run down into the right channel stands the ball up into the area Szary gets her head on the ball but can't direct it on target. A knock for Stacie Boon comes off for Netherton with Sterling returning to the action. Change for Newmarket to Agnew coming off Page comes back on.
GOAL! Newmarket extend their lead coming from a throw inside the Netherton half on the right side is with Page down beside the area plays the pass back up into Sillitoe coming to receive, outside the area Sillitoe goes for goal hitting a high ball into the area little Cooper can do about it as it drops late behind her and over the line. 1-3.
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| Jordan Sillitoe on the ball for Newmarket scores 2 in the U18s League Cup Final |
Vacca comes off for Netherton with Boon returning to the game. Linger plays the ball up in towards Sillitoe 20 yards out slips and falls as she goes to control the ball, Griffin is close with her gets the shot away looping up but straight for Cooper she palms it down the scrambles to get hold of it with Szary chasing in on the follow up. Johnson is fouled by Webb coming across her 25 yards out, Netherton have a free kick, Olivia Bass over it goes for goal puts the strike over.
Webb plays the ball into the box as she finds herself high up the pitch with a throw being taken on the left plays the ball into to the area, Parrett does well to defend against Sillitoe the ball cleared Page tried to turn it back in is fouled giving Newmarket the free kick in a central position 25 yards out. Linger takes it going for goal hits it hard drills the ball wide. Netherton are tiring not retaining the ball high up the pitch Newmarket bring it forwards a superb ball from Slater putting the pass across the pitch picking out Griffin on the right side shoots aiming for the near post, great save by Cooper diving at full stretch to push the ball wide for the corner as the game moves into the final 5 minutes.
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| Newmarket Town Ladies, Abbi Griffin |
Corner for Newmarket on the right put into the box Sillitoe gets up highest to head the ball turning it down towards the far post Bass covering the post makes the goal line clearance. The subs are coming thick and fast from both sides late on job to keep track of who is on and who is off. Webb has been in fine form at the back for Newmarket all game and late on gets across to stops Pollard making one last break through the middle. Gets up the other end as Newmarket push forwards has a strike at goal from outside the box firing it straight at Cooper who keeps hold of the ball.
The final whistle blows and Newmarket Town Ladies celebrate as they win the u18s Girls League Cup Final beating Netherton 3-1. An entertaining final played at a fast tempo between to sides packed with potential as they end their time in youth football setting up to women's football next season both sides look to have an exciting future ahead of them. Newmarket were the better side over the 90 minutes creating more chances. Netherton worked hard and created chances equalising and could have lead before Newmarket went on to score 2 more goals 2nd half, Netherton tiring towards the end.
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| Newmarket Town Ladies U18s, League Cup Winners |
Congratulations to Newmarket Town Ladies on their cup success. Thanks to Cambridgeshire FA's Chris Abbott for his help tonight and both sides for sorting me out with the squad details after the match.
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