Denton Town 3 Oldham Athletic 1 (U11's L/cup)

In 23 years as a football player I have experienced many emotions; the highs and the lows of our beloved game but I would be hard pressed to remember many occasions in which I have felt as proud as the girls made me feel this morning.
This was a quite brilliant victory against one of the league's front runners and hopefully will prove to be the catalyst for more success ahead. Make no bones about it this Oldham Athletic outfit were strong opposition and the Denton girls fully deserved their 3-1 triumph. The key to the win was quite simple.

The girls played as a team; worked hard for one another, attacked as a unit and defended in numbers. It was a pleasure to witness this improved attitude. Today they came of age and signalled that they are capable of competing with the best. Oldham started brightly and dominated the early exchanges. In recent weeks Denton may have been expected to capitulate under the pressure but they weathered the storm with resilient defending. The back two of Emily and Kendall were formidable, blocking all paths to goal as though their lives were dependent on it. The tactic of deploying Kendall in a deeper role behind Emily worked an absolute treat. The starting midfield trio of Lauren , Kylie and Grace each worked tirelessly to assist their defence and deny Oldham from taking advantage of their fine opening.

Over the past few weeks I have commented regularly on the potential of Kay in attack. This morning she listened to the advice of Amy and I. Rather than attempting to beat the entire defence on her own she was far more selective in her dribbles and consequently reaped the rewards with a devastating hatrick. Totally against the run of play Denton launched a scintillating counter-attack. Emily cleared the danger with a ball out wide to Lauren who cut inside and fed Kylie. Her inch-perfect through-pass sent Kay scarpering beyond the back line and clean in on goal. As the keeper came to meet her she cooly slotted the ball past her and it was 1-0. This clearly filled the girls with confidence and they raised their work-rate even higher to ensure that they retained their advantage as Oldham saught an immediate reply. Again Emily and Kendall thwarted all route to goal and Hannah was equally as solid in the nets behind them.

Shortly before the break it was déjà vu as Kylie again released Kay with another beautifully crafted pass. This time she had slightly more work to do but she bustled her way past her marker and beat the keeper with ease. My initial joy (I admit I screamed in excitement!!) was subdued for a moment when Amy announced it had only hit the side-netting and we had to check with Kay who was wandering back for the restart that she had indeed scored before we were finally able to celebrate.

The second half saw the introduction of Teah into the defence with Kendall moved into the centre of midfield to add that extra security. Sitting behind Emily, and monitoring the whole picture of the Oldham attack, Teah (affectionately known as "bird") proved just as effective in the role as her predecessor and, again, the opposition were struggling to find a way past. They were limited to attempting long range efforts but Hannah was equal to everything that they had to offer.
We were all able to breathe that little bit easier when Kay soon completed her hatrick with an instinctive strike into the roof of the net after Oldham failed to clear the ball.
From that moment on it was again the visitors who stepped up a gear and lay siege on our final third of the pitch. They finally breached the rear-guard when the defence hesitated in the belief that their player had handled the ball but the referee waved "play-on" and a low cross was turned in at the far post.

Nevertheless this was to be Denton's day. They were not to be denied their third victory in the last four outings and they clung on to achieve a memorable success.

My Player of the Match - the whole team ! ! !

Rick.
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So I suppose you don't want me back then? Do you how sad it makes me feel not being wanted anymore :( . Still, at least the 8's and 14's still love me :) ... I think :(.

Seriously though girls, I'm buzzing :)))) after this fine victory against one of the top runners. Its been coming for some time, and I've said for most of the season that your results don't reflect your performances. Rick has probably given you a much needed lift and new direction, but do not let that detract from the sterling work Amy has already done this season. I believe the reason why our 14's are so successful is because the coaches (Alan and Tim) complement each other and bring different dimensions to the girls' game. I now believe we could be on the brink of a great partnership with Amy and Rick, and hopefully you will go on to emulate some of what the 14's have achieved over the past two seasons.

Also, something to think about. The 11's and 14's are still on the treble. Great, good luck to them however, you've now got a great opportunity to win some silverware too.

Today was the first game in the League Cup. You play each other team once, and the top two play in the final. You have just beaten Oldham, runners' up in the league this season, so what does that say to you? Well, quite simply, if you can beat a fine team like Oldham (and deservedly so), then surely you re capable of beating anyone, so GO FOR IT! Can you imagine how proud you will feel, and Denton Town as a club, when ALL three girls teams win a trophy.

Rick - fantastic match report again, I think you will have to give me lessons in Sports Journalism as I'm a bit naff at it.

Right, I'm off for a sulk now, and seeing as you don't want me, don't expect any chocs, more for the 14's and 8's- lol.

NIGEL.
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Well Girls what can i say you were absolutely superb, you listen to what me and Rick told you before the game, and your performance was outstanding, me and Rick were really buzzing on the side line watching you all. But I tell you all now you have all improved immensely over the last year and started playing like a team, if you keep playing like you did yesterday you can beat any team. Like Rick says on his report you were all man of the match and you all deserved it, as you all attacked in number and you all got back to defend which we keep telling you to do. When oldham put use under pressure you cope really well at the back with strong performance of Teah, Emily, Kendall, brilliant clearence and blocks stoppers to stop oldham from shooting. Hannah was outstanding again in nets come off her line quick to stop oldham in the first half from scoring. The midfield Trio of Grace, Kylie and Lauren brilliant you help to support each other as well as Kay up front but you all got back to defence which was fantastic, Kylie played at the thick of it in the middle of midfield take some strong challenge from oldham but equally as strong. Kay scored a wonderful hat trick which she deserved, the second goal i was unsure about as it look like it hit the side netting (as there was a hole in the netting), but was soon assured it was with Kay walking back, Kay got man of the match from oldham.

AMY.