Curzon Ashton 2 Denton Town 3 (L/cup)

Fantastic girls, I'm so happy today with your result and the 14's. Sorry couldn't be there, but a while ago, I took the decision to cycle to the 14's Urmston match with an old work mate. Anyway, you were in the capable hands of Amy and Rick, and didn't need me, as the likes of Kylie, Teah and few others keep pointing out to me. Anyway, if you're happy, I'm happy, so keep it up next week vs. Droylsden. You're not quite in the final yet, so no slacking, let's get the job done, and gone and win the cup.

Just for the record, Grace did make it to the match, but due to injury received the day before, she was in severe discomfort with her foot, and was distraught at not being able to take part in the game.

Rick's report to follow.

Nigel.
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3-2 has been a favorable scoreline for me this weekend. Denton Town mens team won by that scoreline yesterday afternoon and then my Sunday League side won by the same margin in a cup semi final this morning (plus 14's won 3-2 as well - amazing - Nigel). The 3-2 that gave me the most satisfaction, however, and played the most havoc with my nerves was the girls "smash and grab" victory over Curzon Ashton to all but book their berth in the cup final.

The girls have enjoyed a quite remarkable sequence of results in recent weeks and must take full credit themselves for the dramatic turnaround in fortunes.

It is vital now that they enjoy the training session next Thursday night and focus on completing the task by defeating Droylsden next week. I have every confidence that the team will then match Heyside stride for stride in the cup final as they proved their worth against them during last weeks encounter.

Lauren scored twice and Kay, almost inevitably, struck the other in this vital win against impressive opposition. It was, as the old cliché goes, a game of two halves. Denton looked formidable in the first half, aided by the wind, and can count themselves unlucky not to have gone into the interval with a more comfortable lead than the 1-0 advantage handed to them when Kendall's cross from the right wing was dispatched expertly by Lauren despite being under pressure from the Curzon defender. Lauren, Kay and Kylie each came close to extending the lead as Denton totally dominated proceedings. The trio were each able to play with relative attacking freedom thanks to another majestic performance from Kendall in the centre of the pitch as she time and time again dispossessed her opponents and fed the ball to her team mates.

Whilst the first half proved to be a stroll the girls failed to heed the warnings of Pete during the half time team talk. Curzon came racing out of the blocks encouraged by having the wind in their favour and it was only thanks to the breath taking defensive work of Teah and Emily that Denton were able to retain their slender advantage. Nevertheless an equaliser looked inevitable and our hearts were in our mouths when it finally happened as a low shot from the left hand side whistled into the far corner of Hannah's net. As this juncture we feared the worst as the girls seemed to be tiring and Curzon were clearly rejuvinated.

We ought to learn not to doubt the fighting spirit of this group!! Against the run of play Kendall hit a long clearance and when the ball broke it was Kay whose eyes bulged wide sensing the opportunity and she did not disappoint as she raced clear of the defence and finished with her usual conviction.

Within minutes it was 3-1 as Kay turned provider, fending off numerous challenges before sliding a pass in for Lauren to dart into the area and claim her second of the game with another cool finish. There was still no time to celebrate though as Curzon again reduced the arrears with another quality effort and the final minutes were almost unbearable especially when the opposition broke clear on a counter-attack and sent a thunderous strike on target which Hannah saved heroically diving low to her left to beat away.

When the referee blew the final whistle it sparked great scenes of euphoria amongst the players, supporters and coaches alike - a tremendous achievement!!!

A quick word to Kylie and Georgia. Neither had their most productive of games though it was especially difficult for Georgia in the second half when she came on as we were tiring and the wind was causing us problems. I have complete 100% faith in both of your abilities and you have both proven your importance in recent weeks.

I spoke to Georgia before the match and the same applies to Kylie in that neither of you really appreciate just how good you are capable of being. Prepare well in the training sessions and we will start to see your true potential!!

Curzon's selection for Player of the Match: Kendall - I find it hard to argue with this choice as she is so influential on the team. Well done another superb display.

Rick's Player of the Match: Teah - absolutely brilliant at the back and then in midfield for the final minutes!! Teah is really starting to show an understanding for the game
and her partnership with Emily is improving week upon week. It shows the importance of working hard in training as Teah took the confidence from an impressive
session on Thursday into the match.

WELL DONE TO ALL OF YOU ! ! ! !

RICK.
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Well Girls another brilliant performance from you all did what we asked you to do play the ball on the ground with it being windy. In the second half you could tell the wind was getting to use as you all started to tire, we also seem to switch of at the in the second half to let Curzon come back and equalizer, its something myself and Rick need to work on with you in training to help you all progress. Curzon came back in the second half, but to your credit you battled right to the very end of the game. Kendall was Curzon woman of the match, another great performance from the skipper. Emily and Teah have a great partnership at the back, all you need to do now girls is to communicate with each other. Lauren was outstanding some brilliant footwork to split the defence apart rewarding her 2 goals for her efforts. Lauren also got back to defended when Curzon attacked at pace. Kay was also on the score sheet, but was unlucky to have a few more to her name. Kay made some brilliant runs and some good link up play with Lauren, let keep this up don't try and do to much on your own as we all keep telling you. Georgia and Kylie battle well and made important tackles when it mattered, it wasn't your best games girls, but I like your spirit by battling throughout the game. Hannah made some superb save keeping use in the game, You all played as a team on saturday which was encouraging to see,but will keep work on this in training. My woman of the match goes to Teah, her work rate on Saturday was brilliant you made tackles when it matter, made clearance whilst under pressure and you even played in the centre of midfield with the same work rate and confidence like you would at the back, there was also some good link up play with Lauren and Georgia which encouraging to see,it's a credit to yourself for all the hard work you put in at training. One other thing i'd like to mention i've said this on a number of occasions in training and in team talks, if your on the bench don't take it to heart your all talented players and you will all go on to play, when i was on the bench for the senior ladies team i was determined to show the manager how good i was by putting the effort in on the pitch as well as in training. hope your soon better Grace, we all missed you on saturday, we all wishing you a speedy recovery. Thanks to all the parents for your support of the last few week, even when the weather hasn't been great, you have all spur the girls on a drive them throughout this campaign we couldn't do it without you. That about it See you all at training it important you all turn up as you will be fighting for your starting places.

AMY
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