Poynton FC Under 14's Girls Match Reports 2007-08

Saturday 15 th September 2007 - Wythenshawe Amateurs Girls U14's 1-4 Poynton FC Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

Poynton travelled to Wythenshawe for their first game of the season with a bare eleven and came away with a well deserved three points from last season's third placed team. Poynton dominated from the off and scored a slightly dubious off-side goal through Lucy Peacock. This was soon followed by a goal from Bethany Langford. Lucy Peacock scored her second from a beautiful through ball by Sarah Bailey. Although Wythenshawe pulled a goal back in the second half Poynton secured the points when Sarah Bailey benefitted from a mix-up in the Wythenshawe defence. Poynton's man of the match was Bethany Langford, although Bethany Heyes was also excellent on her debut.

Saturday 22nd September 2007 - Poynton FC Girls Under 14's 13-0 Sale United Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

Poynton battered a poor Sale side from start to finish and it could have been many more. Chloe Prior was awarded man of the match for a barn storming performance at centre-half. Poynton's goals came from Bethany Langford (6), Lucy Peacock (3), Beth Hayes (3) and Charlotte Brennan.

Saturday 29th September 2007 - Poynton FC Girls Under 14's 5-0 Deans Sports Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

A performance to salivate over as Poynton destroyed last season's runners-up with some outstanding one touch football. A second consecutive clean sheet reflected the enormous improvement made by the back five this season and only some good goalkeeping at the other end kept the score to 5-0. Poynton took the lead early on when a sweetly struck shot from Lucy Peacock went in off the post. The lead was doubled after 20 minutes when Charlotte Brennan hit a left foot shot that beat the keeper at her near post. The second half was like watching Brazil and Poynton tore into Deans with enthusiasm and energy scoring two more through Lucy Peacock to give her her second consecutive hat-trick. The goal of the game was kept until five minutes from time as the ball went from keeper to striker with five one touch passes and was finished sublimely by Bethany Langford. Awesome!! Any player could have been awarded man of the match but it was given to Eva Pass at full-back for a no-holds barred performance against a girls twice her size.

Saturday 13th October 2007 - Hillgate Blues Under 14's 1-3 Poynton FC Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

Poynton started the game with only 9 players and expected to have to soakup the pressure early on but instead they almost took the lead through Bet Langford. Poynton continued to play good football and eventually struck through Bet Langford to take a 1-0 lead at half-time. The second half brought more pressure from Hillgate as Poynton tired but a mistake from the Hillgate keeper allowed Bet Langford to get her second of the game from a tight angle. Hillgate then pulled a goal back from the penalty spot before Bet Langford completed her hat-trick with the last kick of the game to claim the points for Poynton. Special mention must be made of each player today as they all gave everything for all 70 minutes. Sarah Bailey and Lucy Peacock worked tirelessly in midfield with Kate Doherty and Charlotte Brennan causing problems for Hillgate going forward and by tracking back. In fact Charlotte had her bast game yet in a Poynton shirt in the second half. Chloe, Becky and Eva were awesome at the back and never really allowed Hillgate a sniff at goal apart from the penalty. In goal Molly Gilmartin pulled off a great save in the first half and almost saved the penalty. And of course Bet Langford lead the line fantastically and deserved her goals. Well done girls and here's to next week.

Saturday 20th October 2007 - Poynton FC Girls U14's 5-4 Stockport County Ladies U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

A real test for Poynton following some slightly easier games this season saw Stockport County arrive at Deva unbeaten. A terrific team performance ensured they left Poynton with nothing but a lesson in football. Bethany Langford got four goals but it was Lucy Peacock who scored the winner. Well done girls.

Saturday 27th October 2007 - Sale United Girls U14's 1-7 Poynton FC Girls U14's - South Manchester Challenge Cup (Quarter-Final)

Poynton started and ended the game with 10 players as Fran Singleton arrived late and Beth Hayes had to come off injured. Despite this obvious disadvantage Poynton still sauntered into the semi-final with ease. The goals came from Bett Langford (5) and Eva Pass (2) with man of the match awarded to Helen Johnson. Particular note must also be made of the superb performances by Eva Pass, Chloe Prior and Charlotte Brennan. Well done girls!

Saturday 3rd November 2007 - Poynton FC Girls U14's 5-1 Urmston Meadowside Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

Poynton were very apprehensive before this game following a 0-7 defeat last season to Meds. But this time it was a completely different game that the Meds Manager called a lesson in how to play football. Poynton took the lead through Bethany Langford, and it wasn't long before she made it 2-0. It remained so until half-time, when a tactical change from Meds gave Poynton the upperhand and Lucy Peacock made it 3-0 within a couple of minutes of the restart. Bethany Langford completed her hat-trick after the Meds goal with Charlotte Brennan scoring with an exquisite chip five minutes from time. Eva Pass was awarded the man of the match for a very solid performance at full-back, but it was certainly a day when the whole team deserved the award for beating a team that we hadn't beaten in 12 previous attempts. Well done girls.

Saturday 10th November 2007 - Wythenshawe Town Girls U14's 1-5 Poynton FC Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

Poynton came up against a team in form but still brushed them aside with a less fluid, but more determined performance. On a small pitch with slightly smaller goals it was always going to be difficult to score but after a couple of early chance Bet Langford opened the scoring with a lovely curling shot into the far top corner. Bet Langford doubled the advantage when she picked up on a mis-kicked goal kick to beat the keeper with an early low shot. With the score at 2-0 at half-time Poynton were confident, but weary. However, a third goal put our nerves at ease as Lucy Peacock scored her eleventh of the season from close range. With chances at both ends it wasn't long before Wythenshawe had the ball in the Poynton net, but Poynton again responded superbly as first Beth Hayes and then Jo Start scored for the visitors to make it eight wins out of eight for table-topping Poynton.

Saturday 17th November 2007 - Poynton FC Girls U14's 3-1 Sale United Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League Cup (Quarter-Final)

Poynton never really got out of first gear today and made very hard work of a game they should have won easily. A first half hat-trick from Bet Langford gave Poynton the upper hand but try as they might Poynton could not break down a very stubborn Sale United team. Poynton's 100% record was maintained and we are now in two semi-finals as well as sitting top of the league. Man of the Match was awarded to Jo Start for a starring midfield performance.

Saturday 24th November 2007 - Sale United Girls U14's 1-4 Poynton FC Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

Poynton started this game with power, passion and a performance to behold but after going 2-0 up inside 8 minutes through Bethany Langford the rain, wind and cold got to the players and they became ice statues, allowing Sale back in the game to go in 2-1 at half-time. A good save from Fran Singleton gave Poynton the impetus to get stuck in and a lovely cross from Charlotte Brennan was turned in by Sarah Bailey at the far post. A fourth goal soon followed as Bethany Langford's shot was well saved only for Charlotte Brennan to follow up to despatch the ball into the net. The defence must also be praised and Eva Pass was awarded the man of the match award for a superb performance at right-back. A deserved win that puts Poynton 5 points clear at the top of the table with half the season played.

Saturday 15th December 2007 - Poynton FC Girls U14's 5-0 Hillgate Blues Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

Poynton looked out of sorts in the first half on a hard, frozen pitch but still took the lead after 7 minutes through a left footed strike by Charlotte Brennan. Despite chances at both ends the first half finished 1-0 with Hillgate the happier side. The second half, though, was all Poynton as Bethany Langford scored four times to take her personal tally to 34 goals in 11 games this season. There were performances of note in defence from Chloe Prior, Rebecca Sadio and Eva Pass but man of the match went to Bethany Langford for her goalscoring exploits. Well done girls that's a club record 11 wins on the trot at the start of the season.

Saturday 5th January 2008 - Stockport County Ladies U14's 2-1 Poynton FC Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

Poynton's 100% record came to an end on a heavy pitch in Brinnington against a quick and well organised County side. Stockport went 2-0 up inside 15 minutes and seemed to be heading for an easy victory until a depleted Poynton side pulled their socks up and got stuck in as Bet Langford scored her 35th of the season after good two-touch play down the right from Kate Doherty, Beth Hayes and Lucy Peacock. The second half brought no further goals and chances were rare at both ends. Poynton still hold the upper hand in the league as they are two points clear with a game in hand. Man of the Match was Beth Hayes.

Saturday 2nd February 2008 - Poynton FC Girls U14's 1-1 Denton Town Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

Poynton came flying out of the blocks and took an early lead in the snow through Bet Langford, but the lead only lasted five minutes as Denton equalised soon after. The game got better as the snow melted and Poynton played some of the best football of the season. It was a credit to both sides that the game was open and end to end. Poynton hit the post twice, Denton hit it once and there were several one on ones at both ends, but a point was fair for both teams and Poynton remain top of the league, 3 point clear of Stockport County.There were particularly good performances from Chloe Prior and Rebecca Sadio in central defence, and Sarah Bailey in midfield, but it was Beth Hayes who was awarded man of the match for her wonderful wing play.

Saturday 9th February 2008 - Poynton FC Girls U14's 4-1 Wythenshawe Town Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

Poynton took three points in a game that they hardly looked like getting out of first gear in. A very lazy first half performance brought the only goal from Bet Langford as Poynton went in 1-0 up at the break. A more committed second half performance and a bit of luck brought outstanding strikes for Bet Langford and Sarah Bailey, either side of a well worked move that was tucked away by Katie Doherty. Poynton did allow Wythenshawe a glimmer of hope after failing to clear and allowing a long range effort to go in off the crossbar but the result was never in any real danger. Man of the match went to Rebecca Sadio for a very composed performance at centre back.

Saturday 1st March 2008 - Denton Town Girls U14's 2-1 Poynton FC Girls U14's - South Manchester Challenge Cup (Semi-Final)

Poynton travelled to Dukinfield to play Denton in the Challenge Cup semi-final. The swirling wind brought a discussion about player's safety before the game but ahead it went and it was Denton who scored first after good work on the right. With half-time looming Poynton stepped up and equalised through Bet Langford after a long kick from Fran Singleton. With the game evenly poised at 1-1 at half-time we were confident of an upset but Denton shot out of the blocks and scored from a corner almost straight from kick-off. Despite good pressure from Poynton the game ended 2-1 to Denton. Poynton's man of the match was Becky Sadio.

Saturday 8th March 2008 - Urmston Meadowside Girls U14's 2-2 Poynton FC Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

Another tough game for the U14s brought a satisfactory result that leaves them within touching distance of the league title. Poynton raced into a 2-0 lead through Beth Hayes and Lucy Peacock and dominated the first half, although Urmston pulled a goal back just before half-time through a long ball and a lob. The second half saw Urmston pile on the pressure and the equaliser was a special goal hit from 25 yards that scraped the post as it flew in. Molly Iddon was awarded the man of the match and a win next week will all but tie up the title race.

Saturday 15th March 2008 - Denton Town Girls U14's 2-0 Poynton FC Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

This game was a bridge too far for Poynton who didn't really get going until the last twenty minutes. Denton again took the lead early on and from then on dominated the first half. The second half started the same and only superb defending from man of the match Rebecca Sadio prevented more goals. Unfortunately this result leaves Poynton scrapping with Urmston Meds for second place and Denton are Champions-Elect. Our congratulations go to Denton Town and we will be back to challenge in 2008-9.

Saturday 19th April 2008 - Poynton FC Girls U14's 9-1 Wythenshawe Amateurs Girls U14's - South Manchester Girls League (Division 1)

Poynton knew a win would secure runners-up spot in the league and their highest ever league finish and the team went about their task resolutely despite a strong wind. The first half brought Poynton a 4-0 lead courtesy of goals from Bethany Langford (3) and Lucy Peacock. But it was the second half that saw the team turn on the style and five further goals were added by Bethany Langford with a second half hat-trick to add to her first, Beth Hayes with a cultured right foot shot and Becky Sadio with a lovely free-kick that flew over the walland into the bottom corner. Wythenshawe Amateurs scored a very late consolation and probably deserved more but for good goalkeeping from Fran Singleton and Helen Johnson. A very professional and positive performance. Well done girls.

Saturday 26th April 2008 - Stockport County Girls U14s 0-2 Poynton Girls U14s - South Manchester Girls League Cup (Semi-Final)

Poynton turned up for this re-arranged game with a close to full strength side but after looking at the very uneven pitch changed their game plan to reflect the conditions. It was this that was the deciding factor as County played some good football but struggled to keep control of the ball, whereas Poynton elected to send the ball long and support the forwards from midfield. It was such a ball that Bet Langford latched onto before unleashing a terrific shot that the County keeper failed to hold and Lucy Peacock was left with a simple tap-in to give Poynton a first-half lead. The second half was one-way traffic as Poynton pounded the County goal with Bet Langford getting the second to take her tally to 46 for the season. Man of the match went to Helen Johnson, who had a very strong performance at right-back. Poynton now face Denton Town in the final on 11th May.