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Under 13 Match Report Sunday November 7th 2004 Enfield Town 0 - Luton Town Belles 4 Luton faced a side who had won six out of seven and expected a stern test in North London against a free-scoring Enfield squad. Luton soon mounted some effective attacks and an early chance fell to Lauren Bruton who looked to punish the goalkeeper who had strayed out of goal but the melee of defenders in the box proved sufficient to deny Luton opening their account. Enfield responded quickly and a promising attack down the right resultde in a powerful drive which Sian Hall in goal held comfortably. It was not long, however, before Belles pressure bore fruit. A defender struggled to clear under pressure from Yasmin Hickling and Jasmine Hall and as the loose ball fell to Jasmine in the box, she hooked the ball over the keeper for the first goal. 1-0. The small pitch benefited Luton,who were able to quickly turn throw-ins and corners into chances. Jade McEntaggart took a quick throw into the box, where Lauren turned and lobbed a shot just over the bar. In between Luton's waves of attacks Enfiled would mount their own quick breaks and Sian Hall had to come out quickly to save at the feet of an Enfield striker just inside the penalty-box. Yasmin then set Lauren free on another run and as she raced into the box a defender did magnificently to run with her and get a toe in to put the ball out of play. Livi Robinson was dominating midfield and also getting forward to cause the home side problems. The Belles were looking dangerous from corners and it was no surprise when Chloe Barnes corner whipped in and off a defender for the second goal. 2-0. Minutes later another Chloe corner caused chaos in Enfield's goalmouth and under pressure from a possee of Belles forwards the ball appeared to cross the line, but nothing was given. Luton did not have to wait long for the third as when the ball was scrambled away, it fell to Livi, who toe-poked the ball diagonally to Lauren in space on the left of the box. Lauren positioned herself perfectly to direct the ball into the net for a well-deserved third goal. 3-0. Enfield rallied and Sian was tested twice in a matter of minutes, as once again she got everything behind two powerful shots from Enfield's impressive forwards. Just before the break, Chloe took a quick throw with Belles players making it difficult for Enfield to clear and this time Kirsty McIntosh shot over the bar.
Half-time
The Belles were again quickly into their stride in the second half. Lauren was quick to see an opportunity when she took a throw-in to Livi, who carried the ball into the box but her cross-cum-shot was hit wide. But then a spirited period of play by Enfield followed in which they threw cautionto the wind to unleash a number of dangerous attacks. Jade McEntaggart at left-back was doing a sterling job as she threw herself in to challenges up against surging runs from Enfields speed-merchants.When a giant goal-kick went beyond Jade, Lauren Bilston was on hand to shepherd a defender away from goal. Kelly Moss then showed her strength to dispossess a forward as she then shielded the ball away as Enfield almost broke through once more. The Belles had clearly improved their heading in defensive and midfield areas as time after time they cleared powerefully away from danger, in particular from Kirsty, Jade and Kelly. Alice O'Shea was having another powerful game at right-back, using her pace to cover at the back and joining in to support Jasmine initially then, Danielle Carty and Jade Mansfield, to add strength to the attack. So, after some splendid defending by the Belles they then took advantage of some slack home defending, when Jasmine typically alert to any weaknesses, robbed a player in the penalty area and then found the slimmest of gaps inside the goalkeepers near post to put the Belles four up. 4-0. With Enfield pushing up, Yasmin then curled an exquisite pass into Lauren's path beyond the defence, who burst into the box and shot into the side-netting. Enfield went on another raid down the right and this time got beyond Luton's rearguard, but they then shot just wide with the goal gaping. But the Belles hit back with a quick counter of their own. A ball out of defence bounced, Lauren headed over the last defender to Yasmin, who did not hestitate to try a shot from way out with the keeper off her line, but the shot was over the bar. The home side came again and managed to breach the Belles exceptional defence, but this time Sian made a crunching tackle of her own to prevent a goal. The final action came when Alice O'Shea received an intelligent ball back from Jade Mansfield, but her shot went wide of goal.
A thorougly convincing team performance littered with outstanding individual displays.
Player of the Match: Jade McEntaggart |