Match Report
Hutton Rockets U12 0 – 8 BHFC U12 Lionesses
Scorers: (Polly(4), Zoe(3), Lola)
Report by Mark Camley
As things heat up in Qatar (could it get any hotter) & the World Cup continues on, in Essex an east wind blows & the County Cup took centre stage this weekend. It was cold enough that despite having more layers & a very layered layer cake, Keiron declared his feet were cold, & Nick looked, for once, like he might be regretting the shorts option
The Lionesses travelled to Hutton Rockets & a chocolate box picture-perfect image of a school – with its own swimming pool, football pitches & a new timber playground. So now there was some debate about whether it was falling down or being put up.
The match was played in a competitive spirit with both sides going for their tackles. After a hectic opening 10 minutes, the Lionesses gradually began to dominate possession & shots on target. Although, as Jock Stein, of whom Hugh McIlvanney said, “The greatest manager in the history of the game. You tell me a manager anywhere in the world who did something comparable, winning the European Cup with a Glasgow District XI”, noted, “If a shot was on target it would be a goal”.
Mr Stein also said, “The best place to defend is in the opposition box”, so it was that the Lionesses became encamped in the Rockets’ half & Dulcie saw very little of the ball. It wasn’t quite cold enough to snow but if it was she would have had time to build a snowman between the Rockets’ flurries upfield.
Despite some staunch defending & a great effort from the Hutton keeper, the Lionesses went into halftime 4-0 to the good. Even so, the second half started much like the first with an even spread of play. However, the Lionesses kept the only stat that matters (goals scored) ticking upward. Polly & Zoe were having a private competition for the highest scorer (Polly won 4-3) before Lola scored a fantastic first goal picking up the ball 35 yards out & making a beeline for the goal, before blasting it passed the Rocket keeper for a wonderful first goal. Despite the individuality of the effort Fran is claiming her first-ever assist for the 5-yard ball she played to Lola. And as her dad & after 50-plus matches played, that is one stat that I will cherish.
The Lionesses won 8-0 in the end & like England (hopefully later) move through to the next round.
