The girls needed to focus on what we had been working on in training and work hard.
The frost was bushed off the 3G pitch as the winter sun shone helping to raise the temperature. The cold weather did not deter a good group of supporters for both teams. The beginning subs were Kate and Charlotte and Sophia was in goal.

The game began well for both teams with some controlled passes and positioning. Charnock won two corners in succession that were taken by Maisie but Kiveton managed to clear them both. Tayla made some great runs on the wing and made some good defensive tackles to stop Kiveton’s efforts. Maisie worked hard to put pressure on the Kiveton defensive back line collecting the ball in midfield and charging ahead. Some calm midfield passes from Maci created some chances for Eva to use her speed down the wing.
Kiveton put the pressure on and Lotte made a confident defensive run and cleared the ball to safety. Kiveton continued to pressure forcing Sophia to make two great saves in quick succession. A forward charge from Charnock put Lola in a threatening position to pass a precise pass to Maci who ran on to it and slotted home a lovely goal… her first for the club! Maci then came off for a rest with Charlotte coming on. The game continued going from end to end with both teams working hard. Charnock won a throw and Maisie launched it into the box, Kiveton cleared it and it fell to Raynie who calmly controlled it and stuck home a beautiful goal… her first for the club also! Kiveton continued to push for a goal and Charnock displayed some good defending with some great communication between Ellie and Raynie to hold the line and slow down the attacking players. Charlotte worked hard upfront receiving the ball from midfield. Tayla then came off for a rest with Kate coming on. The ball fell to a Kiveton player who hit a long shot which took a deflection off a Charnock defender and ended up in the goal. A Kiveton striker charged forward again and Sophia bravely ran to the edge of the box and gathered the ball safely. The half time whistle blew and the home team were 2-1 up.

Sharon and Simon gave a halftime talk filled with positivity and praise for Charnock. Maisie came off and Maci went back on.

Kiveton came out fighting and much of the play was in the Charnock half. A shot went across the goal and narrowly missed for Kiveton. Isabelle continued to put in some solid tackles to stop the oncoming attacks and she could be heard encouraging her teammates to push forward. Another charge and strike from Kiveton resulted in a goal for them making it 2-2. Charlotte came off making way for Maisie. Kate worked hard to put the defence under pressure with a great pass to Maisie who continued to pester the Kiveton defenders. Sophia continued to make great saves under pressure from Kiveton attacks. Kate came off and Eva came on. Tayla continued working hard on the wing slowing down the attacking play from the opposition with Ellie delaying players and slowing down the Kiveton forwards.

The whistle blew after a hard-fought game by both teams. The girls shook hands and congratulated each other on a good game.

A huge thank you to both groups of supporters and the referee. Player of the match went to Maisie for her hard work in fighting for the ball, driving forwards and pressuring the Kiveton defenders.