After last week’s last minute cancelation, it was good to be back playing a league match, the girls’ first since November. Tykes kicked off and Charnock pressed straight away, with early pressure and a corner that Rose delivered into the box. The ball went over to Reagan who sent it back across goal, but the chance slipped away.

Amaya and Nevaeh then linked well and the ball moved forward again, but Tykes responded with an attack that forced Evie to clear for a corner and Chloe’s first save of the match, announcing it loudly with her usual booming shout of ‘KEEEPERS !’.

Estelle followed with a huge kick upfield looking for Nevaeh, though the flag went up for offside. Reagan was having a strong start down the right wing and working hard in both directions. Nevaeh soon launched one of her huge throws which led to another Charnock corner. Rose placed it right onto the penalty spot, though there was no Charnock player there to finish.

Tykes were quick on the counter and broke forward at speed, though the shot drifted wide. Another attack soon followed and Chloe made a save before Amaya stepped in with a great tackle to clear the danger.

The referee then gave Tykes a free kick for handball. The shot came in but Chloe was ready again and saved. Tykes number 15 was lively and made a solo run before firing high and wide.

Estelle and Amaya were working well together to defend and there was good closing down from Nevaeh and Reagan. Tykes number 16 then got through on goal but Estelle produced a last gasp tackle that brought a big cheer from the Charnock supporters.

Charnock pushed forward again as Rose, Grace and Nevaeh combined to win a throw. The move led to a chance for Nevaeh though the referee called offside. Tykes number 15 was still causing problems and made another fast run before shooting wide again.

Better play came from Charnock as Amaya, Nevaeh, Rose and Grace worked the ball well to win another corner. Rose sent it high and the ball dropped to Nevaeh who almost bundled it in. Tykes broke away quickly and it was number 15 again racing forward with Maisie chasing hard. Chloe pulled off another great save and Evie cleared the loose ball.

Eva was doing what she always does. Tackling and clearing with determination whilst playing her second game of the day. Reagan was busy too, helping at the back, in midfield, down the wing, and clearing when needed.

Tykes kept pressing and number 9 fired wide. Amelia was busy on the right whilst Amaya cleared again inside the area. Charnock then had a good spell - Evie started the move, Reagan and Amelia pushed forward and Nevaeh chased hard to get the ball through to Grace up front.

The whistle went with the score still 0-0 after a hard fought first half.

Charnock kicked off the second half and Evie was soon defending to clear the ball. Tykes then had their first attack, but Chloe was alert again and claimed the ball.

Another big chance came soon after when Tykes had a great chance. Chloe stood tall and made the save, but in the ensuing scramble the Tykes number 15 found a tight angle and finished well to give Tykes a 1-0 lead.

Charnock pushed for an equaliser. Rose sent a ball into the area and Amaya got a shot in - she was battling for everything and soon played a great pass through to Grace as Charnock tried to move forward. Tykes looked ever dangerous on the break though, keeping Eva and the Charnock defence busy.

A high Tykes shot flew towards the Charnock net, but Chloe saved again and tipped it out for a corner. Amaya then produced a long run through midfield and found herself clear on goal but her shot was scuffed.

Maisie played a brilliant throw down the line as Charnock tried to build again. Tykes number 18 then went through one on one, though Chloe bravely dived at her feet to force a corner.

Nevaeh then had a low shot across goal that went wide for another corner. Keavey won the ball back with a clean tackle to force another corner. Rose delivered again and Reagan was in the middle to set up Nevaeh with a decent chance that bobbled wide.

At the other end Evie produced a top clearance and Tykes won a corner. There was a scramble in the box and Eva was there to clear. Amaya was then pushed in the back and won a free kick which Nevaeh took, though Tykes cleared quickly.

Soon after Tykes number 18 broke through again and this time finished well to make it 2-0.

Charnock were now having to dig deep. Amelia played a nice through ball to Grace. Grace unselfishly passed to Rose who shot, though the Tykes keeper made an easy save. Tykes then broke again and number 16 shot but Evie intercepted.

Rose slipped a pass through the middle and Grace chased it down though she could not quite reach it. Tykes number 18 kept testing Chloe, who made another save before Evie cleared the loose ball once more.

The game slipped further away when Tykes number 8 scored another good goal to make it 3-0.

Charnock’s heads did not drop. Rose fired a low shot wide and Reagan pushed forward looking for a chance. Estelle made a nice run from Eva’s pass before the referee pulled play back for a free kick.

As time ran down Rose, Grace and Amaya all pushed forward again though the ball ran out by the goal line. Another long shot went wide and Tykes broke forward, but Chloe saved well again.

The final whistle brought the match to an end with Tykes winning 3-0. It was a good match, played in the right spirit by both sides – the girls were glad to be back playing football again and a bit of rust was always likely after such a long break.

Manager’s Girl of the Game went to Eva, who never stopped running all morning after already playing for the U14s in the match before. Parents’ Player went to Evie for her strong challenges and clearances all through the game.

Next week the girls are back at home against league leaders Wingerworth. Up The Charnock and huge thanks, as always, to sponsors; Olive Venture Properties, NES Asbestos, Lidl, IPERA, Muggle Made Gifts and Gleam Valeting.