Spirits were high, although there was a last-minute setback as Amaya had to withdraw through illness. With a player down and an improving Wombwell side waiting for them, our U13 girls couldn’t afford to be complacent.
Charnock stepped onto the Wombwell pitch in their dazzling new green away kit with Keeper Chloe in standing out in bright pink. Charnock started brightly, settling quickly and moving the ball around neatly. Early on, Maisie spotted Nevaeh making a clever run and lofted a long, high pass into her path. Nevaeh struck it well but the Wombwell keeper made a good save. Rose reacted quickest to the rebound and fired at goal, only for the keeper to deny her again. And moments later Summer tried her luck from distance, but her shot was just wide.
Wombwell were defending with discipline, holding a strong line and waiting for chances to counter. But Eva and Evie were in no mood to let anything past, stepping in with confident, clean tackles, and keeping Chloe untroubled in the opening minutes.
In midfield, Raegan was her usual powerful self - reading the game, snapping up loose balls, and driving forward with purpose. Linking up well with the energetic Keavey, she broke through the Wombwell back line and unleashed a shot, only to see the Wombwell number one pull off another stop, tipping it behind for a corner. Summer stepped up and delivered two high corners into the box, both landing for Maisie, who couldn’t quite convert her chances.
Wombwell tried to break clear whenever they could, but Charnock’s defence, pushing high towards the halfway line, were solid. Evie made an important clearance, firing a long ball into the path of Nevaeh, who powered a shot over the bar from distance. And Keavey was full of determination, repeatedly taking on players, and carving out opportunities for her teammates.
With the score goalless, Wombwell had a decent chance, but Evie and Eva combined brilliantly to shut it down, with Eva quickly releasing Amelia down the wing for a strong run. And finally, after 15 minutes, the deadlock was broken. Eva threaded an inch-perfect pass through the centre, finding Rose one-on-one with the keeper. Rose stayed composed, shot low, and tucked it neatly into the corner.
Wombwell reacted well, with #14, #9 and #12 combining cleverly to push forward in search of an equaliser, but Grace was sharp and alert, winning the ball back before releasing Summer down the right. Summer drove forward and played a lovely pass to Rae, whose shot, again, was kept out by strong goalkeeping.
At the other end, Chloe kept everyone switched on with her booming shouts. Moments later, Rae was involved - sliding a superb pass to send Summer clear. Showing great awareness, Summer unselfishly squared the ball to Rose who calmly finished for Charnock’s second.
With confidence growing, Raegan and Grace began linking beautifully in midfield, twisting and turning to give Eva room to stride forward. Eva’s perfectly weighted through ball found Rae, who struck low to make it 3-0.
Wombwell’s heads didn’t drop though, and they managed to break through for an attacking chance. Chloe charged out fearlessly, collecting the ball with her signature call of ‘KEEEPERS!’, and quickly settled her team again. And moments later, Maisie was back helping defensively, clearing a threatening ball behind for a Wombwell corner.
Charnock weren’t finished yet. Amelia, enjoying one of her best games of the season, slalomed her way through a cluster of Wombwell players before passing to an unmarked Rose, who slotted home for a first-half hat-trick.
Just before halftime, Grace had to leave the pitch after a strong contribution. The whistle blew with Charnock leading 4-0 and playing some sparkling football, while Wombwell showed grit and some excellent goalkeeping.
Early in the second half it was Nevaeh’s turn to shine. Summer sent in two dangerous corners, Raegan battled to win the ball, Rose crossed, and Nevaeh finished clinically to make it 5-0. Wombwell continued to press forward bravely, but struggled to find the final ball, with Evie and Eva holding firm at the back.
Amelia and Summer were linking brilliantly now. Summer threaded a lovely pass through to Nevaeh, who smashed the ball high past the keeper to make it 6-0. Summer and Wombwell’s number 10 were having their own private battle - both strong, committed, and refusing to back down. Summer then fired a half-chance into the side netting after a tricky run near the byline.
Charnock kept pressing. Amelia, Rae, and Nevaeh all had shots saved in quick succession before Rose crossed into the box and the ball struck a Wombwell hand. Penalty. Up stepped Eva, placing the ball carefully, taking a few steps back, and firing to the right for her first league goal in a Charnock shirt. Her celebration - arms raised, sprinting straight to Manager James - said it all.
Moments later it was eight. Rose dropped her shoulder, glided past her marker, and weaved through defenders before squaring to Summer, who crossed perfectly for Nevaeh to complete her hat-trick.
With the match all but won, James took the chance to try players in new positions. Evie moved up front and looked sharp, almost scoring herself. Georgie came on with great intent, making strong forward runs and testing the keeper twice in quick succession. The final opportunity fell to Rae after a lovely pass from Keavey, her long-range effort flying just over.
The game ended 8-0, with many positives to take away. After the match, James praised every girl for listening well and adapting to the demands of the bigger pitch. Coaches’ Player went to a superb Amelia, while Parents’ Player was awarded to Rose.
A massive thank you to our sponsors this year; Olive Venture Properties, NES Asbestos, IPERA, Muggle Made Gifts and Gleam Valeting Ltd. We can't express how grateful we are for the support given these wonderful local businesses. And thank you as well to Wombwell Town’s U13 girls for hosting us, and playing a strong game in the right spirit.
Up The Charnock – it’s a deserved Saturday off for our girls next week, before a festive away match at Chesterfield Town on 6 December.