Bedfont Sports host the Capital Girls' Cup Finals
UNDER 17 FINAL
This game, between Enfield Town Ladies Youth U17 and Ruislip Rangers U16 Girls was, unfortunately, a rather one-sided affair, won 7-0 by Enfield Town. However, Ruislip Rangers must be commended for their sportsmanship and for their resilience.
ENFIELD TOWN: Hannah Gilmour, Shannon Cooke, Heidi Sinclare, Danielle Smith (capt), Eliza Diaz, Sian Owens, Macy Diaz, Amy Mustafa, Kirsty Jackson, Amira Martin and Kally-Ann Westgarth.
Substitutes (rolling substitutes are used in this competition): Nikki Koumi, Rebecca Tidmarsh and Paige Devine.
Manager: Steve Smith.
RUISLIP RANGERS: Niamh O’Grady, Caitlin Harbrow, Annabel Lamb (capt), Hannah Hamid, Elia Ferrara, Megan Hamilton, Lauren Bryant, Amy O’Connor, Hayley Whipp, Beatriz Kretteis and Sophie Townsend.
Substitutes: Lauren Bishop, Charlotte Morgan and Daisy Rumney.
Manager: Nicholas Bishop.
Sian Owens headed Enfield Town into the lead after 5 minutes. Enfield then almost added a second goal when Kally-Ann Westgarth outpaced the keeper but just missed the far post with her acutely angled shot.
Enfield’s second goal arrived in the 10th minute through Amira Martin, who took the ball through the Rangers’ defence and gently placed the ball past Niamh O’Grady. Their third followed 2 minutes later, when Danielle Smith lofted her shot into the roof of the net.
Although Enfield Town continued to dominate proceedings, a combination of resolute defending and wasteful finishing prevented them adding to their score before the interval. Macy Diaz fired just past the post. A header by Sian Owens from Kirsty Jackson’s corner was saved by a diving Niamh O’Grady. The keeper then foiled Kally-Ann Westgarth after a good run and cross from Eliza Diaz. Then Eliza had two shots from around 25 yards. The first was saved by Niamh and the second just cleared the angle of bar and post.
In a rare Rangers’ attack, Beatriz Kretteis burst through the Town defence and tested keeper Hannah Gilmour. Back at the other end, Kirsty Jackson played a great pass inside a defender for Macy Diaz. Kally-Ann placed Macy’s centre narrowly wide. Eliza Diaz had a couple more shots. The first, from close range following a corner, was too high and the second, a low shot from Nikki Koumi’s pass was well saved.
The last goal attempt of the first half came from Ruislip’s Beatriz Kretteis, who headed a free kick past the post.
Half time score: Enfield Town 3 Ruislip Rangers 0
The game followed much the same pattern for 25 minutes into the second half, with Enfield Town dominating possession but failing to add to their score. Eliza Diaz just missed with a couple of headers and then cleared the bar with a drive. Danielle Smith tried a shot from around 35 yards, which was well taken by the keeper. Macy Diaz went on a penetrating run to set up Eliza, who had consecutive shots blocked by the keeper and charged down by a defender. Niamh saved at close range from Kally-Ann. A move involving Nikki and Eliza finished with Kirsty Jackson heading just too high.
Danielle outpaced 3 defenders but shot over. Kally-Ann also cleared the cross-bar. Amira Martin released Kally-Ann, whose shot from the edge of the penalty box went close.
In the 70th minute, Eliza Diaz scored Enfield’s 4th goal, with a bouncing shot from around 25 yards into the corner of the net.
Beatriz Krettels had another attempt for Rangers saved before a further succession of Enfield chances. Macy hit the inside of the post with a cross shot. Kally-Ann shot wide a couple of times. An Eliza attempt from 30 yards was wide and Niamh saved a high shot from Kirsty. A brilliant long ball from Eliza set up Kally-Ann but Niamh saved again.
Enfield keeper, Hannah Gilmour, was brought into action, when she comfortably saved a free kick from Daisy Rumney.
Kally-Ann started a late scoring spree for Enfield by hitting the ball high into the net in the 85thminute for her side’s 5th goal. 2 minutes later, she added a 6th, with a low drive. Enfield’s final goal came in added time when Niamh, who had performed valiantly throughout, could only palm Eliza’s long high free kick into her net.
Final score: Enfield Town 7 Ruislip Rangers 0
The Middlesex quartet of match officials, Referee George Grant, Assistant Referees, Nigel Hickes and Abigail Wileman and Fourth Official, Sachin Patel managed the proceedings well.
The Guest of Honour, Middlesex FA Councillor, Gill Taylor, presented the trophy and mementoes after the game and selected Macy Diaz as Player of the Match.
THE OTHER FINALS
Details of the Under 13 and Under 15 finals, which preceded this match are as follows:-
U 13 FINAL
ST JOSEPH’S YOUTH 88 U13 GIRLS 2 HENDON YOUTH U13 GIRLS 2 HT 2-0
Scorers: St Joseph’s - Francesca Ellis (9 and 13 minutes), Hendon – Jeniece Benjamin (57) and Leyla O’Brien (64). Penalty shoot-out: 4-5
U15 FINAL
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR LADIES U14 2 DENHAM UNITED LADIES U15 0 HT 0-0
Scorers: Carys Reid (50) and Lauren Baker (70).
The combined attendance for the day’s events was 374.
Our thanks are given to Bedfont Sports FC for the use of their superb ground and for their excellent hospitality.
Match photos are available here courtesy of Mike Heavey.
Jim Taylor