Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Sat on seafront in Sliema - a little time pressure - so here goes brief summary of yesterday.
Girls all slept well, I think. Followed pattern of the Girls spending late orning and early afternoon by pool. A lovely late lunch at another waterfront pizzeria - though not serving pizza in afternoon. Then, a protracted get ready for the game. Gill showded more of her worth here - as most Girls took a turn on her "chair" being matched up for minor cuts, abrasions, toe stubbings, blisters,a liitle too much sun on the shoulders/legs etc.
It was a 20 minute minibus ride long the coach to Pembroke Athleta. Their impressive complex by the sea was inauguarated 2 years ago by Michele Platini (who's he said the Girls? ). Don't think wev've ever come across an astropitch with quite so many rubber bits in it!
We decided who was fit to start in the first game - a rematch with the Malta U15 national side. They confirmed how well drilled they are with a beautifully choreographed warm up routine.
It was evident, that the Girls wre lacking a bit of their sparkle form previous days - inevitably, and a few made a slightly slow start. In this game, Malta did create a few quite threatening positions, but either the need for better decision making or good defensive work denied them anny significant effort on goal.
Wigton did make chances throughout, but found the keeper, in good form. The breakthrough came with 10 minutes left when Liv was fould 10 yards outside the box and Ellie was able to float a free kick just into the to corner. Liv added a seond goal 3 minutes from time, with a lovely arrowed strike from the edge of the box.
The Girls then had a break and a chance of some more patching up while Malta played hosts Pembroke U16's. We arrived at a starting line up and knew that much would depend on the degree to which we could maintain energy levels.The first 15 minutes were fairly even, with both sides sending in shots from distance. Roisin made a super sve low down at the right post early on. Wigton did manage to subdue the talented Pembroke central midfielders to a greater degree than on Friday night.
As the game went into the last 15 minutes, the Girls showed good determination and stated to get on top and to create good opportunities. Alice hit the post following a nicely flighted Ellie free kick and also hit the other post minutes later. The keeper made a great save from Olivia also. 5 minutes from time, Ellie s scored the oly goal of the game when an Ellie corner fell nicely to her and she finished confidently with two touches from 8 yards out.
The Girls can take great satisfaction from a super string of performances (and results) against strong opponents - only 1 goal conceeded (from a penalty that was very harsh in the extreme) is an excellent base of course. All the girls have made a massive contribution to this.
A tired but happy set of Girls returned home after some excellent hospitality from Pembroke Athleta - loved the hot dogs laced with baked beans - and the responsible adults enjoyed the Malteses cisk beer also.
Really will try to get some more photos on!
- comments