South Reading Vixens

The vertically-challenged mini-Vixens returned to good form at the Barton Rovers tournament this afternoon with probably their best display to date in the yellow and green strip. Whilst most of the squad already play a year up in this age group, their opponents today looked in the main to have been raised in grow-bags. But the plucky young Vixens didn't bat an eyelid as they rose admirably to the challenge against the much bigger boys teams, fighting hard for every ball and winning a good percentage of the play throughout the event.

Danielle was awesome in goal once again as she was by far the busiest goalkeeper in the group, making countless heroic saves as well as saving a penalty in one match. Time and time again she was quick to narrow the angle and comfortable diving at feet with players bearing down on her.

Maddie pulled-out another fantastic performance in defence as she led by example and proceeded to give the crowd a demonstration in the art of slide-tackling. Many wingers were left scratching their head and rubbing their sides after an encounter with Captain Marvel today!

Ashlee is probably one of our fastest straight-line sprinters when she hits top gear and put this to good use during the tournament. Playing at right back for much of the afternoon, she was able to close-down the opponents quickly and manage to push them wide on many occasions. Every good defence has a speed merchant and Ashlee is fast making this job her own.

Player-of-the-month Charley was in sparkling form too as she busied herself in the midfield winning most of the 50-50 challenges and proving once again that size doesn't matter. She shields the ball incredibly well and isn't easily knocked off when in possesion.

Kelsey is fast becoming one of our strongest players, demonstrating a great engine and intelligent work both on and off the ball during every match today. She listens carefully and reads the game exceptionally well for such a young player, bringing additional quality to an already impressive midfield.

Courtney is another top-drawer signing recently showing huge potential in her first outing for the Vixens. She gave an extra edge to the midfield with numerous surges into the opponents half as well as forging openings for the rest of the pack.

Emmy is our youngest and possibly bravest player of all who simply has no fear or regard for the size of the opposition, as she happily entered all tackles today whilst assisting her team-mates in the often scrum-like encounters. She will go from strength to strength in the season ahead and may well be a future Captain of the U6's if the club continues to grow at the current rate!

Most pleasing of all today was the way in which the players held their positions for the majority of the afternoon. We all know that their workrate can never be faulted but their combined energies are now starting to be used to best effect for the team as a whole. With Kimberley pulling out at the last minute (unable to be prised away from the paddling pool on such a hot day) it was all the more amazing that the team managed to work so hard for each other in the intense afternoon heat.

With goals conceded kept to a minimum, the results were pleasing as we almost secured not one, but two draws today. With a little more luck on our side we may even have recorded our first win - but our time will come! The manager, coaches and parents are all very proud of the performance here today as the girl's gave an early indication of good things to come. These players, along with the injured Jenna will form the basis of the first team next season with their other team-mates filling-in as required as they too develop their skills. The girls won many new fans today as the comments on how well they played came flooding-in from all quarters - it was a pleasure to watch this kind of refreshing football.

Player-of-the-tournament went to debutant Courtney who impressed right from her very first touch with the kind of determination which the Vixens young and old are now associated.