South Reading Vixens

Both teams were fired up for this local derby game between the area’s top two Under 14 girls sides. Alana gave notice of the Vixens intentions on three minutes as she burst through the Reading defence, only to see her shot fly wide. Reading fought back with a break of their own, but a last ditch tackle from Charlotte cleared the ball to safety. Alice then went close for the Vixens before Hannah broke the deadlock, firing home from close range to put the hosts in front. The South Reading girls continued to pile on the pressure and doubled their lead just four minutes later as Alana beat the onrushing keeper and unselfishly crossed to Jade, who finished from close range. Then it was Alana again, bursting through the middle and unleashing a thunderbolt of a shot high into the net to put the Vixens three goals up. She almost made it four after being put through by Jade, but was denied by a brave save from the Reading keeper. With half time approaching, the visitors managed to pull one back with a long range shot which went in off the underside of the bar to send them into the break with renewed hope.

Reading started the second period in determined fashion, and gradually began to take control of the game. They managed to reduce the deficit ten minutes into the half, with a shot across goal giving Vixens keeper Olivia no chance. Alana continued to put in a player of the match performance, but the equaliser finally came with thirteen minutes remaining as Reading converted a cross in front of goal to set up a grandstand finish. Both teams pressed forward in search of the winner, with Deanna making some great runs for the Vixens. But it finished 3-3, in a great advertisement for girls football.

The Vixens would like to thank Geoff the ref, for keeping control throughout a hard fought and fast moving game.