South Reading Vixens
Girls Football in South Reading
NEHYL Cup Final
South Reading Vixens 5 - 2 Reading Girls30th April 2006
The Vixens triumphed in a seven goal thriller in front of over 300 people at Alton, and what a game it was! With the scores locked at 2-2 with ten minutes left, nobody could have possibly predicted its outcome.
Playing at a frenetic pace, the Vixens applied early pressure and posted their intentions as early as the second minute when striker Deanna struck the bar from close range following an excellent move started on the right by Amy. The Vixens continued to press with Deanna causing the Reading Girls defence all kinds of problems with her pace, but it was the opposition who took the lead on 20 minutes against the run of play when their striker netted from close range. The goal put the Vixens on the back foot and with the opposition growing in confidence the Vixens needed to dig in to prevent themselves going further behind before half time.
The second half started like the first, with the Vixens gaining a second wind and applying early pressure. Then, in the 40th minute, they got a deserved equaliser when Deanna’s tremendous run beat three players and ended with a low shot to the left of the Reading keeper. This goal was closely followed by a second when Deanna collected the ball from Amber on the left, cut inside and struck an unstoppable shot into the top right hand corner to put the Vixens in front. Then before you could blink Reading got back on level terms when their captain’s 30 yard lob eluded Vixens keeper Stacey to make it 2-2.
Not deterred by the goal and growing stronger and looking the fitter of the two sides, the Vixens went ahead once again. Central midfielder Hannah collected a pass from Charlotte and laid a ball in front of the advancing run of Jade, who lobbed the Reading keeper to make it 3-2. This goal proved to be decisive and a fourth followed soon after when a cross from Siohban found Alice, who passed the ball into the path of the oncoming Amber to finish from close range. 4-2.
With only five minutes left Hannah put the game beyond doubt with a 25 yard shot that capped an excellent day for the Vixens to make it 5-2. In the last few minutes defenders Vicky and Lauren kept things tight at the back to thwart the Reading Girls attack and protect the scoreline.
It was a great result for the Vixens. Player of the match went to the whole team for an outstanding performance, with stand-in keeper Stacey getting a special mention for her admirable work in goal.
Squad: Stacey, Amy, Olivia, Charlotte, Harriett, Vicky, Lauren, Amber, Siobhan, Jade, Hannah, Alice, Deanna
