Surrey 1-2 Essex (27/5/10): The Under 16s played their final game of the season away to Surrey with a slightly smaller squad as just 13 players were called-up due to lack of availability, mainly due the long season running into the exam period.
Nonetheless, the squad still looked strong on paper in fine conditions for the early evening kick off - it felt like summer was here! Essex were warned that it would be a good test for them coming to Surrey, an area where there are strong Centres of Excellence and talented female players.
Both teams started strongly, as expected, and Surrey showed their physical side by using body strength to win and retain possession. This forced Essex to step up individually and as a team in their physical battles, and they certainly did. The game was very fast-paced, with end-to-end action, but Essex were the first to score.
Ellen Powles fired a shot from outside the box just 15 minutes into the first half as the ‘keeper got hand to the ball but fine placement by the forward saw the ball end up in the bottom corner, just out of the ‘keepers grasp.
For the rest of the half Essex continued to pressure Surrey’s defence, with the full-backs progressing up the pitch to support the wingers. Surrey also pressured Essex’s rearguard as their quick strikers got on the end of some good through balls, leaving Essex in some one-on-one situations.
Shortly into the second half period Surrey were awarded a penalty and they made it 1-1 with a low, driven spot-kick into the corner. This upped the intensity even further on the pitch, with each individual improving on their physical battles and team performance by hunting in packs.
Shortly afterwards, within eight minutes, Hannah Dennis, who had been called-up to the squad for the second time this season, netted from the right-hand side as Powles crossed to the back post. This was a great moment for Hannah, who was playing on the right of midfield as opposed to her preferred role in the middle.
The game continued to be fast and furious right up until the final whistle as Surrey continued on the break but found it hard to challenge the Essex ‘keeper. The hosts’ equivalent, meanwhile, saw further action but put on a fine performance, making some great saves.
The game eventually finished in Essex’s favour and meant Emma Manning’s team finished as runners-up in the league. They were presented with their medals by Jefferson Curtis, the Surrey Schools Representative, and Emma claimed: “They have been a pleasure to coach and a credit to their county.”
“Danica Revelle, Yazmin Nugent, Alex Baker, Alex Duberry and Ellen Powles were all awarded caps for representing their County in ten matches. For some of the girls it was their last year and match of schools football. Some them have been playing it for a number of years so I just wanted to wish all of them the very best for the future.”
Essex: Revelle (C), Clements, Nugent, Gibbs, Smith, Maddison, Baker, Dennis, Duberry, Marsh, Codling, Powles, Cooper.
Essex 2-2 Kent (15/4/10): Essex and Kent have played each other a number of times in the past and every fixture has always proved to be an exciting encounter. This match wasn’t any different as a draw was probably the fairest result, both teams having a number of chances throughout the game.
Essex started well, hitting the post within the 1st minute to put Kent under pressure. The away team proved to be good on the break, with quick wingers getting forward to support the forwards, and the next 10 minutes seemed to be end-to-end, with Kent’s players running at the Essex defence and the hosts playing through balls for the forwards to run onto. The game then started to settle and Essex began to play the ball around, keeping it on the floor.
Leanne Mills had to have treatment for a minor head injury just inside her own half on the 20-minute mark and shortly afterwards Liz Madison set the ball back to the edge of the area for Ellen Powles to hit into the top right-hand corner. The half continued with both teams under pressure in their attacking thirds, Kent’s forwards especially moving well to drop off and create space off the defenders. Both 'keepers came off the lines really positively to deny both teams a few chances.
The second half kicked off and Kent were straight out the block to run the ball into the heart of the Essex defence, equalising within three minutes and their speedy right winger attacked the space down the flank to cross into the box and volley into the goal. The game was very physical and there were individual battles to win to keep the ball all over the pitch, with great enthusiasm and drive shown by both teams.
Towards the latter part of the second half Essex took the lead again when Madison flicked up and around the defender before volleying into the bottom left-hand corner from just outside the six-yard box. But Kent soon responded two minutes later, breaking up the pitch on the left side to beat the defenders and slot the ball past the 'keeper. All in all, it had been a very close-fought and exciting game.
Essex: Granger, Clements, Gibbs, Reed, Duberry, Cooper, Revelle (C), Mills, Abela, Powles, Madison, Smith, Dennis.
Essex 15-0 Buckinghamshire (7/4/10): A combination of the Easter holidays, illness, school commitments and injuries meant both teams were lacking in numbers but Essex started well and pressed into Buckinghamshire’s half and sent a few crosses into the box which their players were unable to get on the end of.
The first goal came within 8 minutes from Liz Madison who chested it down, produced a little flick up then clipped it over the 'keeper's head. A further four minutes later Madison was denied a goal from an offside call as Essex continued to pressure the Bucks defence, but she got her second of the game as Esme Lancaster played a ball over the top for her to run onto and chip the oncoming 'keeper from the right-hand side.
Essex’s right winger Yazmin Nugent put in some varied, quality deliveries but finally her efforts paid off as Alex Duberry made an attacking run from the back post to volley into the back of the net. Bucks had a few breaking runs to counter-attack the home rearguard as their left midfielder advanced ahead of the full-back but her shot went wide. Essex also had another attempt, this time coming form Danica Revelle who struck he ball from centre of midfield into the top left-hand corner.
Just two minutes into the second half Duberry got her second. After a few changes to the team's positioning were made at halftime, Leanne Mills got herself into the six-yard box and narrowing missed a cross. A minute later she attacked the box again and got on the end of a lovely left footed ball from Duberry. Duberry and Mills were seen to have a good relationship in the final third as Leanne’s second goal came from Duberry taking on the 'keeper and getting beaten, with Mills on her right shoulder to pick up the deflection and tap the ball into the back of the net.
Madison and Mills continued to surge on in the attacking third, with the latter achieving a hat-trick and Madison claiming another two goals, her last being a superb bullet header from a left-flank delivery. Duberry then got her third goal to make it hat-trick for her too. Essex's Captain netted her second goal of the day in the 25th minute, Bucks doing well to break into the hosts' half a few times.
But the defence seemed to comfortably deal with these situations until late in the half when a Bucks centre forward took the ball around the 'keeper but she came out and went down to close down the ball. Sarah Gibbs had the loose ball covered and took it away from the attacker. Ellen Powles, one of Essex's centre forwards, had been denied a goal despite a few long-range efforts until she netted twice towards the end, one from a header, as she attacked the box in the 67th and 69th minutes of the game.
Essex: Baker, Lancaster, Mills, Gibbs, Clements, Duberry, Cooper, Revelle (C), Nugent, Madison, Powles.
Hertfordshire 0-5 Essex (5/3/10): Essex were comfortable winners over neighbouring county Herts, the first half seeing the visitors have a number of attacks but, on several occasions, they failed to maximize and get through a tough home defence.
Herts rattled Essex's back line a couple of times via long balls but 'keeper Alex Baker stood her ground and came to close one player down, unfortunately taking a knock to her knee. One of Essex’s many chances finally paid-off, though, when Gemma Codling scored in the latter part of the first half.
Essex came straight out of the blocks in the second half to score with around six minutes played and a further two followed not long afterwards. They then began to get the ball down and play and when Hertfordshire were forcing them one way they managed to capitalize by switching to break into the final third. They scored again later on in the half.
The girls put a great performance putting in and showed 100% commitment, definitely improving on their composure in front of goal after the interval. They played with confidence and continued to compete up until the final whistle.
Essex: Baker, Colding, Cooper, Duberry, Gibbs, Lancaster, Madison, Marsh, Mills, Nugent, Powles, Revelle (C), Smith, Abela.
Coaches: Emma Manning, Lana Gillard and Nikita Runnacles.
Under 16s: Gemma Abela (Jo Richardson), Alex Baker (The Albany), Emily Clements (Coopers Co & Coborn), Gemma Codling (Hedingham), Faye Cook (Frances Bardsley), Amy Cooper (Rushcroft), Hannah Dennis (Mayflower High), Alex Duberry (Caterham High), Sarah Gibbs (Mayflower High), Esme Lancaster (William de Ferrers), Megan Lawler (Manningtree High), Liz Maddison (William de Ferrers), Eden Marsh (Emerson Park), Hayley McLean (Hassenbrook), Leanne Mills (Stanway), Yazmin Nugent (Shoeburyness High), Kelsey Phillips (Brentwood Ursuline County High), Ellen Powles (The Gilberd), Sophie Reed (Warren Comprehensive), Danica Revelle (Great Baddow High), Rebecca Smith (Mayflower High).