GIRLS' UNDER 12 CUP FINALISTS DECIDED
The semi-finals of this season’s Middlesex Girls’ Under 12 Cup were played on Saturday last, 18th March. Your roving team covered the match between Brent Schools FA Year 12 Girls and Queens Park Rangers Women U12, on a pleasantly warm but showery afternoon, on the 3G pitch at Capital City Academy School in Willesden.
13 teams entered this season’s competition. It would be an understatement to say that both teams had an easy route to the semi-finals. Brent Schools won their away round 1 match with Southgate Adelaide 15-0, while QPR received a bye. Then in quarter-finals, Brent Schools had a walk-over against Hearts of Teddlothian Lynxes and QPR won their away tie against Hendon Youth White 9-0.
Matches in this competition are played over 2 halves each of 30 minutes, with 9 players on each side. Rolling substitutions are used.
The sizeable audience of parents and supporters was treated to a skilful and exciting game. Brent built up a 2-0 advantage in the first half but the visitors pulled a goal back before the interval. The score remained at 2-1 until QPR equalised, mid-way through the second period. The scores remained level for less than 2 minutes, when Brent regained the lead. They appeared to have clinched victory, when they scored a fourth goal with 6 minutes remaining. However, QPR came storming back to score again and set up a tight finish.
Referee Kepa Garmendia had a very good match, managing the proceedings in an understated and calm manner. He was well supported by his assistants.
Brent started strongly and in the 2nd minute, Charlotte Fraser made a penetrating run and released Evie Piller, whose shot was too high.
They took the lead in the 6th minute, through Hannah Mondala, who scored from close range, after the QPR keeper’s attempted clearance had hit a defender.
QPR hit back and Chloe Clements made a good run up the right wing. The home keeper, Sienna Varsani took her cross. Then a shot by Anna Colnaghi was blocked and Chloe hit the crossbar in the melee following a corner kick.
Brent increased their lead after 14 minutes, when Charlotte Fraser took the ball through the QPR defence and powered the ball into the roof of the net. Although keeper, Blossom Tanswell touched the ball, she was unable to stop it.
Blossom then saved at close range from Hannah Mondala and took a low cross from Nancy Wales.
Angelina Bramble reduced the arrears for QPR in the 21st minute. She burst through the middle and although goalkeeper, Sienna Varsani blocked two scoring attempts, Angelina eventually hit the ball home.
Angelina then made another run through the Brent defence but her shot was blocked for a corner.
Nancy Wales was showing some clever touches and providing problems for the QPR rear-guard.
Charlotte Fraser made a good run but just cleared the bar with her shot.
Half time score: Brent Schools FA 2 Queens Park Rangers Women 1
Angelina Bramble took over as QPR goalkeeper for the second half.
Nancy Wales continued to be a danger to the visiting defence. She just cleared the bar with a shot on the turn. Then she was thwarted by Angelina Bramble, who saved with her feet. Next, she collected the ball and progressed through the middle but hit her low shot at the keeper.
Anna Colnaghi was proving to be a very clever player for QPR, showing good control and creating openings for her colleagues.
Hannah Mondala tested Angelina with an awkward bouncing shot. Hannah then released Charlotte Fraser, who set up Nancy, who shot narrowly wide.
QPR equalised in the 15th minute of the second half. Anna Colnaghi’s run up the right produced a corner. Savannah Pass met the corner kick with a great low glancing header, into the net.
Brent regained the lead less than 2 minutes later, through Nancy Wales, who collected the ball out wide, cut in and netted off of the post.
Nancy then crossed for Minnie Palmer, whose shot was saved by Angelina. The ball rebounded towards Minnie, who was off balance and shot wide.
QPR had a narrow escape, when Savannah Pass hit the ball against her own goalpost, while challenging Nancy Wales.
Chloe Clements tested Sienna Varsani with a high shot.
Nancy Wales scored Brent’s 4th goal in the 24th minute of the half, with a powerful high shot, which went through the goalkeeper’s hands.
Anna Colnaghi then provided the hosts with some anxious final moments by finding the net with a lob from half-way. In the 27th minute of the half.
Result: Brent Schools FA 4 Queens Park Rangers Women 3
TEAM LINE-UPS:
Brent Schools FA: Sienna Varsani, Myla Villegas Lewis, Elisha Nyembwe, Minnie Palmer, Evie Piller, Charlotte Fraser, Alice Moriggi, Nancy Wales and Hannah Mondala.
Rolling substitutes: Ruby Halsby, Freda Kelly, Lauryn Griffiths and Olivia Ridley Swettenham.
Queens Park Rangers Women: Blossom Tanswell, Sonia Rokita, Charlotte Wake, Chloe Clements, Anna Colnaghi, Flora Prendivile, Lily Edmonds, Stella Gastaut and Savannah Pass.
Rolling substitute: Angelina Bramble (played in goal for the second half).
Referee: Kapa Garmendia Assistant Referees: Joshua Stadler and Mohammed Kauser.
The final of this competition is scheduled for Saturday, 27th May at Middlesex FA’s Rectory Park HQ. Brent Schools FA will play Barnet Nightingales, who beat Kensington Dragons 11-0, in the other semi-final.
We thank Chris & Jim for covering this match up, the duo have selected their favourite shots from the match, with Chris also very kindly providing a full album of imagery.