United’s Girls Reach Tesco Cup Final

On a blustery winters morning Mill Lane United gained revenge for a defeat against Costello 2 weeks ago and progressed to the Under 14 Tesco Cup Final.Coach Tony Storr asked for a 70minute performance of guts and determination and this the Beverley girls served up to gain a deserved victory.Straight from the kick off Mill Lane harried and chased their opponents.

Striker Jodie Brown intercepted the Costello kick off quickly passing on to midfielder Tonya Storr on the left,quickly getting the ball under control before a simple pass found Emma Smith in acres of space and a pinpoint through ball to striker Keeley Forward who was racing into the penalty area ,Forward duly finished in style with a smart right foot shot passed the keeper to give Mill Lane a 1 0 lead in 2 minutes.

Stirred on by the early advantage and the whole team been first to the ball a second goal soon followed , a well timed challenge by right winger Charlotte Holliday won the ball just other half way a quick pass found striker Jodie Brown 25yards out with her back to goal ,quickly getting the ball under control before a magnificent 25yard shot flew over the keeper to give Mill Lane a 2 0 lead after 10minutes.

Credit to Costello who after conceding two early goals started to come more into the game as possession and territory became more even and Mill Lanes defence was now under severe pressure from more physical opponents ,but stood firm with Chloe Bell and Chloe Johnstone outstanding with some last ditch defence.

Finally the Costello pressure told when a disputed penalty for hand ball was given making the score 2 1 after 20minutes.Undeterred Mill Lane rolled up their sleeves and with substitute Millie O’Neill introduced the midfield of Smith ,Holliday O’Neill and hardworking Emma Johnson took the game by the scruff of the neck with some great passing football in difficult conditions.

With strikers Brown and Forward chasing every ball and putting the Costello defence on the back foot other goals had to come.The next after fine interplay by O’Neill and Smith down the Mill Lane left found Emma Smith charging into the penalty area ,quickly into space a clinical right foot finish made the score 3 1 to the Beverley side.

Now playing some nice controlled football Mill Lane made their possession count when a nice midfield move by Smith and Emma Johnson got Brown in space in the penaly area and Brown duly slid a right foot shot under the keepers body for her second goal of the game and giving Mill Lane a 4 1 advantage just before half time.Hoping to close the half out a lapse of concentration in the Mill Lane defence gave Costello a half chance which they duly converted to make the score 4 2 with the final kick off the half.

The second half started with Tonya Storr reintroduced into the heart of the Mill Lane midfield and playmaker Emma Smith put in a deeper roll to protect their two goal advantage against a howling wind.

Protect they did with the defence of Amy Radford ,Chloe Johnstone ,Emma Smith and captain Emily Holliday who never missed a tackle all the game retricting the Costello attack to long range efforts easily dealt with by keeper Emily Hood .The central midfield partnership of Emma Johnson and Tonya Storr covered every blade of grass and were well supported by wingers Charlotte Holliday and Millie O’Neill who battled for every ball.

Up front strikers Jodie Brown and Keeley Forward chased and harried their opponent for the full 70minutes.The second half didnt produce any more goals but saw Mill Lane play some smart passing football against a strong physical team who kept coming forward till the final whistle.The match finished with Mill Lane deservedly through to the Tesco Cup Final after a committed performance full of grit and determination against a larger more physical team.

The whole team were congratulated for their improved performance compared to when the teams met two weeks ago.

Man of the matches went to midfielder of Emma Johnson for a totally comitted performane in defence and attack with some excellant use of the ball and striker Jodie Brown for 70minutes of hard work and a contender for goal of the season.

Reported by Malcolm Holliday