u12 11-a-side

Sheffield 1 – Crosspool 2
Both teams had 11 players, just the right amount, some might say; I would prefer to start with a couple of spares and counting the players on the pitch became a feature of the game.
The teams were evenly matched, every ball was fought over and it took ingenuity to scrape the ball out of pockets of feet.
About 20 minutes into the first half, Yaz broke free from the pack and the keeper came out to block her off, she did her usual ‘ball one way – Yaz the other’ and was past the keeper with an open goal just yards away, she scored.
Crosspool had a few more chances in the first half which SU had managed to cut off with some desperate hacking in the box. Bex wasn’t troubled too much; Cari, Ellie and Sally did a fab job of clearing the ball or playing the off-side trap; when the ball did come to her, she took it confidently and fed it out to get Crosspool back on the attack. One scramble in the box saw the ball bounce up and hit Rebecca on the arm, a few minutes later (I know it's a difficult job) the ref decided that handball had occurred in the box and gave a penalty. We all held our breath, Bex got herself ready and went for the ball but it was high and hit the crossbar, there was a scramble to clear it and then it was back down the other end. The score stayed 1-0 ‘till half-time.
A bit uncomfortable for us; very uncomfortable for them.
Crosspool’s second goal came soon into the second half, from a lovely set of passes, mid-field through to Yaz, she outran a defender and went for goal, just as another defender was closing her down, she looked up and passed wide to Hannah; a couple of touches and GOAL!!!!
By now the SU girls and supporters were a bit fed-up. Cari cleared the ball down the line and then had her legs taken out from under her, she got up and stood indignantly, hands on hips, shouting ‘foul’ at the ref; luckily he agreed with her and the free kick was given.
SU snuck a goal, not sure how and then the battle really broke out. Both sets of girls were also brushing off injures to stay on the pitch if at all possible, a SU player got a ball in the face at close quarters, but she refused to leave the pitch, Sally made a tackle which stopped a SU attacker in full flow, unfortunately the player stood on her ankle and she had to come off. She went back on a few minutes later, brave girl.
I think it was 15 or 20 minutes from the end…. but they were up to the challenge and had several more chances, looking more likely to score again than united. A great match to watch with skilfull play and hard work on both sides.

u11 win puts them through to last 16 of cup

Crosspool U11s got back to winning ways in the first round of the cup with a comfortable victory away against Division B Handsworth.
A 4-0 score-line did not entirely reflect the match, 7-3 would have been more realistic. Crosspool created a hatful of chances, but Handsworth have a very good goalkeeper who made some excellent saves. It was interesting to play a team at the bottom of Division B who have not yet won a game – it can only be a matter of time before they do as they played well as a team and were very unlucky not to score against us as there players ran at our girls and far too often got past them!
After 2 consecutive defeats, it was important the Crosspool girls got a good start to this game to regain their confidence and they did exactly that. After less than a minute a quickly taken throw in by Hannah allowed Jessica to run in behind the Handsworth defence. The ball was played across goal where Chelsea, all alone, buried it in the net, 1-0 to Crosspool. There was a clear chance for second within another minute as Jessica ran through the defence but then shot wide.
Handsworth slowly came back into the game and began to show their league position is unrealistic. Lucy produced some excellent clearances to stop Handsworth breaking through, but she was often left alone against Handsworth attackers and Emma was called upon to make a couple of good saves as the defence/midfield went walk about and when Handsworth did get past Emma they hit the outside of the post.
During these breakaways Crosspool had steadied the ship with a second goal direct from a corner by Hannah. So it was 2-0 at half time.
In the second half the game remained open with chances at both ends. The Crosspool girls need to improve their finishing and defending for next weeks game against Brampton. The pitch was quite large which helped some of Crosspool’s passing, but it also took its toll on the girl’s energy, with Hannah, Jessica and Chelsea all putting everything into the game and it was vital that we had one sub today to enable these players to be rotated round.
Two further goals in the second half, one from Jessica and then a second from Chelsea resulted in a 4-0 scoreline.
A good win, some good football and we are in the last 16 of the cup. Let’s hope for a favourable draw in the second round.

Handsworth again

The score-line of 7-2 doesn't reflect the balance of the game. There was fairly even possesion, Crosspool showed some lovely passing, quick-thinking and sheer determination. However Handsworth capitalised on their chances and any slips in defending, whereas we were not able to covert. For example, Yas was unlucky to hit the far post, Lucy struck the re-bound which the keeper swept away, on the third attempt, the keeper caught the ball. The Crosspool girls showed their true fight, their heads stayed up throughout the match, if anything they stepped up a gear and really gave H a battle. Rebecca had on-going tussle with a tall H player, and as the pictures show, size is no object to winning the ball!!

Hannah's goal for the Under 12s

 

u12s home v Wickersley Youth

A fine Autumn morning, both squads at 11, no subs. Final result 4 -1 to Crosspool, goals from Hannah, Leonie and Lucy and, unfortunately an own goal. Their goal was from a penalty, we thought it was a bit harsh, ball to hand rather than intentional hand-ball. Bexs dived across the goal but it slipped in past her outstretched hands.A cracking game, with skilful players on both teams. A full report from Mark later.