After the game a fortnight ago, the U12s had their second game against very good Wigginton Grasshoppers team. Could they continue their unbeaten start to the season?

The game was split into four 15 minutes periods with the rules simplified for both teams – the aim of the game was on enjoyment and learning the rules! Lining up for Bootham we had – Eva T (Captain), Jessica H, Emily H, Anna W, Hattie F, Olivia A, Livia G, Aria P, Lacey B, Martha P and Heidi J.

Period One

The game started scrappy as both teams fought to keep hold of the ball. In the third minute and after a succession of corners Wigginton hit he post from in just front. On 12 minutes Wigginton took a deserved lead after a determined run from deep. Bootham were tidy in possession but had no end product at this stage. Right at the end of the period Emily had a powerful shot that just crept passed the far post.

Period Two

Bootham started much better in the 2nd period and were on the front foot. On 19 minutes Eva stole the ball just outside the D and scored from right in front. Within a minute Wigginton were back in front, a quick break with a quickly taken shot from outside the D left Heidi with no chance. Bootham came storming back with a great long range shot from Martha that found the corner of the net. Just before the break, a great run from Emily saw Olivia miss hit her shot with just the keeper to beat. With 2 minutes to go in the period Wigginton retook the lead with a great run and finish.

Period Three

Great play from Anna and Martha saw Hattie have a shot well saved in the first minute of the period. But Bootham were level almost immediately. Martha anticipated the keepers through out and thundered a first time shot into the top corner. Martha nearly completed her hat trick when she fired wide from a great pass from Hattie. Bootham took a deserved lead on 5 minutes when Lacey hammered home a left foot shot from outside the D. Two minutes later Lacey got her second when she stole in a smashed the ball past the keeper. The lead was nearly extended when a long range shot from Hattie hit both posts but somehow stayed out. Wigginton come close to scoring when they hit the post from a long ball.

Period Four

After 45 minutes of futsal the players were getting tired and mistakes started to creep in. First chance fell to Wigginton but Heidi pulled off a smart save. With 10 minutes to go, Martha scored the goal of the game to complete her hat trick. She received a quick kick in from Lacey with her back to go, a quick drag back and a smart finish into the far corner, simply brilliant to watch. Emily had a chance to extend the lead but the keeper saved well. Wigginton scored a screamer from the edge of the D to reduce the Bootham lead, but straight from the kick off Emily ran through the the defence, only to see the keeper make a smart save, but Hattie was on hand to tap in the rebound.

Final Score – Bootham U12s Futsal Club 7 – Wigginton Grasshoppers U12s 4

Click here to see the images from the match

Click here to see the match highlights

Click here to watch the Periods One and Two in full here

Click here to watch the Periods Three and Four in full here

Huge thank you to Heidi and Lacey for coming along on trial and helping us out in the match, you were both fantastic and we really hope you want to come back and play with us again!. Also a huge well done to Katie for managing a team for the very first time. She was confident, calm and above all let else let the girls speak. We are so proud of what you all did, well done all three!

Player of the match was Martha – she is such a likeable young lady. We asked her at the start of the game to be more physical, and boy she didn’t let us down. Her two goals were simply class, but her overall work rate, leadership and teamwork were outstanding. Well done Martha, fantastic game!

Final thoughts go to Coach Chris, ‘I wanted to see if the girls could move on and apply what they learnt from the previous game. They passed the ball much better and the goals were really well taken. Wigginton were a fantastic team with some superb players and they really gave us a difficult game. I loved they way they tried really hard to keep the ball in play, definitely a futsal skill! Well done everyone, stay safe and we see you all on the 14th!‘