GIRLS’ FOOTBALL – HALF TERM ROUND-UP
The next report in our mini-series of posts, rounding up the achievements of the students who have played girls’ football this term. If you’ve missed previous reports, just look back in the timeline.
REPORT 6: U15 VS RISEDALE – AREA CUP QUARTER FINALS – 1-1
Another January fixture saw the U15 girls (Year 9 and 10) take on Risedale in the Area Cup quarter final. Due to injuries to the Risedale team, it was agreed before kick-off that Richmond would go through by default as Risedale fielded some Year 11 players. Both schools were keen to play so that the girls had the opportunity of playing in a competitive football match rather than just accepting the win and moving on to the next round.
A fiercely contested game saw both teams have numerous chances, with Richmond’s attacking options of Freya, Bea, Chloe and Sarah causing Risedale a lot of issues. Some but some resolute goalkeeping kept the score at 0-0, however. Risedale managed to snatch a quick goal towards the end of the first half when a brilliant cross from the right-hand side fell to their forward who put the ball past Grace in goal.
In the second half, Richmond piled on the pressure, but with no luck in scoring a goal as Risedale defended really well. Eventually a break was made – Bea found herself clear of everyone, running one on one with the Risedale goalkeeper – she cooly slotted the ball past to make the game level with 10 minutes to go. The score remained 1-1 at full time.
Although the pre agreement was in place that Richmond would go through, for fun the girls had a penalty shoot-out to end the game. With penalties hitting the cross bar and being saved left right and centre, Risedale won the shoot-out 2-1 on penalites.
Overall this game celebrated a fantastic fixture between two strong female football teams. The Richmond U15s can take credit from the fact they drew 1-1 against a side with a good number of Year 11s, two years older than some of our players.
Richmond’s semi-final opponents will be Wensleydale.