Is there any finer feeling in football than the trip to NW London on a sunny May Saturday to watch your team play in the Cup Final? OK, so whilst there may be a few more fans trooping to Wembley to watch Chelsea vs Man Utd in the WFA Cup Final next week, there is no way the excitement could be higher than the fever pitch we reached as we crawled the last few 100 yards to the lush pastures of The Met’s Sports Ground to see the mighty Accies Girls (bedecked in ribbons and “warpaint”) take on Harpenden Colts in the HGFPL U14 Junior League Shield final.
Deciding it was too late for tactical nuance, or Churchillian oratory, we sent the girls out with instructions to play like they had all season. Unfortunately, we had forgotten that pretty much all season we have tended to play the first 20 minutes as if we’d left the handbrake on. So – true to form – we were a bit up against it. Colts galloped out of the starting gate (one for the equestrians out there) and seemed to be first to every ball; we were understandably a bit nervous and were struggling to get possession. Luckily, whilst we are notorius slow-starters, we are also very hard to break-down – Isla was superb at right-back, closing off any Harpenden hopes of progress down that flank; Laura and Georgia were equally resolute, intercepting, tackling, blocking and clearing their lines. Meanwhile the midfield were steeling themselves to put in a real shift – Ams, Ems, Maya (captain fantastic) and later Lottie covered every blade of grass, stretching the play, harrassing the oppo and gradually, as the first half wore on, starting to exert control and show their class. The work ethic was no less out-wide and up-front – Indie and Callie ran themselves into the ground, Iona (then Freyja) provided pace and positivity on the left whilst Chloe fought for scraps and turned them into gold with a series of incisive passes. With 35 mins gone, we had held firm, stemmed the tide and started to get on top. But 0-0 at half-time, and still anyone’s game.
As the girls gulped water and Lucozade, we reminded them that we play our best football in the second half and “always” score (Simon “Statto” Mahoney sensibly refrained from pointing out this was probably statistically nonsense). We also talked about composure. And we hatched a cunning plan: EJ was to be unleashed from goal into the number 10 position; Chloe would stretch the game by pushing up as far as she could, creating space for Ella and looking to play her in to the channels. I wasn’t 100% convinced Ella was listening, but Chloe seemed to be on board…
With Indie taking the gloves, Megs and Amelia slotting in seamlessly at full-back and Nina pushing forward wide on the right, we were all set for the second half. And it turned out I shouldn’t have doubted EJ. Playing on the last shoulder, Chloe collected the ball neatly, turned on a sixpence and played a beautiful defence splitting pass into the box spotting Ella sprinting from halfway, through the lines, and into glorious open space. On the touchline, we were screaming to shoot. But it turned out Ella had been listening to the bit about composure too. She neatly side-stepped the keeper and passed the ball into the empty net. Cue euphoria! Love it when a plan comes together!
We were on top now, Ams and Ems were getting time on the ball and able to spray passes into space releasing our pace out wide and upfront. Surely this would be a gentle canter to the finish line now? Regular Accies watchers though will know it never plays out like that. These girls like to find a more interesting route. Against the run of play, Colts broke into our box and got first to a fiendishly bouncing ball to send a speculative up & under heart-stoppingly over Indie (who could have done nothing against such a cruel stroke of luck) into the net. Gulp. 1-1. 20 mins to go and who knew what twists awaited?
But we were now playing with confidence all over the pitch, any pre-match nerves long-forgotten. And we were starting to show the skill and determination that have characterised our season. We continued to push forward. The ball broke to Nina in space on the edge of the box; without hesitation she struck left-footed, sending an arcing shot over the keepers desperate stretch into the back of the net. Truly special goal – magic! But if anything this just made those on the touchline more nervous – the Accies ultras were becoming quieter (hard to cheer when you’re chewing your fingernails to the bone…), the coaches could hardly watch… We needed another goal. Really needed it. And as always the Accies delivered. This time it was Ella to play a lovely pass into Amelie; she thought about shooting but with the ball on her left she made the smart call and squared it for Ella who had continued her run and stroked it home. 3-1. And no way back for the plucky Colts who played their part in a great game of football.
So to answer my question: yes it turns out there is one better feeling 🙂!
What a way to finish the season – it’s been fantastic to see the girls develop as individuals and as a team, and they fully deserved this moment of glory. Enjoy it, and let’s celebrate again at Trophy Night!
All-together now: CHAMPIONES! CHAMPIONES! OLE-OLE-OLE!