The U18 Girls fixture was the final contest of a competitive day of Club action on Sunday and it did not disappoint. The visiting manager showed that many of his girls play regularly at Premier League level when he enquired, pre-match, as to the whereabouts of the Technical Delegate and wondered who would be adding the real-time scores online, despite that not being a pre-requisite in junior competitions.
In an excellent and relatively even first half, it was the Repton girls who showed their class with two well converted penalty corners as Joana Boehringer and Lily Walker flicked home two set-piece moves. Despite Bowdon having opportunities of their own, Erin Franklin was equal to the task and the girls headed to the half time break with a two-goal advantage.
Bowdon were the better of the two teams in the second half and so a key moment came after 45 minutes. From deep defence, Claudia Swain intercepted a Bowdon pass and accelerated into the Bowdon half. Despite being well tackled, Claudia regained possession and laid the ball off to Imogen Swann who showed some fantastic skill and vision to release Claudia who converted with a superb reverse-stick effort.
In the final twenty minutes, Bowdon pressed and deservedly came back in to the game as they scored an excellent counter attack goal before converting a penalty corner of their own. Despite some tired legs, the experience of our girls showed in the closing minutes as they managed possession well not allowing Bowdon any further opportunities to score in a game worthy of a National Final.
MLJ