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The U14 Girls showed great bounceback ability after
last week's Cup defeat in playing some of their best ever football and
defeating Rothwell 6-1 away from home. The ploy of bringing striker Jenny
Halligan back to bolster the heart of the defence paid dividends and she
formed a solid partnership with Ruby Holland, ably supported by Rebecca
Sheehan and Kathleen Montgomery. Clough took the game to their hosts and
created numerous chances before Emily Holroyd fired the visitors into the
lead with a fierce right foot shot. Excellent goal-keeping and last ditch
defending by Rothwell kept the score down before a hint of fortune aided an
equaliser before half-time when a ricochet off the referee beat the Clough
offside trap. Without the luxury of any substitutes Clough upped the pace
still further after the break with Player of the match Jade Naylor in
inspirational form. Nicki Gears restored the advantage with a neat finish
whilst at the other end goalkeeper Charlotte Ellis dealt confidently on the
rare occasions the defence was breached. Becky Lether soon made it three.
Clough were now rampaging forward at every opportunity and oozing confidence
with some tremendous passing involving Jessica Davidson, Jemma Bennett and
Lether and they were creating openings at will for the impressive Gears who
went on to net on three more occasions with some clinical finishing. An
excellent performance!
13/11/05 Clough 3-2 Bradford City
The U14 Girls put up a tremendous battling display at home to defeat
highflying Bradford City 3-2 in a highly entertaining contest. Clough
started brightly taking the game to their visitors and quickly went ahead
when a clever through ball from Jessica Davidson allowed Nicki Gears to
demonstrate her blistering pace before sliding the ball past the advancing
keeper. Clough were on top and forced a number of corners. Jemma Bennett
shot just wide before Gears doubled the advantage with an angled drive into
the corner. At the other end goalkeeper Charlotte Ellis produced a fine save
in tipping a fierce drive onto the bar to preserve their half time lead. A
visibly shaken City began to settle and force their hosts onto the back
foot. Clough dug deep but still managed to carve out the best openings with
Emily Holroyd and Jade Naylor both going close and Becky Lether providing
some real quality in midfield. City pulled one back when they beat the
offside trap. Ellis came out and narrowed the angle but was just beaten to
the rebound when the ball flew back off the post. Again without any
substitutes on a heavy pitch Clough could so easily have capitulated as City
threw on three pairs of fresh legs but the defence in particular was
magnificent. Ruby Holland epitomised the team spirit with strength and
determination. Jenny Halligan was very assured and won everything in the air
whilst Kathleen Montgomery was fierce in the tackle and Jen Walsh's pace and
energy simply could not be matched by the fresher City players. A powerful
run and cross from Naylor should have made the game safe before a typical
burst and cool finish by Gears completed her hat trick and sealed the points
although there was still time for City to set up a thrilling finish when a
clearance was intercepted and a long range shot flew in but
Clough doggedly held on.
The U14 Girls produced a very professional and disciplined performance in
winning 5-1 at Garforth Villa.
Still in desperate need of a couple of signings the result was all the more
remarkable in that Clough were only able to field 9 players for the entire
game!
In spite of the handicap Clough totally dominated and could have taken the
lead before the alert Jemma Bennett was quickest to react to a loose ball in
the box and slot home.
Jessica Davidson's "Beckhamesque" corners were causing real problems whilst
the home defence simply had no answer to Davidson's surging runs from
midfield or Jen Walsh's dazzling footwork down the left flank. Their link up
play was impressive and the lead was increased when a clever one-two between
them put Walsh through and she never looked like being caught.
Bennett and Emily Holroyd were also in fine form down the right and it was
Holroyd who made it three before half time with a clever lofted drive.
It was inevitable that they would tire in the second half and Garforth did
manage to pull one back but Ruby Holland and Rebecca Sheehan defended
stoutly. Goalkeeper Charlotte Ellis was quick off her line to snuff out any
chance of a comeback whilst Jenny Halligan carried the ball out from the
back very effectively. Holroyd stretched the lead still further before a
precise through ball from Kathleen Montgomery gave her the chance to
complete her hat trick and she made no mistake.
8/9 Jan 06
The U14 Girls had a memorable start to 2006. Playing Saturday and Sunday in
an attempt to catch up on their backlog of fixtures they swept aside their
plucky 2nd division opponents Idle in the Shield winning
15-1. Six goals from Jenny Halligan, another three for Nicki Gears, two
for Jessica Davidson including an absolute screamer and one apiece for Emily
Holroyd, Becky Lether, Jen Walsh with a fine individual piece of skill and a
stylish first ever goal for defender Rebecca Sheehan warmed them up nicely
for the daunting task of taking on the hitherto untouchable League and Cup
holders Goole Town. In what has to rank as their best ever
result in their five year history they comprehensively outplayed,
out-thought and out-battled a strong Goole outfit who had never previously
failed to score in a game and had remained unbeaten for the past two
seasons! Clough had to start strongly and they had Goole on the back foot
for most of the opening period. They deservedly went ahead when an excellent
through ball from Jemma Bennett found the ever dangerous Nicki Gears who
absolutely rifled a shot into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.
Like the good team that they are Goole rallied and Rebecca Sheehan had to be
at her best to thwart a surging breakaway with a tremendous last ditch
recovery challenge. Gears doubled the lead when her low left foot shot
deceived the goalkeeper. Goole tried to up the pace but could find no way
past the talented and assured Jenny Halligan or the determination and
commitment of Ruby Holland who marshalled the line superbly at the heart of
the defence. The ploy of using Jen Walsh to "man mark" their most creative
and dangerous player who simply could not get into the game was working a
treat and Goole were visibly downhearted at the break. Clough refused to
allow their opponents back into the match and piled on the pressure. Becky
Lether's excellent control and Emily Holroyd's strong runs dominated the
midfield whilst on the wings the terrier-like Jade Naylor was biting into
tackles and whipping in some ferocious crosses. Goole kept plugging away and
goalkeeper Charlotte Ellis had to be alert to come out of her box and clear
the danger as well as being her usual reliable self when called upon whilst
the uncompromising Jessica Davidson and Kathleen Montgomery were taking no
prisoners in their challenges. Gears grabbed her hat trick before Holroyd
completed the scoring to record a stunning 4-0 victory.
15/01/06
The U14 Girls came crashing down to earth after last week's heroics with a
frustrating 6-2 defeat at Hebden Bridge on a pitch that was simply
unplayable. Although the game should not have gone ahead, it was the home
side who adapted better to the conditions with the most unusual but highly
effective ploy of not having a midfield. Six huge defenders who provided an
intimidating back line simply launched the ball over the top of the Clough
defence for the four powerful forwards to chase. This completely confounded
the defenders and Hebden raced into a two goal lead. Clough began dominating
possession but were simply unable to pass the ball on the floor. They pulled
one back when Jemma Bennett found space in the box and rifled home. Nicki
Gears skipped through but was fouled as she rounded the keeper. She managed
to stay on her feet but her goal bound shot slowed on the pitch and was
cleared off the line. Minutes later a typical Jessica Davidson run saw her
power through the home defence but just as she was about to shoot she was
brought down by the goalkeeper but bewilderingly the visitors were only
awarded a corner. They did manage to get on level terms with a quality move.
Rebecca Sheehan's clever chip was neatly volleyed on by Jen Walsh to Emily
Holroyd whose deft first touch knocked the ball beyond the massed ranks and
she made no mistake. The visitors piled on the pressure in the second half.
Gears again wriggled free but her shot rebounded off the foot of the post.
Walsh was quickest to the ball and bundled it in under pressure. As they
turned away to celebrate the referee waved play on claiming he could not be
certain the whole of the ball had crossed where the goal line should have
been. Hebden added a third and Clough gambled everything. Holroyd, Gears,
Davidson and Jenny Halligan all piled forward and had excellent
opportunities but could not get enough power into the heavy ball. They paid
the price as in spite of a couple of terrific saves by Charlotte Ellis the
home side notched a further three late goals on the break including a very
dubious penalty. Brave performances by Ruby Holland and Kathleen Montgomery
in defence and the tenacious Jade Taylor and Becky Lether in midfield.
The U14 Girls showed great bouncebackability after the previous week's
fiasco in defeating second placed York City 5-3 in a thrilling
encounter. On a wonderful York pitch both sides tried to pass the
ball. Clough were soon in the ascendancy forcing a number of corners and it
was not long before they deservedly broke the deadlock with Nicki Gears
sprinting clear of the home defence before thumping a right foot shot past
the goalkeeper from the edge of the box. They quickly doubled the lead when
Jen Walsh did a neat turn before finding the impressive Jade Naylor who beat
three defenders before drilling a low shot into the corner. As expected York
came out strongly in the second half and pulled one back when they beat the
offside trap. It was end to end stuff and Clough regained their two goal
cushion when a weighted pass from Becky Lether again released Gears who
finished confidently. Back came York and goalkeeper Charlotte Ellis had to
be at her best on a number of occasions. Lether almost made it four but for
a wonderful save from the York keeper which seemed to galvanize her
team-mates and they were soon on level terms. Without any substitutes and
with Naylor and Walsh carrying knocks Clough had to dig deep. It would have
been all too easy to capitulate but Ruby Holland, Jenny Halligan , Rebecca
Sheehan and Kathleen Montgomery in defence answered the call in determined
fashion in spite of being put under intense pressure. The visitors regained
the lead when Jessica Davidson's clever through ball found Gears who skipped
away and made no mistake. Ellis pulled off a stunning save to keep York at
bay whilst Naylor and Jemma Bennett gave everything for the cause. The game
was finally made safe in the dying minutes when Gears once again
demonstrated her blistering speed to break away and finish in style.
The U14 Girls had what can only be described as a romp in their delayed
quarter final Shield tie at home to 2nd division Hebden Royd. As usual
Clough were without the luxury of any substitutes but the visitors were only
able to field 9 players and it was soon evident that it was going to develop
into a rout. The home team cantered into an 8-0 half time lead before making
wholesale changes including taking players off in an effort to keep the
score down but to no avail. Goalkeeper Charlotte Ellis was given her first
run out and duly obliged with a goal whilst the forwards and defenders
switched positions allowing Kathleen Montgomery to finish in style and score
her first ever goal for the Club whilst Ruby Holland notched a brace. The
girls were clearly enjoying themselves but it was good to see the spirit of
the Hebden Royd team who kept battling and smiling as Clough, sometimes
unwittingly, continued to increase the lead. Both sets of supporters were by
now willing a goal for the visitors but it was not to be and a somewhat
embarrassed Clough ran out 25-0 winners. Perhaps the most remarkable
and unique statistic was that every Clough player found themselves on the
score-sheet! For the record the Clough goal scorers were: Nicki Gears(5),
Jenny Halligan(4), Jessica Davidson and Jen Walsh(3), Becky Lether, Emily
Holroyd and Ruby Holland(2), Jemma Bennett, Jade Naylor, Kathleen Montgomery
and Charlotte Ellis(1).
The U14 Girls produced a typically battling and committed performance which
illustrated perfectly their team spirit in overcoming Brighouse 4-0 at
home.Able to start with only 10 players Clough grabbed an immediate lead
when the dangerous Nicki Gears eluded the visitors' defence and found the
bottom corner with a left foot shot. They had excellent claims for a penalty
shortly after when Gears rounded the goalkeeper before being brought down
but the referee waved play on.
They soon doubled their advantage when a defence splitting pass put Jemma
Bennett through and she made no mistake rifling the ball into the top
corner.
Good passing and movement between the excellent Becky Lether and Jen Walsh
was causing Brighouse problems down the left flank whilst Emily Holroyd and
Bennett were a constant threat on the right aided by some powerful runs from
the impressive Jessica Davidson.
Clough were making a mockery of their numerical disadvantage and stretched
the lead further when Gears broke away and squared the ball for Holroyd to
tap in after a great supporting run.
Brighouse did threaten on the break and goalkeeper Charlotte Ellis had to be
alert but Clough always looked the more likely to score.
The home side were reduced to 9 after the break through injury and the
defence was put under intense pressure but they responded magnificently. The
combination of the strength of Davidson, the athleticism of Rebecca Sheehan,
the attitude of Ruby Holland and the technical ability of Jenny Halligan was
formidable.
Halligan added a fourth from the penalty spot when Gears was again brought
down by the keeper but try as Brighouse might there was no way through a
barricade that simply refused to be breached.
The U14 Girls had a surprisingly comfortable passage through to the final of
the West Riding Shield with a comfortable 12-3 away victory at Shipley
Juniors despite, once again, only being able to field 10 players. After
a tense and fairy level opening it was Clough who opened the scoring with a
well worked goal. Jessica Davidson passed to makeshift striker Jen Walsh
whose clever turn and weighted through ball fell invitingly for Emily
Holroyd who burst through the home defence to slot home. They soon doubled
the advantage; more neat footwork by Walsh found Holroyd in the box who in
turn fed Jemma Bennett to fire home at the far post. Bennett notched her
second in similar fashion before Shipley reminded Clough they were still
very much in the tie by beating the offside trap leaving goalkeeper
Charlotte Ellis with little chance. The next goal was probably to prove
decisive and fell to the impressive Davidson who found the net with a low
left foot drive. Davidson's in-swinging corners had been causing real
problems and it was no real surprise when she stretched the lead still
further directly from one such corner. Shipley's heads appeared to drop as
Clough began rampaging forward at every opportunity. Holroyd, having an
excellent game, added three more, Davidson powered her way through for
another couple whilst the tenacious Jade Naylor added a brace of her own.
Clough's cavalier approach did leave their defence extremely exposed and the
committed back four of Ruby Holland, Jenny Halligan, Rebecca Sheehan and
Kathleen Montgomery did well to restrict Shipley to just three goals and
they will hope for and need better protection in the final on April 1st at
Brighouse against hitherto unbeaten Wyke Wanderers.
he U14 Girls continued their impressive recent form with a 8-1 home
victory over a useful Rothwell Town outfit. After a level opening 15 minutes
it was the home side who took the lead with a typical Nicki Gears strike as,
following a neat through ball by Emily Holroyd, she simply outpaced the
visiting defenders before confidently slotting home. At the other end Ruby
Holland and Captain Jenny Halligan at the heart of the defence looked
impressive but had to work hard to keep out the dogged Rothwell strikers.
Gears doubled the advantage before the interval in similar fashion before a
well worked move between Holroyd and the improving Jemma Bennett forced a
fine save from the Rothwell keeper. The visitors started the second half
strongly and Charlotte Ellis, whose kicking game was impeccable throughout,
had to pull off a couple of crucial saves before Clough eventually killed
off any doubt about the outcome with a further brace from Gears. The home
side were only now beginning to pass the ball around tellingly. Jessica
Davidson was excelling in her role of protecting the back four whilst her
occasional attacking runs were full of power and menace. Jen Walsh's
trickery led to a good opening but her powerful shot went just over before
Jade Naylor who had made some terrific runs on the left deservedly got on
the scoresheet. To their credit Rothwell continued to attack in numbers and
Holland and Halligan had to be helped out by some strong challenges from
Kathleen Montgomery and Rebecca Sheehan's pace which is always an asset.
Becky Lether's control and clever passing in midfield put Gears through on a
couple more occasions and the self-assured striker added two more to her
growing collection. Rothwell did manage a late consolation before Walsh's
clever footwork resulted in a late penalty gleefully converted by Holland.
The U14 girls missed out on the chance to win the League
with a 2 – 2 draw at Bradford City on Thursday.The recent gruelling schedule
finally took its toll as neither side was able to master the windy
conditions on a rock hard pitch.City took the lead when a free kick deceived
goalkeeper Charlotte Ellis. Emily Holdroyd replied for Clough before half
time. A dubious second that appeared well offside put the home side back in
front before Nicki Gears sped away for a late equalizer.
Clough’s final home game of the season on Sunday against Battyeford was a
lively encounter with the hosts eventually running out 7- 3 winners.
They soon went ahead with goals from Holdroyd and Jade Naylor before the
visitors managed to pull level. Holdroyd reclaimed the lead before a well
taken goal made it 3 -3 before the break.
Both sides were sparring for an opening and it was Holdroyd again who
provided the killer punch when she managed to hook the ball in following a
pinpoint pass from Becky Lether. Jessica Davidson began to boss midfield
while Ruby Holland’s example fired up defenders Jenny Halligan, Rebecca
Sheehan and Kathleen Montgomery.
A typical Jen Walsh run set up Holdroyd for another. Naylor made it six
before Holdroyd added her fifth.
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