After a month off due to waterlogged pitches, the U17’s were delighted to get this much anticipated cup tie under way. In a changed formation due to girls being unavailable Swifts lined up with Becky, Eve, Jade, Jess, Lisa, Kara, Robyn, Eilidh, Casey, Ellie and newbie Chloe up front. With the wind at their backs, Swifts started the brighter with Robyn and Ellie linking well down the left wing into Chloe and Casey up front. After 5 minutes Swifts took the lead when Ellie played a short corner to Robyn. The girls exchanged passes before Robyn curled the ball across goal and into the keepers left corner of the net. Chloe nearly doubled the lead moments later but was denied by the keeper on two occasions. She was not to be denied on 13 minutes when she latched into a ball over the top from Lisa which she lobbed over the keeper before running round to pop the ball home. Letham showed menace coming forward though and the swifts defence had to be alert on a few occasions. After 25 minutes Chloe was felled on route to goal and Swifts were awarded a penalty. She got up to take the penalty but the keeper saved well before Swifts appeared to be denied another penalty as Chloe was again forced to ground trying to reach the rebound. It wasn’t to be and this fired Letham up who started to expose space through the middle. They launched an attack after 30 minutes which saw a sweet strike from just outside the box low to Becky’s right. Swifts pressed forward again but were caught out by a quick through ball on 35 minutes which Becky nearly got to before the striker shot and the ball deflected off Becky and seemed to take forever to reach the net. Swifts good work was undone but just as it looked like the sides would be level at HT Ellie played a ball to Casey who coolly lobbed the keeper.

HT 3-2

The wind got more vicious in the 2nd half and playing into it was causing problems for Swifts whilst Letham were finding balls forward eluding them. Becky held firm as balls were played her direction and showed why she is part of the national U16 squad. Swifts continued to play passing football and with Sheyenne up front now, Chloe was impressing on the wing and Ellie in the centre continuing the good work Kara had shown in the 1st half. After 50 minutes Leah went on for Eilidh and Swifts changed formation again with Leah sitting in the middle, Ellie switching back to left wing and Chloe over to the right. The girls were showing great teamwork and determination. Eventually they settled and learned how to handle playing into the wind. Sheyenne was having her best game for the 17’s and showing good touches and menace. With 15 minutes to go she flicked a great ball into the path of Ellie who crossed for Chloe to knock home her 2nd debut goal. Leah then played a great ball through to Ellie minutes later, who knocked the ball round the keeper and dribbled the ball into the net. Deanna came on for Sheyenne and Claire for Chloe to see the game out and both linked well with the players around them. Swifts tails were up and continued to press for more goals but they just didn’t come.

FT 5-2

This was a great win for the 17’s who have played well without getting the results they deserved at times this season. Players played out of their normal positions and put in the performance that justified their coach’s faith in them. Chloe showed why she will be a great asset to Swifts and was player’s player of the game. The coaches could not agree on any single player and were just delighted that every girl gave their best and showed the determination their coach had asked of them before the game. The girls are excited to find out where the 2nd round of the cup will take them and with some key players to come back in will be filled with confidence after this win.