Bure Valley Under 9 Lionesses win the Cup!
The day had finally arrived- the U9 Cup Final- Bure Valley Lionesses vs Blofield United.
The young Lionesses had beaten Blofield in both games this season and even though the score line favoured us, they were never the true reflection of how close both games had been. So I knew this was going to be a close affair. I’m not going to lie, I was looking forward to the morning being over. Unbeaten all season, if they were not to get the result this morning, in the one game that really mattered the most, it would have been heartbreaking for them. I made it quite clear from our team talk how proud I am of them all and whatever the result they have been incredible all season. Told them to go out and enjoy it, play the Lionesses way and if we go a goal down, it doesn’t matter, as we know we can fight back.
The game ended in a 15 goal thriller, with the winning goal being scored from a penalty, seconds from the final whistle.
Blofield were first to score 2 minutes in. This didn’t faze us and within 3 more minutes of play Poppy had scored 2 fantastic goals to make the score 2-1. Winning the ball herself off a defender both times, smashing the first one into the back of the net and then the second placing it well into the bottom corner. Great stuff Poppy. A minute later and Poppy was fouled (they were determined not to let her score again) Ella stepped up for the free kick- it flew into the box- hitting a Blofield player before flying into the back of the net 3-1.
The next 10 minutes of play saw Blofield score twice more to make the game level at 3-3. The girls responded brilliantly with a lovely throw from the mighty Mia to Ella, who then found Sienna. Sienna battled with a defender and managed to get her shot away, smashing it into the back of the net to make it 4-3. A great goal Sienna
3 minutes later Blofield equalised to make the score level again at 4 a piece. Just before half time Ella worked hard to win the ball back in defence and fought her way through several Blofield players, working her way up to pitch before unleashing her shot that went through the young Blofield keepers hands and legs to find the back of the net. Great fight there Ella. This made the score 5-4 going into the break.
A couple of minutes into the second half and Blofield found the net yet again, bringing the score level again to 5-5. A couple of minutes later Matilda beat her defender and played a beautiful pass across to Ellie, who hit it first time into the back of the net. Fantastic play that girls, Score now 6-5. A couple of minutes on from this, Matilda won the ball outwide, made a brilliant pass to Poppy, who flicked it on to Ellie. Ellie took a lovely positive touch before smashing it into the back of the net to make the score 7-5. Another great piece of play girls.
10 minutes on and Blofield managed to score again making the score 7-6. With only a few minutes left Blofield shot, which hit Mia in the face. After checking Mia was ok the game resumed with the ref giving Blofield a drop ball just outside the box- the Blofield player smashing it hard into the back of the net to make the score level yet again, 7-7. I and all the parents left shocked that the goal was given, as rules state it needs to touch another player before going in, so it should have been a goal kick to Lola-Bella. I’m not going to lie, I felt really deflated from it, as with only a couple of minutes left of normal time, it was looking likely the game would now go into extra time and maybe penalties.
But again with the girls not being fazed by it, they dusted themselves off and battled again with Poppy being brought down in the box. Ella stepped up to take the penalty with only a few seconds of the match remaining. She smashed it into the corner, (no stopping that!) to make the score 8-7. Surely the girls had done it?? The whistle went and they sure had gone and done it!!
The above giving a report of how the game played out goal wise. What I now need to mention is how incredible Lola-Bella in goal was and our defence of either Mia, Freya and at times Sienna. Lola-Bella made some cracking saves today and Mia, Freya and Sienna worked their socks off to stop Blofield from scoring any more goals. Fantastic work girls.
The girls I felt were not at their best today and made it hard for themselves at times but it was a Cup Final and there is always going to be nerves!! I really felt they handled the occasion brilliantly for 7,8 and 9 year olds! First cup final of many I hope. We had a lot more chances too, and if we had finished more of them off, it certainly wouldn’t have been as close. But in the true Bure Valley Lionesses way they fought hard, never gave up and were determined to bring the Cup home.
I cried when hugging them all when the whistle went. I really couldn’t be more proud of everything they have achieved this season! They really are an exceptional bunch of girls. Thank you to all the parents for trusting me to help them on their footballing journeys, it really is a real pleasure to be apart of all these young ladies lives .
