Early on the morning of Saturday 1st December the William Ransom girls’ football team stepped out onto the frozen pitches at Harvester FC in St. Alban’s to play in the ESFA County Finals.
With the goal mouth more like a skating ring and the grass on the pitch deemed by the officials to be ‘not ideal but playable’ the girls played their first match against our old rivals Greneway, a middle school from Royston. Despite quite a lot of slipping over from both sides William Ransom were quick to find their passing form and Rachel broke through their defence to score a brilliant first goal. The first goal from Greneway followed just before half time. With heads held high the girls entered the second half determined to win and Rachel scored once again to give the final score a 2-1 win to William Ransom.
With half an hour to wait until the next game the girls took to their parents’ cars to thaw out and keep warm. The parents watched the teams still left for the girls to play and could see that Wheatfields their next game would be a tough match.
The girls came out ready to play and with a slightly less frozen pitch the ball moved around more easily. With excellent play by both sides and a couple of superb saves from both keepers the final score was a 0-0 draw.
Oakmere the last game of the rounds was very exciting and despite the cold and playing two games without a break, Olivia and Rachel both scored giving William Ransom a 2-1 win and a place in the semi-finals as winners of their group.
With no time allowed for a break the girls went on to play Habs girls (The only private school in the competition)
Both teams were very evenly matched and both attacked and defended brilliantly. With a 0-0 score at the end the dreaded penalties was ahead. Rosie, Melissa and Rachel all scored and with Lauren saving a couple of penalties William Ransom were through to the finals! .
St. Andrew’s from east Herts were our opposition. The girls had no break and Rachel was carrying a pulled muscle from the second game. However, the girls put up a valiant display of football and despite Rachel having to come off the girls only let St. Andrew’s score two goals. Unable to find that last little bit of goal scoring inspiration for themselves the game ended with a 2-0 win to St. Andrew’s.
Both myself and the parents were very proud of the girls and how they played. They had remembered many tips from their coaching and deserved the success of the day. Next term the team will go on to play in the Wix cup and we wish them all the very best for their games. .
My thanks to all the parents who transported the girls to St. Albans and then stood bravely in the freezing cold to watch.