The Clapton CFC Women/NB Development Team have won the London Women’s Saturday Football League Plate at New River Stadium! Here’s how it happened
“I thought the team played their hearts out! Was really gratifying after the first couple of goals to see people gain the confidence to take those edge of the box shots!” – FFLAPS
The game started off on wobbly feet with the team trying to find their footing, but quickly showed what they came for. Confidence was gained and composure was found in each pass and run.
The first goal was shot home by a confident strike from Tiana Botha, who helped dominate the midfield.
After scoring the first goal, the energy rose massively and it was clear Clapton was there to play real football. Even with a goal scored by the opposition from a really well worked corner, no one dipped their head in frustration, and the goal woke the team up.
They stepped up and came back with more fury, scoring two more stunning goals shot from outside of the box from Vee Hayward and Hulya Ancil (I believe that it was her first goal for Clapton and what a goal it was!!!) before the half was over.
HT: Southall Athletic 1 Clapton CFC WNB Dev 3
With the second half underway, Clapton kept primary possession, controlling the game through the middle with Ti and Vee distributing wide. Lots of strong runs in the middle were made and lovely through balls to the forwards like Santi and Judit, helped Judit Rooze to get on the score sheet.
Not long after, more beautiful passages of play made it inevitable for Clapton to add to the score sheet a fifth time, doubling Hulya’s tally (come on!!! I still don’t know how she did it).
The opposition scored their second goal, coming off a great shot.
Clapton played with high energy right to the end and stayed hungry for goals. With a fast counter attack from a beautiful run forward and precise switches of play, Vee scored another fabulous goal.
Even with enough goals to see out the game, that did not stop Gilia Iannuzzi from putting her body on the line with a last ditch tackle to stop a shot on net, which earned her some battle scars (astro burns, ouch).
Eventually, the final whistle went.
FT: Southall Athletic 2 Clapton CFC WNB Devs 6
Match. Done.
Game. Won
Queue the celebrations (woohoo!!!)
And here is the post-match interview with Hulya Ancil:
“Yesterday’s final was such an incredible experience — every single player gave absolutely everything on that pitch and played with so much heart, determination, and passion. As someone new and younger to the team, I couldn’t have asked for a better group; everyone welcomed me so warmly and made me feel like I’d been part of the team for so much longer. I’m so proud of the whole team for fighting until the end and leaving it all out there. Scoring 2 goals was a special moment for me, the first goal I scored when everyone started coming and hugging me made me truly feel like I belonged here but this was truly a full team effort and everyone should be so proud of what we achieved together.”
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