This afternoon, our seconds game of the 2018/2019 season was played in the under-11 girls’ league. The girls had take all 3 points from the first game and were looking to do the same against Florence Melly – a school that always produces strong teams.

The match began at a very high standard, with both defences shutting down attacks. A hand ball resulted in an early penalty for Florence Melly that was hit against the post! OLI had a good amount of possession but were struggling to get shots in on goal. A Florence Melly corner took an unlucky deflection off a defender that meant an own goal putting us 0-1 down! Striker Eva Kelly responded with an excellent run into the opponents’ penalty area before passing to Shelby Steele who was brought down – penalty to OLI! Shelby stepped up to take it and slotted it into the left corner, her 7th of the season! 1-1! That was how the first half ended. 

The girls stepped onto the pitch determined to being a new-found energy into the game. They would suffer a setback though, as a handball gave away a 2nd penalty to Florence Melly! Keeper Paige Taylor got a good palm to the ball, but not enough to stop the ball from creeping into the corner to put Florence Melly in the lead for a second time! 

With brilliant resilience shown by defenders Sophie and Maria, that proved to be the last goal OLI would concede. Shelby scored a close range goal after a scramble in the box to equalise again! OLI would then turn things around as year 5 Aaliyah Lamb scored again from close range. The girls went from strength to strength following this as Shelby scored her hat-trick goal; it was a stunning strike that crashed in off the bar!

At 4-2 up, we witnessed what may well go down as the goal of the season. Winger Ava Burrows slotted the ball to Aaliyah who attempted a shot from 20 yards out that Alisson himself wouldn’t have saved! It flew into the top corner and will surely be one of the standout goals that the KMC league will see. Skipper Ruby Richardson got involved shortly after by scoring both a 6th and 7th goal from close range, great to see the defender getting forward! In the dying moments of the game, a special moment came for year 5 Mayar who scored her first ever OLI goal from the edge of the area to make the score 8-2!

Special thanks to the organisers of the league and to the staff and students of Florence Melly, sportsmanship was excellent with girls checking their opponents were alright after tackles and cheering others up at the end of the game. The girls were credits to both schools.

POTM: Ruby Richardson – Leading her team with authority, showing dominance in the air and getting on the scoresheet twice!