Rothwell Town Reds U11 Girls 25/26

Match Report V Featherstone.

After a few early morning technical difficulties 🔐and the pitch was finally set up the Reds were ready to get on with it on a fine spring morning ☀️

As we are moving towards match days being player led, all the girls had an input in creating the warm up with Kyla and Niah running the smaller breakout warm ups. Well Done 👏

The Reds were certainly up for it this morning with the girls pushing forward from the first whistle.
Sophie was enjoying her morning gallop on the right wing with Lexi looking equally dangerous on the left.
Millie just sat and figured out the pace of play making tackles and keeping the ball moving from deep.
Niah was looking to get the girls on the front foot where possible with strong driving runs with the ball.
Belle was trying to unlock the defence with some very clever short passes and through balls.
The defensive partnership of Ivy and Lucy were very composed with the ball and looked to turn defence into attack whenever possible.

Kyla was playing in a more central role today and enjoyed the freedom of collecting the ball in a number of different positions and her dribbling, pace and determination served her well to get her four goals today.
India came into the game and has recently found a scent for goal being in the right place at the right time to finish well from close range twice.
Lexi was relentless today and got a well deserved goal after a lot of unselfish work.
Ivy managed to pick up a loose ball on the half volley and gave the keeper no chance from 30 yards with a fierce looping shot.
Sophie got her trademark screamer from just outside the box with the help of the crossbar.

A very accomplished attacking display with everyone playing their part. Sophia did what she needed to showing safe handling and good distribution. April was solid and looked to set Lexi away when she came into the game.

🌟A lot of credit has to go to Featherstone for the attitude and spirit they showed throughout the game. They kept going to the final whistle and the goalkeeper pulled off a handful of amazing saves. Everyone shook hands at the end in a very well spirited game which is always Great to see.

Coach's Player 🏆 Kyla - Amazing Goals and workrate that kept us on the front foot throughout the game. Great work trying to play her teammates in as the game went on.
She Apologised to Lexi at half time after having to tap in one of her shots that just couldn't find its way over the line.

Opposition Player 🏆 Lexi - Ran herself into the ground today with a Great display of dribbling, some fierce corner kicks and showed Great teamwork working back to help defend.

A lovely morning in the sun for the Reds. It's a shame we are starting to run out of games as it's an absolute pleasure watching the girls on a Saturday morning.

Ovenden at home next Saturday 9:30 kick Off 💪⚽️🔴

To all the crazy, brave, resilient legends out there that are brave enough to put on the gloves 🧤Thank You for taking the rollercoaster ride that is goalkeeping.

1️⃣

Game Report V Battyeford Reds

The Reds met the Reds of Battyeford this Saturday.
The girls started Very well with a change to a forward 4 of Kyla and Ava leading the line supported by Sophie and Lexi high on the wings.
A bit of adjustment was needed as the high line of Battyeford caught the girls out multiple times with the offside trap for the opening 10minutes 🚩
Once the forwards sorted the timing of their runs out then the Reds hit their stride.
Very tidy work from Ivy at the back linking with both Millie and Sophie passing in triangles and moving the ball fast.
Sophie and Kyla were linking multiple times overlapping each other and firing balls into the box.
Then Niah and Lexi started to combine down the left and the Reds were switching play in an attacking display worthy of a sky sports slot. 📺
Millie sat in the middle and controlled the game, winning balls and showing her much improved passing range.
Niah drove, tackled and forced the Reds forward with Belle a very composed figure in defence breaking up play and findinf a teammate with every pass.
Ava was attacking the box at every opportunity and picked up two well taken goals inside the six yards box in quick succession after some fantastic teamwork and unselfish work from Kyla.

Lexi then sparked to life with a mazey run down the wing cutting in and finishing in the corner. As if that wasn't impressive her next was even better.
Sophia collected the ball in the box and sent a high kick over halfway that Lexi controlled and with only one thing on her mind went past a few players and this time finished into the top Corner 🎯

Kyla was desperate to get on the scoresheet and after working hard to break through she got her goal collecting the ball wide and cutting in beating a couple of players and hitting the corner of the net for a fine solo effort.
Lucy came into defence and brought her usual battling spirit.

🏆Coach's Player - Lexi. Relentless in attack with the ball on a string today. 2 fine goals and countless fizzed corners and crosses.

🏆 Opposition Player - Kyla. Ran and ran at the defence but made a real effort to
play in team mates and a Great solo goal.

That is 100 Goals up for the Reds this season. Every outfield player having contributed. Lovely to see such positive attacking play
👌⚽️

Onto the next, Featherstone at home next week.

🔴

A Cold and Very blustery morning for the reds at LS26 as we welcomed Battyeford Blues.💨🥶

A difficult start for the reds with a sluggish opening half with no real rhythm or tempo.
The Reds were second to the ball in the main and Battyeford controlled the game for the majority of the first half creating some good attacks. The Reds work rate was never in question but the usual flow hadn't materialised.

Half time gave the girls time to reflect and regroup. We discussed many things but a key talking point was around the score not being the important factor but the team performance and all coming together with a positive can do attitude to shake off the slow start getting back to a group of friends enjoying having a game of football ⚽️

Straight from the kickoff the Reds found another couple of gears immediately winning a corner and then India finishing neatly after being the first to react to a loose ball in the box.
The Reds had now come to life with more pressure in Battyeford's half and the strong wind was now in a favourable direction to help the girls cause when attacking.

Lexi starting committing defenders and gliding past players, Sophie and Niah began to drive with the ball creating more chances. Millie's passes started finding her teammates and Kyla dropped back in to get into the game more winning the ball deep and creating chances for the team.

A busy day for April, Belle Ivy and Lucy but they were all up for the test showing a great level of communication and teamwork getting stuck into tackles and playing the ball out from the back.

Sophia showed Great communication, solid handling and a good kicking game against some strong wind between the posts.

India once again reacted well to lift the ball over the keeper from the edge of the box.

Ava's pace caused an issue for the last Battyeford defender and they both came together with them both going down allowing the ball to come loose 25yards out. Kyla picked it up and as you would expect in her current form slotted into the corner with a few minutes left.

There have been so many improvements from the Reds this year but being able to firstly be honest and accept the performance wasn't at their usual level without sulking, falling out or being negative, then go out and fix it themselves in the second half shows what real team spirit, belief and winning mentality they all have.

Coach's Player 🏆 Niah. The driving force for the Reds today literally forcing the team forward with driving runs. Constantly talking to the team and showing why she is the captain 💪 Leader!

Opposition Player 🏆India. A couple of important goals at the right time for the Reds. Her wing play and running was tireless getting back when needed and breaking with the ball to give the defence time to recover and regroup.

Time to enjoy easter and then back to it against the Red side of Battyeford.

Happy Easter Everyone 🐣🪺⚽️💪🔴

Fantastic weather for this one today ☀️

Probably the most difficult game week for the passionate Reds following. 🤫 Silent Weekend.

After Kyla and the Captain Niah sorted the warm up 👏 and Niah had given an inspiring team talk the Reds came out fast as is standard now. Niah set off the game pumping the ball forward with Ava and Kyla in hot pursuit. A theme for today with the two speed demons being an absolute handful once again today.
🏎️💨
The Reds had to work hard today and for a lot of the first half were second best in the tackle with Pontefract showing a real determination to win the ball.

Ivy once again showed real class at the back tidying up and breaking up play.
April and Lucy interchanging at the back both as reliable as ever showing more confidence carrying the ball out of defence and taking a chance with a pass rather than a big hoof❤️

Niah and Millie chased, hustled and tried to get Town on the front foot as much as possible. Lexi showed sparks ⚡️of individual brilliance with the ball and Sophie was as reliable as ever striding purposely with the ball.

India gave width and energy, Belle came into the game with her usual no fuss, tidy play.
Sophia had a quiet start trying her best to communicate and lift the initial silence on the field in front.
She could do nothing about a Pontefract free kick from the edge of the box flying high into the net. Screamer alert..... 🔥

Today would be about Kyla and Ava who were on a mission with endless running and closing down.
Both showing individual brilliance when one on one with the keeper to slot home.
Ava took the cheek of the day with a clever backheel from close range rolling into the corner.
Before the game we were working on getting Kyla away from the wing and cutting infield with the ball and she did it to perfection hitting her hat trick first which seemed to only focus Ava more with her completing hers shortly after.

Niah, Millie and Ivy were given well earned rests after putting in a big shifts with Lucy coming in to Midfield to see the game out.

The Reds knew they had been in a game today and fair play to the opposition for the constant pressure and battle.

🏆Opposition Player - Lucy.
Strong, Fast and reliable in defence then put a stellar shift in when she moved into midfield going box to box and playing some great through balls.

🏆Coach's Player - Sophia
After watching a free kick fly in above her head she showed Great resilience and communication today. An unbelievable save down low in the corner to not only keep it out but to hold onto it as well was one of quality, shortly after pulling another out of the top corner in a very important spell for the team.

A much improved level of communication from the girls today showing the love on the field with words on encouragement for one another. Awesome Work! 👌❤️

Well Done Reds. Onto the next 💪🔴⚽️

Today can be summed up with one word !

Perseverance- Perseverance is the steadfast, continued effort to achieve goals despite difficulties, failure, or opposition

Saturday brought the furthest travel game for the Reds away at Greetland.

A slower than usual start for the Reds against a very strong defence of Greetland.
After some Great work from Kyla and Sophie, Belle found herself unmarked in the box to slot home from close range after a Great run to get up there.

Lexi showed her fantastic ball control collecting the ball in the box and dropping a shoulder to send the defenders in the wrong direction and slotting home.

Ivy scored what is becoming a trademark goal from the edge of box firing into the corner.

Whilst the Reds didn't create as many chances as usual they stayed patient and moved the ball well across the pitch after being frustrated by the deep solid defending.
The defence covered one another fantastically with Ivy and April working in tandem after Lucy moved up into midfield.

Millie had the engine well tuned today and covered every blade of grass and clump of mud.
Niah had to go off in the first half but was eager to come back to the action at half time.
Sophie showed a high level of intelligence with her passing and Belle continued her fine form going forward. Her goal ensuring every outfield player had scored for the Reds this season. What an achievement!!

Kyla, a little annoyed at not getting her goal showed brilliant composure throughout the game with some real skill linking the play and was unlucky on a few occasions.
India showed her usual enthusiasm to run at defenders
Lucy continued to shine in midfield going box to box and Niah shook off her injury to drive the team forward.

Sophia had a very tidy game today, handled well, kicked with distance and accuracy and was called upon in the last few minutes after a penalty was awarded.
Sophia stood tall and bravely tipped the penalty over the bar before getting swamped by her teammates.

🏆Niah collected the opposition player after amazing perseverance to get back into the game after an earlier injury to come back on and drive the team forwards with strong running, accurate passing and a few big shots from distance.

🏆 After a few weeks of illness Lexi returned to the team and played up front with Ava missing. Whilst visibly still not 100% her quality showed for her goal, her corners were horrible to deal with, fizzing into the box and the ball looked as if it was glued to her at times today.
A brilliant display of teamwork and perseverance

Well Done Girls 💪 onto the next......👌⚽️

This morning the Reds took on Horsforth Cyclones in a last minute fixture after rescheduled cup games left the reds without a game.

Despite the opposition being one division up the Reds went about their business in the usual hot out of the blocks fashion.
What I didn't expect was what followed. After session after session on the training pitch working on moving the ball quickly around the pitch and supporting each other in attack everything just clicked.

First Kyla and Sophie linked up on the right with Kyla firing a fierce ball into the box with both Ava and Belle almost getting on the end of it.
Belle was next with a clever through ball to release Ava to go one on one with the keeper with the keeper coming off the victor of that battle.
Sophie got the Reds first with a fierce strike from outside the box that the keeper couldn't quite keep out.
The passing and teamwork continued with Belle and Millie exchanging passes for Belle to clip a ball into the back post for Kyla to slot home.

The dubious goal panel may still be needed for the next with Kyla hitting a low shot taking a slight deflection off Niah on its way into the corner.
Any team playing a high line against Ava is rolling the dice, her electric pace got her through on goal on multiple occasions twice finishing past the goalkeeper after some neat passing and vision from Lucy and Niah.
I gave Ava a well earned rest and brought her off to wild pantomime boos from the home crowd as everyone wanted to see the hat-trick.

What a performance and a true team effort today.

🏆Ivy was rock solid at the back with a real sense for sniffing out danger, dealing with any threat to the Rothwell goal and showed Great composure playing out from the back collecting the coaches player of the game
🏆Kyla, back after her trip stateside was none stop all game, running, twisting, turning, dribbling, creating and working hard to play teammates in and deservedly picked up the opposition player of the game.

Today wasn't about any one played but the team as a whole and everyone in it was simply Magnificent.
I have learned not to be surprised by anything these legends do on the field and today was the day to simply just stand back and admire their work on the grass of LS26.


Great Job, onto the next..... 💪❤️⚽️

⚽️💨Back to the league today for the Reds this morning for a short trip over to a very blustery Featherstone.

Arguably the best team performance by the Reds today. The girls were the first to have to deal with the gale in the first half and played the ball along the deck beautifully with some piercing through balls from Niah, Sophie and Millie in the midfield.

The defense very quickly understood the need to drop deeper and dealt with everything that was thrown at them with Ivy and April showing Great composure and intelligence reading the game.

Despite being very under the weather Lexi still turned up and caused the defense problems until having to come off after 15mins.
Belle, in a forward position today showed Great dribbling and clever passing on the right wing.
Ava was her usual relentless speed demon self breaking the high line on numerous occasions eventually finishing with power high past the keeper.

The wind then came into play and a long range shot looped high and sophia just couldn't reach as it sailed over her head.
Very soon after Sophia pulled off a fantastic save low in the corner to regain some confidence and continued to communicate well with her defense and dominate her penalty box.

India and Isla were both very lively when they came into the game showing great attacking qualities and high energy chasing the ball down.

Not Niah's most stunning strike of the season but she was where she needed to be and did what needed to be done to react and redirect Millie's shot into the net from close range.

The girls showed a Great work ethic today a came up with a complete team performance

🏆Niah - Opposition Player - Strength, Power and endless running today another Great performance from our leader in midfield.
🏆 Belle - Tidy, composed, brilliant with the ball at her feet gliding past players today. Fantastic performance.

Well Done Reds ❤️⚽️

Your Reds team for Saturdays game as the girls take to the 4G V Wyke.
A good opportunity for the girls to get some game time after this terrible run of weather
☔️

A Very Happy 10th Birthday to our midfield Modric

Have a Great day 🎊🥳🎂

Game Report V Pontefract.

Firstly, Great job from Pontefract securing a 3G venue to be able to get the game on for the girls.

As usual when these two teams meet we were treated to a very competitive, fair and
well spirited match.

The girls have been working on intensity, moving the ball around the pitch and getting the ball in the box from different angles and this was evident in the way they played.

Sophia 🧤🦋After the recent bombshell of not wanting to continue as a goalkeeper she put on an excellent display of shot stopping, flying around her goal showing excellent communication and commanded her box with confidence and authority
Ivy - 🪨 The Rock again, Ivy has gained confidence in recent weeks and has shown a real development in football intellegence covering and playing the ball out from the back. Another goal today from her stalking position at corners well taken in the bottom corner ⚽️
April - 😎 April just get cooler with her no fuss and composed defending style using her rocket of a throw to get us on the attack
Lucy - 🐾 Played like a terrier, snapping into every tackle giving no time on the ball for the other team.
Niah - ✨ Shines with her performances as the ultimate all rounder showing a great passing range, running with the ball and making countless tackles.
Millie - 🚒 The engine of the team putting out the fires all over the pitch with her non stop running and countless tackles.
Belle- 💅 Another polished performance, no fuss just gets on the ball and moves it effortlessly around the pitch
Sophie - 📈 on such a positive upward trend right now showing more and more confidence every game and her real quality coming through.
Ava - 🏎️ Pace, Pace and more Pace. Following up every lose ball and trying break the back line with a great work ethic. She was on the spot to grab her goal today ⚽️
Lexi - 🪄The magician and architect. The ball looks like it is on a string when she plays and glides down the wing with her tradmark cut in and strike. Unlucky not to score with a fierce free kick but followed up well for her goal. ⚽️
Kyla - 🥶🔥 Plays with a fire and passion but her finishing is ice cold. A well earned Hatrick trick today showing pace, power and amazing skills. ⚽️⚽️⚽️

This team is simply briliiant and the spirit and way they play the game is a joy to be a part of💪❤️
Well Done Reds.

Friendly next week against Div 2 Upton.
Lets Go!

The Reds will start 2026 as they finished 2025 in Division 3.

After a fantastic first half of the season scoring an impressive 51 goals and conceding just 8 in Division 3 the girls remain in what looks to be a very competitive division for the second half of the season.

We open 2026 with a home game against Calverley followed with another home game against Greetland. The Reds then travel to local neighbours Pontefract for the first meeting this season for what always throws up a good contest.
As it stands there is no game on the 31st Jan so we will look to arrange something that week.

Looking forward to seeing this group of Legends attack the 2nd half of the season with the same attitude and spirit they did in the first half.

Lets Go 🔴⚽️