28/09/2026
U16s - Lisa Evans Tier 2 League
*Dundee East 3 - 4 Jeanfield Swifts Jazz*
Our travels took us to the City of Discovery this morning as we rocked up to Claypotts Park to play Dundee East for our final game before a 4 week hiatus.
The sun was out but the gusting winds would likely play a part in how the game panned out. With 2 draws and a single goal defeat in the previous 3 games against this opponent this year, we felt we were long overdue a positive result against them.
We lined up with a squad of 17 however with both GK options unavailable it was Isla that bravely stepped up to take over duties between the sticks for the day.
The opening part of the game was balanced. We were creating the scoring opportunities but the hosts were launching long wind assisted kicks from the keeper which were causing a few issues.
In the 19th minute, the hosts broke the deadlock. We played a ball across our box which went straight to an opposition player that hit a low shot beyond Isla from near the penalty spot.
Just over 5 minutes, they got a 2nd goal. From their own box, they played a few quick passes to get behind our defence before a low shot into the near post area. To compound this, the opposition were down to 10 players at the time, as someone was getting treatment, but we simply didn't close down quick enough to prevent the goal.
Shortly before half-time we went 3-0 down. One of the long kicks from the keeper got a player in behind our defence before a low shot to the near post that Isla couldn't quite get a hold on.
*HT - Dundee East 3 - 0 Jeanfield Swifts Jazz*
It was a hard half to take. We had definitely created more chances but not been clinical enough whereas we had been punished by the hosts who had 3 shots and 3 goals to this point.
We knew the 2nd half would be different with the wind behind us. We implored the girls to keep their heads up. If they could score 3 in one half, we were capable of matching it. Getting on the front foot early in the second period would be critical to setting the tempo of the half.
Thankfully, just 2 minutes into the half, the girls responded. Amelia picked the ball up just outside the box in a central area. She threaded a lovely ball through for Olivia who spun her defender before slotting a low shot across the keeper into the corner for 3-1. Comeback on!
Only 5 minutes later, we were right back in it. Lily played a ball forward from near the halfway line. Lola first controlled with her head before reacting quickest and out muscling the defenders to then calmly flick the ball into the corner from 12 yards for 3-2.
A couple of minutes later, Amelia then crashed a long range free-kick off the bar. A minute after that, Aliya created space in the box before placing a nice shot towards the corner that unfortunately came back off the post with Clea knocking the rebound just wide.
It was one-way traffic at this point. It seemed like the equaliser was only a matter of time. That was until the intervention.
The hosts had a rare attack. In the area near the corner of the box, their right winger knocked it past our player, with the slightest contact of legs on the way. Nobody went down, nobody appeared to claim anything. The attacking player still had control of the ball however, to everyone's amazement, the referee pointed to the spot.
The home team coaches were honest enough to say it didn't look like a penalty however it was given nonetheless.
Bang on the hour mark, this was a crucial event in the game. Up stepped the penalty taker to take her shot… Isla stood tall and tipped over the bar 💪 still 3-2.
The hosts managed to get a spell of possession in our half with a series of throw-ins slowing the flow of the game right down. With just under 10 minutes remaining, a partial clearance fell to Olivia about 30 yards from goal. She dribbled forward looking for a pass whereas everyone else was shouting SHOOOOT. From just outside the box Olivia took a shot which the keeper got to but could only parry it into the net, 3-3!!
The girls sensed the win, time was ticking down so they were upping the tempo. With 2 minutes remaining, Amelia took a quick throw-in on our left wing. Lola latched onto it on the left side of the box near the goal line. A defender closed her down however she cut inside before drilling a powerful low shot into the near post area. 4-3 Jazz, comeback complete!!
*FT - Dundee East 3 - 4 Jeanfield Swifts Jazz*
What a turnaround. Immensely proud of the girls today. It would have been easy to let the heads drop at half-time after a difficult 1st half and challenging few weeks. They kept going and after getting a couple of goals you could see the belief and confidence beginning to come into them.
Hopefully the girls enjoy the rest of their weekend (the coaches will!) and that winning feeling will resonate with them to provide some extra motivation in the final 6 games of the season.
Credit to Dundee East. They are a 2nd year 16s team so it is expected they will be a bit ahead of us terms of development however they played the match with only 11 players but despite some obvious injuries they kept going to the very end 👏
Scorers
Olivia ⚽⚽
Lola ⚽⚽
Assists
Amelia 🅰️🅰️
Lily 🅰️
Players of the Match
Everyone put in a good shift today. Even in the 1st half when we were up against the wind and falling behind we were still creating chances.
Special mention goes to Isla for stepping up as GK today and only going on to save a penalty!!!
Lots of players in the mix for recognition so hard to only pick 2!
🌟🌟Amelia🌟🌟
Got 2 assists in the game and unfortunate not score with the free-kick back off the bar. Covered loads of ground in midfield and showed great strength to play on despite a swollen eye after heading the ball with her face rather than head!
🌟🌟Lily🌟🌟
Solid, organised and strong in the defensive line throughout the match whether in the centre or left side. Attacked the ball well and chipped in with an assist at the 2nd goal.
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