28/09/2026
⚽💙💛 SPS v BRAMPTON 💛💙⚽
Scarlett’s birthday for this one, which apparently meant adding a Michael Jackson theme to the occasion! 😂
Anyone else’s girl now constantly going around hehe’ing?! 🤦♂️😂
And props to both Scarlett and Pops for the celebratory Michael Jackson dance moves. 🕺😂
Football-wise, though, this was another really encouraging collective performance from the girls. Everyone contributed.
There were some really good passages of play where we moved the ball around well, played through the thirds and created lots of opportunities.
There were numerous occasions where an attack started with our anchor, went into the midfield and then progressed further up the pitch before ending with an attempt on goal.
At the other end, we were really solid defensively too. Our midfielders worked tirelessly to support the anchor and keep that front door firmly closed. 🚪🔒
The girls are increasingly understanding that defending and attacking aren’t two separate jobs. Win it together, make a quick decision, then go and attack together.
⭐ Gracie was outstanding at anchor. Honestly, nothing seemed to get past her. She repeatedly won the ball back and then, importantly, looked up, found our midfield and started attacks. Defend together, then make a quick decision. Brilliant.
⭐ Fearne was as dependable as ever. Whether playing anchor or midfield sail, she uses the ball so well. Calm in possession, sees passes and makes good decisions. Another performance where she made big contributions in both halves of the pitch.
⭐ Sof’s bravery has grown week on week recently and you can really see her starting to believe in herself again. Keep being brave, keep being resilient and keep persevering, Sof. Another one who contributed hugely going both forwards and backwards.
⭐ Indy’s positioning high up the pitch continues to be brilliant. She stretches the pitch for us and gives us somewhere to play when we’re trying to work through the thirds. Her movement off the ball to find the windows is getting better and better, and when she does receive it, those superb feet and close control make her a real threat.
⭐ Olivia was another who made another big contribution in both halves of the pitch. Strong, direct and increasingly confident using her body to battle for the ball, protect it and hold it up for her teammates. Another really encouraging step forward.
⭐ Birthday girl Scarlett must have had about 50 shots! 😂 But interestingly, some of her best moments came when she created opportunities for somebody else.
There were occasions where Scarlett held the ball up and drew two or three opposition players towards her. That creates huge windows elsewhere!
If three players are surrounding you trying to win the ball, there are almost certainly teammates standing in massive open windows somewhere else. Just got to find them!
When Scarlett did that and slipped those passes through, she looked superb.
More of that please, Scarlett! 👏
⭐ And finally… Pops. Wow.
She absolutely stole the show.
This girl would run through brick walls for her team and then probably turn around and run through them again. 😂
Relentlessly hard-working, excellent defensively and really intelligent with some of the attacking positions she took up. She recognised where the space was, moved into it, but still stayed connected to her teammates so she remained a passing option.
She shone going forward, but her defensive work was every bit as good.
Top drawer, Pops. 👏🔥
Well done, girls. 💙💛⚽
And happy birthday again, Scarlett! 🎂🥳
Hehe. 😎🕺
