Headington Girls Blues

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Match Report Blues v Meerkats
Saturday 14th October

"Olive only scores worldies"

Blues and Meerkats shared the spoils in an entertaining, pulsating encounter in the autumnal sunshine at Grovelands on Saturday morning.

It could have been a gloomy morning all round however; first the Blues new kits didn’t fit and then the Meerkats roared into a two goal lead, albeit largely against the run of play. It’s not that the Blues didn’t have a good opening period – there was a couple of nice one-twos between Phoebe and Abby and some hard defensive graft from Hazel and Olive at the back – but the Blues weren’t getting the run of the green.

The first Meerkats goal was a bit of a scramble during a rare foray into the Blues box which Lilly was unsighted on, and then their second came from another breakaway and a bit of a hit and hope that sailed into the top of the net over Lilly who stood very little chance of saving it.

In-between all this, Abby had put Asha through with a deft pass, and Asha was able to show the defenders a clean pair of heels and laced one hard and high at the Meerkats goal but somehow the leaping Meerkats goalkeeper got the faintest of touches onto it to push it onto the crossbar and out for a corner.

A few minutes later Asha repaid the favour and played Abby clean through, but the Meerkats keeper saw the danger and sprinted off her line to s***f out the danger. Blues went into the break somehow two-nil down.

The Blues started the second half brightly with some clever corner routines between Beanie and Ellie. The crowd could sense a breakthrough coming and they didn’t have to wait too long.

Asha and Abby linked up well again, with the former playing a lovely ball to Abby who skipped through a tackle and whacked one that was too hot for the meerkats keeper to handle. The Blues Ultra’s were happy to see it nestle in the back of the net.

Mariyah was having a great game on the left, waltzing through tackles and playing delicious crosses into the box. But it was Asia’s monster throw, the Blues new secret weapon, that sparked the comeback.

Asia launched one to the edge of the box where Rose picked it up, hooked it over the back line to find Abby sprinting through on goal who then unleashed a beauty into the bottom left corner with the keeper rooted to the spot.

The game then opened up, with both teams pressing for the winner. Meerkats probably should have stolen it when their midfielder blazed wide with an open goal at her mercy, and then a few minutes later when a dangerous cross came in and an unmarked Meerkats striker lifted the ball over the bar from the edge of the six-yard box.

But Blues also had good opportunities, Asha unleashing a good left foot shot that the keeper had to stop with her feet, low down to her right

Then against the run of play Meerkats took the lead to make it Blues 2 – 3 Meerkats but this only seemed to sting the Blues into life, peppering the Meerkats goal with wave after wave of attacks.

Just as the clock was ticking down, and it looked like Blues were going to suffer an unjust loss, the ball broke loose from a Blues attack and Olive came striding out of defence to send an absolute howitzer of a right foot shot from a full 25yards out which stung the bottom corner of the net as it fizzed in, prompting wild scenes of celebrations on the pitch and in the crowd, whilst confirming what we already knew - that Olive only scores worldies.

The ref then blew his whistle and bought to an end a cracking game of football.

Match Report
Summertown Meerkats vs Headington Blues - County Cup - 30 September 2023

Headington Blues registered a notable victory by claiming the scalp of last seasons Premier League winners Summertown Meerkats in the County Cup today, in a scintillating, pulsating game.

The Blues came out of the traps all guns blazing from the off, having the better of the opening exchanges. Pleasingly, both teams seemed determined to play a controlled passing game, and the large pitch suited both styles, giving players plenty of time on the ball to consider options.

The first 20minutes was mostly Blues dominating possession in midfield through Emily, Beanie and Phoebe, and looking threatening on the attack via the pacey duo of Asha and Abby. Olive and Hazel marshalled a solid defence protecting Ellie, the stand in keeper, well.

A succession of corners kept the pressure on the Meerkats and the Meerkats keeper did well to smother a dropped shot, with Asha bearing down on her. The deserved breakthrough came a few moments later, with the effervescent Phoebe picking the ball up in midfield, and selling a delightful swerve that sent two Meerkats players the wrong way and gave her space to run into.

Driving forward, she saw the run of Abby and played the most delightful ball along the floor, splitting the centre backs and curling the pass right into Abby’s feet. Abby outpaced the defensive line and slotted a lovely, assured finish, low and hard to the keepers right.

Meerkats 0 – 1 Blues (Abby, assist Phoebe)

Up until this point Ellie had had very little to do, but the Meerkats were continuously probing down the right. Faith had an outstanding game at left back and cut out everything that was being thrown at her. One the one occasion a cross did come in, it deflected over Ellie’s head but bounced harmlessly against the post and back into her grateful arms. Otherwise Ellie had a superb game in goal, diving down low to her left a couple of times in the first half to calmly collect some strong shots.

Shortly after this, the Blues got their second, again coming from superb work in midfield, but this time from Asha who beat two tackles, carried the ball and then played Abby through with a delightful pass. Abby gratefully collected the ball, outpaced the defence again, and slotted it home for her second of the match.

Meerkats 0 – 2 Blues (Abby assist Asha)

The Blues were threatening to run away with the game at this point with the industry and guile of the Blues midfield clicking nicely and the pacey forward line looking threatening every time, but the referee blew for half time and gave the Meerkats an opportunity to regroup.

HT Meerkats 0 – 2 Blues (Abby x2)

Coming out for the restart Meerkats looked like a different team, playing with the intensity, assertiveness and accuracy that saw them walk out 8 – 2 victors on the way to the Premier League title the last time these two teams played each other.

However Blues have toughened up since that fixture and Olive and Hazel led the back line well, with Faith and Rose giving no quarter. In fact Rose was everywhere and made some extraordinary last gasp challenges to protect her back line, as did Faith.

Phoebe was also having an outstanding game in midfield, with Beanie, Emily, Asia and Mariyah all competing well and showing maturity and assuredness on the ball. The front line of Livvy, Asha and Abby had real pace and menace and provided the Meerkats back line something to think about all afternoon.

At one point Blues looked like they were about to score a third. Asha beat two players, took the ball to the line and put in a lovely left foot cross that Abby left for the onrushing Sian. Unfortunately Sian couldn’t quite wrap her foot around it and the ball spun out, just past the right hand post. It would have been a corking goal had it gone in, and would have put the game to bed.

Meerkats were putting pressure on the Blues though and got the goal that their play deserved right at the death. There was a moments hesitation in defence and a Meerkats player unleashed a ferocious shot that Ellie couldn’t keep out.

It wasn’t enough to put a dampener on the Blues morning though, finishing the match 2 – 1 winners in a game they thoroughly deserved to win

Next match
Saturday 7th October - Summertown Jaguars are the next visitors to Grovelands to take on the Blues in the league with a 10:00am KO.

Match Report

Barton Raiders U13 Girls vs Headington Blues U13 Girls

Saturday 09 September 2023

This was always going to be a tough fixture to come straight back to, after a long summer of relaxing, ice-cream and sofa-bound gaming, but the searing heat added an extra dimension to this local derby, with the mercury touching 26C at kick off.

Barton took to the pitch looking to start the season well and take back bragging rights from the Summertown teams who pipped them last season while Blues were looking to consolidate after an excellent debut season in the top league, and with some new (and returning) players fitting back into the system. With this in mind, the Blues coaches handed debuts to Emily and Ellie, and a welcome return to our smiling assassin, Sian.

The game was pretty evenly balanced for the first 10mins or so, both teams probing and looking for weaknesses, but it was Barton who struck first through a good finish from the pacy Ruby.

However it didn’t take long for Blues to come back into it, Abby playing a sublime one-two with Asha about thirty yards out and Abby then showing a clean pair of heels to the otherwise impressive Barton defence and clipping a deft finish into the right of the net, from the left of the box.

At this point, both teams were evenly matched, however the Barton midfield were starting to show a little bit more composure on the ball and threading some threatening passes through to their ridiculously quick forward line and it wasn’t long before Barton scored again, this time Isla providing an assured finish. Within a few minutes Barton went three one up, this time courtesy of a good goal from Summer.

Blues were still in the game though but just unable to find the composure on the ball in the middle and last third to calm things down, and play a passing game. The impressive Isla added to her tally just before half-time, to send Barton in four one up.

While Barton were perhaps looking the more comfortable and assured in possession, the score-line was slightly harsh on the Blues who had chances, and had defended bravely.

HT Barton 4 – 1 Blues

The sun continued to beat down as the second half got underway. Both teams were combative and competitive in all parts of the pitch. Ellie and Emily played as if they had been playing for the Blues all their lives, the former putting in some great tackles and showing a keen eye for short and simple distribution, and the latter providing some classy control and forward momentum in the midfield.

Lilly was also having a blinder in the nets, coming out bravely on a number of occasions to smother Barton attacks and commanding her defensive line confidently.

Isla eventually got her hat-trick, (and deservedly so) to put Barton 5 – 1 up, again a good goal, but once again perhaps slightly harsh on the Blues. If Blues felt hard done by at this point, the next passage of play really confirmed that the stars were just not aligned.

Asha wriggled past the Barton defence and was through on goal and about to pull the trigger but looked like she got taken out by the defender. The referee blew for a penalty, but changed the decision to a corner after consulting the Barton linesman. Blues were unable to capitalise on the corner, Barton broke and scored another, leaving the Blues UItras feeling short-changed and to put Barton ahead by 6 – 1.

Isla then capped a superb individual performance by scoring Barton’s seventh and her fourth of the morning, but credit to them, the Blues never let their heads go down and fought right to the end, despite the heat and they eventually got their reward for this tenacity.

Abby fed the ball out to Asha who was able to cut inside off the right wing and beat the impressive Barton defensive line for once, before driving into the box and sending a laced shot into the top left, leaving the Barton goal-keeper no chance.

FT Barton 7 – 2 Blues (Asha, Abby)

As first games of the season go, this was a disappointing score-line but an excellent performance against one of – if not the - strongest team in the county. The girls should be proud of themselves.

With a bit of composure on the ball to play the simple passes, some work on set-pieces and corners, and improved fitness as the season progresses, there is no reason why Blues cannot make this their most successful season yet.

First game of the season for Headington Blues U14 girls team and this local derby promises to be a cracker.

It’s at Barton - come and watch!

The U14 girls have their first (friendly) match of the season tomorrow (Saturday 2nd Sept) away at Tower Hill.

This promises to be a cracking match between two super competitive teams.

Blues will be looking to get off to a winning start against one of their closest rivals in the 23/24 OYFL Premier League.

Match Report
18 March 2023

Barton Raiders vs Headington Blues – League Cup Quarter Finals

The Blues have come a long way on their journey and one of the facets of playing at increasingly higher levels is that the big games, against top class opposition, quickly start to become the norm.

Giant premier league clashes against some of the best teams in Oxfordshire, cup semi-finals, cup quarter finals, the action just keeps coming thick and fast.

Today, against Barton in the quarter finals of the League Cup, was no different.

Barton are an outstanding team of very talented individuals, and of course had home advantage on the astro-turf, a surface which has so often proven to be the Blues downfall this season.

But with a nearly full-strength team, Blues lined up confident that there were goals to be had in this game and then taking it from there.

The first half was typified by a sluggish start by the Blues and some clinical finishing by Barton, who although not totally dominating the game, were certainly brighter and sharper to balls into the Blues box. Barton were winning the midfield battle through the deployment of an effective press, particularly on goal kicks.

As a result Blues found themselves on the back-foot for some of the half, not helped by a couple of early Barton goals, but also had chances of their own.

Both of Barton’s first two goals came from goal mouth scrambles, and perhaps moments of indecision cost the Blues in this respect.

This is being harsh, but when playing against top class opposition it often does come down to milliseconds and instinctive decision making to clear the ball from danger.

If the first two Barton goals were good finishes from goal mouth scrambles, the third was worthy of note, stemming from a really good cross from the left which saw Ruby rise well in the penalty area to nod an excellent header down and into Lilly’s right hand corner, leaving her no chance. A class goal to be fair.

Even at 3 – 0 down, the Blues were still in it though and you always felt they could nick something and that a goal might change the complexion of the game.

It nearly came on the 16 minute mark when Mariyah fed Asha who beat her defender for pace and dispatched a fierce left foot shot from just inside the box that skimmed just wide of the post, with the keeper beaten.

Barton still looked dangerous going forward and got their fourth on 20 minutes when Melissa scooped a shot over Lilly.

But still the Blues pushed forward and played some neat football in the closing stages of the half.

The best opportunity came when Asha fed Mariyah with a beauty, who then put a cracking through ball to Abby who couldn’t quite find the finish, despite her devastating pace taking her clear of the defender.

Blues got hit by a sucker punch for the fifth Barton goal, which came from the penalty spot. It wasn’t clear in the build up as to why the penalty had been given, but the referee clarified at half time that while it might have been harsh, a Blues defender had ended up kicking a Barton player in the penalty area whilst trying to clear the ball.

While the incident itself was perhaps questionable, the penalty itself was pure class, played with power into the postage stamp corner of Lilly’s goal. Pretty much unstoppable.

Asha had another good effort saved, following good inter-play between Abby and Paris and that turned out to be the last action of a half where Blues weren’t necessarily outplayed but just couldn’t settle on the ball, find the killer pass or the moment of inspiration in front of the Barton goal.

HT Barton 5 – 0 Blues

Despite being on the end of a difficult first half score-line, the Blues came out for the second half on the front foot which has been the pattern in recent weeks.

Their domination of the early exchanges resulted in a well worked goal from Abby on about 38minutes. Beanie put in a great in-swinging corner with her left foot which Olive flicked on, and Abby reacted quickest in the penalty area and swept it into the corner of the Barton net.

Barton 5 – 1 Blues (Abby)

The goal restored some confidence amongst the Blue ranks and the girls started relaxing and playing some good football and in fact could have had a second a few minutes later from some great pressing and team work.

Abby closed down and robbed a Barton defender on the right wing, played a neat ball to Asha who looked up and put a pin-point cross to the feet of Paris who was brilliantly positioned and unmarked in the box. Paris made a superb connection, but the ball flew just wide.

Had that gone in, it would have made for an interesting last quarter and the Barton coach perhaps saw the same and made some changes at this point.

Blues sensed that they could get something more from the game and continued to press with Beanie, Rose and Abby starting to win their midfield battles and creating space to play into as Barton dropped off.

That said Barton were still looking dangerous, and a moment of warning was sounded as the lightning fast Ruby latched onto a through ball, and looking for her hat-trick, slammed the ball goal bound. Lilly came out really bravely and got a hand to it to knock it round the post for a corner.

If this was a great save the next one was a worldie. A Barton midfielder was first to a loose ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a savage drive that arrowed into the top of the goal and looked like it was going to break the net.

Lilly had other ideas however and managed to leap up and get one hand onto it and palm it onto the crossbar and harmlessly out for a corner.

It was a truly jaw-dropping moment from both teams, that bought all round appreciation from the crowd.

Blues carried on playing superbly well, the second half performance quite markedly different to the first.

Perhaps the coaches half-time words had driven the girls on, perhaps the rain had added some zip to the surface and perhaps Abby’s goal had restored some belief, but either way the Blues were first to the ball, pressing high and biting into tackles now.

Beanie, Rose, Phoebe, Paris and Asia all had outstanding second halves in this respect, playing with tenacity and intensity in the middle of the pitch, supported by strong and decisive defending from Olive, Hazel and Faith.

Just when it looked like Blues were going to emerge victorious (in the second half at least) the classy Ruby got her deserved hat-trick when a ball came across the face of the goal and she drove a shot fiercely low and to Lilly’s right hand corner with the last touch of the game.

FT Barton 6 – 1 Blues

While seasons are not defined against outstanding teams like Barton there will be a lot of positives to take forward from today’s performance by the Blues.

Key to future games will be to carry from the outset the level of intensity, determination and sharpness shown in the second half today, and apply that across the whole game.

Well done to all the girls, the score-line may look harsh, but doesn’t tell the story of a game that Blues never really looked totally out of, and in fact arguably had the stronger second half.

Next up at Grovelands (pitch permitting) are Tower Hill in a must-win crunch match on 25th March

Come down to Barton Pavilion tomorrow (Saturday) for a 9:30KO and watch the mighty Headington Blues take on the Raiders of Barton in the League Cup Quarter Finals. The big matches just keep on coming!

Come watch this Premier League clash between the Meerkats of Summertown and The Blues. The Meerkats will be looking to make it a treble against The Blues, while The Blues will be out for revenge on the astroturf.

No match report as I wasn't able to attend due to illness, but from Tony's live text updates, the Battle of the Blews / Blues sounded like a cracker of a match, with the Blues triumphing away from home, against one of the best teams in the county in this age group! Well played Blues!