Galaxy Panthers go from strength to strength in their latest clash with Tattenhoe Youth Lionesses. A break in weather providing some beautiful sunshine on a crisp Saturday morning with perfectly groomed pitches at Vandyke Upper school allowing the Panthers to truly shine.

Panthers playing at home to a very new, but nonetheless strong Tattenhoe squad was the catalyst to bring about the best performances seen so far this season from each one of the Panther girls. Maintaining their positions with strict discipline, moving the ball around with some superb passing and putting all the knowledge imparted on them during training into practice showed what is to come from this brilliant Panthers squad.

The first quarter saw immediate action with Ava commanding her defence with authority to keep positioning and maintain marking duties. Both Evie and Niamh were absolutely solid with a number of hard challenges, setting the theme for the team all the way throughout the match. Olivia was as usual, brilliant in central midfield working her ‘cross’ pattern, left and right as well as up and down the field. She truly worked hard and was the glue for the two blistering wingers and the lightning bolt, Maddie, up front. Ilana and Emma were absolute work horses on both wings sprinting up and down relentlessly, making challenges and running the ball wide to provide for Maddie playing in the striker’s position.

The wing play provided several good chances in this first quarter. The second quarter started as the first finished. The Panthers team were taking over in all areas. Tattenhoe made a few good breaks down the right but now with the pace and skill of Ivy on hand, it was a difficult ask. Ivy provided not only brilliant defensive ability but showed her willingness,
fitness, and match IQ to move forwards into attacking positions when needed. Ava in goal, again made some brilliant stops and really showed her command when getting the ball
back into play quickly. Calling on her teammates and ensuring they were going to be the recipient of the ball, Ava once again showed why she is a one in a million goal keeper!

Niamh was incredible on the left-hand side in defence. Never stopping to take a breath she proved to be a complete blocker for anything coming her way. Supporting both Ivy and Niamh in defence for this quarter were Floss on the left and Quinn on the right who again put into practice everything the coaching team have been trying to instil into them, positioning and moving the ball into space. Quinn was a force on the right wing making some brilliant runs forward and moving in to support Scarlett in the middle of the field. Floss on the other side showed just how much she has developed in the last few months. Her movement off the ball and positioning was outstanding, providing several great passes forwards towards Rosie who created some attempts on the opposition goal. Showing her skill and tenacity, Rosie was truly mesmerising in this quarter. Pushing forwards and pressuring the Tattenhoe defence with support from her wingers and scoring a fantastic goal. The standout player of the quarter was Scarlett. Commanding the middle of the field, she showed spirit and strength on and off the ball. Scarlett’s tackling, passing and movement was a joy to watch and she was instrumental in build up play from defence all the way up to attack.

Quarter three again started very strong for the Panthers. With an unpredicted change in defence due to Evie not feeling well, the rear guard was now made up of Niamh and Quinn. Both providing a very strong line against any attacks coming from Tattenhoe with support from Olivia. Oliva, taking over from Scarlett in this quarter was again strong and busy in her central position. Defending and attacking when the ball position allowed. This quarter was really defined with the two wingers and their link up play with Rosie up front. Ilana was absolutely incredible on the left wing. Collecting the ball deep from Niamh and some brilliant throws out by Ava, showing both strength and speed, along the entire length of the field. Her passes into space allowed the enigmatic Rosie to capitalise with some amazing runs forward rewarded by with another goal. Floss, on the right wing linked up on a number of forward plays with Quinn and Olivia to provide nonstop pressure on the Tattenhoe defence.

One thing to note was how much the team have improved their positioning on throw ins and
corners. Rosie, Floss, Ilana, and Olivia were all moving around the opposition to create confusion and space which paid dividends in the possession they enjoyed for most of this portion of the match. From the sidelines it was a joy to watch Ava, in goal, shouting and ensuring her defensive line was impeccable. Ava’s decision making on whether to kick or throw the ball was the differentiator between the two teams.

The final quarter was again all about the Panthers possession and positioning. With every attack the team moved in unison into pressure positions and in defence they moved to secure solid defensive duties. Ava was forced into a few absolutely brilliant saves solidifying her commanding position in the defensive line up. Niamh on the left with Ivy back on the right proved to be a fantastic combination. Ivy’s skill on the ball was truly something to behold. Niamh on the left-hand side of the pitch took no prisoners and effectively shut down any attacks from the Tattenhoe strikers down that wing. Scarlett again in midfield provide to be too much for the opposing team with some amazing tackles. She held the ball up and fed it wide to both Ilana on the left and Emma on the right consistently. Both wingers again worked extremely hard to keep the Panthers moving forwards with Emma showing some excellent bursts of speed on the right-hand wing and moving the ball forwards to the ‘Usain Bolt’ of the team, Maddie. Ilana was again linking well with Niamh and Scarlett to collect and
push the ball in the right direction, towards the Tattenhoe goal and the ever-hungry Maddie who was a whippet up front. Maddie was a true stand out in this last quarter with non-stop running as well as pulling back to help the midfield when she needed to. Maddie showed her skills with some brilliant runs forward after some excellent passes from both Ilana and Emma on the wings.

All in all, this game truly defined the Panthers. Never giving up, always trying their hardest and one of the best things about this game as a coach on the sidelines was hearing the girls that weren’t playing cheering their team mates on. The team ethos was on show and a total joy to behold. A great day of football and a result the team should be proud of!