U10 girls at Weetwood.

Thirsk U10 girls travelled to Weetwood on Saturday 10th March, to contest the Yorkshire minis tournament having come runners up to York in the previous round. The weather was foul throughout but despite this the girls got their game faces on, albeit with a couple of extra base layers compared to normal, and headed out there with high hopes.
The opening game against Leeds was a scrappy but one sided affair, with Thirsk having the majority of the attacking play, but they were unable to convert any off it and had to settle for a 0-0 draw. The second match against Kingston-Upon-Hull saw Thirsk revert to their normal shape and play with much more positional discipline. Lexi Ramshey scored all 3-0 goals as Thirsk ran out easy winners. Good play from the midfield by Lily Fyfe and Phoebe Evans provide the decisive through balls missing in the first match.
The final group game saw Thirsk take on Rotherham. A good ball down the line by Amy Hughes early in the game released Lexi Ramshey who opened the scoring. Annabelle Mindenhall made it 2-0 after turning in a well worked short corner. Although Thirsk continued to press and had countless other chances they were able to add to the score, but this was enough to top the group and take them into the semi finals.
A tense match against Ben Rhydding was to follow. Whilst Thirsk continued to have the majority of the chances the defense was being made to work harder than previous matches; Alice Dunkley and Yolanda Secouet both played like rocks at the back and kept Ben Rhydding from ever really threatening the Thirsk goal by keeping the opposing attackers ourside of the D and thwarting many of their attacks before they has chance to develop. As the match finished 0-0 we headed to penalty flicks. Ben Rhydding scored with their first effort but Lexi Ramshey brought us level despite her effort being close to the keeper and just squeezing through her legs. Ben Rhydding then opened the door for Thirsk by hitting the post, before Phoebe Evan stepped up to confidentially slot it into the corner to give Thirsk a 2-1 lead. With Ben Ryhdding needing to score to keep their hopes alive Tilly Haigh excelled herself by diving the correct way and pushing the final stroke round the post to out Thirsk firmly in the final.
The final match was a repeat of the opening game with Leeds having vanquished York in the other semi. This time however Thirsk made their early pressure pay off with Lexi scoring her 5th for the day in a well worked move, with passing interplay between Amy and Phoebe in the midfield working the ball forward well in the build up. Leeds responded but Thirsk continued to hold fast, Masie Binks working hard in the midfield to break up the Leeds attacks before they developed too far. Annabell and Alice continued to marshal the defence resolutely, deternined to not concede a goal from open play during any of the matches today. Whilst the final game was a tight affair Thirsk ran out worthy winners, and as Yorkshire U10 champions will now progress to the North Finals taking place in April

Updated 22:50 - 29 Aug 2019 by Mike Rushmere