IM-PRESSING!

Pride Park U12s put in a good team performance against Swadlincote Girls who worked hard throughout defending and attacking. Pride Park competed right from the start and were rewarded by two early goals from Yumi. Swadlincote didn't give in, upped their drive and scored a goal making it 2-1. They kept up the pressure and going into half time the match looked in the balance. However, Pride Park came back out competing, looking for passes and even a couple of one-twos which they're working on training. It was great to finally see blue shirts bursting out in numbers and pressing an attack. There were times when Pride Park rode their luck, pressing too high in numbers, slow to get back, allowing Swadlincote to get the ball behind them. The girls created lots of chances and shots which allowed a great goal from Violet and Lillie's first goal for the team. Pride Park's manager, Andy, said "We can see the improvement in the girls competitiveness, physicality and pressing attacks and this is something we're working on. However, the girls need to balance all out attack with the ability to defend otherwise more experienced teams will expose this. We still need to see more joined up play - dribbling, passing, moving, possession - and we'll be working on this at training and in matches. It was great to see Lillie score her first goal for the team, and what a goal it was! I have to give special mentions to Violet and Patsy whose demonstrated our themes of Brave, Space, Power throughout the game."