Tesco Cup Finals: U14s lose to Man City

For the second year running the City Girls were beaten in their semi-final by the eventual English champions

The City girls travelled to the Walker stadium in Leicester to face Manchester City girls in the semi-final of the Tesco U14 Girls national finals. The girls had done really well to get to this stage and unfortunately came to the game missing a number of players due to school trips abroad. The girls were intent on giving Man City a run for their money and started the game brightly. In the first half City had the better chances with Lola Boulter firing just over the cross bar from 12 yards. Beatrice Fitzsimons was working hard in midfield and she had a couple of long range efforts but failed to trouble the keeper.
Half time score 0-0.
In the second half, City started to lose their grip in midfield and were struggling to keep possession. Man City forced a corner and when the ball was cleared it fell to a Man City player unmarked on the edge of the area, who hit the ball through a crowd of players into the net. With the game only 15 minutes each way, the girls were now up against it, and changed formation to 3 at the back to push players forward to get an equaliser. However, Man City were well organised and very disciplined and never really gave the Cambridge City girls a sniff of a chance. Then with a few minutes left, Man City managed to get round the back of City defence to drill a cross which was well taken by the Man City forward.

Overall, although the girls were disappointed not to progress to the final, they should be very pleased with themselves for the way they have represented both Cambridge City and the Cambridgeshire FA. This was the second time in successive years that Cambridge City had representation in the national finals, which is no mean feat bearing in mind the number of teams originally entering this cup competition. Man City went on to become National Champions later in the day and good luck to them in the Home Internationals next week at Bolton's Reebok stadium.

Ladies and Girls Section