IOM U18 Girls vs Chorley Phoenix Girls U18 – score 3-3 (lost 2-3 on flicks). Match played at the NSC, Isle of Man.

The U18 girls started the game at high tempo, putting pressure on the Chorley defence and getting into dangerous areas in and around the 25.

After a counter attack, Chorley opened up the scoring leaving the Manx Girls 1-0 down. This was quickly responded to by a back post deflection from Ruby McCubbin.

Isle of Man continued to put pressure on the Chorley defence, forcing the keeper to make a number of important saves, making it difficult for the Manx girls to find the back of the net.

After going into half time at 1-1, the girls came back out strong and continued to use the right hand channel with the pace of Molly Wheeler. Despite the play being all from the Isle of Man, an unfortunate Penalty Corner lead to the girls chasing the game once again.

However, this did not stop the belief of Isle of Man and again, good spells of attack and build up play through Hannah Nuttall, Evie Watterson and Macey Crellin. Again from a penalty corner, Isle of Man were clinical and Evie Watterson’s great strike evened the game up again.

Another breakaway goal meant that the Isle of Man were 3-2 down with 4 minutes left to play. Elena Caley came back onto the pitch at Right Wing after suffering a knock to the head earlier in the game. However, she came back on the pitch, making an impact and applying further pressure helping Isle of Man win a short corner. Once again, Isle of Man were able to convert through a well worked set piece and a Lucy Cartwright finish.

After 70 minutes the score was 3-3 meaning that the tie would be decided by a penalty shootout.

In this instance, it was decided flicks would be taken to determine the winner of the match. Unfortunately, it wasn’t Isle of Mans day losing the penalty shootout 3-2.

The u18s will now go down to the Plate Competition and play their next round in the new year.

Player of the Match – Elena Caley

Goals:
Ruby McCubbin
Evie Watterson
Lucy Cartwright

FT 3-3 (HT 1-1)
(Chorley win 3-2 on penalties)
Flick scorers – Macey Crellin and Evie Watterson

Thank you to OAK Group for the continued sponsorship of the IOM Junior Squads.