Wrens Fly into Semi Finals with Hard Fought Win

GU14 Wrens 2 – 0 Knole Park GU14 (A)

EH GU14 Tier 1 Cup

The volume of commentary that had accompanied the build up to this game had caught even the most long-in-the-tooth observers by surprise, but as the analysts poured over the data to debate the favourite, no one could dispute that this was the undoubted tie of the quarter finals. St Michael’s provided a fitting venue as the resplendent stadium filled a natural bowl in the Kent countryside, and planning constraints meant that birdsong replaced the now all-too-familiar drums of pre-match entertainment as the teams took to the field.

The fixture schedule had not been kind to the Wrens and a depleted side, decimated by injury and half term holidays and missing Erin and Lizzie, faced a strong Knole Park team that had been undefeated all season. As the whistle blew, both teams seemed anxious and tentative, but, once the initial nerves were over, the first half settled into an intriguing contest between two fine sides with different approaches to the game.

The visitors set about with a possession-based passing game, with Carter, Darcy, Emily and Elsa, reminiscent of the great European teams through the ages, transferring the ball from left to right and right to left, patiently waiting for gaps to appear in the Knole Park defences before threading the pass through. The home side, in contrast, seemed to content to sit back and wait, before unleashing rapid running counter-attacks with their dangerous players like forks of lightning through the Surbiton lines.

The Wrens’ tactics worked, save for the goals that would have brought calm to the travelling supporters. Eva, Hattie and Gracie all had chances but the Knole Park ‘keeper kept her side in the game. By contrast, the visitors’ D was rarely troubled and Harri, deputising for the injured Poppy and the cup-tied Martha, reached half-time with her pads untested.

The Wrens midfield of Amelie, Marnie and Isla had worked tirelessly – like soldiers with bayonets in a never-ending battle - and their efforts at the beginning of the second half led to the breakthrough goal. Tileena robbed her opponent and the reverse hit caught the goalkeeper by surprise, looping over outstretched arms before Joycey dispatched the ball into the back of the net from the resulting melee. 1-0 Wrens and the crowd erupted.

VAR has not yet been incorporated into the U14 game, even in cup ties, and the home team’s appeals for a review were dismissed by the umpires. Nevertheless, the goal lit the fuse and the game exploded with Knole Park furiously pressing for an equaliser.

By the time of sixth consecutive Knole Park penalty corner, it seemed all but certain that the score would soon be level. But the defence was resolute with Harri's and Rosie’s blocks outstanding, and it was the Wrens’ turn to catch their opponents on the hop with their own explosive break. Eva’s through ball across the D was met by an incoming Flo, the latest academy graduate to emerge from the Surbiton nursery of talent, who pulverised the ball into the back of the net and sought to put the game beyond doubt.

To their immense credit, the home team never gave up and, as the game became more frenetic and end-to-end in the closing stages, Knole Park made a final throw of the dice as they withdrew their shot-stopper and the atmosphere became electric. A goal could have come at either end but the score remained at 2-0 with the Wrens deservedly flying into the semi-finals.