On Thursday our Y5/6 girls travelled to Moulsford Prep School for our first tournament of the year. This tournament was a springboard for our success last year, and we were keen to use it for the same purpose again.

We opened with a match against All Saints of Didcot. Playing downhill, the girls dominated the first half, creating – but failing – to convert a number of chances to break the deadlock. This theme would continue into the second half, with our girls showing great stamina to maintain our tempo despite now playing uphill.  More chances were created and missed, and it was beginning to look like one of those days until the ball rolled all the way out to Saule in the middle of the pitch. She struck a high, dipping shot that snuck under the crossbar just in time to give us a deserved 1-0 win seconds before the final whistle blew.

Upon the conclusion of these jubilant scenes, we headed into our second match against Goring, a side who had qualified from this competition ahead of us the previous year. A tight first half ended goalless, and it looked very much as if a stalemate would be the final outcome until the floodgates opened in what was to be a dramatic final few minutes.

Unfortunately, it was Goring who took the lead. A miscued clearance flew up in the air and after a brief goalmouth scramble, a Goring player poked the ball home. Shortly after, they were 2-0 up, a quick counter attack ending with a cool finish into the middle of our goal. Although Freya scored to reduce the deficit soon after, we ran out of time to grab an equaliser – something that would ultimately prove crucial as the tournament progressed.

A strong response was required, and that is exactly what the girls produced. Keen to avenge our first defeat, we raced into a 1-0 lead against Whitchurch courtesy of another strike from Freya.

We came out for the second half aiming to extend our lead quickly and grab another win. However, Whitchurch had other plans, notching an equaliser from a corner that sent us back to square one. Another big reaction was needed, and our girls delivered again, albeit very late on. Issy launched a long throw – back in fashion in the professional game – into the Whitchurch penalty area, causing a frantic scramble which culminated in Freya kneeing the ball into the net to secure another late win and leaving us one more victory away from confirming a top two finish.

Our final opponents were St John’s of Wallingford. Our girls, boosted by the prospect of finally being able to attack downhill in the second half, produced one last performance full of energy and attacking intent. Chance after chance was created and two of them were finished – both by Freya –  to seal a 2-0 win and guarantee us a top two finish.

All in all, this was a wonderful and productive afternoon for our girls’ side. Issy, Lili, Saule, Eliza and Freya – members of last year’s league and South Oxfordshire winning sides – have carried their good form into this season, and there were positive debuts from Claudia, Nia, Isabella and Bella. Although Goring won the tournament, we wait with bated breath to see if we will join them in the Oxfordshire County Final.

As ever, a massive thanks to those who helped with transport and supported the girls at the start of what we hope will be another amazing adventure.

The team was: Claudia V, Lili F, Nia B, Saule B, Issy C, Eliza G, Freya H, Isabella DS and Bella B-L.