The U14 girls closed the season playing host to Hampstead & Westminster on Sunday 29th at the last game at the Peter May Centre for the club, with matches moving to Ashton Playing Fields (and Lea Valley) next season.

Pre the match Hampstead & Westminster were struggling with turnout and needed a GK. The U14G squad, with the luxury of two goalkeeping wunderkind, offered to lend a goalie. On the day, H&W were one player down so coaches agreed to ten a side. The final Crostyx squad of the season were: Talia (GK), Anika (GK), Siena, Safia, Klara, Florence, Eve, Phoebe P, Lara, Clemmy, Demi, Izzy, Ruby (VC), Lucy (C). Each GK played a half for H&W.

On a day where the weather did not seem to know what it was doing, so did the U14 girls in the first half. Possibly the reduction to 10 a side, or the club dinner and other sleep-over parties that were arranged the night before, meant a Styx squad less energetic than usual. Conversely H&W have greatly improved from the last encounter especially with the gift of a Styx GK. The girls in purple gave away possession too much and H&W had a little dynamo who came out of nowhere time and time again to intercept passes. Both sides created chances but Crostyx had the lion share with a few being deftly saved by our own on-loan keeper much to the amusement of the supporters. Half time arrived with neither side scoring.

At the restart Coach Colton’s team talk had an effect and the girls started to dominate. Ruby was a granite rock at the back, time and time again getting the girls out of trouble and pushing the ball forward. Siena, Safia, Florence and Klara were also kept busy. Strong runs came from Demi, Lucy and Lara but the finish was lacking with a lot of shots wide of the mark. Continued pressure from Styx led to a first short corner. Demi injected from the base line to Lucy who stopped and cracked the ball into the goal where it ricocheted between the side boards behind the line.

The girls spirits lifted and they started getting back into their form. Good attacking play came down both wings with a lot of mid field interception. The back four played strongly, switching play fast and accurately across the pitch when danger loomed. H&W managed to find a chink in the armour with a strong ball down the centre bypassing the defence. Luckily the Crostyx GK was out and dealt with the situation just as an H&W runner arrived. More pressure from the girls won another short corner and double act Demi and Lucy converted. Full time came with final score 2-0 to the Styx girls.

Having already won the Home Counties Development League B, this win means the girls end their season on a high. However they need to work to maintain their fitness over the summer break and not let the good progress made this season wither.

Thanks to Kit and Paul Bewers for umpiring.

A big Thank You from the girls to Coach Neil Colton and Manager Jane Ridgway for getting them to this level.

Last, but not least, huge thanks to all the parents for supporting the team - without whom none of this would happen. Enjoy the summer and see you next season.