A lovely crisp sunny morning sees the Panthers return to Flitwick Eagles.
The last game between the two teams ended in a 2-2 draw in the final of the cup which Panthers went on to win after a nail biting penalty shootout !
Eagles must have still been smarting after their final loss as they came out firing.
An early Eagles corner was easily dealt with by the solid Panthers defence.
Some excellent work in midfield saw Scarlett break up the pitch but some good Eagles defending saw the swift attack turned over.
Eagles broke quickly and finished with a good shot but it was a standard comfortable save from our Number 1 Ava in goal.
Panthers were soaking up the Eagles pressure when Niamh took a powerful shot to the face but being the trooper she is she shrugged it off and played on.
Good pressure from Eagles again to get another corner ending up with a fierce shot whistling past the post.
More Eagles pressure and another Proctor save, this wasn’t going to be easy !
A slick passing move in the middle of the park between Ilana & Scarlett puts Rosie through and she coolly tucks it away to make it 1-0 Panthers well done girls !
Not long after the opener and the perfect twin combo ends up in the back of the net. Ivy + Rosie = goal ! 2-0.
More good Ilana hassling at the end of the quarter gives the Panthers a well deserved breather.
Good first quarter from the Panthers.
The second quarter was underway and an early Floss break and cross down the right wing saw the ball flash across the eagles area.
More good football in the midfield between Quinn and Scarlett and Panthers set up another attack but this time to no avail.
The first eagles break of the quarter and Ava as ever is in the perfect position to make a comfortable save.
Yet another Panthers attack and some great play between Rosie and Floss unfortunately couldn’t be finished off.
Midway through the quarter Scarlett decided to take things into her own hands and take on the whole of the Eagles midfield with power , precision and nimble footwork. She jinked her way through the whole Eagles half but couldn’t quite tuck it away ! What a goal that would have been !
Not to be outdone Quinn picks the up ball on the left wing takes a great touch and unleashes a rocket just over the bar.
A strong finish to the quarter sees Quinn with yet another effort on but she couldn’t quite hit the target.
A cagey and scrappy start to the third quarter sees a lot of the game being played in the middle third of the pitch. Eventually the ball ends up on the left wing and mazey Maddie run and great square ball across the box isn’t quite put away by the oncoming Panthers attackers.
Continued pressing by the midfield and attack ends up with three Panthers corners in a row but Eagles defend well and see out any danger.
Eagles were not giving up but Niamh and Ivy were always on hand to snuff out any sign of an eagles breakthrough.
More tenacious wing play by the tricky fleet footed Maddie saw her get another good ball into the box which the Eagles keeper gathered up.
One more Panthers break before the end of the quarter led to Floss and Rosie linking up beautifully to get another shot on target.
Last quarter let’s go.
Panthers start the quarter strongly and again persistent pressure means another Panthers corner.
Ilanas whipped delivery was cleared at the near post by a quick thinking Eagles defender who in turn starts a swift break but this does not prove a problem for the perfectly positioned and ever impressive Niamh.
Maddie must have covered pretty much every blade of grass on the Flitwick pitch today and whenever an Eagle had the ball they could guarantee she would be snapping at there heels !
A lot of good midfield battling play from both teams in this quarter by both teams saw little chances either end !
A solid display with battling performances from all the girls and the Panthers thoroughly deserved the win.
After a couple of good performances but disappointing results this was the perfect way to start the weekend.
Well played girls 💚🖤.
Many thanks to Al for the match report and Toni for the pictures.
