MANCHESTER CITY PROGRESS TO UK FINAL
Manchester City U14 girl's football team have won the Tesco Cup English Final on Sunday at the Walkers Stadium, Leicester having beaten Brislington FC 4-2 on penalties. The girls now advance to the UK Final of the Tesco Cup at the Reebok Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers, on Sunday 24 May.
In a tightly contested game both teams started with a defensive midset which did not allow many clear cut chances. The game started to open up after ten minutes with Manchester City starting to control the game with Player of the Tournament Rachel Moss becoming increasingly dominant, although still unable to find a killer ball into the Brislington box. With the final whistle about to blow Manchester City created one last chance with Forward of the Tournament Jessica Bradshaw-Jones beating the last defender with some brilliant individual skill, only to have her shot saved by a fully stretched Brislington goalkeeper, sending the game to penalties. Manchester City went on to win 4-2 in the shoot out becoming Tesco Cup English National Champions.
Team Manager Darren Brady said, ‘‘We have had a great time in the competition so far, the Tesco Cup is a very professionally run event. To progress through the County, Regional and National stages and then play at the home ground of a premiership team is a brilliant incentive for the girls.”
Former England International Des Walker, who attended the English final along with England women's player Sophie Bradley, commented: ‘It is an incredible opportunity to play at the Walkers Stadium and the youngsters seemed to really enjoy the experience. I have seen a fantastic standard of play and I look forward to seeing how the finalists get on at the UK final.'
The following players won individual awards:
Best Goalkeeper; Emily Farrell (London Girls)
Best Defender; Charlotte Reardon (Brislington Juniors)
Best Midfielder; Jodie Hooper (Brislington Juniors)
Best Forward; Jessica Bradshaw-Jones (Manchester City Ladies)
Player of the Tournament; Rachel Moss (Manchester City Ladies)
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