On Sunday 29th March, Thirsk U12 girls took their place at the North Finals as the third Yorkshire qualifier. Thirsk played Morpeth in the first game, and the defence of Penny Baker, Tabitha Cockerill, and in the second half Tilly Hall dealt quite comfortably with Morpeth’s attacks. Thirsk’s final pass going forward was too often not well played, and so they did not get shots on their goal. Thirsk finally broke the deadlock, as Connie Gill’s pass found its way through to Olivia Turner, she cut in from the left and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper. Thirsk should probably have scored another, but this time Connie’s shot was saved. Thirsk 1-0 Morpeth.
Next up were Alderley Edge, and again Thirsk struggled to string their passes together. Too often good chances were not created. Olivia T could not put away her chance from Olivia Borchard’s great cross. Amy Flintoff saw her effort saved by the goalkeeper, and the rebound fell safe. Alderley Edge against the run of play, broke into the Thirsk D, the fine shot looked to be sailing into the bottom right corner, until Gabby Simpson with a fine right foot save kept it out. Thirsk continued to dominate possession, but could not turn it into a goal. Final score Thirsk 0-0 Alderley Edge
The final pool game was with Yorkshire League winners Wakefield. The Thirsk passing was looking better, and Thirsk were taking the game to their opponents, both Tilly on the left, and Fern Watson on the right were getting more into the game. But clear cut chances were hard to come by. Wakefield broke the deadlock as they took advantage of some poor marking. In the second half, Thirsk were guilty again of not getting their tackles in, and a fine shot made it 2-0. Thirsk should have had a penalty stroke, and did not convert any of their penalty corners, had they done so the score would have been very different.
Thirsk finished as pool runners-up, and a semi-final with local rivals York who had won their pool. Thirsk took the early initiative, and Fern was unlucky to not break the deadlock, as she saw her well struck shot well saved. Gabby was called into action at the other end with a fine save, and Connie made a fine block running out at the penalty corner. The second half saw Amy combine with Olivia T on the left, and Amy opened her account with a well struck shot. Thirsk continued to press, and it was Amy again who took advantage, dispossessing the York defender before rounding the goalie to score. Penny took a lifted ball to the arm, but it did not impede her, or Tabby, who were both excellent at cutting out many of the York attacks. So a fine 2-0 win was the result.
So the North final was a rematch with Thirsk taking on Wakefield. This time though, the Thirsk passing was much slicker, with Amy and Connie combining well, and Olivia B, and Olivia T attacking down both the flanks. Olivia B was able to make a fine cross, Amy’s shot was saved, but Olivia T was able to tap in the rebound. Almost immediately though Wakefield equalized, as Thirsk were slow to react when a free hit went against them, and despite Gabby’s save, they put away the rebound. But Thirsk got the lead back before half time, and it was Amy who calmly beat their keeper have been put through by Connie. Fern played well down the left, and as Wakefield chased the game, both Tabby and Connie were able to control the game in midfield. Amy was able to pressurize their defenders into further mistakes, and then took the game beyond Wakefield by scoring again. Final score Thirsk 3-1 Wakefield.
So congratulations to this fine group of girls, they started slowly, but improved with every game, and in the end they deserved to be North Champions. They will now go on to represent the North at the National finals in May. All their hard work through the season has now paid off. Thanks to all the parents for their support on the day, and for getting a team out at such short notice.