MANCHESTER UTD PROGRESS TO UK FINAL
Manchester United U16 girls football team have won the Tesco Cup English Final on Sunday at the Walkers Stadium, Leicester beating West Bromwich Albion 2-1. The girls now advance to the UK Final of the Tesco Cup at the Reebok Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers, on Sunday 24 May.
Manchester United started the match strongly forcing the early pressure on WBA, which allowed them to take the lead after three minutes. The girls grew in confidence with this early goal with Player of the Tournament Saffron Jordan starting to dominate, proving to be a creative spark for her team. However, an equalising goal from the spot on ten minutes made for an entertaining game as WBA came back into the game. In the second half the teams were evenly matched with the game looking as if it was heading towards penalties. With minutes left in the half Manchester United had a free kick which was headed into the net to win the Tesco Cup English Final.
Team Manager Zeki Istanbal said, ‘‘The girls had an awesome day at the English Final and are very excited to be playing at the Reebok Stadium next week, it isn't every day young footballers have the chance to play at a premiership ground! The competition is a fantastic initiative to encourage more women to play football, particularly for the U16 girls age group when the dropout rate from sport is so high.'
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; Lauren Miller (Activate)
Best Defender; Lyndsay Glover (West Bromwich Albion)
Best Midfielder; Jodie Holmes (Manchester United Girls)
Best Forward; Sophie Powell (West Bromwich Albion)
Player of the Tournament; Saffron Jordan (Manchester United Girls)
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