By Jon May
Thanet Girls (years 5 and 6), representing Thanet district schools. have continued their league fixtures with the short trip to Sandwich to play Deal and Dover.
In perfect footballing weather the girls started the game a little on the back foot with the opposition making the most of the press and having a few good chances in the first 10 minutes, converting one to take an early lead.
Thanet’s lionesses, pushed on by the prospect of a third defeat in a row, defended stalwartly from that moment on and found themselves chances on the break two or three times, missing the target by a fraction or forcing the opposition goalkeeper into a save.
As the game progressed the girls’ confidence grew, often with a ball played out from the back, passing it between each other well. Their resilience paid off on the 16 minute mark when a lovely through ball saw the equaliser nestle in the back of the net.
From that moment on the girls dominated the game scoring another two goals in quick succession to take a 3-1 lead into the half time interval.
The break in play only boosted confidence further and despite the opposition being unlucky rattling the post twice in the second half, The Thanet girls used their strength on the break to increase their lead by a further 4 goals.
Two late consolation goals from a gritty Dover and Deal team were not enough to turn the tide, with the final score Deal and Dover 3 – Thanet 7.