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Dynamo Girls v Worthing Minors
Sunday 20th April 2008 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Sharni (C), Beth, Harriet (GK - 2nd half), Magda (GK - 1st half), Jade, Lydia, Paige, Natalie

Despite the girls learning 15 mins before kick off that we only had 9 players they started the game with a great attitude. Everyone was prepared to put in the extra work to make up for the lack of numbers.

We had the wind behind us and used it to our advantage in some good attacking play but failed to find the finish we needed. We were beaten three times in the first half by the 11 players of Worthing, all well worked goals (on 10, 15 & 26mins) with the second a great cross and headed goal. Magda had a good half in goal pulling off some great saves but everyone needed to hear the referee's half time whistle.

The second half started with a change of keeper and Harriet knew she’d be up against it with Worthing attacking in numbers, using the wind and against a tiring Dynamos side. A further six goals conceded in all during the half and all the girls thought it would have been a lot closer if we’d had a full team.

Despite the result the girls never gave up chasing and closing down and still produced some good passages of play. I feel it hard to pick any players for individual mention as it was a great team effort and I was very proud of the girls. Both goalkeepers made good saves, the whole defence did well as did the midfield and lone attacker, well done girls.

Final score: Dynamo Girls 0 (0) - Worthing Minors 9 (3)

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

Maria, the Worthing Manager was kind enough to contact us after the game and said the following:

"I would like to thank all the Dynamo Under 15 girls for a good game of football this morning. I would just like to express how impressed I was with the hard work they all put into the game, at no point in the game did they ever give up. An absolutley brilliant show of team work, I know that if you you had a full squad it would have been a totally different game. Good Luck in your game against Newhaven."

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Dynamo Girls v Predators
Sunday 23rd March 2008 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C), Beth, Harriet, Magda (GK), Jade, Paige, Natalie

A really good all round performance from Dynamo today secured our seventh win of the season.

Almost encamped in Predators’ half for much of the first half a warning was shot across our bows when Predators broke away but under pressure from Natalie and the advancing Magda in goal, the shot hit the bar and went over, so a bit of a let off there. On 34 minutes Predators took the lead when some good interplay between their midfield and forwards saw the forward just get to the ball before Magda and it rolled gently into the net to put the visitors 1 - 0 up.

In the second half, the pattern of the first half repeated itself and Dynamo equalised after 7 minutes of the second half when Beth showed perseverance to win the ball from the defender and then showed composure to loft the ball over the goalie from around 25 yards.

A penalty awarded to Dynamo when the defender inadvertently handled was despatched with aplomb by Paige on 16 minutes. Two minutes later, Sharni made it 3 - 1 when great play on the wing between Haz and Paige had Paige deliver a great cross from which Sharni benefited.

Another 2 minutes later and Beth scored her second direct from a corner and Dynamo wrapped up the result at 5 - 1 when Sharni scored her second from another well delivered corner from Beth.

A thoroughly entertaining game where both sides made a full contribution despite some intermittently bad and some worse, weather! Really good performances from Jade, Gabi, Emily Bl and intelligent forward play by Emily Br helped to secure a win at our second to last home game for this season. Well Done Girls.

Final score: Dynamo Girls 5 (0) - Predators 1 (1)

Scorers: Sharni (2), Beth (2), Paige (P)

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

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Dynamo Girls v Patcham United
Sunday 9th March 2008 - 12.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C), Beth, Harriet (GK - 1st half), Magda (GK - 2nd half), Jade, Lydia , Paige, Natalie

A tough first half where we found ourselves 5 - 0 down at half time gave no real way back for Dynamo today.
There were some isolated incidents of good play with movement and passing in the first half, but were of insufficient regularity to really cause Patcham too much difficulty.

Patcham, to be fair, restricted our movement and time on the ball and were quick to nearly every challenge and gave Dynamo little time to settle at any time. Their midfield reacted quickly to support their forwards whenever the ball went forward and they benefited from goals spread throughout the half.

In the second half Dynamo competed much better and in turn restricted Patcham in the time they had on the ball. Although we conceded two more goals, to eventually lose 7 - 0, we acquitted ourselves much better in the second half.

Chairman Paul Cartwright refereed today and made a very valid point at the end of the game, which is that the majority of our team is actually playing a year up - in other words most are effectively U14 players in an U15 league. Sometimes, given the quality of some of our play this season, I forget this very salient fact. So, against a team who are made up mainly of U15 players, we have a developmental disadvantage overall.
Our lesson today is to continue to try to play considered, controlled football and combine it with the determination and work rate of Patcham, in order to advance our development still further.

Final score: Dynamo Girls 0 (0) - Patcham United 7 (5)

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields (top pitch)

Images from this fixture can be found on the U15's photo gallery page here.

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East Grinstead v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 2nd March 2008 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C), Beth, Harriet (GK), Magda, Jade, Lydia , Paige, Natalie

The first half Dynamo performance, in terms of inventive and creative play, excellent effort and composure on the ball was as good as anything I have seen this season.

Magda opened the scoring on 9 minutes when good play from a throw in resulted in a super square pass where Magda controlled the ball and powered a shot over the home keeper. Dynamo dominance continued, though EG equalised on 28 minutes when the excellent centre forward twisted and turned into the penalty area and lifted a shot over Haz.

On reflection, perhaps my team talk was too positive (if that’s possible?!) at half time and although Dynamo still had extended periods of possession and pressure in the second half, we rarely turned that into the penetration we saw in the first half.

EG went 2-1 ahead on 46 minutes when a throw led to the centre forward running through and powering an unstoppable shot past Harriet. On 57 minutes, Dynamo equalised after Emily Blake won the ball and passed forward where Emily Bridgman showed great forward play in retrieving the pass and laying back for Sharni to lift the ball over the home keeper. 5 minutes later, EG took the lead with an archetypal breakaway goal with the ball rolled home as Haz tried to narrow the angle.

With Dynamo pushing for an equaliser, EG effectively put the game beyond Dynamo with another breakaway goal on 71 minutes after Harriet parried the first shot but the follow up was tucked away by the supporting forward.

This is a difficult report to write as I felt that the game could have been sewn up by half time such was Dynamo’s early dominance. In truth though, the urgency of the first half performance was never quite matched in the second half and we probably didn’t take as many shots as we could have. Additionally, my team talk at half time possibly lulled the players into a sense of complacency that was never intended.

I am still heartened by the quality of our overall play and the conviction by the players to maintain our principles of play. These principles will stand the players in good stead as they get older and, hopefully, continue to play the game.

It is relatively easy to teach a group how to play “percentage” football and to minimise damage caused by an opponent. It is much harder to pursue a principled line determined to engender fear-free intelligent football, where the ability of our group and individuals is enhanced so that, as they get older, they have as many tools at their disposal to choose to play as the situation in the game demands.

Final score: East Grinstead 4 (1) - Dynamo Girls 2 (1)

Scorers: Magda, Sharni

Venue: Imberhorne School, Windmill Lane, East Grinstead

Images from this fixture can be found on the U15's photo gallery page here.

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Dynamo Girls v Worthing Town
Sunday 24th February 2008 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C), Beth, Harriet (GK), Magda, Jade, Lydia , Paige, Natalie

Worthing probably had the better of the first half exchanges and Harriet played a fantastic game in goal saving at least 3 certain goals in the first half, two with brilliant one-handed saves onto a post. Emily Bridgman opened the scoring on 39 minutes when she was on hand to slot the ball home at the far post after a bit of a scramble in the Town penalty area.

Town equalised within a minute to make it 1 - 1 after the forward forced her way through 3 challenges before forcing the ball home.

In the second half, Sharni scored direct from a corner to restore our lead but Town equalised again within 4 minutes with a lofted shot over Harriet on 10 minutes. The visitors took the lead after 24 minutes from a fantastic, accurate shot with power into the far corner. With Dynamo pushing for an equaliser on 38 minutes, Town broke away to score a fourth and effectively put the game out of the reach of Dynamo.

Whether we expected an easier life with 11 players, I am not too sure but overall, I felt today’s performance was a little disappointing, although there were still signs of some good football at times during the game. On the other hand, I am satisfied that we can play much better, which I am sure the players will do next week.

Final score: Dynamo Girls 2 (1) - Worthing Town 4 (1)

Scorers: Emily Bridgman, Sharni

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

Images from this fixture can be found on the U15's photo gallery page here.

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Predators v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 10th February 2008 - 2.00 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C), Beth, Magda (GK) , Jade, Lydia , Paige, Natalie

A beautiful day with little or no wind saw Dynamo secure three away points with a very competent performance.

Emily Bridgman put us 1 - 0 up as early as the 7th minute with a volley into the far post area following Sharni’s corner. Within a minute Dynamo were 2 goals to the good when Paige followed up at the far post after Sharni took a pass, cut in from the left and drove a low shot which the goalkeeper pushed on to the post, where Paige drove the ball home.

On 10 minutes Predators scored a good goal, following up to score, after Magda had made a brilliant full length save from a very good shot. Beth extended Dynamo’s lead to 3 - 1 with a headed goal following another good corner from captain Sharni. Another corner from Sharni led to another goal, this time with a volley from Paige which the goalie couldn’t quite prevent from crossing the line, despite a valiant attempt. Beth notched Dynamo’s 5th goal when a long clearance from Magda escaped the defence and Beth was calm and collected as she slotted the ball home.

So, 5 - 1 at half time but it did not go all Dynamos way in the second half. Predators brought the score back to 5 - 2 on 14 minutes when the ball bobbled away from Magda and on 30 minutes, good play by Predators gave them another goal with a good shot to the far post giving Magda no chance.

Despite there being no further goals for Dynamo in the second half, the team still played good football and spent long periods encamped in the opposition half. The goals constructed through good play in the first half was enough to secure the win. Well done girls.

Final score: Predators 3 (1) - Dynamo Girls 5 (5)

Scorers: Emily Bridgman, Bethany (2), Paige (2)

Venue: Westmeads Playing Fields, Queens Field West, Bognor Regis

Images from this fixture can be found on the U15's photo gallery page here.

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Dynamo Girls v Hangleton Rangers
Sunday 3rd February 2008 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake (GK 2nd half), Emily Bridgmasn, Gabi, Sharni (C), Beth (GK 1st half), Harriet, Magda, Jade, Lydia , Paige, Natalie

Dynamo started positively despite facing into a strong wind. The wind was a factor in Sharni’s first goal as early as the 2nd minute when her cross was carried on the wind over the keeper to put us 1-0 up. Sharni extended our lead on 11 minutes with a powerful low shot into the far corner. On 14 minutes, Hangleton pulled a goal back to make the score 2 - 1 when some hesitancy in the Dynamo defence allowed the forward enough room to finish smartly, giving the exceptional Beth no chance. On 32 minutes Hangleton drew level with a toe poke carrying the ball unexpectedly in at the near post and the score remained 2 - 2 until half time.

Emily Bl took over from Beth in goal at the start of the half and the recently absent Harriet decided to join the fray in midfield. Harriet and Beth combined in the first minute of the second half as Harriet won a header to send Beth away and power an unstoppable shot to put Dynamo 3 - 2 up. The wind seemed to be more of a factor in the second half as the game swung one way and then the other with Dynamo defending well, all over the pitch.

On 22 minutes of the second half Hangleton equalised again to make it 3 - 3 but four minutes later, Sharni controlled the ball and drifted past the defender only for a late tackle to bring the reward of a penalty.
Harriet stepped up and confidently dispatched the penalty kick to make it 4 - 3 to Dynamo. The game was on a knife edge and Hangleton never gave up, but Dynamo held on in a very good game to deservedly (in my opinion) edge the result.

A good all round team performance, though not quite as much flowing football as more recently and another good performance from Jade in her newly found favourite role of sweeper!

Final score: Dynamo Girls 4 (2) - Hangleton Rangers 3 (2)

Scorers: Sharni (2), Bethany, Harriet

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

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Worthing Minors v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 27th January 2008 - 2.00 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Gabi, Sharni (C) , Beth, Jade, Lydia (GK 1st half), Paige (GK 2nd half), Natalie

Once again, Dynamo was under-strength with Harriet, Emily Br and Magda all missing this week.

Our opponents were also missing players but still had 10 to our 8.

Dynamo went behind in the 6 th minute but were back on level terms at 1- 1 within 5 minutes, when excellent play down the left between Nat and Sharni sent Nat away to cross with Beth showing great determination to hold off two challengers and crash he ball into the roof of the net.

On 18 minutes the travelling Dynamos went ahead when Sharni played a 1-2 with Beth, cut in from the left and lofted a drive over the goalie from fully 25 yards.
A similarly spectacular goal within two minutes brought Worthing back on terms, when the Worthing player met a headed clearance on the volley to send an unstoppable shot over Lydia to make it 2 - 2.

As the half drew on the sheer weight of numbers made a difference, although there was some excellent play by the Worthing forwards and we were down 2 - 6 at the interval.

For 28 minutes of the second half, Dynamo kept the Worthing attacks at bay and even had chances to have scored more themselves. But as the half wore on and tiredness began to set in, Worthing notched another 5 in the last 12 minutes or so to win 11 - 2 in the end.

This defeat was, again, reflective purely of weight of numbers rather than anything to do with the quality of the Dynamo play which shows consistent improvement, both as individuals and as a team.

Final score: Worthing Town 11 (6) - Dynamo Girls 2 (2)

Scorers: Sharni, Beth

Venue: Fernhurst Recreation Ground, Goring by Sea

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Worthing Minors v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 20th January 2008 - 1.00 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C) (GK 2nd half), Beth, Magda, Jade, Lydia, Paige, Natalie (GK 1st half)

The archetypal game of two halves!

Facing a strong wind in the first half, as a team, we seemed to be a bit lethargic and struggled to get going, although there were individual exceptions.

Our hosts showed greater application and took the lead as early as the 9th minute from a well executed short corner with the kicker overlapping the receiver near the corner flag before cutting in, beating one of our defenders and clipping a superb shot over Nat and into the far corner. On 15 minutes Worthing extended their lead when a breakaway gave the excellent Nat in goal no chance.

We had only 8 players on the pitch at one time when both Gabi and Sharni were suffering. However, this seemed to be a turning point in the match and seemed to galvanise the travelling Dynamos, especially when both players returned to the fray

With no further score to half time, Dynamo took the initiative in the second half and looked a different team. With the wind at their backs, waves of attacks brought just reward on 52 minutes when good interplay between Emily Bridgman and Paige resulted in a top class finish from Paige with a lofted shot over the keeper.
The momentum clearly and tangibly shifted at this point from the hosts to the visiting ‘Mos and Dynamo drew level only 3 minutes later when Magda beat a player, turning one way and then the other and drove a low shot past the stranded keeper at the near post. 2 - 2!

The euphoria was short lived though when Worthing regained the lead on 60 minutes when the ball bounced alarmingly over Sharni’s hands, to give the astonished forward a tap in to an empty net. (A letter of complaint is being drafted to the groundsman!!)

Two minutes later the game swung again when another breakaway from Worthing, with Dynamo pushing for another equaliser, allowed them a chance to loft the ball over Sharni to make it 4 - 2 and effectively end our challenge.

However, the effort, especially in the second half and the persistence to try to play the right way will stand the players in good stead and their conduct, effort and skill again drew positive comments from the opposition manager and the referee at the end.

Well done girls!

Final score: Worthing Minors 4 (2) - Dynamo Girls 2 (0)

Scorers: Paige, Magda

Venue: St Andrews High School, Sackvile Road, Worthing

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Glenco Girls v Dynamo Girls
Challenge Cup - Quarter Finals
Sunday 13th January 2008 - 11.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C) (GK 2nd half), Beth, Magda (GK 1st half), Jade, Lydia, Paige, Natalie

An excellent performance from the travelling Dynamo team which, to illustrate the quality of the performance, drew voluntary words of praise from our opposition’s supporters and management. Great effort from every player throughout the game was matched with some free-flowing and imaginative play, good passing combinations and movement from defence to attack which was a joy to see.

Our undoing was, again, a lack of numbers. With a full 11 and even a substitute or two, the result could have been very different.

Going 1-0 down on 30 minutes as a result of a shot from the edge of our penalty area, we then conceded another on 33 minutes. A well executed pass from the midfielder found an angled run from the forward who completed a first class strike into the far corner across the diving Magda.

Although Glenco had further chances in the second half, they were unable to increase their lead and so we left the cup this year to a 2 - 0 score line.

Every player made a super contribution and they can all take pride in the effort, determination and, especially, the quality of their play. Well done to everyone.

Final score: Glenco Girls 2 (2) - Dynamo Girls 0 (0)

Venue: Hooe Recreation Ground, Mill Lane, Hooe

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Dynamo Girls v East Grinstead
Sunday 6th January 2008 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C), Magda (GK 1st half), Jade, Lydia, Paige, Natalie (GK 2nd half)

Another hard day at the office with only 8 players available, although the game was more even than we may have imagined as East Grinstead had only 9 players!

On a full pitch there was quite a good deal of space available, as you would imagine. The main difference between the sides on the day was the East Grinstead number 9 who had a very good game and scored four of her team’s goals. She scored a hat trick in the first half with goals on 18, 24 and 37 minutes, to leave the visitors 3 - 0 up at half time.

Dynamo played some good football at times during the first half with good combination play and individual technique and skills on display.

The second half held a similar pattern and tiredness became a factor as the game wore on for both sides. Another goal for the visitors 7 minutes into the second half probably put the game beyond us but again I was delighted with the style of some of our football as well as the application and commitment of the players.

Magda swapped goal-keeping duties with Natalie in the second half and her endeavour was rewarded with a well taken goal after 34 minutes but another two goals on 38 and 40 minutes from the visitors completed the scoring.

Final score: Dynamo Girls 1 (0) - East Grinstead 6 (3)

Scorer: Magda

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

Images from this fixture can be found on the U15's photo gallery page here.

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Hangleton Rangers v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 16th December 2007 - 2.00 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Bethany (C), Harriet (GK 1st half), Magda, Jade, Lydia (GK 2nd half), Paige, Natalie

A disappointing result, to be sure, though I have to say I was very proud of the players today and the effort and craft they applied to the game.

We were short a player through the unfortunate absence of regular captain Sharni, though this did not prevent us from playing most of the creative and imaginative football throughout the first half. Rangers had some quick players up front though and caught us out on a quick break to go 1-0 up after 21 minutes. They extended their lead to 2-0 on 37 minutes when another break brought a super save from Harriet, but the forward had enough energy to net the rebound.

In the second half a quick goal after only 3 minutes probably put the game beyond Dynamo and when Harriet suffered a bad injury and had to leave the field, Dynamo, now with only 9 players, faced an uphill struggle.
On a big, County League pitch, Hangleton made the extra players and space count and added a further 3 goals on 25, 30 and 40 minutes to eventually run out 6-0 winners.

Our players continued to try to play good, passing football throughout and demonstrated fantastic character and self control in the face of some unfortunate behaviour by some of the opposition, for which their manager apologised after the game.

So, although this was a heavy defeat in terms of the score, there are still excellent signs of overall progress in terms of the quality of the play of those players in the famous red and black.

Final score: Hangleton Rangers 6 (2) - Dynamo Girls 0 (0)

Venue: Mile Oak Enclosed Pitch, Chalky Road, Portslade

Images from this fixture can be found on the U15's photo gallery page here.

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Patcham United v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 25th November 2007 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake (GK 2nd half), Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C), Bethany, Harriet, Magda, Jade, Lydia (GK 1st half), Paige, Natalie

Today’s was a very positive team performance with the advantage of having a full team for the first time in some little while.

Dynamo had to soak up almost unrelenting pressure for the first 10 minutes or so. They defended well and eventually eased their way into the game. A clearance was pursued and pressure exerted by Nat to win the ball and when the cross was delivered, Harriet showed excellent technique in volleying home at the near post to put Dynamo ahead on 15 minutes.

On 20 minutes, Patcham equalised when a cross following a throw rolled all the way across our goal area and was finished powerfully at the far post. The game ebbed and flowed but remained at 1- 1 until half time.

Patcham took the lead 2 minutes into the second half when a clearance was first controlled and then lofted back over Emily Blake to make it 1 - 2. On 27 minutes, Patcham made the game safe when a snap shot from the edge of the penalty area caught everyone by surprise as it flew into the net.

Dynamo played well enough to have earned a draw, I felt and possibly the finishing was the only difference between the sides on the day. More progress from the team as a whole and some good individual performances too.

Final score: Patcham United 3 (1) - Dynamo Girls 1 (1)

Scorer: Harriet

Venue: Patcham Junior School

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Dynamo Girls v Glenco Girls
Sunday 18th November 2007 - 12.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman (GK 2nd half), Gabi (GK 1st half), Sharni (C), Bethany, Harriet, Jade, Lydia, Paige, Natalie

A fantastically determined and intelligent defensive display by the whole Dynamo team, playing against a stiff breeze, restricted the visiting Glenco side to just one goal in the first half. The players harried and chased and restricted the opposition’s creative play as well as having some opportunities of their own.

In the second half, Dynamo had two patches of misfortune when an initial shot from a Glenco forward seemed to be covered by the diving Emily Bridgman, only to take a massive deflection and end up in the other side of the net. Not long after, Glenco extended their lead to 3-0 when a gust of wind carried the ball over Emily and into the net when, again, it looked as though she had it easily covered.

We had some good possession of our own in the second half and played some good passing moves with movement and control in evidence. The extra player began to tell and in ever deteriorating conditions, the visitors eventually ran out 5 - 0 winners.

Overall though, I was very pleased with such a great effort from the whole team. With such application, we will continue to improve, both as individuals and as a team.

Glenco’s manager was very complimentary about the Dynamo performance and thought that defensively we were very good. A good match in poor conditions played in an excellent spirit by both sides. And a Big Up to Gabi and Emily for doing so well in goal - thank you !

Final score: Dynamo Girls 0 (0) - Glenco Girls 5 (1)

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

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Dynamo Girls v Eastbourne United Colts
Sunday 11th November 2007 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C), Bethany, Harriet, Jade (GK 2nd half - part), Lydia (GK 2nd half - part), Paige (GK - 1st half), Natalie

A really positive first half performance, with good, controlled football for extended spells was a real tonic as we returned to league action after the difficulties of the last few weeks.

Taking the lead as early as the third minute from a goal by Beth set us on the way. Eastbourne equalised, but Sharni restored our lead after further good work by Beth, stealing the ball from the visiting defence and laying the ball back for Sharni, supporting from midfield, to finish.

On 35 minutes, Eastbourne again equalised, slightly fortuitously, with a wayward cross which escaped the excellent Paige, who had a fine game in goal in the first half. Beth restored Dynamo’s lead just before half time to make it 3 - 2.

No further goals in the second half (when the weather bucked up a little, thank heavens!) but plenty of endeavour and quite a close game kept the entertainment level high.

Jade did well in goal, having played well in her favoured left back position in the first half. The whole team provided a good performance today, but Paige was my player of the match, performing excellently in defence in the second half after excelling in goal in the first half.

Final score: Dynamo Girls 3 (3) - Eastbourne United Colts 2 (2)

Scorers: Beth (2), Sharni

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

Images from this fixture can be found on the U15's photo gallery page here.

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Dynamo Girls v Seahaven Harriers (Friendly)
Sunday 28th October 2007 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C), Bethany, Lydia , Paige, Natalie, Magda, Keeylie, Gemma and Tasha

A dismal day with increasing rain saw us play a practise game against Seahaven, who kindly loaned us one of their players for the day (thank you for your help Tasha!).

We had a really rough first half and being in the ‘middle’ refereeing, I found it impossible to give some guidance to the players who, as a team, really struggled throughout the half. Accepting that Seahaven are more advanced in their technique and development, at this point in their careers, I found the abandonment of our oft quoted principles of passing and control hard to understand. For the first time, I found it necessary to criticize the team performance at half time, as well as providing suggestions for improvement in the second half.

Having said that, I felt the players responded positively and almost looked a different team in the second half. Scoring an early goal through Beth, we led the second half for some little while before Seahaven came to terms with our renewed vigour and eventually took control once more. However, for 25 minutes of the second half, the performance was much improved and we must strive to maintain a positive approach, demonstrate good application and concentration especially in circumstances where things are not going in our favour, if, as a team and as individuals we are to continue the progress that I have seen so far this season.

Final score: Dynamo Girls 1 - Seahaven Harriers 14

Scorer: Beth

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

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Hastings Borough Youth v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 7th October 2007 - Midday kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C), Bethany, Harriet (GK - second half), Jade, Lydia , Paige, Natalie (GK - first half)

A below strength Dynamo started a little slowly against an even more under strength Hastings side.

The home side took the lead on around 7 minutes and we really hadn’t got started. But the goal woke us up a little. We equalised through Beth, who worked tirelessly throughout, on 13 minutes and took the lead from a snap shot through a crowd by Sharni on 26 minutes. Hastings equalised themselves to make it 2-2 just before half time. Although losing a goal was disappointing, we conceded whilst trying to play out of defence, a skill and tactic I am keen to encourage.

In the second half, a break and cross into the box was finished well by Emily Bridgman, again having a good game in midfield and giving Dynamo a 3-2 advantage after 44 minutes. Sharni cleverly drove a long distance free kick over the home keeper after 70 minutes to make the final score 4-2.

Positive signs, then, from the team of playing a better passing game. However, outnumbering the opposition, I felt we could have done better when we didn’t have the ball, at times. Another encouraging performance which the players warmed to and steps in the right direction.

Final score: Hastings Borough Youth 2 (2) - Dynamo Girls 4 (2)

Scorers: Beth, Sharni (2), Emily Bridgman

Venue: The Ridge, Hastings

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Eastbourne United Colts v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 30th September 2007 - 12.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C), Bethany, Harriet, Jade, Lydia (GK - second half), Paige, Natalie (GK - first half)

A really positive all round performance from Dynamo U15, from start to finish.

Attack being the most potent form of defence, we really took the game to Eastbourne and scored 4 goals in the first half through Beth (2, 7 and 36) and Sharni (22) to secure a leading 4 - 0 score line. Instrumental in the clean sheet was Nat who had an outstanding first half in goal with a solid defensive framework of Jade, Emily Bl and Harriet closing the door on Eastbourne’s forays into our half.

The second half went much the same as the first although we had to contend with losing the influential Harriet after 10 minutes with a double injury. At that stage we were 5 goals to the good through another smart finish by Beth on 4 minutes with Sharni adding another two, securing her own hat trick, on 23 and 25 minutes, one a headed goal from a corner, before Beth rounded off with our final goal of the game on the stroke of full time.

An uplifting performance of skill, determination and team effort. I am aware that some players were asked to play in positions which they would not prefer. This will continue to be the case, for the good of the team. Each of those players, however, made a full and significant contribution to the team’s success on this day.

I am reminded of a quotation by Mia Hamm (USA International Soccer Player - World Cup Winner 1999, Olympic Gold Medal Winner 1996 and 2004):

“I am a member of a team, and I rely on the team; I defer to it and sacrifice for it, because the team, not the individual, is the ultimate champion."

Final score: Eastbourne United 0 (0) - Dynamo Girls 8 (4)

Scorers: Sharni (3), Beth (5)

Venue: Eastbourne Sports Park

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Dynamo Girls v Newhaven
Sunday 23rd September 2007 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emily Blake (GK - second half), Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Sharni (C), Bethany, Harriet (GK - first half), Jade, Lydia, Abi, Paige, Natalie

Plenty of application and determination from Dynamo and on another day they may have had some goals to show for their efforts. To be fair, though Newhaven made the most of their chances and generally had the upper hand, although Dynamo did show some invention at times and gave the visitors a scare or two.

4-0 down at half time, Dynamo showed good resilience in the second half, allowing only one more goal to make a final score of 5-0. New signing Lydia had a solid debut and showed some nice touches and Harriet and Emily did well reversing their roles in goal and defence at half time.

Final score: Dynamo U15's 0 (0) - Newhaven 5 (4)

Venue: Telscombe Cliffs Playing Fields

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Dynamo Girls v Eastbourne Borough - Friendly
Sunday 8th September

Team: Sharni, Beth, Harriet, Emily Blake, Emily Bridgman, Gabi, Charly, Jade, Paige, Crystal, Emily H, Emma & Keeley

Final Score: Dynamo Girls 1 (0) - East bourne Borough 3 (2)

Scorer: Emma

Venue: Telscombe Cliffs Playing Fields

Dynamo Girls v Hangleton Rangers - Friendly
Sunday 8th September 2007

Team: Sharni, Beth, Harriet, Emily, Emily, Gabi, Charly, Jade, Paige, Crystal, Emily H, Emma & Keeylie

Final Score: Dynamo Girls 4 (2) - Hangleton Rangers 2 (0)

Scorers: Beth (2), Sharni

Venue: Telscombe Cliffs Playing Fields

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