Brockham Badgers Tournament
Sunday 15th June 2008

Last Sunday the Under 13's took part in the Brockham Badgers tournament in Surrey. This involved a very early start for all players, parents and supporters as arrival at 9am was required. Thanks to the parents, the squad of nine was on time to nestle beneath the very picturesque setting of Box Hill for their five "group" matches in the sun.

Dynamo started well with a 3-0 win over West Byfleet Scorpions, with Emma bagging a brace and Olivia getting the other. Dynamo also won their last game with a 2-0 win over league rivals Oakwood, both goals coming from second half substitute Charlie. In between these games results did not go for us against a strong Patcham team, a big Merstham team and there was also a narrow defeat to a team called AFC Walcountians. This meant that Dynamo finished fourth out of six in their group. Only the top two, Patcham and Merstham, went through to the semi finals (neither made it to the final, but Horsham Sparrows from the other under 13 group did).

In addition to the player participation medals and certificates and free squash provided at this huge but superbly run event, the organisers also provided a brand new ball as a prize for the player of the team. This was awarded to Harriet, who showed her fitness by working very hard for the team in the warm conditions and making some great tackles and passes. Well done to Harriet, and to the team as a whole who showed improvements that bode well for next season.

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Dynamo Girls v Eastbourne Borough Youth
Sunday 9th March 2008 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna, Ruby, Olivia , Gen, Jade, Charlotte, Jessica, Abbie Walker (GK), Abbie Whittaker, Zoe

Wow! What a great way to finish the league season! We started brightly with plenty of possession and confidence. We were first to score with Emma finding the back of the net twice without reply, before we lost our way slightly with the defence not clearing and allowing Eastbourne back into the game 2-2 at half time.

The girls started positively enough but we were soon down a goal, however, this was a different performance from the players and they battled on with Elle and Gen a tower of strength at the back. Eventually we won through with a hat-trick from Charlie but in truth this was a fantastic performance from each of the girls with extra praise for Olivia out on the wing and Rowanna who has grown in confidence as each game passes.

Well done to all the players, parents and Joe for a memorable end to the season.

Final score: Dynamo Girls 5 (2) - Eastbourne Borough Youth 3 (2)

Scorer: Charlie (3), Emma (2)

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

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Marle Place Wanderers v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 3rd February 2008 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna, Ruby, Olivia , Gen, Jade, Charlotte, Jessica, Abbie Walker (GK), Abbie Whittaker, Zoe

For 40 minutes I thought this was going to be a superb match for the girls. In the first half they confidently defended against a well organised and strong Marle Place team and the only goal conceded was a wind assisted cracking shot from the right hand of the penalty box. Playing against the slope, Dynamos found it difficult to attack but nonetheless put some superb runs and passes together especially between Charlie and Olivia.

The second half started superbly with a goal within minutes from Emma. We piled on plenty of pressure and were unlucky not to take the lead. Unfortunately we then conceded two silly goals with the ball just rolling across the line in both cases. By then I think the players had played their heart out and physically began to fine the going tough.

The position the girls find themselves in is no reflection of the way they have played this season. There were plenty of positives to take from the match, and a few lessons learnt.

Final score: Marle Place Wanderers 5 (1) - Dynamo Girls 1 (0)

Scorer: Emma

Venue: Brooks Playing Fields, The Brooks, Burgess Hill

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Dynamo Girls v Patcham United
Sunday 20th January 2008 - 12.30 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna, Ruby, Olivia , Gen, Jade, Charlotte, Jessica, Abbie Walker (GK), Abbie Whittaker, Zoe

When you're bottom of the league and playing the top team you would think that the players might be a bit downbeat – not our girls. They approached this game with 100% positive attitude and despite being on the back foot for the first quarter of the match, they began to find they way and put together several good attacks. Patcham’s first goal was a blinder, but we had the opportunity level a few moments later through Emma, unfortunately her strike hitting the keeper. With just seconds to go untill half time, a missed clearance in midfield caught our defence out and Patcham came in 2 -0 up.

In the second half the girls continued to battle and with the wind now behind us the defence was making some excellent clearances but we struggled to make the best of them. Patcham scored again, but we still didn’t give up and Charlie scored a consolation goal. We hoped and deserved more, but Patcham once again struck. They are a good team, but I really don’t think there was much between us. Again some great individual performances – hats off this week to the two Abbies – both really making a difference to the team – well done!

Final score: Dynamo Girls 1 (0) - Patcham United 4 (2)

Scorer: Charlotte

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

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Dynamo Girls v Polegate Grasshoppers
Sunday 13th January 2008 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna, Ruby, Olivia , Jade, Charlotte, Jessica, Abbie Walker (GK), Abbie Whittaker, Zoe, Harriet

With Polegate only having 10 players, the girls sportingly also dropped to 10 giving us 2 subs for the game and a 4-4-1 formation.

For the first 10 minutes we seemed to dominate position with plenty of positive attacking play and shots on or around target. Abby W in goal was probably wondering if she was going to touch the ball! Unfortunately, it all changed and Polegate made the best of the attacks they had and in a blink of an eye all of the hard work the girls had put in over the last few games was undone and we found ourselves 0-4 down. However, unlike earlier in the season the girls continued to battle with Charlie finding the back of the net.

Second half was a different story – maybe we ain’t good at early kick offs!! From the start we put pressure on their defence, but Polegate defended well. Emma eventually scored and a few moments later Charlie scored again and we were back in the game. The last few minutes were frantic as we lay siege to the Polegate goal, but a way through could not be found. In the end, a great game if not a great result for the girls league positon.

Final score: Dynamo Girls 3 (4) - Polegate Grasshoppers 4 (4)

Scorers: Charlotte (2), Emma

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

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Dynamo Girls v Seahaven Harriers
Sunday 6th January 2008 - 12.30 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna, Ruby, Olivia , Gen, Jade, Charlotte, Jessica, Abbie Walker (GK), Abbie Whittaker, Zoe, Harriet

A great performance from the girls given that they have had a break for a couple of weeks (Editor: it's actually six weeks since your last match!) and this is a tough team to play. The difference really came down to two goal-keeping errors, which put us on our back foot a little.

That said Abbie made some cracking saves too, but the star of the show for me was Gen who hasn’t played much this season but was a real rock in defence which enabled Elle to support the midfield. Overall I am really proud of how the girls played and they really are becoming an excellent team.

Well done to all of you especially Harriet, who must have felt it a bit strange considering what happened last time we played this team, and Charlie for a superb goal. Thanks for a great start to the New Year!!!!

Final score: Dynamo Girls 1 (0) - Seahaven Harriers 3 (1)

Scorer: Charlotte

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

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Oakwood Youth v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 25th November 2007 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna, Ruby, Olivia , Gen, Jade, Charlotte, Jessica, Abbie Walker (GK), Abbie Whittaker, Zoe, Harriet

Finally the girls got the result they deserved having battled so hard over recent weeks. Whilst this performance was not the best of the season and the girls again looked nervous, we certainly seemed to dominate periods of play. It was a surprise to go 1 - 0 down so early on, but after several near misses (if we were running a league for hitting the post we would be top!), Emma finally drew us level. In the second half we put on plenty of pressure and once we were able to move Elle into the midfield our attacking football came to the fore.

As previously mentioned, having a full squad made a difference and it was good to see Gen and Harriet back on the pitch. Whilst we need to work on some technical issues, there was excellent play from Olivia, Abbie and Zoe on the wings, superb goals from Charlie and Emma and some great goalkeeping from Abbie Walker. Well done girls, Joe and I and well proud of you.

Final score: Oakwood Youth 2 (1) - Dynamo Girls 4 (1)

Scorers: Emma (2), Charlotte (2)

Venue: Maidenbower, Crawley

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Patcham United v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 18th November 2007 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna, Ruby, Olivia , Rebecca, Jade, Charlotte, Jessica, Abbie Walker (GK), Abbie Whittaker, Zoe

This week the girls were outstanding and the result is an unfair reflection of the game. The coaches demanded a better performance from the players, and that is exactly what we received. More challenges, better marking, stronger and more physical. Despite the freezing conditions the girls worked hard for the entire 70mins though the first goal was a lapse of concentration at a corner which saw Patcham sneak one in at the back post. The second goal was sporting unfairness as Abbie's glasses came off and she couldn’t see the ball – one of Patcham players getting in before we could clear. We came close to scoring several times and were also unlucky to be called offside on several others.

This was a fantastic performance and if the girls had played like this all season we would be sitting at the top of the table rather then the bottom. Well proud and looking forward to the next match.

Final score: Patcham United 2 (0) - Dynamo Girls 0 (0)

Venue: Patcham Junior School, Ladies Mile Road, Patcham

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Dynamo Girls v Oakwood Youth
Sunday 11th November 2007 - 12.30 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna, Ruby, Olivia , Jade, Charlotte, Jessica, Abbie Walker (GK), Abbie Whittaker, Zoe

Mmmmm, what can you say about a game were you are comfortably leading in the first half and then lose in the second? A much better performance by the players for the first 45 minutes and to be honest the girls could have been 3 or 4 nil up. They seemed to be nervous, perhaps trying to hard but the build up to the first goal was excellent. We failed to follow up further chances until Emma took a stunning shot from the left hand side of the goal to give us our best start to the season.

Second half, who knows what went wrong. Once Oakwood scored, they seemed to up their game, whereas our girls just seemed to give up on the fight. We did hit the bar a couple of times but in truth it felt more disappointing then the previous weeks hammering in the cup.

There were some excellent positives – Jade scoring her first goal, Abbie Whittaker discovering that she can take corners and Ruby again putting in some excellent throws and challenges. It was disappointing to again only have 11 players and I think we now need and deserve some commitment from the missing players.

Final score: Dynamo Girls 2 (2) - Oakwood Youth 3 (0)

Scorers: Jade, Emma

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

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Dynamo Girls v Horsham Sparrows ( Challenge Cup)
Sunday 4th November 2007 - 13.00 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna, Ruby, Olivia , Rebecca, Jade , Charlotte , Jessica, Abbie Walker (GK - 1st half), Abbie Whittaker (GK - 2nd half), Zoe

When a team turns up expecting to lose, that is invariably what happens and whilst Horsham Sparrows played some excellent football, mentally the game was lost before we began. Despite having practised defending at Saturday's training, there was no evidence of it at all in the first half, and Horsham found it embarrassingly easy to attack and score. The occasional attacks we did have went down the wings as practised, and Emma went close a couple of times.

A strong team talk at half time, and the girls took to the field with a point to prove. We stubbornly defended and it took 15 minutes for Horsham to score their next goal and finally we in turn were able to get one in the back of the net. Exhaustion then played its part and two more sloppy goals but overall vast improvement.

So – out of the cup, and just the league to concentrate on!!! Come on you reds!

Final score: Dynamo Girls 1 (0) - Horsham Sparrows 12 (9)

Scorer: Charlotte

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

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Polegate Grasshoppers v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 28th October 2007 - 12.30 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna, Ruby, Olivia , Rebecca, Jade , Charlotte , Jessica, Abbie Walker (GK), Abbie Whittaker, Zoe

The U13’s run of bad luck continued with this week’s fixture against Polegate. Despite going a goal down, the team recovered well and in fairness for the first half seemed to have the bulk of possession and at half time the score was level.

The shape of the team was a lot better and having a substitute definitely helped. Unfortunately, early in the second half after Polegate had taken the lead Emma picked up an injury and the team's performance took a downward turn. Abbie made some impressive saves late in the game to keep the score line respectable, but at the other end we struggled to turn possession into goals. An impressive debut for Ruby who played the first half in defence and looked very comfortable – well done!

Final score: Polegate Grasshoppers 4 (1) - Dynamo Girls 1 (1)

Scorer: Emma

Venue: Westlords Playing Fields, Eastbourne

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Dynamo Girls v Lindfield Juniors
Sunday 14th October 2007 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna, Olivia , Rebecca, Jade , Charlotte , Jessica, Abbie Walker, Abbie Whittaker (GK - first half), Zoe (GK - second half)

When Emma scored in the 13th minute, I thought we were looking good and confident of getting a second win of the season. Unfortunately on the stroke of half time Lindfield pulled level, but our undoing this week was player’s injuries. Elle wasn’t fit enough to play in the second half and Zoe, also carrying an injury went into goal. This left us down to 10 players and Lindfield soon took advantage. Soon they were 4-1 up but two quick goals from Charlie pulled it back to 4-3. However, we ran out of steam and despite fantastic performances from Bexs, Charlie and Emma we couldn’t hold back the tide and Lindfield ran out winners.

There was some great individual performances and much to look forward to when we get back to full fitness. Have a couple of weeks off and then lets get in there again!!

Final score: Dynamo Girls 3 (1) - Lindfield Juniors 10 (1)

Scorers: Emma, Charlotte (2)

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

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Dynamo Girls v Marle Place Wanderers
Sunday 7th October 2007 - 12.30 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C) (GK - second half), Rowanna, Olivia , Rebecca, Jade , Charlotte , Jessica, Abbie Walker, Abbie Whittaker, Zoe (GK - first half)

A bit of a let down this week – I’m getting the feeling that the girls don’t like late kick offs – fixture secretary please take note!! This week we tried players in new positions again with a defence featuring the two Abbie’s with Jessica in the centre. In front what I considered to be a strong midfield, but the problem was one of fitness and the midfield seemed to struggle with coming back and defending when possession was lost. This is not helped with not having any subs for the second week in a row, though I am delighted that Ruby has now signed and Harrier is on her way to fitness.

All of the girls need to work hard in training this week, particularly in attack the ball early and on their positional play. Marle Place got their revenge for last season and deserved the win. Well played and thank you for some excellent refereeing and the usual excellent support from the parents. Your patience will be rewarded soon!

Final score: Dynamo Girls 0 (0) - Marle Place Wanderers 6 (2)

Venue: Telscombe Playing Fields

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Eastbourne Borough Youth v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 30th September 2007 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna, Olivia (GK - first half), Rebecca, Genevieve, Jade , Charlotte (GK - second half), Jessica, Abbie Walker, Abbie Whittaker, Zoe,

A much improved performance on the previous match. Gen had injured herself in training and though brave enough to start had to be substituted in the first 5 minutes which left us without any subs for the match. Eastbourne was not as strong as previous years and in some ways it made the result more frustrating.

All of the players contributed well. Elle’s goal was a long range cracker and evidence that the shooting practice the girls are having is beginning to pay off. Abi Whittaker was much stronger in defence and battled well as did Jessica. Jade is getting stronger week by week whilst Em was unlucky to be called offside in the dying minutes of the match.

Well played girls, 110% effort in training this week should reap a better result next week.

Final score: Eastbourne Borough Youth 3 (2) - Dynamo Girls 1 (1)

Scorer: Elle

Venue: Bishop Bell School

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Seahaven Harriers v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 23rd September 2007 - Midday kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna (GK - first half), Olivia, Rebecca, Genevieve (GK - second half), Jade , Charlotte, Jessica, Abbie Walker, Abbie Whittaker, Zoe, Harriet

Not a great performance this week, perhaps a mixture of the midday kick off, local rivals and over confidence all played their part. For 20 minutes there was no score with Rowanna playing well despite the goals being full sized. However Seahaven had a fast winger who soon opened the scoring for the home team. We fell apart a bit, but full credit to Seahaven as they seemed to be much more competitive and led 4-0 at the break.

For the second half we asked the players to compete more in the tackles and get more shots on target (none in the first half). Soon after the break, pressure from Emma at a corner forced an own goal from their defence, but they soon regained the advantage. Charlie scored a cracking goal towards the end, but overall this was a shocking performance and a good lesson for the girls early on in the season.

Final score: Seahaven Harriers 7 (4) - Dynamo U13's 2 (0)

Scorers: OG, Charlotte

Venue: Fort Road, Newhaven

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Lindfield Juniors v Dynamo Girls
Sunday 16th September 2007 - 10.30 kick-off

Team: Emma, Elle (C), Rowanna, Olivia, Rebecca, Genevieve, Jade (GK - second half), Charlotte, Jessica, Abbie Walker, Abbie Whittaker, Zoe, Harriet (GK - first half)

This was a superb game with which to start the new season. It took a little time for the girls to settle (given that for most this was their first proper 11-a-side game) and not surprisingly Lindfield took the lead after 5 minutes. However, Dynamos got themselves into the game and begin to get a bit more shape and started to attack more and towards the end of the first half Charlie scored to draw the teams’ level.

In the second half the girls came out the stronger team and within the first five minutes had taken the lead through Emma. Dynamo’s then started to dominate possession and the Lindfield goalkeeper made some fantastic saves. A second for Emma in the 60th minute saw Dynamo’s go 3-1 up, but then Lindfield turned the tables and scored two quick goals to level the game. Luckily, we still had a bit more to give and Emma finished off scoring her hat trick with just a couple of minutes to play. Well done to all the girls – a superb start to the season.

Final score: Lindfield Juniors 3 (1) - Dynamo U13's 4 (1)

Scorers: Emma (3) Charlotte

Venue: Great Walstead School, Lindfield

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