The girls had been training hard and were ready for their first game of the season, Revoe in the cup at home.听 What a fixture! Layton girls won the toss and elected to kick up field.听 Revoe kicked off with a shot on goal being easily gathered by Kirsty.听 Layton then settled and were quick to gain the advantage as they began to pass the ball around with ease. A strong run up the wing from the dynamic Abbie put Anna through on goal just to see the ball go wide. Revoe tried a quick counter attack but were stopped dead in their tracks by the 鈥榟eavies鈥 Frankie and Joanne.听 The game was end to end, with Layton just edging the possession statistics. 0-0 half time. The second half saw Layton come out fighting with a kick off shot on goal from Sam going wide of the Revoe goal. The outstanding presence of Leanne and Abbie continued to pressure the midfield and force a corner kick.听 Sam swung the ball into the centre of the net and an unfortunate catch from a Revoe player resulted in a penalty being awarded. The crowd was tense, the players stood on the edge of the box waiting eagerly for any rebounds.听 The Captain Sam placed the ball on the spot, composed herself and then side footed the ball into the bottom corner. 1-0 to Layton. Revoe were now more determined than ever and began to step up the pace.听 A shot on goal from their substitute striker forced Kirsty to pull off a world class save.听 Once again Layton tried to clear their lines and push the ball up front for 鈥淨uick Feet鈥 Vicky to latch on to.听 However a great individual run from April, Revoe鈥檚 centre midfielder resulted in an equaliser. Layton kept their heads held high and continued to fight back with another Sam in swinger from the corner gliding just over the cross bar.听 Revoe countered and once again Frankie and Joanne were put under pressure.听 As Layton tired fresh energy from Lucy in midfield was not enough to see Layton score another.听 The final whistle had gone and the dreaded penalties loomed once again! Both teams had elected to change keepers with Revoe stepping up to take the first of three penalties.听 Sam stood tall in the goals as Revoe took their penalty.听 Sam saved the ball only to then theatrically throw it into the back of her own net! Anna was first up for Layton.听 A wicked run up and a great strike saw the ball fly just wide of the post. Layton were now on the back foot but knew what they had to do to win. Once again the ball was placed on the spot and then hit with such power and procession from the Revoe Centre midfielder, forcing Sam to heroically do the splits on the line to keep the ball out of the back of the net!听 Layton鈥檚 match keeper Kirsty stood proud to take the second penalty and try and level the score.听 No messing a peach of a penalty nearly bust the side netting 鈥 the scores were now level with one penalty each left. Captain vs Captain. Forty minutes of good passing football and it had come down to one kick of the ball each.听 The Revoe player stood over the ball, the referee blew his whistle and the ball was kicked narrowly wide of the goal. Strolling calmly out of goal, throwing her keeper gloves aside Sam placed the ball on the spot. Socks were pulled up, Captains arm band adjusted, hair straightened and the skipper was ready.听 The crowd were silent, the managers were biting their nails, as the team all huddled round. The whistle was blown and the ball was then side footed precisely into the bottom right hand corner.听 Layton had progressed through to the second round of the Cup. A special mention to all the girls involved in the game. Both schools played some good passing football and were a credit to themselves and to the game of football. Also a big thank you to Lyndsey who didn鈥檛 make into on to the field of play but supported her team throughout. | 
