Barking Abbey Girls Football Academy continue to push for incredible treble

The Barking Abbey Girls Academy have been demonstrating their strength as a squad as they continue to be tested by competing in two National cup competitions alongside competing in the National Youth League. The squad were truly put to test recently where the squad had the unfortunate event of both of their National cup Semi-finals from different leagues finals had to be played on the same Wednesday.

This meant that our 26-player squad had to be split in half with 13 players only travelling to York College and the other 13 had to travel to Chatham Town.

Our York College semi-final squad travelled over 5 hours and prepared well by staying overnight in a hotel, their excellent preparation was critical in their brilliant performance as they took an early lead through a Megan Gerrish header.

However, York managed to pull one back and equalise. Abbey with only two subs dug deep and stayed in the game with two excellent saves from Evie Carvell that kept Abbey in the tie. The 1-1 Deadlock couldn’t be broken, so the game went to extra-time with the Girls demonstrating excellent resilience and honesty that helped keep them in the game. Maya Bethelmie went closest when Daisy Schofield played a wonderful, lifted pass over the top of the York College defence, however it wasn’t to be the winner

As the referee blew for the end of 120 mins Abbey’s Girls quickly circled into a huddle to nominate as coach Emberson discussed Abbey’s penalty takers.

First up Charlotte Walsh, Walshy stepped forward calmly and smashed home to put Abbey 1-0. Goalkeeper Evie Carvell winner of three penalty shot outs from last season, shone once again saving the next two York Penalties brilliantly! Drama continued as Captain Ianna Msekwa hit the crossbar before Martha McDonald scored her penalty. York then missed again hitting the foot of the post. This left Goal scorer Megan Gerrish the huge moment of putting Abbey through to their second consecutive National Final! It couldn’t of fell to a better striker as Gerrish had already took the deciding penalty in last years National Schools Final! She took a deep breath and smashed the ball into the top right-hand corner before sprinting off to celebrate with her teammates! Due to the other Semi-final game kicking off later the girls had to wait to see if we had made a double National final…

National AOC Finalists below after defeating York college AET 3-0 on pens The AOC      
(National final is to be held on 30th April at Accrington Stanley FC)

The other semi-final squad travelled to Chatham Town FC and had to make a great comeback from a goal down at half time.

Abbey Girls started the second half strongly with Nell Doe scoring the equaliser after a great through ball from captain Riley Whale.

Ronnie Richards put Abbey ahead with a bullet header from a corner before Lexxie Blythe put Abbey 3-1 up. Top scorer Aryanna Adesan sealed the route to the final with a calm finish.

The day was complete and Abbey celebrated becoming double National Finalists.

National league U21 Trophy Finalists after defeating Chatham Town FC 4-1

The National League Trophy Final v Bolton Wanderers FC TBC with possibilities of it being held at either QPR FC, Derby County FC or West Bromwich Albion FC.

The girls are still currently top of the National u21 Youth League with two games to play if Abbey win both games they will be crowned champions! So, the treble is still on! Watch this space………