Nottinghamshire U-16 Girls signalled their determined intentions straight from the kick off of what was to be their final game together as a squad, reports Notts Schools FA.
After their last encounter and the return of Derbyshire’s missing international players, there was an expectation this would be an extremely tough game. However, without their own international, Olivia Atkinson, who remains injured, Notts probably played their best game of the season.
Viki Adam’s run and cross in the 7th minute, saw Ashleigh Edwards control the ball and slot away the first goal of the evening.
A second fine long ball from Adam dropped perfectly for Edwards to go one on one with the keeper, tapping home after a clever dummy.
Notts keeper Serena Clarke was down injured for a significant period but able to continue, afterwhich Natasha Hudson switched the ball to Rachel Brown, who netted from all of 35 yards.
After half time, Derbyshire’s Georgia Brewster hit the bar, before they puled a goal back.
Adam, on an individual run down the left, restored the three goal cushion with a clinical finish.
Derbyshire were able to secure a second goal through a free kick, when Paris McKensie rifled in an excellent effort.
Notts defended resolutely towards the end against mounting Derbyshire pressure but in the last few minutes a deflected ball reached Edwards, who swerved her way through the defence, delivering a perfect shot into the left corner for her hat-trick.
With only a minute to go, Notts conceded a free kick and again McKensie stepped up and delivered a repetition of her earlier goal, bringing an end to an entralling match.
