It has been a busy and highly successful term for our Under 12, 13, 14 and 16 football teams in the county and national cups. This term, across all four age groups, the girls have played 10, won 9, lost 1, scored 53 and conceded just 11.

This week both the Under 13s and 16s have been in action…

The U13s continued their winning run in the county cup this week, hosting Wykham Park. The girls started off strong, putting pressure on Wykham’s defence which inevitably led to an interception from Honey Benton-Bryan who slotted it home. Sophie Bertram then added to the goals from a corner kick taken by Lois Carter. The girls continued with their excellent play leading up to the third goal with link-up play from Honey and Mae Hemsley to which Mae placed the ball past the keeper. Towards the end of the first half, Lois Cooke managed to score directly from a corner after lack of communication from the Wykham defence. At half time, the score was 4-0 to DGS. The second half started with both teams pressing for the ball; in the end it came down to a very well struck half-volley from Honey Benton-Bryan to get her second goal of the game. Shortly after, DGS were awarded a penalty for handball inside the box. Honey stepped up to take but narrowly missed the post and sent it wide. Mae got her second score of the game after dribbling the ball past several of the opposing defenders and the goalkeeper. Honey secured a hat-trick by intercepting the ball high and smashing it home. The final score was 7-0 DGS, putting the girls through to the quarter finals of the county cup.

The Under 16s travelled to St Barts in Newbury in the 3^rd round of the national cup. With a depleted squad due to illness and injury, a special thanks goes to Ellie Lee and Ellie Smith for coming into the team at the last minute. It was particularly good to see Ellie Lee make her debut for DGS.

DGS took some time to adjust to the wet AstroTurf surface and the weight of the ball in their forward passes. Hard-working striking duo Grace and Linda chased the long through balls and it was Grace who opened the scoring for DGS as she pounced on a spilt ball from the St Barts goalkeeper. Midfield magicians Summer Hawkins and Amelia Stock pulled all the strings in midfield, backed up with a solid line led by captain Immy. The goals came fast – Amelia Stock scored four, two of which were 30-yard free kicks and Grace scored two more to make a first half hat-trick. Immy Hooper went on a run from centre back taking on four players before rounding the goalkeeper in a fantastic solo effort. Lily Norton delivered a pinpoint corner that Summer Hawkins got on the end of to make it 9. St Barts replied with two consolation goals before Linda made it 10. Final score 10-2 to DGS.

The team are now in the hat for round 4 of the national cup and are looking forward to the next round.