London Region win U14 Inter Regional title

London defeated North West Thunder to lift the girls’ ASA Inter Regional U14 title, hosted by the West Midlands region at Walsall Gala Baths.

After three group wins on the opening day in the West Midlands, London defeated defending champions East Angels in the semi-finals before seeing off North West Thunder with a 10-6 (3-0, 1-2, 3-3, 3-1) victory in the final.

Erin Andrew, who put away seven goals in six matches for Otter in this year’s ASA National Age Group U15 Championships, starred for London Region, scoring in all three group games before netting five times in both the semis and final to finish the tournament with 18 goals.

It was Andrew’s teammates Emily Campbell-Lamerton and Nolitha Olunsanya who set London on their way in the final, the former scoring twice as goalkeeper Barbola Toth marshaled a first quarter shut out for a 3-0 lead.

Two goals from Kate Rowland saw the Thunder pull to within one in the second quarter but Andrew’s first strike of the game with 28 seconds left on the clock ensured London had a two-goal advantage at half-time.

There was little to choose between the two sides in the third quarter as an Andrew double and a solitary strike from Imogen Smith were matched by two more goals for Rowland and one for Mia Woodward-White for North West Thunder.

Smith and Andrew notched again within the space of 30 seconds to put the result beyond doubt in the final quarter and while Rowland pulled one back for her fifth of the game, Andrew responded with her fifth goal to secure the trophy for London.

“After a nervy start to the competition with a 4-3 win over a strong Wales team, the London girls showed an outstanding defensive performance for the rest of the weekend,” said London coach Dariusz Kadziak. “We conceded an average of three goals per game and won by four or more goals in every game.

“In both Sunday games, all the girls showed great determination and team spirit which helped them to achieve their final success.

“This is truly an outstanding turn around for the London team to go from last year’s finish of eighth to a winning performance this year. Well done to all the girls.”

East Angels defeated North West Lightning to claim the bronze medal in Walsall, ultimately winning a close contest 13-9 (5-1, 2-2, 4-3, 2-3) with Eda Colliver and Ciara Nicholson both scoring four goals for the East Region.

Statistics

• Top Goalscorer: Sophie Orger (NW Lightning)
• Top Goalkeeper: Anna Jenkins-Delf (Wales)
• Overall MVP: Anashe Chisaadza (South East)

Team MVPs

• London – Erin Andrew
• NW Thunder – Kate Rowland
• East Angels – Eve Poole
• NW Lightning – Sophie Orger
• Wales – Anna Jenkins-Delf
• North East – Poppy Stephenson
• Midlands – Tilly Neal
• South East – Anna Chisadza
• Scotland – Eva Sigurdardottir

Click here to download simplified match sheets from the ASA Girls’ U14 Inter Regional Championships 2015.