Gotham Girls Chargers and Clifton Park Premiere Attack first met at the Clifton Park field two years ago and the Chargers were beaten 5-0. This time, our New York City girls scored the 1st goal against CP in 33rd minutes and ended the 1st half with a 1-0 lead.
Possession in the 1st half was 51.22%-48.78% for the Chargers. Both teams had their moments and keepers from both sides made very good saves except against the shot from GG forward Tessa DeCandido. After GGFC U17 team penetrated from the right side, Jenna Smith received a back pass to keep possession. She didn’t hesitate a moment and sent a very good cross in. Their defender headed the ball desperately and the deflected ball went between their goalkeeper and defenders. However, before anyone else made contact with the ball, Tessa toe poked it into the back of the net, while tall defenders and the goalkeeper watched this small goal hunter run by them with lightning speed.
In the 2nd half of the game, Clifton Park, the 1st place team, showed that they wanted to win this game. They dominated possession by over 70%. Well into 15th minutes of the 2nd half, a cross came from their left side into the Chargers box; the shot was deflected into our defender’s arm that was kept across the upper body. Home side got a penalty kick call. Chargers goalkeeper made the best effort but the spot kick was well placed into low left corner with a pace to tie the game 1-1.
The Chargers kept playing hard and kept playing out of back into their half in a controlled fashion, but the opposing team applied better pressure against. GG midfielder lost the ball just behind the halfway line and one of the back players was caught out of position, which lead into their breakaway. Home team made no mistake to capitalize on the visitor’s mistake to take 2-1 lead.
3rd goal for Clifton Park came directly off the corner kick. GGFC defenders and goalkeepers didn’t solve the issue by the time the corner kick was taken. The cross came in with the pace and it met perfectly with the near post runner’s head into the back of the net.
The game ended with a 3-1 score for Clifton Park Attack. Two years ago this Capital District team totally dominated us. Although we have narrowed the gap, our work is cut out for us to prevail over this elite premier team.
GG Chargers are traveling to Elmont, Long Island on Sunday May 3rd, 12:30 PM kick off.
