Two Fareham Girls give striking football performance

 

On Saturday 23rd April, Jodie Brett (15) a student from The Henry Cort Community College and Millie Farrow (14) from Cams Hill School played at the Toryglen Indoor Arena in Glasgow for the first ever English Schools’ Football Association match. The girls gave striking performances with a 3-1 victory to England, with Millie Farrow scoring twice and Jodie Brett scoring a penalty.

 

 

The girls played on a full size 3G pitch with spectators seating for almost 1,000, making it an ideal venue and one regularly used by the Scottish Football Association and Scottish league sides during the bad weather.

 

 

Despite a long and hot journey to Scotland the game kicked off with great drive and determination as Olivia Millington rattled in a tackle and using her powerful left foot sent Jodie Brett away down the right and England won the first corner of the game. After 10 minutes, Scotland mounted a dangerous attack and won a corner. A quick-fire strike led to a scramble in the box which became the first opportunity for Shayla Burgess in goal to demonstrate her skills. Quickly releasing the ball she then sent Millie Farrow away who outpaced the Scottish defence only to have her shot superbly saved by Chole Logan in goal.  As a substitute was bought onto the pitch, Millie Farrow was on hand to crash a right foot volley past the keeper from 10 yards out, scoring an absolutely incredible goal. As the England team started to relax, the Scots took the opportunity to dominate in midfield and as the half time whistle neared, the Scotland captain Lizzie Arnot saved the day with a half time score resulting in Scotland 1-1 England.

 

 

During the second half, the England team ramped up their game with some impressive inter-passing and movement of the ball from the Fareham girls Jodie Brett and Millie Farrow. This quick inter passing in the box resulted in Millie being brought down for a penalty. Full of confidence Jodie stepped up and fired it past the Scottish Keeper 

resulting in 2-1 England. The Scots fought back but were defeated as Millie slotted the ball into the corner for 3-1, achieving her second goal for England.

 

After the game, the England squad were presented with medals and a cup for the occasion which was sponsored by Lloyds TSB Scotland.

 

 

Speaking about the event Jodie Brett said, "The whole experience of the weekend was amazing. It was an indescribable feeling from walking out onto the pitch, to singing the National Anthem, to playing the game & WINNING. It went so quickly and I didn't want it to end. I made some good friends and I hope one day we will get to play again. I am very grateful that I got the opportunity to experience International level football.”

 

 

 Millie remarked, "To play and score for my country was an experience of a lifetime; this occasion was just amazing and a memory that will stay with me forever. It was the best match I have ever played in and I didn’t want it to end. I believe we have proved ourselves as talented young female players and I really wish we get the chance to play together as a team again. Also I hope we have proved that there is a serious future in women’s football to come.”

 

 

There is a strong sense of team spirit instilled amongst the squad and that’s a combination of the hard work and dedication from Team Manager Sarah Steadman from Queens School, Bushey and coach Miranda Hall (Parmiters School) and the overwhelming energy and skill from rest of the England U-15 team.  The Team Manager and Coach said, "Jodie and Millie worked well together and were a dream team up front, with Millie’s lightening speed and Jodie’s creativity, this caused problems for the Scottish defence all game. They were very professional throughout the whole weekend and a pleasure to work with."

 

 

England squad: GK Shayla Burgess (Stantonbury Campus), 2. Molly Johnson (Aston Comprehensive School), 3. Philippa Cowley (Cottesloe School), 4. Helen Seed (Broughton Business College), 5. Olivia Millington (Ashton CS College), 6. Keren Allen (Windsor High School), 7. Ashleigh Porschke (West Kirby Grammar School). 8. Jodie Hartley (Winterhill School), 9. Izzy Sulivan (Rushcliffe School), 10. Jodie Brett (The Henry Cort Community College), 11. Millie Farrow (Cams Hill School), 12. Sally Gill (Castle School), 13. GK Daniella Francioso (Avon Valley School), 14. Megan Cross (St Bernard’s High School), 15. Sophie Kenny Levick (Polesworth High School), 16. Georgia Griffiths (Leasowes High School)

 

 

Totally dedicated to football, Jodie started playing when she was only seven years old and played for a local boys team whom she stayed with and captained until 12.  She had to leave the game because of FA rules about girls playing football with boys once they go to

11- a-side. However she still trains once a week with the team and is very well respected by the squad. She started playing for The Chelsea Football Club's Girls' Centre of Excellence at nine years old in their under 10 squad and has been with them through the under 10, 12, 14 and currently under 16 squads. She trains twice a week at their Cobham training ground, and plays matches on Saturdays.

Mr Munday, Principal at The Henry Cort Community College remarked, “This is a phenomenal achievement for everyone in the team and it’s fantastic to see two young girls from Fareham as leading players on the pitch. Congratulations to Jodie and Millie, and the rest of the Girls’ Football team on their incredible success.”

 

 

 

For further editorial information please contact call Sally Tickner, Press Officer on 02392 354235 or email her at info@sallytickner.com