Windsor Youth 2 - 0 Caversham AFC

Caversham travelled to Eton for their final BCGFL league game of the season hoping to make it 9 games straight without a defeat. With Windsor Youth having Chelsea FC academy calibre players at their disposal and looking to make it 15 straight wins this season, Caversham knew they were in for a tough morning. Knowing nothing less than 3 points would keep Caversham in with an outside chance of the league runners up position, this game was also an opportunity to see how the league champions have developed since the reverse fixture back in September as Caversham prepare to face them again in the BCGFL Cup Final.

Caversham started the game well and quickly neutralised much of the threat of Windsor's players, but on a small 9 a-side pitch Caversham struggled to get their attacking football going as a well organised Windsor closed them down when out of possession. In possession Windsor always looked dangerous, but the pace of player of the match Olivia along with Martha and Anna were more than a match for the Windsor attack and when Niamh joined the defense It was clear Windsor would have to produce something special to break Caversham down. Although Serena was kept busy, she rarely looked troubled in the first half.

The Windsor midfield were sharper to the loose ball making it hard going for the starting midfield of Saffron, Ruby and Grace so it required quick rotation of substitutions to keep the pressure on. Leah played well having transitioned into a midfield position for the first time. In a first half of few clear cut chances for either team, Daisy probably created the first real test for Windsor when she turned the defender and slotted a ball through for Lianna who was playing as a striker for the first time. With Daisy, Lianna and Evie rotating the striking positions a sustained period of pressure saw numerous corners scrambled away by Windsor. Daisy broke the defense and put a shot marginally wide and when Evie broke clear she shanked the finish in uncharacteristic fashion. Grace got the ball on the edge of the box and turned to fire in a half volley that left the keeper stranded, but the ball flew marginally over the bar.

With the score at 0-0 it felt like Caversham had dealt with the pressure and actually created the better clear cut chances, but they might pay a hard price for not converting them. Going into the second half it seemed that it would require a piece of exceptional skill or a mistake to break the dead lock for either side and unfortunately for Caversham it proved to be the latter. When a shot deflected harmlessly into the box, there was uncertainty in the Caversham defense as to whether it would be deemed a back pass as Serena went to pick up the ball. The confusion and hesitation resulted in the ball at the feet of the Windsor striker who was able to pass the ball into the net with Serena out of position. Whilst it would be hard to argue Windsor weren't deserving of the lead it was a harsh way to fall behind in the game. Daisy almost got a goal back straight from kick-off, but that was one of the few real opportunities to get back on level terms as Windsor efficiently closed the game out. The vital second goal came towards the end with a well taken finish by Windsor's star player and they nearly made it three with the best move of the game as the clock wound down.

There is no doubt Caversham are going to be in for a tough cup final in 7 weeks time, but on today's evidence, although it will be a tough task, it will be by no means an impossible one. Caversham's improvement in the second half of the season gives them a deserved place in the final and a realistic chance of bringing silverware back to Clayfield Copse. There is plenty to be positive about, not least the shock defeat of Winnersh to Shinfield today which ties Caversham and Winnersh in 3rd place in the BCGFL league table. If the form of Windsor and Tilehurst Panthers Stripes continues, this will be where Caversham finish once all games are completed and will represent a significant improvement on last season.