CAERPHILLY U16s 1

VALE GIRLS U16s 9 9

DESPITE having had a lengthy lay-off due to bad weather, the Vale Girls U16s soccer side produced their best team performance of the season to chalk up a great win at Caerphilly.

On another very wet afternoon, the opening 10 minutes were fairly even with both sides producing some good football but, after this, Vale took control and the midfield trio of Chloe Jones, Ellie Wenger and Kelsey Murray provided an excellent service to the front runners.

Vale made the breakthrough after 15 minutes when the home defence was cut apart and Danni Kerslake scored with a fine shot. Vale kept up the pressure and another lovely ball allowed Jess Thompson to add a second.

Although, shortly after, Caerphilly reduced the deficit with a long-range shot, Vale took total control, with Emily Hill and Georgia Atkinson giving the home full backs a torrid time. From a series of corners, Thompson scored in the 27th and 29th minutes to complete her hat-trick. Just before half-time, Atkinson broke down the left, cut inside and beat the 'keeper with a fine shot.

With the pitch starting to cut up with the onset of more heavy rain, both teams battled on and, with the Vale remaining in control, Kerslake, Thompson and Hill were all denied by good saves from the home 'keeper.

Vale goalkeeper Niamh Teague was a virtual spectator for most of the second half but a long clearance found Ellie Wenger who struck with a magnificent shot from 35 yards.

Playing probably her best game for the club, Atkinson made several telling breaks and, from one superb cross, Wenger scored the Vale's seventh with a simple tap in. Atkinson added a second with a fine shot and, in increasingly difficult conditions, Wenger completed her hat-trick with the final goal.

Every Vale player gave their all, with full backs Lucia Attannasio and Gabbie Cates giving nothing away, but full credit must also go to a Caerphilly side who battled hard throughout. Atkinson was outstanding and created many opportunities for the Vale attack and Shanice Donovan battled hard up front in the second half.

The player of the month for December was Teague for her consistent performances at the heart of the Vale defence.