*****MATCH REPORT*****
County Cup QF - Wargrave Warriors vs Tattenhoe Girls

This was our first game of 2026 after last week’s postponement and no training- not ideal prep for a big QF County Cup tie.

Our pre-game team talk focused on getting stuck in from the start. Chase every ball and make use of our home advantage. We love playing on our 3G pitch.

We expected a tight game. Tattenhoe are 4th in Division 1 of the Bucks league.
We’re 4th in our Division.

Tattenhoe had beaten Marlow Girls to set up this tie.
We beat Marlow in our League Cup tie last time we played on the 3G.

Most importantly Jo and I asked the girls if they really wanted it. To get to a semi final and a chance to set up an opportunity to get to a showpiece final.
Do you really want it girls? Then go out there and show us!

Despite that rallying cry, the first quarter was cagey. The girls hadn’t played together for a few weeks and there was an inevitable rustiness that was affecting both sides.

Then we started to get into our groove. Poppy and Annabel came on as wingers and Celine into the CAM role and we started to cause them problems with more direct running.

Annabel made good progress down the right and as we shouted ‘shoot’ she played a really smart ball across the area to Celine who got a shot away which squirmed under their keeper and into the left hand corner.

1-0 ⚽️ Celine

We were now on top. Lucy G and Holly were bossing things in midfield with great interplay and fantastic passing and we made it safely to HT 1-0

Our half time talk was positive. We were on top and we knew we had more goals in us but we also knew Tattenhoe would come out fighting and the next goal would be crucial.

Tattenhoe started the 2nd half well but our brilliant defence were in control.

Their equaliser came from an error. Blossom played a poor ball out which one of their attackers latched onto and then sent a good shot that sailed back over Blossom into the top right hand corner.

1-1 Game on.

It’s a real testament to our Warriors that they didn’t let their heads go down.

Instead they drove forward with purpose and there was a period of wave after wave of attack, a few tight offside calls and a bit of frustration on the pitch as the girls showed their desire to win.

As we entered the final quarter, we moved Lottie back out right and Poppy was back on the left and our message was to drive down the wings and get crosses in as their defence was tiring.

After some great work down the left from Poppy, the ball broke back out to Belle about 25 yards out and she sent a delicious lob over their stranded keeper and nestled beautifully in the net. Great Goal.

2-1 ⚽️ Belle

Now we sensed blood. Lottie made a couple of great runs down the right and sent in some wicked crosses that we couldn’t quite get on the end of.

We kept going and finally this tactic worked. A ball from Lottie found Poppy on the left hand side of the area who steered home from a really tight angle.

3-1 ⚽️ Poppy

It was richly deserved for our endeavour and on a go to the semi finals of the County Cup.

Here’s the line up

Wargrave Warriors
Woodley Hurricanes
Aylesbury Utd Whites
Stony Stratford Girls

No details yet on the date for this game.

There were some really standout performances. Our defence as a whole played really well.

Lucy G and Holly were outstanding in midfield.
Lucy was even called out by the County Ref as having been the standout player who never lost the ball all game.

Our attack eventually fizzed with some great contributions outside from Lottie, Poppy and Annabel.

And our strikers Belle and Celine got into great positions and both scored good goals.

Jo and I felt that Celine for her calmness and game intelligence deserved a POTM
The other award when you Holly who had her best game for the Warriors with clever forward passing and also showing great maturity in central midfield. Her relationship with Lucy G was a key factor in the win

Well done girls.
On we go. We now have 2 semi finals in the cup competitions to prep for.

Let’s bring one of those trophies ? home!