Weekend Round Up 16/03/19

GOALS GOALS GOALS

Leicester dominated the first few minutes of the first half by keeping possession and having many attempts on goal. Their efforts were finally rewarded and first goal came in the 18th minute from Jodie Conelly’s drag flick on a short corner.

A few mistakes from Leicester in different areas of the pitch meant Leeds were able to level the score line a few minutes later to make it 1-1, but taking nothing away from Leeds who cleverly pounced on Leicester’s errors and passed the ball around nicely to get it past the keeper – the final touch into the goal coming from Tierney Augustine and it stayed this way into half time (1-1).

Not long into the second half Leeds took the lead after catching Leicester on the counter attack and Tierney Augustine slotting the ball into the goal after a 1v1 with Leicester goalkeeper Caitlin Jeffries. 2-1 Leeds.
The scored stayed like this until around 20 minutes into the second half when Leicester made a huge come-back. It started when a very questionable decision from the umpire resulted in a green card and short corner against Leeds which Jodie Conelly was able to convert for Leicester again to make the score 2-2. This was shortly followed by a third short corner and subsequent hat-trick for Jodie; 3-2 Leicester.

Three more Leicester field goals followed only minutes after through Olive Richmond in the 59th minute, Lizzie Honarmand in the 61st then Olive again in the 68th minute to bag her second. All three goals were ‘textbook’, one-touch hockey that pulled Leeds’ defence apart – a real show for what this Leicester team are capable of. Final score: 6-2.

 

BATTLE AT THE BOTTOM

Leicester traveled to the Moulton Equestrian Centre (bizarrely it had an astro) to face mid table Northampton Saints to start a three game run to avoid the relegation play off.
Leicester struggled to get to grips with the early pace with Northampton starting strongly. The home side raced into an earlier lead with a combination of less than ideal defending and quick Northampton play.
The visitors were giving the ball away easily and needed to reign in the pace at which they were trying to play.
Leicester best chances came from quick free hits around the circle resulting in circle in releasing Etta down the right. Another quick free hit meant the ball could be delivered and Kitty won a foal which resulted in a penalty corner which Tara put narrowly wide.

A flurry of quick goals meant Northampton took a 3-0 lead into the half time break.

Now saddled with a 3 goal deficit to overcome Leicester improved marginally in the second half and became much more stable in their play.
Jenna arrived at half time and although her throat was still a little horse following an injury picked up at Cannock her communication and goalkeeping prowess kept the home side at bay.
Leicester will need to quit foaling around in their final two games to ensure they are in with a chance of avoiding the relegation play off.

 

1-1 AT HOME

This Saturday Leicester 3s took on second placed Loughborough Town. The team welcomed Emma Sleeman and Katie Evans Puttick back from illness and were very grateful that Casey managed to get off her sick bed to take her place in the squad. The first half started at a frenetic pace with Leicester dominating possession and once again playing the attractive hockey that has become a trademark of their game.

Excellent movement and accurate passing by Emily and Emma combined with decisive runs by Sophie, Annie, Karen and Anna resulted in Leicester midfield cutting through a well organised Loughborough Town defence on numerous occasions and it was only some super saves by the Loughborough keeper that prevented the deadlock being broken. Leicester continued to work hard however Lauren’s selfless running and control on the ball did not get the goal she deserved. The first half finished 0-0.

With the wind behind them Loughborough Town started the second half with a new determination but found the defence of Casey, Ellie, Jess, Elsbeth and Katie well organised and on top of their game. Strong tackles, discipline in marking and intelligent movement of the ball meant Leicester continued to look in control and it was a decisive pass from defence, through midfield that found Annie Sibson, who sprinted to the edge of the ‘D’ and place the ball firmly in the back of the net. 1-0, a well deserved lead.

With 10 minutes to go Loughborough continued to apply the pressure and an unfortunate deflection from a short corner resulted in an equaliser for Loughborough which meant the game ended 1-1.

Player of the match was a hugely contested award today with many players putting in super performances, Sophie Levy took the prize!

Thank you Paul and David, not just for today but for coaching us into a well organised, attractive hockey playing side.

 

A WIN WHEN IT COUNTS

The 4’s started strongly in this must win game to try and stay in the division. Quick attacks from both sides of the pitch kept Leicester University pinned in their own half from Lauren and Elena B. Chances fell for Tara and Kayleigh but it was not until close to half time that Leicester took the lead through Kayleigh. Georgia and Anna G controlled any counter attacks from the speedy uni players and time after time Sarah, Jodie and Eve won back possession.

1-0 became 2-0 thanks to Jodie but a moment of error resulted in Leics Uni finding a goal back to make it 2-1. This resulted in a slight wobble in the 4’s as nerves kicked in but Kayleigh again scored from a short corner to calm everyone down. Caitlin then made it 4-1 calmy slotting past the keeper and the 3 points were ours.

 

5s
No game this week

 

MORE LOST HEADS THAN THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

Leicester City travelled to third place Burton 5s after five wins in a row for the home side. Late arrivals and poor weather meant the side trickled out of the changing rooms two minutes before pushback with only 10 players starting the game. Leicester started positively with the early exchanges in their favour holding onto possession and playing intelligently allowing Jamie to knock a cross from JB in at the back post, 1-0 up and only 3 minutes into the game.
Burton quickly fought back to win a short corner and an on target shot was well saved and cleared by Jason.
A hairy moment not long after left Boycie and Jason confused over who was picking up a loose ball in the D with a Burton defender bearing down on them. Fortunately one of them shook off the fog just in time and cleared the ball out of Burton's reach.
On the stroke of 10 minutes Jamie fired home his second to take Leicester 2-0 ahead.
David H and Paul arrived from the Ladies Fourth team game shortly after, taking the squad up to a full compliment but not before a long ball up the middle of the pitch was unopposed for a Burton junior to send into the back of the net to bring the game to 2-1.
Leicester continued to work hard dominating in the Burton 23 and winning a number of short corners but unfortunately scoring none.
A short corner awarded just before half time was flicked home by Burton to pull the scores level.

The weather conditions worsened, the quality of hockey worsened and players begun to have tantrums all over the pitch.
Thankfully some people were still willing to play good hockey and a well worked short corner routine was put in by Jamie for his third goal of the game inching Leicester back ahead.
More short corners were awarded and good routines unfortunately not converted. Burton conversely took their chances and when a first shot was cleared back to the attacking player he quickly followed up to score and bring the scores level again 3-3.
JB came closest in the next few exchanges when a good roll out from Jamie bobbled the ball passed the post and JB was unable to get the final touch goal bound.
After scramble in the goal mouth the ball fell nicely for David H to flick and take it to 4-3.

But after flying tackles and handbags and toys were thrown Burton took charge on a short corner and levelled the score with only a few minutes left on the clock. Leicester continued to battle and looked dangerous going forward but were unable to find the winner before the final whistle, the game finished 4-4.

Leicester will hope to take a more positive attitude into the last two weeks of the season and finish on a high with their second place league position secured.

Squad: Jason Clothier, Conor Baird, Daryl Boyce, David Hill, Declan Shepherd, Jamie Sinclair, Jasraj Bhatia, Luke Hardy, Nic White, Paul Lineham, Ross Harrison and Tim Dyke

Unfortunately this week's final home game has been cancelled as West Bridgford are unable to field a side so the team's final game will be next weekend away to Derby 4s 2:30 pushback