Weekend Round Up 02/03/19 & 03/03/19
Saturday
LOUGHBOROUGH STEAL WIN AWAY FROM HOME
From the first whistle both teams started strongly showing some brilliance in attacking as well as defensive play. Both Leicester and Loughborough had their moments to dominate the game and it was a level playing field going into the half time whistle with no goals being scored. The best Leicester opportunity coming for Katie Long who in a 1:1 with the keeper was well tackled to be dispossessed with calls coming from the sideline for a flick!
The first 10 minutes of the second half saw Loughborough attacking Leicester’s D with a few shots going wide or over the crossbar. Leicester fought back with promising aggressive play and many entries into the Loughborough D, however they were unable to put any chances away. Loughborough made it 1-0 when a stray ball around Leicester’s defence was intercepted by a Loughborough forward, forcing Caitlin Jeffries to make a diving save. A penalty stroke was awarded for the tackle and Loughborough took the lead through Lucy Millington.
Loughborough made it 2-0 just 7 minutes later from a deflected ball into the roof of the net by Hannah Cozens from after a well-rehearsed short corner routine.
The lead didn’t seem to shake Leicester as they continued to dominate periods of play and threaten Loughborough’s goal. Throughout the game Leicester showed excellent passages of play and great attacking skills however Loughborough managed to keep them at bay to secure their 2-0 win.
SECONDS GO DOWN TO CANNOCK
Upon arriving in Cannock Leicester Ladies 2s were in good spirits. This rolled over into the opening exchanges with Leicester starting positively and forcing early mistakes form the high flying home side.
Cannock grew into the game and created two excellent opportunities which should have resulted in goals. The ball was in the back of the net twice but controversially disallowed.
Leicester’s forays forwards were often and through counter attacking opportunities’ however the final pass let them down and they failed to capitalise on a number of chances.
It was Cannock who broke the deadlock after 10 minutes of wild defending in their own circle Leicester conceded a number of penalty corners. The away side defended them swell however after a first shot was blocked a second shot took a deflection off a Leicester stick and flew into the goal.
The second half was much of the same with Cannock dominating territory but failing to create opportunities and Leicester letting themselves down with their passing when they broke.
Cannock secured the win towards the end of the game when another Leicester counter attack broke down before getting out of their own half and a topped reverse stick shot managed to find it’s way into the goal. Leicester almost got one back before the final whistle with when a short corner whistled passed the left post having beaten the keeper who didn’t move.
A performance with plenty of positives and where had Leicester been more clinical going forward they could have created a number of excellent opportunities.
Congratulations to Anna Kendall who made her 2nd team debut putting in an impressive display.
LEICESTER LOSE OUT TO DOMINANT STUDENTS
The 3s on Saturday faced a rampant uni 4s side who have dominated the league. We battled throughout the game playing a tight press but it was Loughborough's day and they ran out 5-1 winners.
Despite that there are some positives to take away and including the workrate from all of the players. Lauren's goal showed the value in hard work up and down the pitch. Sophie was a worthy player of the match, running very well with the ball and being our primary a tracking source. Casey was left with the muppet award aaadd, I fear payback for all for that.
Squad: Cas Evans (GK), Annie Sibson, Casey Humphreys, Caitlin Pittham, Ellie Lineham, Elsbeth Woodgate, Emily Kendall, Emma Sleeman, Elise Atkinson, Jodie Masser, Josie Rule, Katie Evans-Puttick, Karen Dixon, Lauren Clough, Sarah Robinson and Sophie Levy
Next week the 3s play Ashby 10am start away, it will be great if we can show the same intensity in attack and defence.
FOURTHS
No game this week but next week the 4ths face Loughborough Students 5ths away 9am pushback
FIVES GO TO MANOR ROAD ISLAND
Having watched the 3rds take some time dealing with the slow sandy pitch at Manor Road last week it was educational to have a go myself this week. The problem with the surface is that it’s a leveller and we should really have won by several more goals. Our keeper, Aleena, didn’t touch the ball and we had one penalty corner to defend.
At the other end we had lots of circle penetration, a few near misses and ultimately two goals in each half. We took a while to get going, shambling a little on the sands, but then Jennifer Pollock carried the ball into the D, patiently worked a shooting opportunity and blasted the ball home. A second came from some lovely hockey down the right. Anna Kellie took the ball to the back line before releasing the perfect pass for our predator Lydia Cross to evade her marker and fire the ball past the keeper. 2-0 at half time and comfortable, we hoped to up the pace in the second half.
The surface continued to frustrate and at times we descended to the level of the University’s seconds. Alex Peet was having a great match and kept feeding good passes to Lydia and Isabella up front. At last Coach Nash got something right, playing a good long ball to put Isabella in behind their defence and she finished in style. We huffed and puffed until about ten minutes from time when Isabella got her second of the game and it ended 4-0 to us. In the end a solid performance and deserved win with several missing regulars.
Squad: Aleena Moti, Alexia Scudamore, Hazel McSweeney, Rosemary Jacques, Sophie Vincent, Georgia Allen, Anna Kellie, Alex Peet, Jennifer Pollock, Gaynor Nash, Sarah Levy, Lydia Cross (C), Isabella Wilkinson.
BACK TO WINNING WAYS
After a tough game vs Beeston last week Leicester City bounced back with a point to prove against bottom of the table Ashby.
Leicester were run away winners with goals coming from David M 4, Jamie 2, Declan 1, Devan 1 and Tim 1.
Ashby fought hard and physically (taking ankles and kneecaps along the way) and managed to keep Leicester in single figures.
Squad: Jason Clothier, Dan Fathers, Daryl Boyce, David Hill, David Magill, Declan Shepherd, Devan Williams, Ethan Pittham, Henry Young, Jamie Sinclair, Paul Lineham, Tim Dyke
Leicester will be looking for a big finish to their first ever league season with 4 games left to play. This weekend City play Loughborough Town 6s and will be looking for payback after losing 2-0 in the away fixture before Christmas
Sunday
5THS REACH DOUBLE FIGURES
The 5ths travelled to Market Harborough for a game against their 3rds that was postponed in February due to frost. We were always on top and took an early lead through Lauren Ellis which was quickly added to by team top scorer, Lydia Cross. Our third goal was an absolute cracker from Eleanor Partridge, sweeping high past the keeper from a well weighted square ball. Lauren got her second and our fourth, before a sloppy bit of defending allowed Harborough to pull a goal back.
We started the second half looking to restore the margin and did just that with Lydia finishing neatly but back came Harborough to make it 5-2 with a near identical goal after another bit of defensive insecurity from us. We again restored the margin by hitting back through Lauren for her hat-trick. They were awarded a disputed stroke when Jane Worlding was adjudged to have stick obstructed their striker. Aleena Moti made a good effort to save but it was well taken, making it 6-3.
Somewhat fired up, we went straight down the other end and Lydia made it 7-3, following up Jennifer’s strike at a penalty corner. Eleanor got her second and we were then awarded a stroke for a Harborough foul preventing a goal. Jennifer stepped up and scored confidently. Our final goal came from Coach Nash, clouting a ball from a penalty corner and beating the post player.
10-3 was a fair result in a game where our youngsters again stepped up with Anna Kellie, Alex Peet and two goal Eleanor all playing well. Harborough judged hat trick heroine Lauren to be our Player of the Match. Next Saturday we take on Harborough Seconds at LGS.
Squad: Aleena Moti, Sophie Vincent, Hazel McSweeney, Rosemary Jacques, Jane Worlding, Anna Kellie, Alex Peet, Gaynor Nash, Jennifer Pollock, Lydia Cross (C), Eleanor Partridge and Lauren Ellis.
