Ellie grabs her hat-trick

An early kick off in South Derbyshire, the Roses were back in action after a week off during Easter facing Albert Village.

The Roses were missing Lauren and our goalkeeper Lyla, otherwise everyone was available for the game. Caris pulled her gloves from retirement for the good of the team.

The Roses started playing up the slightly sloping pitch and at times found themselves under pressure as the Tigermoths were looking to play inside the Roses half. A number of times we worked our way out through good football, playing out through our defenders into midfield.

The first half finished 0-0, our best chances fell to Tilly who hit a shot from distance which was well saved and from Chloe G who ran the defence hard but could not find the target. At the other end, we gave up a few chances but our defence dealt with the danger well and Caris made a really strong save pushing a shot onto the bar and then pouncing at the feet of the attacker on the follow up. Sophie came into the game and had the task of picking up the Albert Village forward who had been dropping deep, she did a solid job nicking the ball and getting it forward to feet. The defence held strong all half, Esme, Lenna and Kayleigh were playing well and complimented on the right side by Evie who made some important interceptions.

In the second half, the Roses took an early lead through Ellie who was told to stay high up the pitch, at that time she was partnered by Chloe B who was working hard chasing down loose balls. Ellie hit a shot from outside the box after the Tigermoths, similar to the Roses had struggled to get up the pitch which found its way into the near corner of the goal.

The Roses at this time were confident, maybe over confident as a mad fifteen minutes and we found ourselves 4-1 down. We had stopped marking tightly, tracking runners and if we made a mistake we didn’t react. Maybe a symptom of a stop start season and not staying in a rhythm but frustrating nonetheless.

In the last fifteen minutes the Roses showed great fight, Kiri had been causing problems down the left with Tilly and Lily finding the feet of Ellie and Chloe G. Ellie took full advantage and scored two goals which were down to her hard work and skill.

Her second goal of the game when she cut inside and curled the ball into the far corner and our third and her hatrick was down to her own skill and trickery, she turned her marker on the half way line with a deft touch  and then took on a few players before rifling a shot into the top corner, with only the goalkeeper able to get a hand on it and help it on its way. What was really pleasing, the touch on the half way line was something practiced in recent training sessions and so nice to see it coming instinctive in matches.

Despite our best efforts and Katie’s marauding runs down the right wing, we could not get an equaliser and the game finished 4-3 to Albert Village.

We were pleased with the efforts of the team but a disappointed to lose from a fifteen minute spell. Players of the Match were awarded to Ellie and Caris.

Player of the Match - Ellie

Ellie scored 3 brilliant goals, a few from her own making. She really grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, a real captains performance on the day.

Player of the Match - Caris

Caris deputised in goal made two strong saves in the first half and in general had a strong game pulling her gloves back on for the first time in a long time.