FAIR POINT FOR ROSES

A long trip to Rutland to play Royce Rangers, a team who last season scored around 100 goals in the league and only conceding twice. We knew we’d have a tough game. We were missing Kayleigh and Poppy but welcomed Lauren for her first competitive match.

The Roses started the game well, passing the ball and were causing Royce Rangers some trouble at the back but it was clear they offered a threat at the other end with their strong and quick striker a real powerhouse, she was well dealt with by Lenna and Caris who covered each other well. This time last season both girls were playing in attacking positions but now keeping attackers out, testament to their own development, we have a real strong defensive pair.

The Roses took a lead when Chloe G charged down a clearance from the opposition goalkeeper and placed the ball into an empty net. Chloe has started the season in good form in front of goal and even with a bit of luck, it’s well deserved from her work rate.

Royce Rangers equalised shortly after, a bit scrappy from the Roses defence as we failed to clear the ball. A shot from just inside the box evaded Lyla’s grasp and nestled into the far corner.

Lauren and Ellie were combining well down the right but our attacks were well dealt with however a ball across the goal could not find a Roses player. Few chances fell for both teams but we were treated to two fantastic saves. The first came from Lyla in the Roses goal, a reaction save as she tipped a ball over the bar which looked like it was heading into the top corner and then almost a carbon copy at the other end, some good football put Kiri through on goal and her strike from distance was tipped over bar.

At half time the Roses kept the same formation and just swapped players round to keep things fresh however second half we  were being pinned back into our own half a bit and it looked like our full backs Katie and Esme had their work cut out as the opposition were doubling up but they did an incredible job to keep them out.

Lyla pulled off a couple of saves from low shots as the ball kept coming back at our goal. A change of formation saw us push Ellie upfront and lose the extra player in midfield and this helped us get on the front foot as we started attacking the opposition goal again, Chloe G came on down the right side and was an immediate threat as she burst past the left back a number of times.

For the next ten minutes the Roses were probably the more dominant team as we continued to put some dangerous balls through but couldn’t make the pressure count as both Chloe’s, Ellie and Kiri kept the opposition defence busy but could not test the keeper. Our midfield of Sophie, Lily and Tilly creating those chances in our best spell whilst protecting our defence.

There was a chance right at the end for Royce Rangers to win it as for the first time they broke through our solid defence but the striker lashed the ball wide.

Player of the Match - Lenna

On reflection a draw was a fair result in a tight competitive game. Player of the Match was awarded to Lenna but it could have gone to a number of players, all of our defenders were solid but what stood out was Lenna’s ability to read the danger and intercept when needed, she also made two really important blocks in the first half as the Rangers striker had unleashed a shot at goal. Shoutout to Sophie also who had her best game for a while, she ran the midfield, strong on the ball and kept possession well at times under pressure.