ROSES FIND IT TOUGH AGAINST BORO

The Roses were up against Nuneaton Boro, a team who played in the higher division last season so we knew it would be a tough match. We welcomed back Poppy but were missing Sophie, Kayleigh, Lily and Beth.

The Roses started slowly and were two goals down in ten minutes, a ball from the right side was flicked with the heel into the far corner of the goal. A second came after the Boro player dribbled through lots of Roses players and finished into the far corner.

Boro’s number 15 was dictating play in the middle and was causing problems for Tilly and Evie with her direct running so the Roses made a few positional and tactical switches to nullify the threat and we started to get a hold of the game. Ellie played a perfect pass and Chloe ‘Gazza’ rampaged through on goal but the keeper saved well with her feet and then Kiri hit a volley just wide of the post moments later.

Katie was on the end of a heavy tackle but dusted herself down and got on with the game. Defensively the Roses had to stay strong as Boro always posed a threat going forward.

In the second half, the Roses changed formation however it didn’t really turn the game as we had hoped. Evie dropped in at right back and made some good blocks and played the ball forward whilst Caris continued to have a good battle with the opposition striker and was good in possession of the ball.

Katie played a good ball forward for Chloe ‘Gazza’ to chase but she couldn’t hit the target and Ellie started to run with the ball from deep but her shot went wide. However Boro were still strong in attack, they had several shots which went wide of the post and one which Lyla saved well and pushed away from goal as Esme put enough pressure on the rebound from the Boro winger to hit it wide of the goal.

Lenna had to depart the game early, she was unwell in the week and had given everything she had for the team in the game making some crucial defensive blocks. Lauren and Chloe B worked hard for the team with their involvement, both girls improving every week with their exposure to matches. Final score was 3-0 to Nuneaton as they scored again midway through the second half.

Player of the Match - Katie

There were some standout performances in the game, when switching Poppy central she really stopped the oppositions threat from midfield. We decided to give Katie and Caris joint Player of the Match this week, another strong performance from both which has been a consistent factor every game this season. Katie has played a number of positions already this season and is excelling whether she has played in defence, midfield or wing, her flexibility has been key to the team.

Player of the Match - Caris

Also Caris has dropped in at centre back this season and despite not playing there previously, a big compliment to her after we needed to fill that position, it looks like she has played that role for many years. Well done to both on another strong individual performance.