The Roses played their last League match of the season and they saved their best performance for it. They played with maturity, aggression and intelligence. It was pleasing to see some of the passing football we played at times. After a difficult season results wise, we told the girls at the start when you lose you learn and they have definitely learnt a lot this season.

We were missing Lily Rose, Hallie and Devon for this game but we had a good warm up and the girls were attentive in the pre-match team talk.

We started the game well with Ellie causing problems upfront and linking up well with the attacking runs of Harleen and Lenna. Lily T and Tilly were making some good passes forward putting us on the attack. We created a few chances in the first half with Harleen shooting over the bar after some good work down the left hand side. Ellie had a chance but hit her shot wide and Esme had a shot which was well blocked by the defender.

Caris came into the game on the right wing and was using the ball well finding passes into feet of our forward players. Haunchwood started to put pressure on the Roses defence but they stood strong with Lyla alert and showing bravery in goal smothering the ball under pressure. It was another game where Lyla did everything so well, her handling was solid and distribution continues to improve.

The first half ended 0-0 and Haunchwood went more attacking second half as the Roses looked to continue the positives from the first half, everyone was keeping their positions on the pitch and doing their jobs well.

We moved the ball well at times even if the execution wasn’t right, the intention was there and it was pleasing to see the girls looking to pass the ball wide and making runs into space. Defensively we played through the thirds starting from goal kicks and then playing into midfield and moving the ball wide, something the girls have improved on massively this season.

We took a lead when a ball out to Harleen gave her the chance to take on a midfielder and defender and she finished calmly playing the ball past the onrushing keeper.

Defensively the girls were solid today although we gave a few chances away trying to play out from the back we recovered well. Lilia was aggressive in her play trying to win every ball and made a goal line clearance when a header was looping in and she saw the danger, on the other side Bethany was often an option and played the ball forward well, when needed she made some important tackles and never stopped trying to win the ball.

Katie was calm in possession and this was the part of her game which really stood out today, she played forward into feet or into space, she worked well with her defenders and covered them well especially in the second half when Haunchwood pushed more players into attacking positions.

In the second half we created a few chances but didn’t really test the goalkeeper, it was pleasing to see Lily T and Caris show confidence higher up the pitch and trying to take early shots. Special mentions to Ellie and Lenna who had to drop into midfield and defence to help the team in different positions to where they have been most comfortable this season and Esme who worked tirelessly on her own upfront putting pressure on the oppositions defence.

The game ended and the parents could stop holding their breath. We told the girls how proud we were of their efforts this season and it was good to finish on a high with a really good performance. We awarded Tilly Player or the Match today, she had a really strong first half and looked more like the Tilly who was playing so well early in the season, hopefully she can take this confidence forward. Today she was asked to play in-front of the defensive 3 to allow our other 3 midfielders to join the attack, it was this role which was key to the teams success.

AFC Market Bosworth

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Login