A dominant performance from the Roses who managed to score some good goals and there was some nice play in the build up.
The first goal came just 10 seconds in when Chloe capitalised on a defensive mistake.
It wasn’t long before the Roses scored a second, Caris played a pass inside to Ellie who finished into the bottom corner after the second attempt. It was a good start from Caris who moments earlier made an excellent turn and ran the ball forward before putting in a good cross.
Loughborough had a good spell in and around our box but Lyla collected anything that came through and any corners the Roses cleared away.
A third goal which came through Ellie, she found her way through on goal and it was a brilliantly composed finish as she played it past the goalkeeper who was closing her down.
Ellie grabbed her hatrick with a long shot which hit the post and rebounded off the goalkeeper into the goal. A few moments later Katie scored our 5th with a long shot which the goalkeeper could not hold onto and a 6th followed when Lenna did some strong running with the ball and her shot was well parried but Chloe was there to finish the rebound.
In the second half we wanted the Roses to be respectful of the opposition and continue to play their normal game, we did that and at times we played some nice football, trying to move the ball wide and attack the space.
Lily who had a strong game holding the midfield and being so calm on the ball as she is always got herself a goal, she’s started to add a few goals into her game in more recent games and today she hit a high ball past the keeper on the half volley.
Loughborough really made it difficult in the second half and they worked really hard. Despite this we still looked strong in attack, Ellie scored her fourth with a long shot and which the stand-in keeper couldn’t save.
Loughborough had a few opportunities late in the match but some resilient defending kept them out, a good block from Caris late on as they had a free shot on goal however throughout the game the defence were strong with Tilly at the heart of it supported by Lilia and Katie. Special mention to Kayleigh today who worked so hard with and without the ball on the wings.
The icing on the cake was a goal from Esme late in the game, she had an opportunity earlier in the half and the goalkeeper saved very well from close range but this was an Esme goal which shows how much she has improved, she collected the ball 30 yards from goal, took on the defender and cut in on goal with a calm finish into the far corner.
A few highlights in this game which we want to call out, both Lyla and Tilly checking on the opposition keeper after she left the field of play early feeling unwell. Great to see five different goal-scorers with Ellie scoring four from a deeper position. Players of the Match awarded to Caris and Esme, Caris awarded for her turns and continuing improvement trying to take players on and being more aggressive off the ball, she was very selfless in her play today always looking for a pass to her team mates. Esme was also awarded, she started off in defence and made a memorable recovery run when at least ten yards behind the player through on goal and second half she led the line and was a real nuisance for the opposition defence but more so we were delighted she finally got her goal.