The Roses faced unbeaten top of the league Loughborough Dynamo, our previous encounter ended in 5-0 defeat with the Roses struggling to get 11 available however today was a stark contrast with the whole team there to try and put a halt onto the opposition’s title charge.

The Roses started by packing the midfield and looking to attack from wide, we started well and you could see our girls were up for the physical battle which frustrated the opposition.

First chance of the game fell to Ellie, her skill on the ball was causing problems and she burst through the defence, her low shot across goal was well saved by the keeper who held onto the ball. Moments later a lovely little flick from Sophie found Chloe GS who raced forward with the ball but was unable to get the ball across goal to Ellie.

It was then Loughborough who replied with a good chance of their own, a strong shot which Lyla blocked with a strong hand after seeing it late and then she made a second save which was then cleared by Esme who was in the right place at the right time.

Defensively the Roses were having to work hard as Loughborough were creating a few chances with some good skilful dribbling down the sides but Lenna and Lilia were absolute rocks, winning the ball and passing forward.

Hallie and Lily were working hard just in front of the defence which meant they quickly tired and were then replaced by Tilly and Katie who picked up where the other two left off. Poppy also came on and her direct running was causing some problems for the Dynamo right back.

The Roses then had to dig in as Loughborough had a dominant spell but we defended well and kept them from getting a free shot at goal with the exception of one which Lyla pushed over the bar.

The Roses then had a couple to chances, Chloe GS was played through on goal and her powerful running gave her a chance to score but the goalkeeper made a very important save with her legs. Moments later Poppy found Ellie with a through ball but her shot went wide.

Loughborough hit a shot just before half time which went wide, the Roses tried to play out from the back and were dispossessed, with just 30 seconds remaining of the half Loughborough scored. A tough one to take for the Roses as we had more than matched the opposition in the first half.

At half time, with the late goal we changed formation and pushed an extra player forward with Lily, Hallie, Sophie, Chloe GS and Kiri coming back in after a breather just before half time.

Chloe GS made another chance for herself with her relentless pressing but she couldn’t find the finish. This was following good work from Kiri on the left wing to get us higher up the pitch. As the Roses pushed for the equaliser we had to be wary of the strong attacking play from Loughborough who had put in some lovely crosses in the first half, the second half was no different with a dangerous ball which was well blocked by Caris at the far post and then scrambled away by Kayleigh, moments later Kayleigh blocked just in front of the line as the Roses were fortunate not to concede. The pressure told as Loughborough made it 2-0, a cross which was diverted goal-ward by the attacker, a lesson for the Roses who had stopped thinking the ball had gone out.

The Roses pulled one back through Chloe GS, she finished well into the corner when played through on goal, shouts from Hallie of “Go on Gazza” from the side spurred her on. The Roses decided to throw players forward in the final 12 minutes with Chloe B, Poppy and Sophie coming back on to try and get the equaliser. We pushed high with Sophie putting her foot in when needed in midfield to win us possession.

Caris used some good skill earlier in the game showing us what she is capable of on the ball but it was her effort off it which impressed again as she sprinted in-front of their left winger to win the ball and cover our stretched defence. As the gaps opened for Loughborough they won a penalty, after claiming one just moments earlier, this one was awarded as Lyla clashed with their striker, a good finish from the spot made it 3-1. Lyla made a brilliant diving save moments later as we looked tired and didn’t close down the shot from 12 yards.

We didn’t threaten much in the final moments, Caris played a good ball through but there were no runners on this occasion and Chloe B hit a shot from distance after the ball fell kindly to her but it didn’t trouble the keeper.

Despite the result, it’s games like today which you can look on with pride at knowing how far the team has come. Today we awarded Players of the Match to Lenna and Esme. Lenna was a force in defence, she won so many balls by getting in-front of the attacker and even headed the ball clear in the second half. Esme was busy at left back, winning the ball and covering well, she also got forward a few times with her high energy game which most of the girls on the side had commented on. Shoutout to Lilia and Kayleigh who also played in defence for the majority and were also excellent later replaced by Katie.

Small margins in this game, two strong goalkeeping performances, a couple of mistakes which led to goals but we learn and look forward to the next match.