A lovely spring morning at Newbold with the sun shining in readiness for 2nd placed Epworth Forest facing the Roses who have been resurgent of late and hot on their heels. The Roses were missing Chloe GS and Hallie but otherwise had 14 available for the match.

It was a real end to end game from start to finish, Epworth worked the ball well to the wide areas where as Bosworth were more direct with their play hitting Ellie as a target who was leading the line on her own but supported by the width of Kiri and Poppy.

Poppy was in determined mood as she was taking on the full back at every attempt which was causing Epworth concern. At the other end full backs Esme and Kayleigh were under pressure but they managed to use their speed and strength to get back in and win the ball even when beaten, they recovered well.

Despite the pressure we were under, Lenna and Lilia made a number of good tackles and stepped in to intercept the through balls to turn defence into an attack. Sophie and Katie were the grit in midfield with Katie showing good awareness on the ball, she used skill a number of times to keep possession and play it forward. Complemented by the returning Lily who had a very good game, she worked really hard and won possession high up the pitch and looked to keep the ball for the team.

The Roses made a change when Esme was caught in the mouth with the ball, Caris came on at left back and did really well in the role, she was tight to the wide player and made a number of tackles and clearances.

The Roses scored when a clearance fell to Kiri, she played a first time ball through to Ellie who was being kept onside by the full back, she finished with power past the goalkeeper.

Epworth pushed for an equaliser but Lyla was managing the 18 yard box well and dealing with anything that came through.

Second half started much like the first, end to end, both teams having a real go to score the next goal. Epworth equalised following a scramble in the box, the ball rebounded off the post, despite the best efforts to clear the ball it eventually found its way into the goal.

The Roses pushed on and quickly made it 2-1 when some great battling from Poppy led to Ellie being put through on goal, she held off the defender well and her shot hit the post and slowly rolled over the line.

The Roses started to look a little tired on recovery which was credit to their hard work throughout and Epworth equalised when they got a rare opportunity at a free strike at goal. A Bosworth corner was cleared and Epworth scored on the counter, the ball nestled into the far corner to make it 2-2 after getting in behind the back line, this has been a rare occurrence against the Roses defence of late.

As the game looked to be heading for a draw, Epworth found the last push and scored a late winner, despite a protest of handball in the build up to the goal, the ball was finished into the roof of the net from close range. The Roses had survived a few scares just before with Lyla quick off her line to close down one and another Epworth chance had flashed across the goal.

The Roses pushed forward at the end with Tilly and Lily providing the forward balls to Chloe and Ellie upfront but we couldn’t get the goal we needed.

The Epworth coaches suggested this was a smash and grab and on the balance of play it was a relatively even game. Gutted for the girls at the end, their effort and desire in the match was fantastic and we were really proud of them going toe to toe with in our opinion the strongest opposition we have faced in the league.

Players of the Match were awarded to Katie and Poppy. Katie was a calming presence in midfield, she won the ball and protected the defence, doing the job that was asked of her. In possession she was really positive with her play. Poppy was a real menace to the opposition with her high energy display, she made a number of dangerous dribbles second half and got into some good areas in the box with her determination. Shoutout also to Lily today, who was a near winner of Player of the Match, she won the ball high up the pitch, pressed the opposition and was good in possession.

Keep up the great work girls, very proud of you this season.