Having hosted Cosby only six days earlier we returned to their ground this week. The Lionesses were fast out of the blocks, which put Cosby on the back foot from the off. It was great to see the girl’s response as we spoke about what we needed to do differently to learn from the week before. This started with a couple of tactical changes to nullify the Cosby midfield pivot and pace on the wings but also allowed us to be much more positive with clinical attacking link play and pace of our own on both wings from DC and Polly.

The switch in formation suited the girls and they held their shape well to stretch their opponents in attack but also restricted the free-flowing football Cosby played so well the week before. The girls application was exceptional and played with intensity and precision across the park. The first 15 mins had Cosby pinned in their own half and even out of possession our front two of LJ and Larna gave the opposition little time to play out. That work rate and direct running down the flanks led to two early but well deserved goals from Larna and DC.

Cosby had a rare chance of their own with an attack down their pacey wing which was soon closed down. Mia as our holding CDM this week broke up play and allowed Ava, Immy, Polly and Darcie the freedom to attack and support the front two. It was this breaking down of play that fed the ball out wide to Polly who isolated her defender and found Immy on the edge of the box, who quickly shifted the ball to the right and added the fourth to the scoresheet.

Before that LJ also found the net having held her position well on the left and snook in, to slot home from a trademark Darcie cross, who like Polly caused the opposition defence problems out wide all afternoon. Both had one of their best performances of the season. The first half ended 4 nil.

The second half continued in similar fashion but with a few more attacking threats which our defensive three of Aims, Millie, Gen and at times Morgan who played a versatile role of defence and wing in different spells held firm. Millie held the central position with authority and calmness whilst Aims and Gen remained very dominant in their 1v1’s. It is so pleasing to watch the composure and bravery at the back when options are limited down one side, so they shift the ball across the back three to attack the other side.

The threats on the Bosworth goal were limited which gave Bea a quiet afternoon but she remained focused throughout and there when required. Playing slightly uphill in the second half the Lionesses continued to restrict Cosby’s play and it was not long before they were back on the scoresheet, this time with Ava after a well worked move through Morgan on the left found Ava in the box who slotted the ball home from a tight angle. A sixth was added later in the half as the game was seen out in controlled and confident fashion.

This week’s player of the game went to Mia, who was moved into a CDM role to close down the threat from Cosby’s playmaker in the middle. She delivered a masterclass in that task and had the strength, composure and vision to break down any attack and quickly transition those wins into attack as she would feed our more attacking positioned players to set up another attack.

Well done girls, that was a great performance that we will continue to build on and take it into next weeks tough first round of the County Cup against Melton.