Roses Keep Sileby Out With Narrow Win

A lovely morning for football, the Roses were missing goalkeeper Lyla and Coach Rob who were supporting Coventry in the FA Cup Semi Final. Caris was deputising in goal, she was nervous and had asked for some extra practice in the week.

The Roses were a little sluggish in the first ten minutes, evident as Sileby had broke through with a run from midfield but Caris saved well 1v1. A few other chances came but some good defending from Tilly, Kate and Lilia kept the opposition away from goal and shots were limited from distance, some really good individual battles today.

Lenna was creating some good opportunities down the right hand side but unfortunately had to come off not feeling 100% but Esme continued in her position with some good runs forward.

As our midfield took more control of the game we created a few chances ourselves, Chloe found herself through on goal after getting onto the end of a through ball but her shot went high and over. Moments later some good work down the right hand side and Poppy had a good chance but was just offside. Chloe had another chance on the turn which went just wide.

Half time came and it was 0-0, a good battle in an even first half.

Second half and the ask on the girls was to continue to work hard, the reward would come.

A few moments in the early part of the second half where Sileby had a good chance, following a corner Caris made a good save and the loose ball fell to Lilia who almost picked up the ball, a moment of madness which gave them the giggles.

Similar to the first half it took us a little while to get going, we gave away a free kick right on the edge of the box which was well struck but Caris again made a strong save and pounced on the loose ball.

In attack Ellie started to grow into the game as Chloe started to tire we brought Poppy back onto the right wing and she made a good impact, having a physical battle with their left sided player, she got away a few times with the ball and attacked well running with the ball.

Although we didn’t test the Sileby keeper much we did start to move the ball well around their box but could not find a clear shooting opportunity. Ellie was causing problems with her direct running at the defenders, this was opening up the pitch for others.

At the other end, Tilly made some important clearances and Esme and Katie who were supporting either side of the defence recovered well when beaten and made some good blocks to stop crosses and shots.

In the final ten minutes of the game, the Roses won a corner which Lenna put into the box, it looked like Kayleigh had got a touch on the ball but it hit a Sileby player and the ball looped over the goalkeeper into the far corner, there were no celebrations, just confusion.

Hallie came back onto the field for a tiring Lily who had a good second half to give us a bit more of a physical presence in the midfield and Chloe did the same on the left hand side. The Roses saw out the game with a 1-0 win but Sileby had a chance right at the end when an in swinging corner hit the top of the bar.

Players of the Match today were awarded to Caris, she put herself forward as goalkeeper and despite being very nervous she was determined to play the full game and made some match winning saves. The girls led by Hallie carried her off the pitch, it’s great to see their camaraderie. Secondly we awarded Kayleigh who played in central midfield, a position she has started to show real promise, she won the ball and drove us forward when needed to relieve pressure and also to create chances.

Well done Roses!