The Belles welcomed Hinckley Borough in the county cup first round. The league fixture earlier in the season produced a draw so we knew it would be a tough game for both teams.

The Belles were without Scarlet through illness, with Ava switching to left back, Lola at right back and Monica pushing into a defensive midfield role.

The game started and the Belles were controlling the game well, retaining possession with short quick passes but also going direct when needed to. A strong run from Darcy created an opening but the cross was cleared, then a brilliant pass from Lois got Eliza away, her pace saw her take the ball around the goalkeeper but the angle was too tight as her shot hit the side netting.

It was Oliwia's turn to create an opening, bringing the ball down well, showcasing quick feet as her pass to Monica saw her shot blocked. It was evident that if a breakthrough was going to come for either team then they would have to work hard for it.

Yet again the Belles defence was excellent, Lols anticipating everything and bringing the ball out of defence with confidence. Lois was tucked in behind marshalling everything in front of her. Ava was enjoying her battle against the winger, she knew when to close down and when to commit to the ball. Her decision making has dramatically improved. Lola was an outlet, receiving a pass from Lois then sending a ball up the line that got the Belles on the attack. It was fantastic stuff from the Belles back four.

Ava then pinged an unbelievable pass to Oliwia as the Belles continued to press for the opening goal. Captain Caitlin surged into the box she managed to find a pass to Amie but again the opposition defence stood firm.

Freya then burst away and laid the ball to Eliza who just couldn't get a shot away. Eliza was leading the line well, her running off the shoulder of defenders are always well timed and her pace is excellent. An opposition long range shot was well caught by Esme as the half time whistle went.

The message was clear, more of the same but try and be more adventurous in getting bodies forward. Iris came into right midfield as Oliwia dropped to right back. Chloe came on as striker as Darcy also pushed further forward.

It didn't take Iris long to get involved, she held off two players as her strong run saw her cross blocked for a corner. The Belles defence was showing no signs of letting off, Lols commanding presence saw her bring the ball forward to lay a pass to Darcy but she was tackled. Then Lois drove forward and her long range shot was saved by the goalkeeper. Evie then evaded a tackle to cross for Chloe, but just as she was about to strike the defender miraculously tackled her. The opposition continued to be resilient and tried to break on the counter. A dangerous cross was somehow cleared by a combination of Esme and the Belles defence. At the other end Eliza let fly from distance the goalkeeper spilt her shot as it trickled towards the line but she managed to recover. Darcy drove forward and her shot towards the near post was well saved by the goalkeeper. The Belles midfield duo of Monica and Caitlin were working tremendously well, Monica's positioning was allowing Caitlin to break forward well and she shot wide. Both sides had given everything but there was no breakthrough as the game went to penalties.

Unfortunately the Belles lost 3-2 in the shootout in an awful way to lose a game. Both teams performed well with the Belles feeling that they did enough to win the game in normal time. It's been an unlucky start to the season, at the moment the Belles performances in games is not getting the results it deserves but their application, desire and general play has been excellent so far. We go again, keep working hard and the results will follow.

Despite the result there was yet again lots of positives in the display and player of the match was a tough choice. We went for Ava and Lols. Ava was incredible at full back, she's had a great start to the season and is showing real maturity in her game. Lols has been a revelation since joining the Belles, so strong and such a commanding presence but is also confident on the ball.
Well done girls!