First game of the season as the Roses faced Hinckley Borough Diamonds in the U14 Silver League.

The Roses got off to a brilliant start and were 3-0 up within 10 minutes, Chloe scoring a quick fire hatrick well supported from her team mates.

The first goal came from a corner well taken by Katie, the ball fell to Chloe who hit the ball on the swivel past the goalkeeper. The second goal came following a good move with Lenna and Ellie combining and a squared ball found Chloe for her second. Chloe’s hatrick came soon after a ball from Caris allowed her to burst past the defenders to make it 3-0 despite the goalkeepers best efforts to save.

Despite the excellent start, the Diamonds grew into the game and had a good spell putting us under a period of pressure. Our defence stood strong, a couple of well timed tackles from Katie broke up the opposition attacks.

As the Diamonds continued to put pressure on our goal, Lilia made a couple of good recovery tackles using her speed to good effect and any loose balls were well cleared by Tilly who was reading the game well.

Lyla made a fantastic save pushing a low shot around the post and out for a corner. Despite our best efforts to keep Diamonds out, we scored an unfortunate own goal when a powerful shot was saved again by Lyla but the ball ricocheted into the back of the net off a Roses defender to make it 3-1.

To gain some control on the game and despite a brilliant start in midfield from Hallie and Sophie, later joined by Lily who was returning from injury, we had to make a slight change to the formation to give us an extra body and energy in the middle to regain the ball in the middle of the pitch. That said Sophie’s start to the match was strong and she was using the ball well and protecting the defence, Hallie was buzzing around in midfield breaking up play which she does so well and Lily brought her calmness on the ball and linked passes forward from defence into attack. All three styles complimented each other so well. As Roses regained some control of the game we started to create chances again, Ellie got herself through on goal but her first shot was saved and parried by the keeper and the rebound was also well saved.

At half time, a change was needed to give Katie some respite so Lenna filled in defensively to cover. Overall, we were pleased with the performance but another Diamonds goal could swing the game in their favour however it was another fast start to the second half for the Roses and after some good football Chloe scored her fourth with a powerful finish into the far corner.

Credit to the Diamonds as once again they continued to try and find a way back into the game and they did after we were caught on the ball trying to be brave and take risks to play out from defence, they capitalised and made it 4-2.

Once again Lyla made another strong save at a crucial moment, 1v1 she made herself unbeatable by getting out quickly to block a low shot. At the other end Caris had a shot blocked as the ball fell kindly outside the box from an attempted clearance.

In the second half Kayleigh really came on strong with some excellent runs down the right wing causing problems for the opposition and working well with Ellie who was running powerfully all game. It was that combination which led to the 5th goal when Kayleigh played Ellie a forward pass, she took the ball beyond the defender and she crossed for Chloe who curled the ball into the far corner with a first time finish.

The game finished 5-2 to the Roses, it was a deserved win for the team who restricted Diamonds to just a few chances but credit to them for not giving up and making us work extremely hard for the result. Player of the Match was awarded to Chloe for her clinical finishing in this game and her continuous hassle of the opposition defence when out of possession. Also a special mention to Sophie who has recently joined the team and put in a real smart and determined performance.