The Roses had an early morning kickoff against Albert Village. We were missing Katie and Lenna for this game but welcomed back the tenacious Hallie.

The Roses attacked well in the early exchanges with Ellie and Poppy causing problems in the wide areas however the opposition goalkeeper was alert off her line and dropped on any loose balls as we ran through on goal.

Albert Village took the lead when a ball was kicked back towards Lyla who was unsure if she could pick it up or had to kick it, her clearance was charged down and the ball bounced in off the post.

A second goal quickly followed with a bursting run from midfield and a fantastic finish with power into the roof of the net.

At the other end the Roses tried to get back into the game, Ellie hit a shot which went just wide of the upright following some great work and Chloe got herself through on goal but a heavy touch and the goalkeeper pounced on it.

Albert Village scored another two goals before half time, the third as Bosworth failed to clear a cross and the ball fell kindly, a low finish into the goal at the far post. The fourth, again bursting from midfield with an excellent finish into the far corner. We could have conceded again when a ball across the box was well cleared by Caris off the toe of their winger which would have been a certain goal.

The goals were a disappointing end to the first half as it wasn’t a game which the Roses deserved to be 4-0 down which we relayed in the half time team talk but one mistake and 3 good finishes from the opposition was the difference despite us attacking well for most of the half. We discussed the need to win the second ball if when couldn’t win the first and push hard in the second half as there was no reason why we couldn’t pull it back.

We really put the opposition under pressure in the second half with Poppy causing problems down the left hand side with her direct running, she was well supported by Caris who made some good progressive passes and at times had shown some nice skill under pressure.

On the right side Ellie was working well with Kayleigh who played a nice ball forward but Ellie’s cross went into the side netting. Kayleigh has really settled into the right midfield this season going forward well but also not ignoring her defensive duties.

There was a good battle in the midfield with Lily, Sophie and Hallie being involved in a tough battle throughout the game, it was nice to see them winning the ball well and looking to play forward into the wide areas.

Defensively in the second half we kept Albert Villages chances to a minimum with some good defending from Esme, Tilly and Lilia. Lilia and Esme were marking closely with Tilly covering any runs which got through. We had to be wary of counter attacks but Lyla was alert off her line a couple of times and the other chance they had created was well blocked by Esme.

The Roses pulled two goals back, a corner from Kiri went right across the box and Chloe directed into the back of the net. This was shortly followed by Poppy who ran onto a through ball from Kiri and she cut infront of the defender and finished well under the keeper.

We continued to push for goals in the final moments but they never came, I think we needed another ten minutes as we pushed really hard late in the game but the final result ended 4-2.

If was disappointing to lose today but credit to Albert Village, they finished the chances they created well. There was also a lot of off the ball incidents which were not picked up in the game. However, the coaches were pleased with the effort especially in the second half, we really took the game to the opposition and looked like scoring more goals than we did but were crowded out by a strong defence. We continue to play attacking football and at times there is some great football on display.

Poppy was awarded Player of the Match, she did not stop working all game and was a constant threat down the left side creating chances, winning corners and eventually getting a well deserved goal. Well done Pops!