The Roses took on Albert Village in challenging circumstances, with only 11 players available and needing every ounce of energy from the squad. From the first whistle, the girls rose to the occasion, delivering a performance full of determination and teamwork.

First Half
The Roses began brightly, creating multiple chances. Ellie and Chloe narrowly missed the target, while Kiri found good positions but struggled to generate enough power in her finishes. Despite dominating possession high up the field, we had to remain vigilant against Albert Village's quick counterattacks.

In defence, Lilia and Caris led the line with composure and aggression, consistently getting to the ball first or winning second challenges. They were well-supported by Tilly and Esme, who worked tirelessly to clear any danger.

In midfield, Lenna, Lily, and Katie controlled the game with calm, composed play on the ball and fierce determination off it, laying the foundation for the team’s attacking efforts.

However, despite our strong play, we found ourselves trailing 2-0 at halftime. The first goal came from a rare lapse in defence, with a driving run and clinical finish. The second stemmed from an unfortunate mistake, leaving their striker with an empty net to convert.

Halftime
Despite the scoreline, there was no need to panic. The team had created chances and just needed to remain confident. A slight tactical shift saw Ellie move to the right flank, with Chloe playing centrally.

Second Half
The Roses came out firing, pinning Albert Village back and putting their defence under a lot of pressure. Lyla had little to do in goal, thanks to the outstanding defensive effort. Esme and Caris kept their wide players quiet, while Tilly and Lilia were dominant in the centre.

The attacking combination of Katie and Ellie down the right flank caused problems for the opposition, and the Roses finally broke through. Ellie smartly played a ball across the box, which was intercepted, but Chloe was quick to react, poking the ball into the net to make it 2-1.

The equaliser came soon after, as Chloe’s relentless pressing forced panic in the Albert Village defence, leading to a pinball-like sequence in the box that resulted in an own goal.

As the game wore on, the team pushed hard for a winner despite fatigue. Lily had her best game of the season, winning crucial tackles and maintaining composure on the ball. Lenna created a chance from a loose clearance but fired wide, while Chloe’s heavy touch denied her an opportunity as the keeper pounced. Kiri came close with a curling effort, but the opposing goalkeeper produced an excellent save.

Penalty Shootout
With the match ending 2-2, it was time for penalties. Despite having limited experience in shootouts, the team showed incredible resilience. Trailing 2-0 in the shootout, they clawed their way back with Lyla making five crucial saves. Tilly, Chloe, Esme and Lily converted their penalties, securing a 4-3 victory.

Player of the Match
Caris earned Player of the Match for her stellar performance in an unfamiliar right-back position. She rarely allowed her opponent to get past her, played intelligent balls forward, and competed for every challenge with determination.

Final Thoughts
This was a performance to be proud of. Despite being short on numbers and adapting to new roles, the team displayed grit, adaptability, and fantastic teamwork. Their effort in training shone through in their movement and passing.

Well done, Roses! Onwards and upwards!