This was the first match the Lionesses had played for 6 weeks and hopefully the spectators would agree it was a thriller. In the pre-match briefing the coaches highlighted the need for good communication (“Put a name on the pass”) and also reinforced the need to press and cover, which has been a key focus in training recently.

This match ebbed and flowed, with Wigston initially taking the lead and then going two goals up. The Lionesses fought back well initially with a good goal from Edie whom having received a quickly taken throw in from Georgia was clear on goal and beat the keeper, and then a goal from Georgia following a quick through ball played from Lilly-Rose. Wigston scored just before half time, in what felt like the 38th minute of a 35 minute half, and the half time score was 3-2 to Wigston.

In the second half, the Lionesses fought back. Daisy scored our third goal which was an excellent example of “following up” and taking opportunity to get to the ball just ahead of opposition goalkeeper who had fumbled Georgia’s cross. Then Georgia scored again to put the Lionesses ahead 4-3. That lead was maintained with some good defending in general and good defending of corners for about 20 minutes into the second half.

Throughout the match we rotated our defenders. Each demonstrated good defending principles. Brooke tracked back well and hassled attacking players, tackling, clearing and winning the ball. Ava battled well and managed to win the ball back and clear. Megan is growing in confidence and it was good to see her keeping in position and also pressing and tackling and generally making it difficult for the opposition attackers. Bethany and Alice both made good tackles and clearances to touch when the match situation required neutralisation of attacking danger, but also when they had time on the ball generally took time to make an accurate pass. A special mention goes to Alice for clearing off the line from a corner to prevent a sure fire opposition goal.

Our wingers worked well today. Josie has been working hard in training and protecting the ball very well. She demonstrated this in today’s match, keeping possession and making some good passes. Ella-May worked hard on the wings and managed to run down the wing towards the corner and then get passes through to the attackers. Thea, having returned following a break in her football showed her fitness with good running and forward play.

Our central midfielders battled hard today. Lilly-Rose (as is typical of her) protected the ball very well, made accurate passes when required including an assist for Georgia’s first goal, and worked tirelessly the length and breadth of the pitch. Grace also worked hard in midfield, made good clearances and it was pleasing to see her take time on the ball on occasions before passing. Grace also took a number of good long throw ins. Grace took a knock in this match and battled on initially but rightly flagged this to the coaches so she could rest and recover before returning to the match later in the game.

Finally Edie made some good interceptions of high balls and showed her composure against the opposition goalkeeper with her goal. When Edie receives the ball in space she makes excellent forward runs with the ball to drive the attack and did so today. Edie was also our go-to corner taker and the corner drill we had practiced worked well creating danger in the opposition box.

Into attack and our captain, Georgia, had a typically strong performance, making some well timed runs forward, and had some well saved scoring opportunities as well as her two instrumental goals both of which required accuracy of shot to beat the goalkeeper. Daisy supported attack very well today. As well as her predator’s goal she made some good runs into the corner and towards goal.

Elsie played in goal for this match and made a number of decisive saves throughout the match, including a worldie of save in the dying seconds to keep the score at 5-5.

The Player of the Match was awarded to Summer. Summer played well up front getting into good positions in order to receive passes forward. Summer has been extremely committed in training recently, working very hard and this is translating into her match play. For me the moment of the match was Summer scoring an equalising goal right at the end of the match with her unfavoured left foot to secure the draw was just brilliant.

Final thoughts from coach Richard
This was always going to be a tough match as Wigston Willows are a strong team and have beaten the Lionesses in our last two games (end of last season friendly and in the home fixture earlier this season) so it is a measure of the improvement the whole team has made to secure a well-deserved draw this match. Having not played for 6 weeks the girls got back into gear, and we saw instances of training focus (e.g. press and cover being demonstrated). It was a competitive match, with both teams going ahead and is a credit to all of the girls character that they kept battling to the very end to secure the draw. Well done Lionesses!