Leamington Lions 2 Birmingham Athletic 2

Report submitted by Russell Davis

13 January 2008, New Windmill Ground.

Lions ground out a well earned point against a good Birmingham side - who have not lost a game all season - as the wind howled around the New Windmill Ground.  Lions played with the wind in the first half and created a number of chances. Player of the match Kirsty Lloyd was having a fine game at the back again and with a bumper crowd behind them, the Lions continued to push Birmingham back.  Both teams tried to keep the ball on the floor and play the game in the correct manner.  Lions found the away keeper on top of her game, with every ball attracted like a magnet to her gloves.

The midfield began to support the attack a lot more, but still there was no worthwhile end product.  Birmingham were soon turning defending into attacking and the game flowed from end to end.  Birmingham were rewarded a corner after some great defending: this was cleared for another corner. Lions defence failed to see an unmarked midfielder on the edge of the 6 yard box, who promptly slotted the shot home. 0-1 to Birmingham.

Leamington kept their nerve and pushed for the equaliser, Helen Barrett going close with a great strike before the reliable Sophie Meade equalised with a great strike from 20 yards.  Picking the ball up just inside the Birmingham half, Sophie drove at the defence and unleashed a great shot over the keeper, who was well off her line.  Birmingham came back strongly and continued to press forward, only to find Vicky "safe hands" Busby on her game.  Lions attempted to break from the back, but players switching off allowed Heidi Lockyer to pick the ball up and score a great goal into the top right hand corner. Half Time 1-2.
           
Lions started the second half slowly and were put on the back foot with endless pressure coming from the visitors.  Instead of relaxing, the Lions resorted to "kicking and hoping" to see the ball go to a home shirt.

Leamington introduced new signing Sigourney Gowlett to the game. She made an immediate impact, taking players on and more urgently linking up play with the forwards. Still looking for the equaliser, Lions were rewarded a penalty for hand ball.  Sophie Meade stepped up and slotted coolly away. 2-2.

Russell Davis, Lions manager said, “Today was about character and grinding out a result. It is also good to see that it moves us up another position in the table".

Lions previous match, v Studley .

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