Hereford Phoenix 0 Leamington Lions 2

Report submitted by Russell Davis

20 April 2008, Hereford.

Lions travelled to league champions Hereford with a depleted but confident squad.  Today was going to be all about character; players were playing out of position and they turned on a great performance. 

We battled from the first to the final whistle, starting in a positive manner and going at Hereford as a unit. 

Hereford were first to force a keeper into a save, only to find Vicky ‘safe hands’ Busby alert.  Lions soon turn defending into attacking, a great through ball from Stacey found Linda who whipped a great ball across the 18 yard box, but had too much pace on it.  Lions continued to pile the pressure on.  Charlie took a quick throw from the right, Sophie flicked a good ball across the box to find Kate Sheffield to smash the ball into the top corner, 1-0. 

Hereford showed why they are league champions and were straight on the attack on the restart.  A good through ball to the striker, with only Vicky to beat: but Vicky - on top of her game - stayed big and pulled off a great save. Both teams continued to play good football, but it was Leamington who went close again with a good strike from Sam going just over the bar. 

Second half and both teams started to tire.  Leamington continued to out battle Hereford and continued to work hard for each other.  Linda was having a good game down the right, and getting more confident as the game went on.  Shorty, playing at left back for the first time, improved as the game progressed.  Hereford hit Lions on a break and again Vicky pulled off a great save.  Vicky pumped the ball up field and the Lions pressed the ball quickly and forced Hereford to make mistakes. Lions were rewarded a corner, Shorty whipped the ball into the box, good defending and the ball found its way out to Shorty again, this time a good pass found Linda who stroked the ball into the bottom left hand corner, 2-0. 

Hereford came at the Lions yet again and were rewarded a free kick just outside the 18 yard box.  A thunderbolt and with Vicky beaten, the ball smashed against the cross bar. Lions produced one more attack and Sam was unfortunate not to get on the score sheet. 

Russell Davis, Lions manager, said "Today was about character and teamwork and we showed plenty of it.  Every player was a credit to the Club and to beat the league champions in their backyard shows how much we have improved this season".

The Lions ladies are sponsored by Thomas James Hotel. Please check out the Lions website @ www.leamingtonlions.com

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