Leamington Lions 6 Redditch United Ladies 1

Report submitted by Russell Davis

27 April 2008, New Windmill Ground.

Lions decided to start with the same starting 11 as the previous week, but due to an injury Sam pushed back up front along Sophie and Jenny slotted into midfield. Lions started the game at a good pace and soon had Redditch on the back foot.  Good early pressure and the Lions were rewarded 3 corners, Charlie going the closest with a diving header.

Lions seemed to think this was going to be a walk over and were soon on the back foot.  Redditch, who are already relegated, started quite brightly and carved open the Lions back four much too easily and took a surprise lead.

Firtunataly Lions weren’t having any of it and woke up, a good move down the left and Katie Sheffield fired a thunderbolt of a shot, only to hit the cross bar. Linda was on hand for the rebound to blast the ball directly at the keeper.  Lions continued to pile on the pressure, but forced the play instead of playing it simple and playing the way they were facing. The Lions were soon back on level terms after a great pass from Sam released Jenny who placed the ball neatly into the bottom right hand corner leaving the keeper helpless.  This was just the tonic as the pressure continued to mount and Sam was on hand to make it 2-1 after a good cross from Linda.  Kate B pushed on from right back and released Linda who turned and shot just wide.
 
Half time and a good positive talk on playing it simple, playing the way you are facing seemed to do the trick. A lot more movement and the Lions were in total control of the game, it was just a case of how many.  Helen played a nice short pass in field to Stacey who released Sam to make it 3-1.  Sam made it 4-1 soon after by some how squeezing the ball through the entire Redditch back 4 and under the keeper.  Helen should have been on the score sheet, only to see her shot deflected onto the cross bar.  Katie Bye stepped up to the Ladies and got her chance today.  Katie, a confident young player, soon set up the move which gave Lions their fifth.  She broke down a Redditch attack, released Linda who played in Sophie to set up Stacey who released Sam to slot the ball home 5-1.

Helen was definitely in the mood for scoring and had another shot, again it hitting a Redditch defender and going out for a corner.  Sharon stepped up and swung the ball into the top corner from the corner, 6-1.

Russell Davis, Lions manager said "This was not a great performance, but sometimes players assume they only have to turn up to get the result.  We had to work hard for this result and made life difficult for ourselves.  This was our last home game of the season and to finish with a win was important.  We travel to play Redditch on Tuesday night, our last game of the season.  The players have worked really hard this season and hopefully we can get a result to finish on a high and obtain a record points tally for the lions in this league".

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