posted 16 May 2010 13:32 by Mark Smith
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updated 16 May 2010 13:53
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Leicester Ladies were the visitor's to Rumbush knowing that only a win would keep them in with a chance of avoiding relegation . The First Team knew that they would be in for a tough game and that prooved to be the case .
Leafield got off to the perfect start with Leigh putting the finishing touch to Hollie's cross from close range in the opening 10 minutes . But it was Leicester who started to dominate possession and whose passing and control kept the Leafield defence on their toes .But Leafield took their narrow lead into the break.
Leafield were slowly out of the blocks in the second half handing Leicester the initative . An unnecessary freekick saw the Leicester centre half head home the cross and the same player put her side 2-1 shortly afterwards.Leafield searched in vain for inspiration but fell further behind mid way through the second half . Leigh scored her second with a well struck free kick to give her side some home of salvaging the game and only a lsat gasp tackle thwarted Amber's run through on goal . As Leafield gambled and pushede forward, Leicester added a fourth on the break to put the game out of Leafield's reach .
To be fair Leicester deserved the victory on the day whereas we know once again that we can play better .This was only our third home league defeat of the season and the first this year . |
posted 9 May 2010 11:39 by Mark Smith
The First Team bounced back from last week's disappointing results to secure a vital three points to guarantee their Combination positon for next season with two games still remaining.
After an even opening spell , Leafield took the lead when Kate was on hand to knock the ball into an empty net after the TNS keeper could only parry away Amber's effort. The lead was short lived as TNS replied almost inmediatelty . Leafield were having the better of scoring opportunities as the half progressed and a great finish from Amberr restored Leafield's advantage into the break over the young but energetic TNS side.
The next goal was always going to be vital and it fell to Leafield when Kate's calmness in front of goal saw her finish off Rachael's cross . The goal gave Leafield the breathing space and confidence to start to dominate the game .Two more clinical finishes from Amber earned her the 'match ball' . Indeed the scoreline could have been even greater but the young TNS keeper stood firm at times . Leafield were rarely troubled in the second period of the game and were defensively sound with Ami only called upon once to make a fine save tipping the TNS effort on to the crossbar and away.
The girls deserve full credit for their efforts today and during the second part of the season which has seen them climb off the foot of the table and hopfully they can go into the last two games with the 'pressure' off a little and express themselves with more belief and confidence. |
posted 2 May 2010 11:32 by Mark Smith
For the second successive week , the First Team lost by the narrowest of margins still leaving them in search of two points from their remaining three games to secure their Combination place .
An unfortunate penalty in the final quarter of the game was enough to separate the two teams and the result keeps Leicester's chances of survival alive as well.
Leafield failed to exert enough pressure in the first half despite having the vast majority of the possession playing with the strong wind at their backs . The passing lacked conviction and accuracy and the Leicester 'keeper was rarely troubled . However, this too could be said of the Leafield goal which too was never in danger as the scoreline remained 0-0 at the break.
In a game when perhaps the result may have been more important than the performance , Leafield came away with neither as Leicester were awarded a second half penalty which they duly converted . The final few minutes saw Leafield push for an equaliser which they may have got had they shown a liitle more composure and more of a 'killer instinct' in front of goal.
A disapponting day all round but we all know that we have the capabilites to play better and we all know we have to in the final three games. |
posted 26 Apr 2010 11:10 by Mark Smith
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updated 26 Apr 2010 11:41 by Mark Briggs
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With both sides enjoying good results over the last month or so , a close game was on the cards and as the final scoreline suggests it was to prove the case .
On a good and expansive playing surface the game kicked of with the home siding showing their intention to get the ball early to their pacy and tricky forwards . But it was Leafield who took the lead when Kate's persistence caused panic in the Stoke back line and she beat the retreating Stoke 'keeper to the ball and force it over the line. Leafield's joy was short lived however . Stoke's record shows that they do concede goals but are more than capable of scoring themselves and this was highlighted when their winger burst through to equalise before Stoke scored again to take the lead .
To their credit Leafield showed great character and bounced back when Kate flicked in Rachael's left wing cross at the near post for her second . Leafield extended their lead from a similar situation after good overlapping work by Claire and this time it was Leigh who arrived at the front post to cleverly control and finish . Still only 25 minutes gone ! The frantic start to the game began to slow down and just when it looked like Leafield would take their advantage into the break , the home side struck again to draw level.
Unfortunately, the second half saw Leafield struggle to make much in the way of forward progress as the home side kept them pinned deep into their own defensive third . However, with a combination of good fortune and stout defensive play , despite giving away unnecessary free kicks , the home side were kept at bay. Leafield continued to hang on for a share of the points until with 15 minutes to go the tricky young Stoke winger , who to be fair had been the best player on show all game , scored a fine individual goal which proved to be the games winner .
The team must now regroup again for next week's crucial clash with fellow strugglers Leicester Ladies for a game which may ultimately decide the season's fate for both teams .
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posted 18 Apr 2010 13:35 by Mark Smith
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updated 18 Apr 2010 14:04 by Mark Briggs
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Crewe were the visitors to Rumbush this weekend as the First Team looked to continue their recent run of good form which has seen results improve. With Crewe themselves near the bottom of the league , it was vital Leafield made home advantage count.
Leafield got off to the perfect start , when Leigh cut in front the right and used her strength and determination to force her way into the six yard box before finishing from close range . However , Leafield were unable to build on this great start as the game became a little scrappy as both sides seemed to struggle with the very dry and difficult surface . Their ideas were good but the final delivery too often was going astray . Just before the interval , Leafield made their superiority count with a second goal as Amber picked up Crewe's clearance from a corner to drill the ball back through the crowded penalty area and into the net.
The second half got underway with Leafield seeming to have forgotten the contents of the half time talk allowing Crewe to reduce the arrears with along range effort that gave Ayleisha no chance in goal. As Crewe enjoyed their best spell of the game in their revised formation . With Donna and Jamie regaining the initiaive from midfield , Leafield regained their two goal advantage when Leigh headed home Rachael's corner. As in previous weeks , Leafield used the slope to their second half advantage to finish the game back in control and stretch their unbeaten league form to five games.
Well done to all the squad for the deserved result and we can now look forward to a tough away game against Stoke City next weekend. |
posted 12 Apr 2010 12:37 by Mark Smith
Recently crowned league champions Coventry travelled to Rumbush looking to maintain their unbeaten record and
with the home side keen to avenge two earlier heavy defeats at their hands and at the same time hoping to continue their recent improveme form.
Playing up the slope in the first half , Leafield were soon under pressure as Coventry looked to free their attackers early . Leafield were slow in finding their rhythm but managed to keep the visitors at bay with young 'keeper Alyshea in the thick of the action . Leafield then began to settle down and should really have took the lead . With Leigh and Amber combining down the right , Leigh's cross was met by Rachael who headed over with the goal at her mercy.
The game and the tackling was full of committment from both teams with both defences prooving difficult to breach and the game remained scoreless at the break.
The half time talk was full of positives and the call from Vince was for 'more of the same' .
With Leafield now attacking down the slope , it was the Coventry defence's turn to have difficulty in getting the ball forward as Leigh broke through on a number of occasions to force them on to the back foot . Leafiled came close again as Amber's flick-on was cleared off the line . However, the visitor's too had chances but Alyshea's sure handling and the defensive organisation of Leafield was first class. The extended added time saw Coventry really push for the winner and it was a nervous time for the home side but the ref's final whistle signalled a share of the points for both sides which was a fair result.
The quality of Leafield's performance , with all players playing their part , was the most encouraging factor and must now be carried into the final stages of the season with six games remaining. The point gained today was a bonus !
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posted 29 Mar 2010 05:56 by Mark Smith
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updated 29 Mar 2010 10:42 by Mark Briggs
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The first team secured another vital three points against a Rotherham side who had beaten us 2-1 ealier in the season and who currently were sitting 4th in the division.
To say the match was 'a game of two halves' is an understatement .
A disjointed and lack lustre first half performance saw Leafield concede two poor goals just before the break as Rotherham , who had looked quite lively up front , pounced on defensive hesitancy . However, Leafield were thrown a lifeline on the stroke of half time when Kate was bundled over in the Rotherham area and Leigh stepped up to put the resulting penalty kick away.
Strong but honest words were exchanged and accepted during the half time break and the girls responded superbly as the second half got under way . Kate scored a great individual goal to put the scores level as Rotherham were forced on to the back foot down the slope . Confidence was visibly growing now and Kate was on hand to put Leafield into the lead . Rachael's cross put the 'keeper under pressure from Leigh's challenge and as Jamie's shot came back of the crossbar, Kate was on hand to finish . Leafield were now working tirelessly to keep the pressure up and were allowed a little breathing space when Rachael's free kick eluded everyone to find the far corner of the Rotherham goal for the fourth to secure a great fightback .
With injured players and absentees to come back into the squad after Easter, Leafield must nevertheless now try to ensure that their second half performance must be the norm and not the exception !
Prints from the above album can be purchased here. All profits from sales go directly to Leafield Athletic.
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posted 22 Mar 2010 05:16 by Mark Smith
The First Team secured another valuable point but will be a little disappointed not to have taken all three.
A goalless first half saw Leafield have the better of the possession but a combination of hesitancy in front of goal and some good goalkeeping by the Copeswood 'keeper denied them a breakthrough.
The second half saw Copeswood change their line up to counteract Leafield's threat down the flanks as the game began to equal out . However , Leafield took the lead midway through the half with Amber latching on to Donna's through ball to beat her marker and fire home . Copeswood responded well forcing Leafield to give away some unneccessary free kicks in dangerous areas . Just when it seemed Leafield would hold on for the victory , albeit through some resolute defending , another free kick was given away from which the ball was bundled over the line for the equaliser with five minutes to go .
Both sides swapped chances in the last few minutes with Danni's header skimming the crossbar at one end and Ami saving well at the other.
On reflection another good defensive show ; another point gained ; another step in the right direction . |
posted 16 Mar 2010 07:58 by Mark Smith
The First Team secured three valuable points that lifts them off the bottom of the table with this very resolute performance.
The game failed to reach the excitement and energy of last week's county cup game between the two sides but it was Leafield who this time finished the happier.
Both teams struggled to cope with the 'lively' Rumbush surface as passes went astray and hasty clearances and passing took the place of any real constructive play . Wolves looked dangerous at corners but with most of their attacking headers coming from distance Ami was rarely troubled in the Leafield goal . Leigh had one shot that scraped the top of the crossbar as defences finished the half on top at 0-0.
The second half followed the first half pattern as the game became 'flat' with both sides searching for an 'inspiration'.
Leafield continued to work the ball wide but lacked the final delivery . The game sprang to life with 10 minutes remaining when Amber chasing a through ball into the Wolves area seemed to collide with the Wolves 'keeper' .After much deliberation the referee pointed to the spot . Amber took the reponsibilty to calmly convert the spot kick .
Wolves sprang into life to try and retrieve the game forcing corners but Ami produced a great save to preserve the clean sheet and Leafield defended strongly as a team in the last few minutes to hold on.
Credit to the Leafield defence who have come in for some criticism during the season but who today worked really well both as individuals and as a unit to gain their first 'clean' sheet in the league.
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posted 8 Mar 2010 08:19 by Dan Hearnden
Following two cancellations because of bad weather the eagerly awaited semi-final was switched to Rumbush Stadium giving Leafield the ‘home’ advantage on a sunny but cold Sunday afternoon.
Leafield had opted for a change in their usual playing system to counteract Wolves known threats whereas at the same time playing to their own strengths. This change almost paid immediate dividends when Leigh was sent through in the opening minutes only to see her shot cannon back off the Wolves’ goalpost with the ‘keeper beaten. The game flowed from end to end with both sides using the full width of the pitch. It was Wolves who took the lead, probably against the run of play when Danni’s strong challenge was adjust unfair and the referee pointed to the spot. Ami just failed to save Selmes’ penalty kick. To their credit Leafield bounced back and shortly afterwards the tables were reversed when Kate was bundled aside in the Wolves area. Leigh saw her initial spot kick saved but followed up the rebound to head home at the third attempt. 1-1 at half time with all to play for.
The second half saw Leafield’s defence, well marshalled by Lynsey and Liz, continue to look solid and organised limiting Wolves to very few scoring opportunities and it has to be true to say the home side, continuing to push forward, should probably have snatched a winner. Amber’s effort was cleared off the line and Leigh and Rachael just shooting wide. So the game moved into extra time with the heavy pitch bound to take its toll on the players eventually.
However, it was to prove to be Wolves day, when Selmes found the net from close range mid way through the first period of extra time. Leafield continued to battle away but could find no more joy in front of the Wolves goal.
This was probably Leafield’s best performance of the season and must feel disappointed as the game could have been won. We wish Wolves good luck in the final where they will meet either Blues or Villa.
Leafield must take heart from the team performance and must now concentrate on the task in hand of securing their Midland Combination position. Are we up for the challenge? |
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