Leafield could only field a team of 5 players for their final league game of the season at home to Marston Green. The normal pitch used by the Under 10s was unavailable but Paul had done a fantastic job in setting up an Under 10s pitch on the main Leafield pitch. 

Following last weeks closely contested cup final against Albion, the Leafield players were in a confident frame of mind. The girls and their supporters knew that a difficult match was ahead but had good cause to be optimistic.

Both teams started the game well with early chances at each end. Leafield were putting real pressure on the opposing team. Some excellent team play resulted in two attempts on goal by Amy which were unfortunately not converted. Fifteen minutes into the game saw Albion claim the first goal of the match with a well worked move (1-0). For a short time Leafield’s confidence was knocked and Albion started to take greater possession of the ball and Alice was being tested in the Leafield goal. Fortunately this dip was short lived and just before half time Leafield increased the pressure. An excellent interchange between Keely and Inez broke down the Albion defence and found Amy in the box to slot home the ball (1-1). Leafield had another couple of chances which again just missed the target. The final attempt on goal happened just before half time with a shot from Amy inching its way over the crossbar. The score at half time 1-1 with everything to play for in the second half.

The second half started well for Leafield. A throw in from Keeley to Inez who outmanoeuvred the Albion defender to provide Amy with another opportunity which went agonisingly wide. Leafield seemed to be getting the upper hand and were really beginning to put Albion under pressure. Maisy got possession of the ball and with some skilled footwork found herself with an opportunity at goal which unfortunately, once again, narrowly missed.

Albion then got an opportunity at the other end of the pitch which they took well to find the Leafield goal (2-1).

Leafield didn't give up and gave it their all in the last ten minutes of the game. They created a number of excellent goal scoring opportunities but unfortunately were unable to find that crucial final touch.

Despite a tremendous effort from all of the Leafield players the match finished 2-1 to Albion. Leafield had more chances at goal but were unable to make them count when it mattered.

Well done to all of the girls for their hard work and determination throughout the match and for providing such an entertaining game to watch.

Leafield were back to full strength for their penultimate league game of the season against Warwick Juniors Angels. They even had the luxury of a substitute. Right from the kickoff Leafield applied pressure to the Warwick defence. It was Maisy who opened the scoring with a trade mark run from the Leafield half, weaving through the Warwick defence and slotting the ball home (1-0). Leafield continued to dominate and a powerful shot from Inez was well saved by the Warwick goalkeeper who was unable to hold on to the ball allowing Inez to find the net from the rebound (2-0). The Warwick goalkeeper was having to work hard and made some great saves. She saved well from Amy's shot but Amy was able to skillfully chip the ball over her off the rebound and into the goal (3-0). There wasn't much that the Warwick could do about the next goal which was a great individual effort from Amy (4-0).

Leafield wasted no time finding the goal in the second half when Amy's cross was tapped over the line by Chloe (5-0). The next goal was a great strike from Amy from the edge of the box which hit the underside of the crossbar and into the back of the net (6-0). Inez was on hand for the next goal finishing well from Amy's cross (7-0). Amy then really turned on the style scoring three more goals within five minutes (10-0). A good strike from Chloe was almost saved by the Warwick keeper but the ball managed to trickle across the line (11-0). Amy wasn't finished yet and managed to score her seventh goal from a corner kick (12-0)!

This was a clinical performance from Leafield who played some excellent passing football.

Well played girls and best of luck for tomorrow's League Shield Final. Let's finish the season off in style!

Goalscorers
Amy (7)
Chloe (2)
Inez (2)
Maisy (1)

The Under 10s Open Cup Final at the Land Rover Social Club.  An eagerly anticipated fixture between the top two teams in the league – Sporting Club Albion and Leafield Athletic.

Even the most optimistic supporter must have been wondering how Leafield were going to cope against this formidable opponent whilst playing with only 6 girls, including a goalkeeper that two days prior to the match had been on crutches!

The game started well for Albion with a goal in the opening minutes. Leafield took this on the chin and dug in their heels to produce some excellent defensive play. Amy had the first attempt at goal after ten minutes of play, unfortunately her attempt flew just wide of the post. Albion continued to play extremely well with some good organised passing. However, the Leafield girls were determined not to make it easy for them and some super defending from Ella, coupled with sure tackling from Chloe and nifty footwork from Maisy sent the message that they were giving everything they had!

Fifteen minutes into the game saw another opportunity for Leafield with an excellent pass to Inez from Amy just inside the box, everyone’s breath was held as the ball just inched over the crossbar.

A great run from Chloe just before half time, who combined well with Maisy and Inez gave Leafield another near miss.

Half Time Score Albion 1 Leafield 0.

Some slight changes in second half saw a more confident Leafield team and even a second Albion goal didn’t diminish this confidence. Amy, Maisy and Inez continued their attack on the opponents goal supported by Chloe and Ella. The girls made the most of every possible opportunity and this saw Albion having to work even harder. Both Amy and Inez had a number of opportunities to score but were thwarted by the Albion defence with the ball either going wide or being blocked. Leafield’s perseverance paid off however when 15 minutes into the second half Amy produced a fantastic run to find herself one on one with the Albion goalkeeper. She slotted the ball straight through the goalkeeper's legs and into the back of the net to reduce the deficit to just one goal. With Leafield confidence at a high and Albion really starting to come under pressure, Maisy made yet another fantastic run and shot that frustratingly rebounded off the crossbar.

Albion were relieved when the referee blew the final whistle. The final score 2-1. Congratulations to Sporting Club Albion.

This was a truly fantastic performance from the 6 girl Leafield side. Every one of the girls really gave their all today. With the team back to full strength next week for the League Shield Final this could prove to be a real nail biter!

Well played Leafield!

Leafield travelled to Redditch to take on Redditch Borough. The game was only a minute old when Amy's shot from the right wing beat the keeper to give Leafield the lead (0-1). Just minutes later another powerful shot from Amy was well saved but Chloe was on hand to score from the rebound (with her left foot!) (0-2). Next on the scoresheet was Keeley who found the net after a bit of a scramble in the Redditch area (0-3). Leafield were really dominating the game and it was 15 minutes before Inez had her first touch in the Leafield goal. Amy put in a good cross from the right that hit the back post and crossed the line (0-4). It was then Maisy's turn to score with an assist from Keeley (0-5). The Redditch keeper was having to work very hard and made some good saves including a shot from Amy who was quick to pick up on the rebound and finish well (0-6). A powerful shot from Chloe then hit the Redditch keeper in the face and she had to be replaced. Maisy then decided to turn on the style and scored on 3 more occasions leading up to the half time whistle (0-9).

The second half began with Chloe in the Leafield goal (not her favourite position!). A good shot from Amy was almost saved but was too powerful for the Redditch keeper (0-10). Amy was on hand to finish off after a great run from Keeley (0-11). Maisy got the next goal after she picked up the ball directly from a Redditch goal kick (0-12). Inez wasted no time in getting her name on the scoresheet with a good goal from the left side (0-13). She was also on hand to assist the next goal which Amy scored (0-14). Chloe was relieved from her goalkeeping duty as she was replaced by Keeley (once she got her goalkeepers top on!).  Maisy increased the Leafield advantage (0-15). Inez then scored a great goal in the top corner (0-16). Maisy made sure that a shot from Amy safely found the back of the net with her touch on the back post (0-17). Chloe then found her 2nd goal after some skillful play from Amy (0-18). Redditch never gave up and produced a good shot which was well saved by Keeley. Inez was on hand to score Leafield's final goal with help from Chloe (0-19).

A dominant performance from a strong Leafield team with lots of skill on display up front, solid defending from Lizzy and Ella and safe goalkeeping from all of the stand in goalkeepers. Well played girls. It won't be that easy tomorrow!   

Goalscorers
Maisy (7)
Amy (6)
Inez (3)
Chloe (2)
Keeley (1)

Solihull Borough made the trip to Rumbush Lane on this cold and wet evening. It was clear right from the start that the away side were up for this game. They started the game with a real belief that they could take all three points. After just five minutes they got the breakthrough they had been looking for when they broke down the Leafield defence and found the net (0-1). Leafield realised that they were going to have to work hard to get something from this game. After 10 minutes Maisy made a run from midfield and combined well with Amy up front who found the equaliser (1-1). The remainder of the first half was really end-to-end stuff with further chances for both sides. Keeley made a couple of crucial saves and Amy worked tirelessly down the right wing but Leafield were unable to capitalise on their chances. Just before half time Solihull took full advantage of an error in the Leafield defence to take the lead again (1-2).

The second half saw Inez in goal and Chloe helping out in the Leafield defence. This change seemed to settle down the home team who were starting to work better as a team and create more chances. A foul to Keeley just outside the Solihull box resulted in a free kick for Leafield. Amy's thunderous shot beat the Solihull defence but unluckily hit the post. Chloe, working hard in the defence, made an excellent solo run from deep inside the Leafield half past four Solihull players to find the net for an excellent individual goal to give the home side the belief that they could still win this game (2-2).

Leafield were really starting to put pressure on the Solihull defence who failed to deal with a useful corner from Amy which Keeley put into the back of the net (3-2). With ten minutes remaining it looked as though Leafield would hold on to their slender advantage. However, Solihull never gave up and managed to get the ball into the Leafield box were Chloe was adjudged to have fouled the Solihull striker conceding a penalty. The penalty was well struck leaving Inez with no chance (3-3).

Both teams continued to look for a winner. A run from Amy found Maisy in space on the left but she shot agonisingly wide. Solihull then forced an excellent save from Inez who tipped the ball over the crossbar.

This was a well contested game with both teams battling to the end to try to find a winner. In the end, a draw was probably a fair result.

Goalscorers
Amy
Chloe
Keeley

Stratford Town were the visitors at Rumbush Lane on Saturday. With Alice out injured, Leafield didn't have the luxury of a substitute on this warm spring morning. Inez took Alice's place in goal for the first half.

Leafield started the game brightly creating a number of early chances. After five minutes a good kick from Inez in goal found Maisy in space on the half way line who was able to break through the Stratford defence and finish well (1-0). Leafield continued to pressure the Stratford goal. A powerful strike from Keeley was well saved by the Stratford goalkeeper but Amy was on hand to pick up the rebound and tap the ball into the net (2-0). The home team's third goal came from a great run from Maisy who unselfishly passed the ball to Amy who finished well (3-0). Leafield continued to play some great passing football and the build up to the fourth goal was excellent. A 1-2 between Amy and Keeley who then found Maisy free on the edge of the box who finished well to increase Leafield's advantage (4-0). Chloe, who had been controlling the midfield during the first half, then made a great run and powerful shot which found the back of the Stratford net (5-0). Stratford did not give up and created a couple of chances which were saved well by Inez. Ella and Lizzy also worked hard in the Leafield defence. Just before half time another good move from Leafield found Keeley on the edge of the box who struck the ball well leaving the away goalkeeper with no chance (6-0).

Keeley replaced Inez in goal for the second half which Leafield started well. An early goal for Amy following another excellent run from Maisy (7-0). Inez wasted no time adding her name to the score-sheet when her shot slipped under the Stratford keeper (8-0). Leafield continued to dominate the game and Amy was unlucky not to get another goal when her shot hit the crossbar. Stratford could have easily given up at this stage but to their credit they continued to battle well and were rewarded with a good goal that left Keeley with little chance in the Leafield goal (8-1). Another run from Maisy was clinically finished to increase the advantage (9-1). Amy then found the ball on the edge of the Stratford box and made a great shot which hit the underside of the crossbar and into the goal leaving the Stratford goalkeeper with no chance (10-1). The final goal was another good team effort involving Chloe, Amy and Maise and finished off well by Inez (11-1).

Another convincing victory for Leafield who are now producing some great team football. All of the girls worked extremely hard on what was a very hot day. Well played Leafield!

Goal scorers
Amy (4)
Maisy (3)
Inez (2)
Chloe (1)
Keeley (1)

Leafield comfortably moved into the semi final of the League Shield with a convincing victory away at Coundon Court.

The girls wasted no time in getting off the mark when Maisy found herself on the end of a well worked Leafield move and calmly slotted the ball past the Coundon keeper (0-1). The girls continued the pressure with Inez the next to find the net after getting on the end of a good cross from Amy (0-2). Coundon were playing some useful football and on the break had a powerful shot that forced a fantastic diving save from Alice. Chloe, who was defending well, made a superb solo run from the Leafield box, the length of the pitch, to finish well (0-3). Leafield were producing some great team play and constantly pressurising the Coundon defence. Amy produced a great shot that forced a good save from the home side's goalkeeper. However, the Leafield attack were relentless and the 'keeper could do nothing about Amy's next strike which she smashed into the back of the net (0-4). Just before half time another intelligent move between Amy, Inez and Maisy saw Maisy finish well to give Leafield a comfortable lead going into the break (0-5)

Straight from the kick off a great move between Amy and Maisy found Inez in space in the Coundon box to increase the away team's advantage (0-6). Coundon never gave up and some good football found them in the Leafield box where Keeley was adjudged to have handled the ball. PENALTY! The Coundon forward struck the penalty well but Alice made a great diving save to ensure Leafield would keep a clean sheet. Leafield continued to play some great football and a good run from Maisy ended with an unselfish pass to Inez at the back post who tapped the ball home for her hat-trick (0-7). Chloe then made an awesome box to box run and finished well in what was a carbon copy of her first half goal (0-8). Leafield were not finished and Inez scored the final goal with a great strike into the top of the net, leaving the Coundon 'keeper with no chance (0-9).

Another great performance from all of the girls. Well played Leafield!

Goal scorers
Inez (4)
Chloe (2)
Maisy (2)
Amy (1)

Another strong team performance from Leafield saw them comfortably take the 3 points from this encounter with Coventry City. New signing Lizzy meant that, for the first time this season, Leafield started the game with a squad of 8 players meaning they had a substitute and each of the outfield players was able to take a five minute breather on this sunny and warm spring morning.

The home side wasted no time in getting on the scoresheet when, inside the first few minutes, Amy got on the end of a pass from Keeley to get Leafield off the mark (1-0). Maisy also proved that she was on top form scoring the next two goals within minutes of each other, still within the first fifteen minutes of the game (3-0), Amy found the net for a 2nd time when the ball rebounded off the Coventry goalkeeper (4-0). The home side continued to dominate the first half with Keeley taking the next goal which was set up by Chloe (5-0). Goal number 6 was powerfully delivered by Chloe from quite a distance from the goal after a fantastic pass from Amy (6-0). This teamwork combination proved just as efficient for goal number 7 where Amy again played an excellent left footed pass to Chloe who once again planted it firmly in the net (7-0).

Minutes before half time Maisy found herself in the Leafield half with possession and surrounded by Coventry players, she produced an excellent run through a number of the opposing players before making a space to slot the ball into Coventry's net (8-0). With a minute to go to half time Coventry finally got the break they had been working so hard to find when their No.8 found the Leafield goal (8-1).

The second half began with the away team playing a more organised, much tighter game. Leafield now having to work much harder to convert their opportunities. Amy produced the first goal of the second half after an awesome solo run from within the Leafield half (9-1). Further excellent team play resulted in goal number 10 when Maisy set up Chloe who calmly found the goal (10-1).

The away team did not appear fazed by the second half goals and worked even harder to make goal opportunities which Leafield's defence soon quashed. Some excellent defending from both Lizzie and Ella, coupled with some safe hands from Alice in goal stopped the away team from finding the back of Leafield net. The last goal of the match was delivered by Keeley who was quick to pick up on a rebound from a good save of Maisy's shot at goal (11-1).

Some excellent and intelligent football today from all of the girls. Well played!!

Goal scorers
Amy (3)
Chloe (3)
Maisy (3)
Keeley (2)