Leafields under 13’s winning run came to an end at Leamington on Saturday. Having won against the side last week Leamington obviously wanted revenge and it showed from the kick off. Leafields just could not get into the game and had very few chances on goal, with only Natalie Walsh grabbing a single goal. For the first time in 5 games Dean Murfin the under 13’s Manager only had one substitute to call on and as the game went on many of the girls became very tired and frustrated.

The under 13’s impressive run under new manager Dean Murfin continued with another battling win against Solihull Borough. Dean chose a starting 4, 4, 2 formation moving Hannah Stanyer and Kelly Easthope into centre mid-field. The new system worked well with four goals coming in the first half from Carly Evans and a hat trick from top goal scorer Natalie Walsh. Solihull scored mid way through the first half which ended 4: 1. Dean Murfin again had the luxury of being able to rotate the squad with an impressive 15 players turning up, so the second half started with a few changes, but the same determination from Leafields, and from the kick off they started to play some really nice football. Kelly Holtom scored two goals during the second half with Solihull scoring an own goal. The final score 7:1 to Leafields. Well done to all the girls who showed a real team spirit.

Once again the under 13’s squad turned out in force giving new Manager Dean Murfin the luxury of a starting 11 plus 3 sub’s. Leafields usual Captain Hannah Stanyer was ill but she still turned up to watch the game and support her team mates, so the captains arm band was worn by Holly Murfin.

Highgate United arrived with only 10 players but it turned out to be a tough battling match.

Highgate scored an early goal after 5 minutes which was disallowed due to a player being off-side. 6 minutes later Leafields top goal scorer Natalie Walsh found the net to put Leafields one nil up. The remainder of the first was a real two way battle with both teams working hard all over the pitch but neither side could add to the score.

12 minutes into the second half Highgate equalised making the score 1-1. Once again both teams worked hard to try a grab a goal and once again it was Natalie Walsh that broke the dead lock making it 2-1 to Leafields. In the dying minutes Natalie Walsh hit the cross bar but failed to score, so the match ended 2-1 to Leafields.

Boldmere came to Leafields on the back of two very good wins against Highgate and Solihull, and according to their Manager they had a ‘new steel about them’ however, they came back down to earth with an 8 : 1 defeat to a very strong Leafields side.

Dean Murfin the under 13’s new Manger had the luxury of choosing a starting eleven from a squad of fifteen that turned up on Saturday morning.

Natalie Walsh scored a quick goal and Leafields confidence just grew from that moment. Kelly Holtom scored a second then Kelly Banford grabbed a brace before Boldmere scored a goal to take the match to 4 :1.

Just before half time Leafields conceded a penalty which was saved by eventual Player of the Match Rosie Simpson so Leafields ended the first half  4 : 1 up.

Natalie Walsh again scored quickly in the second half and again Leafields applied the pressure playing some great football with plenty of movement and passing, this lead to another goal scored by Lauren Rodgers.      (6 :1) Natalie Walsh scored a further two goals taking her tally to four for the game which ended 8 :1

Well done Leafields.

Once the team talk was over the girls started the new warm up regime which included some goal keeping practice, ball passing, shots in and a game of touch shirt (tig).

Leamington scored fist but the match was very tight and the Leamington coaches knew their girls were in for a tough battle.  Natalie equalised for Leafield with a very strong run through.  Leamington regained the lead just before half time after some sloppy defending; but the girls kept their heads up right to the whistle.

The second half was pure hard work with all the Leafield girls digging really deep, ho ever with the extra players that Leamington had it was just a matter of time before they scored again. Leafield however refused to give up and Carly pulled one back. 3-2.

The Leamington midfield was swopped around and they really pushed on scoring another 3 goals however once again Leafield refused to give up and pushed forward with only the Leamington goal keeper keeping them in the game by pulling off a string of great saves in the last 10 minutes.  Leamington were shattered with some players being taken off for a breather.

Full credit must be given to all the girls for the work rate they put in with the Leamington manager making the comment that his girls could not believe they were playing against 9 players.

The Ref congratulated Leafield and made a great comment on the match report ‘An excellent game, Leafield played great with only 9 players’.