With Leafield having secured the title 2 days earlier this match perhaps seemed a little unimportant but Walsall were the only side they hadn’t beaten this season so there was certainly some meaning to it.

Leafield started strongly and within 2 minutes they took the lead when Sade Alaka received the ball on the halfway line and rolled it back to Erin Flynn who dinked it over the defence for the run of Jade Hewitt, she took one touch and then lobbed the ball over the keeper’s head and into the net.  4 mins later they almost doubled the lead when Hewitt played Kate Hegan in but her shot crashed against the crossbar.  On 16 minutes Leafield did increase their lead when Hegan set Flynn up on the edge of the box, her shot was blocked but only as far as Hewitt who finished low into the corner.

Half time – Walsall Ladies 0 Leafield 2

The next goal was going to be the most important and on 45 mins it was the visitors who got it when Hewitt played a lovely diagonal, defence splitting pace into the path of Hegan who took it in her stride and then fired it inside the near post, Leafield now started to move the ball around as they can, 52 minutes saw a Hegan throw returned to her by Alaka and she crossed for Georgie Savage to slot home.  Walsall threatened momentarily when Rowanne Adams went through but was unlucky when the ball came back off the post.  Leafield were now looking dangerous every time they had the ball and some tremendous interplay between Hegan, Hewitt, Jodie Gibbs, Savage and Alaka ended with Hegan firing home.  With 7 mins remaining a Hewitt corner landed at the feet of Sam Edgar but her shot was tipped over, from the resulting corner Abbie Reynolds met the ball at the back post and forced it over the line.

Full time – Walsall Ladies 0 Leafield 6

Another pleasing performance from Leafield with some more tremendous football, the season ends with a run of 14 straight league victories, 12 of which were recorded with clean sheets.  In the 16 league games this team scored 77 goals and conceded just 9 so there is strength at both ends of the pitch, each player has given their all and it is impossible to single any out from such an entertaining team, player’s of the season have to now be chosen and that will not be easy.  Congratulations to you all now let’s finish off with that Cup for the Double!

Leafield went into this game knowing that a victory would, barring a turnaround the size of which has never been seen before, secure them the Premier Division Title.

The first bits of play were nervy and scrappy with Perrywoods striker Lauren Lucas showing that Sam Edgar, Dione Bailey and Jess Chew along with keeper Natasha Weldon would have to be alert at the back if they wanted to continue their clean sheet record.  The away side made the breakthrough after 9 minutes with a lovely worked goal, Sade Alaka received the ball on the halfway line with her back to goal, she rolled it back to Jade Hewitt who immediately played it in behind the full back for Alaka who had spun and raced clear, she took one touch and then whipped a great cross in for Georgie Savage who met it first time to put Leafield ahead.  This goal looked to settle the visitors and efforts from Hewitt, Kate Hegan, 2 from Alaka and a close shave from Savage after lovely interplay from Hegan and Jodie Gibbs threatened to stretch the lead but that 2^nd goal just wouldn’t come, Perrywoods always looked dangerous and the defensive midfield pairing of Abbie Reynolds and Ellis Read were battling hard to keep control of the middle of the pitch, half time arrived with Leafield holding a slender lead.

Half time – Perrywoods 0 Leafield 1

The 2^nd half was just 4 minutes old when Perrywoods punished Leafield for their failure to add a second, Lucas got the ball wide on the right and put in a dangerous cross to the front post, Weldon and Anne Marie Crumpton both went for it but the latter got there first and glanced a neat header into the far corner, this goal was the first Leafield had conceded in the league since 24^th October 2009, a run that recorded 10 consecutive clean sheets.  The game was now on and the next goal was going to be the most important but Leafield weren’t to be deterred from their mission and 9 minutes into the half Jodie Gibbs played a magnificent pass into Alaka who took it in her stride and coolly slotted the ball past the home keeper, again Perrywoods fought back and were proving a difficult side to shrug off but, with 13 minutes remaining Leafield claimed the all important 3^rd goal and what a goal it was, Hewitt swung a corner into the near post but it was cleared straight back to her, just when you thought she would float another cross in she hit the ball like a rocket into the far top corner for a 3-1 lead, substitutes Erin Flynn, Eilish Staunton and Hannah Woodhall were introduced at this point but this didn’t stop the way the visitors were playing, with 3 minutes left a Chew throw was turned in by Alaka and in injury time a goal kick only went as far as Hegan who controlled it and picked her spot high to the left of the keeper.

Full Time – Perrywoods 1 Leafield 5

This was probably the most consistent Leafield have played for a whole game and some of the one touch passing was awesome, take nothing away from Perrywoods who gave us some serious problems at the back and a 5-1 defeat was possibly a little harsh on them.

So the title was secured (it will need a 41 goal turnaround in the last match to change things!) and now we move onto the Cup Final on May 22^nd when Starlands will be up for revenge after being pipped for the title after leading for almost the whole season.  Well done girls and enjoy for now but remember how tough the final is going to be.  Massive credit must go to Robbo for her marvellous coaching and the rapport she has built up with these 15 wonderful girls, cheers Robbo, you’ve been a star.

After almost a full season of playing catch up in the league today saw Leafield with the first opportunity to go top with Starlands not having a game, however, Dudley were the team that threw this Division wide open when they defeated Starlands back in February so this was going to be no walkover.

Leafield started strongly and almost took the lead after 3 minutes when a Georgie Savage effort was cleared off the line but this didn’t stop them for long and 2 minutes later Kate Hegan played Savage in on the right hand side of the penalty area, she got to the byline and fired a cross along the 6 yard box for Sade Alaka to side foot into the roof of the net.  3 minutes later saw Savage roll the ball back to Hegan and she crossed for Jade Hewitt but her attempt went just over.  Jess Chew then played Savage through but she slid the ball just past the post.  Dudley then started to get into the game and a weaving run from the dangerous Georgia Thacker saw her one on one with Natasha Weldon but the visitors keeper brave dived at her feet to deny her.  3 minutes before the break saw Leafield double their lead when Alaka raced clear and calmly lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper for her second.  Right on half time Dudley were awarded a free kick on the left, as usual Eleanor Steedman floated a ball into the 6 yard box and a host of bodies went for it but Weldon rose above them all to take a brilliant and important catch.

Half time – Dudley Utd 0 Leafield 2

The 2^nd half started quietly with both sides failing to trouble the opposing keeper but on 58 minutes Alaka battled her way through the Dudley defence and then curled a superb shot into the far corner to complete her hat-trick, 4 minutes later Hannah Woodhall beat her marker for pace and slid the ball into Alaka who in turn played in Hewitt but her shot went narrowly wide.  Leafield nearly added a fourth when a corner was cleared to Alaka on the edge of the box and she cheekily lifted the ball back over the defence only to see the ball come back off the crossbar.

Full time -Dudley Utd 0 Leafield 3

This was an impressive display on a very difficult bouncy pitch but Leafield adjusted their game the better and played some attractive football at times and ran out worthy winners.

So Leafield hit the top for the first time this season and now, barring a 30 goal turnaround with Starlands, need just one victory from their final 2 games to claim the League Title.

Leafield welcomed Starlands to Rumbush Lane knowing that this match would go a long way towards deciding the title, Starlands were one of only 2 sides to take points off Leafield this season when a deserved 2-0 victory in the first game of the season put them on their way to the top of the table where they have remained ever since so this game was never going to be easy for either side.

Leafield started the brighter and Ellis Read nodded the ball through for Georgie Savage but her strike came back off the post, the game then became a midfield battle with neither side reall asserting themselves, 28 minutes saw a mistake at the back allow Laura Powers to steal in but she headed wide, 2 minutes later Sade Alaka forced the visiting keeper to tip the ball over, Kate Hegan then found Alaka in the box, she set up Read on the edge but her shot went just wide.  The deciding moment of the game came 3 minutes before the break when the home side were awarded a free kick just inside the Starlands half, a ‘quick one’ cry from the touchline was heard and Jade Hewitt knocked the ball to Hegan who in turn rolled it onto Savage and she slid it past the onrushing keeper.

Half time – Leafield 1 Starlands 0

The second half proved to be a very tight midfield battle with neither side creating a chance of any note, both teams tried their hardest to break down their opponents but the 2 defences came out on top.

Full time – Leafield 1 Starlands 0

This was, without doubt, the toughest game Leafield had encountered since they got their season going and it is clear why these 2 sides will fight out the title between them, a moment of quick thinking was all that separated the sides in the end with the 2 defences being in fine form.  It must be said that, even though this was a massive game in the whole scheme of things, it was played in a tremendous spirit and the Starlands people were tremendously friendly throughout and a pleasure to have at our ground,  All this points to an extremely competitive Cup Final on May 22^nd between the 2 sides.

Leafield looked very subdued for the first 10 minutes, the early kick off no doubt taking it’s toll on those who decided to have breakfast at the ground!!  The first chance came on 8 minutes when Georgie Savage was played in but dragged her shot wide, 6 minutes later she made amends though when Jade Hewitt found her on the edge of the box and she finished coolly, Knowle attempted to hit back  and Serena Sandhu found herself clear but Natasha Weldon was out quickly at her feet to deny her.  Leafield increased their lead on 20 mins when Jodie Gibbs sent Sade Alaka clear down the right, she got to the byline and pulled it back for Kate Hegan to slot home.  Knowle weren’t going to lay down and die though and a Laura Mardon corner was met by Sandhu but the header went wide.  The last 5 minutes of the half effectively finished the game, on 35 mins Erin Flynn won a tackle in the middle and immediately played Savage through for her to finish nicely into the corner, Savage almost completed her hat-trick 2 mins later when Alaka crossed to her but her effort hit the bar.  With one minute remaining until half time Savage charged down a clearance and the ball broke to Hegan, she slid the ball across the edge of the area for Hewitt who lobbed the ball over the keeper for no. 4, the home side still weren’t finished though and Hegan crossed from the right for savage to complete her hat-trick.

Half time – Leafield 5 Knowle 0

With the game now won the second half became a quieter affair but Leafield still added 3 more goals, a neat finish from Alaka after a long ball from Sam Edgar, Alaka again profited from some good interplay between Hegan and Flynn then Hannah Woodhall completed the scoring after a nice pass from Hewitt.

Full time – Leafield 8 Knowle 0

After the initial quiet period Leafield took control although a couple of dodgy moments at the back reminded them that they needed to be switched on at all times, some neat finishing stood out and the run towards the top of the table continued.

Leafield started brightly and after just 2 minutes Erin Flynn played Georgie Savage in but she shot narrowly wide, 9 minutes later saw Savage flick a ball onto Sade Alaka but the visiting keeper stood strong.  After 16 minutes Savage was again sent through, this time by Jade Hewitt but she lifted her shot wide, the breakthrough finally came after 19 mins when Abbie Reynolds played the ball into Flynn, she in turn moved it on to Alaka and she slid the ball home from a tight angle.  4 mins before H/T Hewitt sent Alaka clear again, she lifted the bouncing ball over the keepers head and ran onto it but then managed to hit the post but the ball rebounded to Savage but she shot over.

Half time – Leafield 1 Coventry 0

Leafield forced 2 early corners in the 2^nd half and 2 tremendous deliveries from Hewitt were wasted as the ball wasn’t attacked, Coventry started to come into the game without creating any chances but the home side searched unsuccessfully for that 2^nd goal, it finally came after 62 minutes but ironically it was from a Coventry corner, Natasha Weldon collected the cross and immediately released Reynolds, she quickly set Alaka off again and she lifted the ball over the keeper for her 2^nd.  This goal allowed Leafield to relax and on 68 mins a free kick was awarded 25 yards out, Hewitt struck the kick and the keeper could only parry it out to Reynolds who slotted it home.  4 mins later Flynn played the ball to Hewitt on the edge of the box, she lifted it over the defence to Savage who finished well.  On 75 minutes Flynn played a fantastic 1^st time pass into Alaka but the keeper saved well.

Full time – Leafield 4 Coventry 0

This ended up a comfortable victory but the 2^nd goal, which was so important, seemed like it would never come, in fairness Coventry didn’t really create any clear chances and, had it not been for a tremendous display from Olivia O’Connor in the visitors goal the scoreline would have been far greater.

The game was barely a minute old when a long hopeful ball wasn’t dealt with by the home defence and Georgie Savage forced the ball home.  On 5 minutes a Jade Hewitt corner was met by Sade Alaka but her header came back off the crossbar, 2 minutes later Alaka was again denied by the woodwork when she turned beautifully on the edge of the area but her shot hit the left hand post.  After 8 minutes another Hewitt corner caused confusion in the Gornal box and Abbie Reynolds seized on the loose ball to double Leafield’s lead.  3 minutes later saw the home side create their first chance when a free kick was delivered into the box and it ended uo at the striker’s feet but she put it wide.  The game calmed down a bit now until Hewitt found Savage with a through ball on 28 minutes, savage rounded the keeper but hit the side netting from a tight angle.  Another home free kick caused problems when the striker headed against the post but couldn’t convert the rebound.  With one minute remaining in the half Hewitt won the ball in the middle of the pitch and released Alaka down the right, she squared it to Savage who slotted home.

Half time – Gornal Girls 0 Leafield 3

The 2^nd half started slowly and no team seemed to have any advantage then, on 59 minutes Jodie Gibbs sent Savage clear on the right hand side of the area and just as everyone expected a cross she produced a stunning strike into the roof of the net.  With 3 minutes left Reynolds sent Alaka clear but she shot straight at the keeper, then just before the final whistle Natasha Weldon came out bravely to deny Gornal a consolation goal.

Another satisfactory performance with the early effort paying off with the 2 opening goals, a little more care at times is needed at the back but another clean sheet was still pleasing.

After another 2 week break due to the weather Leafield faced Perrywoods who are always capable of beating anyone.

Leafield started brightly and Jade Hewitt sent Sade Alaka clear but her shot was saved and she put the rebound wide, after 4 minutes Perrywoods won a corner and a lovely delivery was met with a solid header from around the penalty spot but the effort went just wide.  The home side took the lead after 11 minutes when Jodie Gibbs rolled the ball into Georgie Savage who pushed the ball through to Alaka, a challenge from a defender forced the ball away from Leafield’s striker but, as the defender, the keeper and Alaka chased the loose ball it was Alaka who slid in to poke the ball home.  Perrywoods then started to play and the home side were fortunate not to be on level terms again as the away side started to grab control of the midfield but on 24 minutes Hewitt again sent Alaka clear and she squared the ball to Savage but her shot was well saved.  3 minutes later Leafield won a free kick 25 yards out, Kate Hegan hit the ball towards the back post and it flicked off a defenders head on it’s way into the net.

After 33 minutes Hegan played Alaka in and she rounded the keeper before scoring, with 3 minutes remaining to half time Hewitt sent Savage clear but the keeper again saved well.

Half time – Leafield  3  Perrywoods  0

The 2^nd half was 6 minutes old when Leafield increased their lead as Alaka was sent clear again, this time by Hegan and the speedy striker squared the ball for Savage to tap in.  4 minutes later Hegan found Alaka on the edge of the box and she swivelled before finding the top corner.  Perrywoods continued to cause a few problems and a 20 yard screamer looked  destined for the roof of the net until Natasha Weldon leapt to tip it over.  With 10 minutes remaining Hewitt seized on a loose ball on the edge of the box and smartly finished into the corner before Hannah Woodhall went down the right wing and pulled the ball back to Alaka, her effort was blocked but only as far as Gibbs who struck it straight back into the top corner.

Full time – Leafield  7  Perrywoods  0

Another good win but the 7-0 scoreline didn’t do the visitors justice as they played some tidy football on a very difficult pitch, Leafield though created numerous chances and the pace and skill upfront was the difference between the 2 sides.

Marston Green travelled to Rumbush Lane for the 3^rd meeting of the season between the 2 sides after a crushing victory in the League was followed by a much tighter affair in the Cup.  The home side started strongly as Jodie Gibbs played a lovely little through ball to Georgie Savage to fire just over after 5 minutes, Marston took this as a warning and tightened up a little with a lot of the play being in the midfield area but, after 25 mins Leafield got the breakthrough when Kate Hegan set the ball back to Gibbs whose first time cross found Sade Alaka, she cushioned the ball into the path of Jade Hewitt to slot into the corner.  4 minutes later the lead was doubled when a Hegan corner fell to Sam Edgar who lashed the ball into the roof of the net.  Leafield were now in control and in the 32^nd minute came a goal that would be appreciated by all who were watching, the ball started with Alice Sumner in the right back position, she played the ball up the line to Hegan who moved it inside to Gibbs, she in turn rolled it into the feet of Savage who spun and played it inside the full back for Hegan who had continued her run, Hegan took one look up and slid a lovely cross in between the defence and the keeper which was met on the far post by Alaka who calmly slid the ball home.  The applause rang out from both the home and away supporters who recognised the tremendous teamwork that went into a tremendous goal.  5 minutes later and a mistake allowed Hegan in but, as she lifted it over the keeper it rolled just wide.

Half time – Leafield  3  Marston Green  0

The 2^nd half was a different story to the first with Marston Green having a lot more possession which made the game much more even, Hewitt flicked a ball onto Savage but her shot was well saved and the keeper then recovered to block the rebound as well, Alaka went clear after 52 mins only to pull her shot wide then Alaka played Savage in but her effort came back off the post.  Marston’s best effort came on 61 minutes when Steph went down the left hand side and and fired across the area but just wide.  This was the last real go at goal and the ended with the same score as at Half Time

Full time – Leafield  3  Marston Green  0

The first half was a good solid performance at the back with plenty of flair shown in the attacking areas culminating with the wonderful 3^rd goal, the second half was much less of a team performance with certain individuals trying to do too much on their own, with top of the table Starlands getting beat at Dudley the outcome of this season is now entirely in the girls own hands but performances like the 2^nd half will see a season of disappointment whereas a reproduction of the first half display could end up with a much more successful outcome for us.

Leafield travelled to Wolverhampton to take on Penn Colts and, with the help of a half hour delay and the hard work of the home supporters the pitch was passed fit to play and for excitement value it proved to be well worth the effort.

Leafield sprung a bit of a surprise by starting without their normal speedy strikeforce of Sade Alaka and Georgie Savage and instead opting for the more technical attributes of Kate Hegan and Jade Hewitt to try and combat the short pitch.  The away side started the better with Hegan, Hewitt and Jodie Gibbs giving the home side back line plenty to think about with some lovely one touch football but the breakthrough didn’t come and Penn started to come into the game more however, with 15 minutes gone, Leafield did get the goal their early play deserved when Hewitt was found with a through pass on the edge of the area, she looked to slot the ball past the home keeper but dummied her and took the ball round her before firing in from an acute angle.  The goal gave Leafield belief and they pressed hard for the 2^nd,  Hegan broke down the right and played a lovely flighted ball into Hewitt who showed great technique to meet it on the volley but her attempt went straight at the home keeper.   Alaka replaced Gibbs 5 minutes before the break and immediately tricked her way to the edge of the area before sliding a square ball to the unmarked Hewitt and she calmly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper but amazingly it trickled wide.

Half time – Penn Colts 0 Leafield 1

The 2^nd half saw Savage come on to continue her partnership with Alaka with Hewitt dropping in behind the strikers and it took just 4 minutes for Savage to make her mark when she raced onto a through ball and fired high into the net, 5 minutes later and Leafield made it 3 when a lovely weaving run from Alaka took her into the box and, just as she shaped to shoot she unselfishly squared the ball for Hewitt to guide into the far corner.  At this point Leafield were cruising and continued to play the football and dominate the game but, with 16 minutes remaining the referee harshly judged Abbie Reynolds to have fouled in the area and the Penalty was slotted away.  3 minutes later and Penn got their second when a 20 yard strike forced a mistake from Natasha Weldon in the visitors goal.  Penn were now buzzing and their supporters were making a lot of noise to encourage them, with 7 minutes remaining they won a corner on the left, the ball was swung over and Leafield failed to clear on 3 occasions and when the ball fell to the edge of the area it was fired back in through the crowd and into the bottom corner.  Leafield had let a 3 goal lead slip and it was going to take a massive effort to get something from this game with Penn on top.  Hewitt, who had been replaced when 3 up was thrown back on to try and grab some control back, as the game was going towards the draw Hewitt found herself on the edge of the area in space, she took a touch towards the keeper and then calmly slid the ball into the corner.  This proved to be the final action of the game and a thrilling show had come to an end.

At 3-0 Leafield were in control but Penn used the Penalty award to fire themselves up and Leafield showed little resistance for a 10 minute period which they must learn from, but the final 5 minutes saw them grab back the control and they found the winner their performance undoubtedly deserved, there were some gritty performances topped by a very unselfish performance from Alaka and a fantastic display of hold up play and finishing from Hewitt who proved to be the difference on the day.