The Lionesses visited MK City Belles to play a mudbath of a match in tricky conditions. A biting wind was the cherry on top. Jingle bells!
Crouchy won the toss but the blue and white Belles dominated from the off, with an early corner that meant Evie and Lilly-rose had to put in some quick defending.
Crouchy and Indie tried their best with some great attacking play on the wing, winning a few throw-ins and trying to get the ball out to Eden in the midfield. But the Belles were tactical and strong and after some scuffling around the goal, they scored their first.
Another goal came soon after that, with the Belles taking advantage of a stumble in the mud and getting a lucky one past Olivia. Undeterred, the Lionesses fought back, with Eden battling through about four defenders to try and get the advantage and break away, but her shot was saved.
Crouchy shut down two more threats and some brilliant tactical passing from Lilly-rose to Eden meant that she tried for a goal again, but no joy. The Belles got it back and forced a great stretch of a save from Olivia as it sailed towards the top bar.
Another great run from Eden was shut down by a swarm of Blues but the Lionesses won a corner, which Lilly-rose took. Her ball didn’t quite make I through the melee of players, but she followed it up with some strong attacking play.
Yet again, Crouchy was working hard and running down any threats coming her way, taking on multiple players from the opposition as they ran up the wing.
The second quarter started strong from the Belles, with a third goal which looped annoyingly over the top of Olivia’s head with perfect timing – a difficult shot for any goalie to save.
Lily-rose was determined and had some brilliant battles up the wing, supported by Amy and Crouchy. Another Belles corner was intercepted beautifully by Indie, with Kiani supporting on the right as she tried to get the ball out of the danger zone.
Half time could have meant a dejected and mud-covered Lionesses squad wanted nothing more than to retreat to a hot bath, but these girls are made of stronger stuff and came back out for more.
Some great play from Evie and Amy meant that Eden managed to get the ball up the pitch again, but she was thwarted by a swarm of well-organised Belles who got it back down to our penalty box and a kerfuffle of feet meant that they managed to get a fourth goal in that literally trickled over the line. Unlucky again.
Indie and Crouchy were still in the game and smiling through the mud, making some great passes out to the wing and working hard to keep possession and not let the Belles get any more chances. But the Belles were accurate with their passing and created more space, and with a number of strong strikers causing problems, they managed to get another shot past Olivia.
The Last quarter saw the Lionesses ramp up the energy and effort even more, and frustration was getting the better of some. The Greens dominated most of the final minutes of the match with a lovely run from Eden, ably supported by Kiani, showing some quick feet as she got possession of the ball and passed it back.
Amy was making sure the ball stayed firmly away from our half of the pitch, but one of the Belles managed to break away and swerved with a quick one-two that foxed Olivia to get the sixth goal in. The same player was back minutes later, but Olivia was ready and got her own back, saving not one, but two shots in quick succession.
A disappointing result for the Lionesses, but every game is an opportunity to learn and improve (and get muddy) and as Coach Darren always says ‘we go again’. Lilly-rose and Indie were both Player Of The Match winners from the coaches for their tenacity and determination. The Belles nominated Crouchy, who had another corker of a game and showed her brilliant leadership and consistency to full effect.
