Linslade Galaxy Lions were at home against Shefford Saints Red this Saturday. Before the match both teams paid their respects, taking part in a minute’s silence as part of the weekend’s remembrance tributes.
With the game underway, it was Shefford who attacked first. The Lions defence were strong and soaked up the early press. A clearance from Bella set Amber off down the left for a Lions counter attack, and her cross almost found Heidi waiting in the middle of the box.
Some lovely passing play between Heidi, Bella and Olivia followed soon after, but the Shefford defence were able to clear their lines.
Play became a little scrappy in the middle of the park, with neither team able to get a strong hold on the game. However, it was Shefford who were next to break away. But Lauren was first onto a decent through ball, collecting it at the edge of her box.
Like a game of tennis, it was now Lions turn to break. A quick burst from Tehila created some space for a through-ball to Amber. Although her cross was blocked, Lions punished Shefford from the resulting corner. A quick pass from Amber to Tehila was knocked onto Heidi towards the edge of the Shefford box. Her lobbed shot sailed over the keeper, making it 1-0 to Lions.
Lions continued to dominate the next passage of play. A series of big throws from Kiera, and intelligent interceptions and passing from Gracie kept the ball firmly in the Shefford half. Despite some good efforts, Lions weren’t able to capitalise on their chances. When Shefford were at last able to advance down the pitch, Lauren was once again ready, pulling off another decent save.
Twice Sienna swept across the backline to intercept the ball, before getting a helping hand from Georgia who cleared the ball away – just one example of the many times the Lions players covered for one another.
The next break came down the right for Lions. A superb ball from Heidi to Tehila set the striker on her way. She passed one defender before getting her shot away. But the opposing keeper stood strong and made the save. Lauren pulled off another great save moments later before a fantastic switching pass from Gracie put Amber through down the left. Again, the keeper was able to save the resulting shot. A rare counter attack from Shefford required an important block from Kiera to avert the danger. Moments later, Lions showed why they are performing so well in this division, with a wonderful team move started by a pass from Sienna to Bella. The midfielder passed the ball onto Gracie who quickly knocked out wide to Amber. A skilful 1-2 with Gracie created the space for a decent cross which almost found Bella in the box. A move well deserving of a goal.
Georgia, who covered almost every blade of grass, put in a strong foot to break up the Shefford attack. Moments later, Bella whipped a deadly cross across the penalty box, but despite making a great run, Olivia wasn’t able to reach the ball before the keeper. Lions were to punish the away side from a corner seconds before the half time whistle when Heidi’s corner kick rebounded off of a Shefford defender into her own goal.
Shefford started the second half strong and Lions had to work hard to keep the ball away from their goal. Tackles and blocks from Kiera, Sienna and Amber were needed to keep the visitors at bay. Another bursting run from Tehila, past two defenders saw the striker bearing down on goal, however, a Shefford defender was able to get across and marshal the ball out for a throw-in.
Shefford chances were kept to a minimum thanks to some excellent defending by Lions. A great clearance by Freya sent the ball up the pitch. Olivia battled well and almost found a way through the Shefford back line. A long shot from Gracie was well saved, before a great diving save by Lauren kept the score line 2 nil. Shefford came close again minutes later with a great effort striking the bar. Two further intelligent clearances by Freya eased the pressure before a great ball from Aria down the line to Gracie set the midfielder on her way down the left. Aria was called upon seconds later, making an important block to prevent a speedy counter-attack.
Despite playing nearly an hour of football, Bella still found the energy to burst past two defenders, the midfielder simply wanting the ball more than her opponents. Sadly, her shot was just wide of the post.
Like the first half, Lions were rightly rewarded for their efforts seconds before the whistle, when the ball was cleared by a Shefford defender to Georgia in the middle of the pitch. The Lions captain skipped past a Shefford player before smashing a shot past the keeper and bringing the game to its conclusion. This was an outstanding team performance that made everyone involved with the club immensely proud.
This week’s player of the match: Heidi
Thanks to Richard for the match report.