Match Report: U13 05/04/25

Coventry Godiva 1-5 Leamington Lions U13

The games against Coventry Godiva last season were fairly close games with the Lions coming away from both those games with victories so we were expecting more of the same today 🤞🏻

From the outset the Lions were dominant except for a few breaks by Godiva. The Lions created chances but thanks in part to some good goalkeeping and defending, the scoreline remained 0-0 deep into the first half. Layah was switched from her usual defensive position to striker for the second quarter of the match and when a chance came her way she made the most of it. Mia had collected the ball in midfield and turned brilliantly to create space for herself. She played the perfect pass forward and Layah smashed the ball past the Godiva Goalkeeper to make the score 0-1.

Layah’s confidence was high and it wasn’t long before she would receive a pass from Jasmine just inside the penalty area. Layah shot early and saw her shot fly in to the corner of the goal off the post. 0-2

Mia had been delivering some great corners this match, but the Lion’s so far hadn’t been able to get on the end of them, but no stress, she just took a corner from the right and curled the ball accurately and powerfully under the Godiva cross bar. The tall Godiva goalkeeper got hands to it but it was too powerful and she couldn’t stop it going in. 0-3.

As the first half was coming to an end, Godiva hit the Lions on the break. A strong run by their right winger, and accurate cross created the chance which was finished first time by a Godiva striker from close range. This would be the only lapse of concentration for the Lion’s defence. The score was 1-3 at half time.

The pattern of the second half was similar to the first with the Lions dominating play but not converting many chances to score. Early in the second half Jane struck a low corner which was dangerous. The ball was cleared but only back out to Jane. She struck a perfect cross into the 6 yard box and Layah was there.

Layah was able to nudge the ball goalward from short range for her hat trick. 1-4

Amelia made a brilliant strong run down the left wing, and just as she looked ready to shoot the Godiva defender got in the way and brought Amelia down which resulted in a penalty being awarded. Amelia took responsibility for the spot kick and wisely played the ball calmly towards the corner knowing the Godiva goalkeeper couldn’t get to it. Unfortunately the shot struck the post and the goalkeeper was able to gather the rebound.

After the missed penalty Amelia kept working hard and towards the end she was rewarded with a great assist. Following a Godiva goal kick she battled to win the ball, and turned infield. She was able play a perfectly weighted pass to Mia in the centre, outside the box. Mia’s touch got the ball out of her feet and into space. Her second touch was a shot from the edge of the box which arrowed into the corner of the goal giving the goalkeeper no chance, the match finishing shortly after. 1-5

Everyone was buzzing about Layah’s hat trick ‘geddon ‘ (If you’re from a certain part of the country, you’ll know the word 😉) Tuppers - fantastic game!

Layah ⚽️ Mia assist

Layah ⚽️ Jasmine assist

Mia ⚽️ (no assist)

Layah ⚽️ Jane assist

Mia ⚽️ Amelia assist