LEAMINGTON LIONS U13 1 - 0 SHAMROCK U13
POM: Amelia
Amelia, Ava (A)
Today we hosted Shamrock on a very cold and frosty morning (Feel like I want to burst into song here!) The pitch was soft & boggy making it challenging for the girls to play passing football.
The game was defined more by the miss kicks as a result of the difficult playing surface than by eye catching attacking play.
The last time the Lions played Shamrock, they earned a comfortable 10-0 win but we could see straight away that Shamrock are greatly improved from our clash in October. Although the score line was close today, it was still a comfortable win for the Lions.
Shamrock kicked off the game with 10 players, and a special mention for Phoebe who was happy to play for Shamrock for the first few minutes until their 11th player arrived. Phoebe actually took centre and lead the first Shamrock attack.
The Lions got off to a slow start allowing Shamrock to build up some early pressure without really threatening the Lion’s goal. As the first half progressed the Lions took the initiative creating a number of chances from through balls for Amelia, Ava and Jane to run on to. The lions produced some good chances with Amelia and Mia having decent shots on goal for the first 20 minutes but the pitch and some strong defending in combination made it hard to score.
Shortly after 20 minutes, Ava made a great run down the left wing and delivered an accurate cross of the ball. The Oppo defence failed to clear the ball and Amelia was ready in the centre to score.
During the remaining time of the first half the Lion’s kept the pressure on Shamrock, but a couple of offsides ended promising attacks. Shamrock did have one good chance to score where a forward pass bobbled awkwardly past the Lion’s defence. The shamrock striker was through, but Amber was out quickly and perfectly positioned. She spread herself and the shamrock strikers shot was deflected away by Amber’s frame. Minutes before 1/2 time, Jane was through on goal for a chance to score but unfortunately couldn’t capitalise.
At half time the Lion’s made a few changes, with Layah playing up front and Amber playing at right back while Jane took on the role of Goalkeeper. Halfway through the second half Layah took on the responsibility of goalkeeper.
The pitch was deteriorating and the second half was difficult for both teams. To the Lion’s credit, Shamrock did not have a single shot during the second half. Jane only touched the ball once, and Layah didn’t get a touch in goal (Despite insisting she’d made 20 saves 😉)
At the other end, the Lion’s maintained pressure on Shamrock throughout the second half, but good chances were few and far between. In the last moments of the game Jane took advantage of a defensive mistake, and ran through on goal. Her shot was deflected by the goalkeeper, and players were certain it had crossed the line, but the ref awarded a foul instead of a goal deeming that the ball was still in play when Amelia challenged the goalkeeper on the line.
The Match finished 1-0 and another day on a better quality surface this game would have resulted in a bigger scoreline for the Lion’s who dominated the attacking chances.
Emeli once again had a fantastic game in defence, not allowing the Shamrock attackers any easy opportunities (briefly coming off injured) and efficient clearing from danger time and time again even though the pitch was difficult. Whilst Darcy in midfield had a strong game, making a number of brilliant runs and intelligent passing.


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