Match Report: U18 14/04/25

LEAMINGTON Lions U18 8-0 tamworth u18

Goals: Lola x4, Izzy x 3, Chloe

A massive well done to the girls who played today 👏🏻 A great 8-0 win. Despsite Tamworth having less players than us, we still have to turn up and beat what’s in front of us and have the right mindset.

The first 15-20 minutes I felt we weren’t our usual selves, I don’t know if this was because the girls knew they were playing less players and thought it would be easier, it was very rushed, lots of mistakes, energy levels were low despite us going 1-0 up early on. After 20 minutes we then started to click and get things going with some really good football followed by a number of goals before half time.

Half time for me was a very quick simple message of more of the same really; play with freedom, use the ball well, and go and enjoy yourselves. We had so many chances in the second half that it’s a shame that we didn’t get into double figures! Second half was far more controlled. We were taking touches, we were pressing higher as a team, we were recycling the ball better, and we were pressing in numbers to win the ball back quicker. We’ve probably had a good 20 shots, maybe even more today and scored 8, however I’m more than happy that we are creating all of these shooting opportunities!

For me, the result wasn’t just the most important thing, but the way we play. I want the girls to be comfortable on the ball, I want them to want the ball, and I want them to work hard off the ball on trying to get the ball back as quickly as possible. One of the tactics today was to try and play in their half as much as possible so that if they did win the ball and hoof it then we would easily recover the ball back quickly with our two centre backs.

Last ten minutes turned into a training match, however the girls kept going and did well at keeping the ball, moving the ball from one wing to the other, and we created tonnes of chances. The final important target was to keep another clean sheet, which we did making it 4 clean sheets in a row. I think it’s around 320 ish minutes (roughly) since we last conceded a goal, and the best thing about it, in our last 4 games I can’t remember no more than 6 or 7 shots on our goal which shows that not only are we good from an attacking point of view, but we are controlling games in the midfield and our defence and keeper have been fantastic as well.

I’m certain this team have never kept 3 clean sheets in a row let alone 4, so a huge credit to them 👏🏻

As everyone knows, I love keeping stats because I think it’s really important to let the girls know how well they have performed..

In our last 9 games we have won 7, drew 1, lost 1. We’ve taken 22 points out of a possible 27 available scoring 28 goals and only conceding 4. Only conceding 4 goals I think is absolutely fantastic! And as I said, keeping 4 clean sheets in a row but overall 6 clean sheets in 9 games is top work by the girls! Winning becomes a very good habit!

A big thank you to our car park assistants for volunteering this morning, and thank you Simon for running the line, extremely grateful and thankful as always for everyone offering to help out! Oh and thanks so much to the parents who helped put up the nets and put them back down again!

A well deserved two weeks off for the girls before we head into the home straight of the season!

Goal scorers:

Lola x4

Izzy x 3

Chloe