Over a month since we last played, so it was good to be back on Saturday for the opening game of the “winter round”. The girls delivered a good performance with loads of chances and near misses.

It was great to see Lily-May full of confidence and determination - she really levelled up her game and was rewarded with a good solid goal - but what really stood out was she would try and win the ball back when out of possession, pressing and closing down - well done.

Jasmine also took a really nice step forward in her progression, full of passion and determination - winning her a well deserved player of the match - again closing down well, winning the ball in 1v1's covering a lot of ground and getting some good shots on target too.

Late on in the game we enjoyed watching Ellie get a little more forward from her usual defensive position and getting some cracking long range shots away - only to be blocked by Duffield - but great effort as always from a solid and consistent footballer.

Our second goal was nicely worked up the field by the team, passing around Duffield with confidence and purpose - Evie found space near the edge of the box, received the ball well and hit a real beauty with immense power, hitting the crossbar and rattling the frame of the goal - the ball launched upwards towards the moon and back, dropping back into the box. Layla was ready but finding herself facing the wrong way... no problem…..she only did a superb overhead bicycle kick past everyone, hitting the inside side netting, for a very skilled top quality goal!

When we subbed her off for a rest, she asked if it was a good goal? I replied, “I wish I had it on camera so I could submit it as an entry for Pride Park's goal of the month, it was amazing!”

Layla scored a second goal for a brace, and the Lionesses’ other goal was scored by Lily-May
Gary