Estone Ladies 1-14 Leafield Lynxs
It was my first ever trip to see our Leafield Lynxs play, had tried before but weather, teams pulling out and clashing with first team meant that chance hadn’t come about yet. But a week off for the first team and a game at Castle Vale against Estone Ladies would be the first chance. It was a shame wasn’t inside on the 4g pitch but was outside on the grass pitches.
The warm up’s were underway with both team’s getting ready for the game, but was only one issue.. it was 2pm and we didn’t have a referee so kick off was delayed but as time went on the referee was still a no show (Red card for the referee). But as they say not all heroes wear capes and not all referees wear black. A big thank you to the guy standing in as the referee for the game.
The game got underway with a delay and the Sun suddenly decided to show it’s face even though was still fairly cold, in attendance was Sarah Jackson, the Leafield manager as well. The opening 5 minutes was fairly even with Lynxs breaking and growing into game as Estone looked to get towards the goal. The opening goal of the game came when Daniella MacDougall played in Chloe Duthie behind the defence who layed it off to Alexa Moore who slammed the ball home to make it 0-1 and a great start for the Lynxs.
After the first goal Lynxs put the pressure on with some fantastic work by Lily Huckerby saw the keeper come out to make the save. It wasn’t long before it was 0-2 when Sophie Noakes got her foot to the ball and as it broke the Felicity Barnes the keeper was out of position her long range effort found the back of the net for 0-2.
Estone tried to get back into the game and made sure the Lynx defence and Keeper was being honest. But it was soon 0-3 when Lily Huckerby hit a fantastic ball towards Chloe Duthie who fly kicked it home, in reality it was a deflected shot that went past the goal keeper but it was 0-3 to the Lynxs.
It was 1-3 when Estone pulled back a goal with a great finish by one of their attackers to pull a goal back. But it was soon again the Lynxs back on scoresheet when Chloe Duthie took it past two defenders before slotting it home for her second of the game and making it 1-4.
It was Alexa Moore who went close with an effort that just went over the bar and one that was straight at the keeper. It’s fair to say that Lynxs were in control of the game but it was Estone that kept going and had an effort but went wide of the goal. Alexa Moore went close once again but it went just wide of the post. It was 1-5 when the goalkeepers kick was intercepted by Chloe Duthie who ran at the keeper and slotted it home for her hatrick.
It was 1-6 when who else but Chloe Duthie ran in behind the defence before the keeper ran out and kicked it against Duthie and the deflection took it into the back of the net for her 4th of the game.
Estone still were trying to come forward and create when Georgia Longley came out to feet to make a cracking save to make sure the score remained 1-6 late on in the half. A melee across the box saw the ball break to Felicity Barnes whose effort hit two defenders on the way out for a corner. The half time whistle went with Leafield Lynxs 1-6 up in a good half for them who could of added a few more as well.
The second half got underway and the goalkeeper for Estone once again came off her line to stop Lauryn Boone from getting in behind. Lauryn Boone and Chloe Duthie both had chances that was saved by the keeper. Lynxs were fully on top only being stopped scoring by the Estone goalkeeper including a double save. Felicity Barnes was the creator with some great work and feet in the box to pick out Chloe Duthie who pulled it back for Felicity Barnes to hammer into the net for 1-7.
Estone to their credit even at 1-7 down hadn’t stopped trying to play but it was once again Lynxs scoring when the ball broke to Lauryn Boone, who had been dangerous and finally got the goal she deserved. Boone took it on her head and hit a looping effort first time that dipped in over the goalkeeper for 1-8 to Lynxs.
Estone looked to get in behind but once again Georgia Longley came off her line to collect the ball to make sure nothing could be built in front of goal. But once again Lynxs looked to break in behind but the keeper came running out once again to clear it. Chloe Duthie went close with a header but it went just past the post. But the score became 1-9 when Lily Huckerby ran up the wing and crossed it for Chloe Duthie to put it into the back of the net for her 5th of the game.
Once again when Estone tried to attack Georgia Longley came off her line to clear the ball. Some fantastic work by Lily Huckerby once again picked out Chloe Duthie whose effort hit the bar and fell back to the keepers hands. A well worked 1-2 with Lauryn Boone and Chloe Duthie saw Boone in behind but was took down from behind to give Lynxs a penalty. Felicity Barnes took the penalty but a double save by the keeper kept the score at 1-9.
It was soon 1-10 when some fantastic work by Daniella MacDougall saw her run the wing after keeping it in and then picking out Chloe Duthie who worked it out of her feet and into the back of the net to complete her double hatrick and make the score 1-10.
It was nearly 1-11 when some great work by Alexa Moore saw her get into position to shoot but her effort came back off the bar to the goalkeeper. Chloe Duthie nearly scored with the ball guiding past the post. But it was soon 1-11 when Lily Huckerby got her name on the scoresheet as she cut inside and hit an effort into the top corner, nothing short of what she deserved as well.
It was Chloe Duthie back in the goals again, but not before she had a 1 on 1 with the keeper that was saved. But from that corner a clever and quick corner by Lily Huckerby picked out Chloe Duthie at the front post who made it 1-12.
Some fantastic work and feet by Lily Huckerby once again but her effort was saved by the keepers feet. It was soon 1-13 when Lily Huckery teed up Chloe Duthie outside the box who unleashed a rocket for her 8th of the game.
It was one final goal for Chloe Duthie to make it 1-14 and net her 9th goal of the game for Leafield Lynxs when she took it around the goal keeper and slotted it home. The final whistle went with Lynxs picking up 3 points and a very impressive win.
In conclusion..
Well it was my first venture out to see the Leafield Lynxs after seeing a couple of training sessions I’d not had chance to see them play with teams pulling out, bad weather and also clashing with the first team. Let’s be fair a 1-14 win isn’t a bad way to see your first game, in reality it could of been more as well. Estone never gave up and tried to continue making sure the Leafield defence wasn’t sleeping.
A squad of players that are learning and developing under the leadership of Piers Webster and his team of Matt Canning and Lukas Butler. An exciting and young team that seem to have a great chemistry with each other on and off the pitch. In their first season together they will only grow and improve. They next face Coventry City Women’s Development in the Cup at Dickens Heath on Sunday with a 2pm kick off.
We Are Leafield!
