Leafield Athletic 3-0 sheffield FC

Tilly Chase, Jessica Lowe, Laura Broadbent

29/1/23 – 3pm – castle Vale

Midlands division One

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After the weather still was on the aftermath of the ropey Jack Frost and rain to make sure the game went ahead the game was moved to Castle Vale Stadium and with a 3pm kick off. The two teams met earlier in the season and Leafield won the fixture 1-4, Sheffield would be looking to kick start their season off under John Bennett when they visited to play against Aid Clement’s Leafield. The weather wasn’t too bad it was a nice day for it until I ended up with a migraine about 10 minutes into the game. But thankfully subsided now and was worth remaining at the game as it always is seeing Leafield play.

The game got underway with both teams looking to claim an early advantage with both teams looking to build out from the back. Leafield were trying to unleash the ever running Jess Lowe in behind (she even coming in running to get changed as she was late). But the opening minutes of the game were at a deadlock. Tilly Chase as always was there to throw a slide or two in whenever Sheffield looked to break in behind clearing the danger.

Sheffield created the first real chance when a lofted ball into the box was pulled back just behind Tilly Hallas-Potts but it was a meeting of the Tilly’s to prevent the goal as once again Tilly Chase was there to slide in and block the shot from being a threat. Alex O’Neill worked herself free outside the box but her long range effort didn’t trouble Colette Bell. Who also decided the ball was her’s claiming anything in the air and also providing duties as a sweeper keeper when needed.

It was who else but none other than Tilly Chase squandering the efforts of Sheffield FC as they kept trying to break into the box but Tilly doesn’t like the ball in her defensive area and will clear on sight. Leafield almost hadn’t quite grew into the game at this point, defending well but couldn’t create much in the attacking third. It was Colette Bell who pulled off a save from a Tilly Hallas-Potts driven shot that she pushed away from goal and cleared by Laura Broadbent on the rebound. 

The breakthrough came in the game when Jess Lowe (Aka Roadrunner) ran about the defence and between her and Kathryn Pagan, saw Kathryn read the ball to get it before the defender and get taken out by Leah Kellogg for the penalty to Leafield. Tilly Chase stepped up to take the spot kick, she’s deadly on set pieces so you know the result. Goal of course as she drove it low and hard under Leah’s diving arm to give Leafield the 1-0 lead on the 27th minute.

A half where both teams were building up with the ball but couldn’t find that special something to trouble the scorers is probably the best way to describe the opening 45 minutes as a whole. The end pretty much came to a half as it went on, a great floated ball into the box by Chloe Shirley’s free kick had nothing on the end of it. It was 1-0 to Leafield at half time and it felt like hadn’t quite got going yet. 

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The second half got underway with still all to play for and it was Chloe Shirley who showed Leafield’s early intent with a shot from downtown. And it was some fantastic work in the middle that saw Chloe Shirley pass a ball that Jess Lowe knocked on to the on running Kathryn Pagan. Kathryn ran the wing taking two defenders out of the game before pulling it back for Jess Lowe to slot home first time to make it 2-0 to Leafield on the 52nd minute. Some great build up play and partnership between the players knowing where each one would be.

Sam Baker was starting to think it was Christmas come early as she collected a card early, It was a yellow card of course in what I think was mistaken passing the ball back to Tiana Hicks. To which I also think the referee got a bit of stick of Chloe Shirley for not booking one of their players afterwards also, to which she was put on the naughty step by the official.

Both teams were still finding it hard to have any real cut edge chances as the defences were working well to stop the affects being any real danger with half chances and shots being had from distance by both teams as we moved into the final stages of the game. Leafield had a chance with Kathryn Pagan off a Chloe Shirley ball but just couldn’t direct it inside the post as it went just past.

Leafield were managing the game quite well now with some great defending and using game management to move towards the final whistle with the lead and clean sheet. But on the 81st minute the corner count paid off as Chloe Shirley delivered on into the danger zone, for the ball to break to Jess Lowe who hit it and as it hit the defender cleared what looked like a certain goal. The ball came out and it fell to Hot Shot Broadbent who only knows how to score worldies. As she hit it with the outside of her boot first time to ping it in off the post leaving any keeper no chance to make it 3-0 with 9 minutes left to play.

I have to say as well Tiana Hicks came on at half time and was so happy to see her back on the pitch but so gutted to see her carried off and being injured at the end, really hope she won’t be out too long. Such a quality player and person. The game ran to a conclusion with a 3-0 win for Leafield, 3 points and a clean sheet to top off a fantastic afternoon for Leafield.

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Leafield will next play again on Sunday in League action in the FAWNL Midlands Division One against Wem Town with a 2pm kick off at Dickens Heath (Be sure to check social media closer time for any updates as well)