Sporting Khalsa 3-1 Leafield Athletic
The opening game of the season had finally come around as Leafield travelled away to Sporting Khalsa and with a rearranged kick off at 4pm after England had played the World Cup Final.
The warms up were underway and complete as the sun was blasting down on the pitch throughout the game it would be no doubt a great game. After a tough preseason it was time for Darren Wilkie first competitive game in charge.
The game got underway and it was a good start for Leafield as tried to push Sporting Khalsa onto the back foot but the opening goal came for the hosts when Skye Owen put them ahead after 20 minutes. Leafield found themselves maybe a little stunned from the first goal as Colette Bell was doing Colette things and keeping us in game with some key saves. And Sporting Khalsa were on top but it was nearing half time and still only 1-0. Leafield created a few chances but Sporting Khalsa were the team on top.
Leafield couldn’t see the half out at 1-0 though as Lowri Walker right on the break, maybe even the last kick of the half made the score 2-0 as she picked out the first corner meaning Leafield had everything to do in the second half to get back into the game. The game had been delayed earlier in the half when Sam Baker picked up an injury and had to be carried off the pitch. Hopefully Sam won’t be out too long as we will always miss our captain.
I said that at half time I was a little worried when the score became 2-0, how would Leafield react and the start of the second half just proves what this team is all about. When Sarah Hazell expertly made her way through the defence and finished with precision and power to make it 2-1 and score Leafield’s first goal of the season on the 55th minute.
Leafield were playing much better in the second half and were keeping Sporting Khalsa on their toes. But with some of the players on show for Sporting Khalsa it’s hard to not see them near top of table come end of season. It was Lowri Walker who on the 70th minute found the back of the net to make it 3-1. Colette Bell couldn’t do anything about the goal but had been fantastic all game.
Leafield battled away to the final whistle and were much better second half but the game ended 3-1 to Sporting Khalsa but with many positives that could be taken in our first game against a tough team who will no doubt be fighting for promotion come end of season. Leafield move into cup action next as they make the long journey away to Durham Cestria on Sunday before returning to action in our 3rd away game in a row as they take on Boldmere the following Sunday.
At Dickens Heath our Development team took to the pitch against David Healy’s Alvechurch Women in a game where they narrowly lost 2-3 to a team two divisions higher. With Chloe Duthie netting twice for Piers Webster’s team. Photo taken by Dicky and speaking to him about the game says they did really well, after missing the game last week due to being called off. I am looking forward to seeing my first Development game to see what they all about.
