A beautiful day in Dunstable for the last match of the season, and the Lionesses on both teams were ready for a rematch. Would it be third time lucky for the Galaxy girls, fuelled with some bonus Lucozade courtesy of Caroline. The match started with early threats on both goals in the first two minutes, showing just how well-matched these teams are.
Lancot attacked hard and kept Olivia on her toes as she grabbed the first of many shots out of harm’s way, giving great direction to her team-mates with lots of ‘MARK UP!’ commentary. Esme got it back down the wing and tried for a looping shot, but it was saved by Lancot’s keeper.
A few minutes later, after some great midfield defending from Hollie, Eden managed to get through and almost made it to the Lancot box, but just couldn’t get the power behind her kick, she was running so fast.
The girls were on the hunt and Esme worked really hard, using her speed and agility up the wing. Indie was also doing the same and managed to get right in the way of some nimble footwork from Lancot to intercept and win us a throw. Maya was on hand with another one of her epic throw-ins, getting the ball half way to Leighton Buzzard.
Captain Crouchy was battling hard on the defensive line with some brilliant attacking play from Esme and Crouchy getting the ball to Eden. Again, the Lancot keeper got there first.
Another great throw-in, this time from Crouchy couldn’t find a green boot, and Lancot managed to divert the ball up the midfield. Olivia was all over it, still shouting directions to her team-mates and putting in a brilliant warrior cry as she did a hefty kick down the middle.
Some dreamy teamwork from Esme, Eden and Indie, ably supported by Aimee, threatened the Lancot box again – fantastic pressure from the Galaxy girls with tactical passing. But then, disaster…. The ball was all over the place on a dry and dusty pitch, and it bounced high and looped over Olivia straight into the goal – a lucky advantage for Lancot, giving them the early lead.
Olivia showed great determination and wasn’t giving up that easily. Lancot won a corner but couldn’t make it work for them. Eden had her head up and showed some brilliant attacking play, again working her socks off in the midfield to try and get past the yellow and black wall. Lady Luck was most definitely absent today, and Galaxy suffered an unlucky handball incident, which meant a penalty shot for Lancott. But Olivia was there and saved it nicely.
Another looping kick with a high bounce from Lancot was brilliantly intercepted by Lily-Rose, showing that she is as brave as it comes when that ball comes barrelling her way.
Kiani was all over the midfield, battling her way past to get and keep possession at every opportunity. Some brilliant play from Crouchy showed her tenacity as she matched her players pace on the wing, putting the pressure on all the time.
Aimee was there to intercept and clear out, with Hollie working in the middle to create a green wall. A nice turn and pass from Evie was intercepted by Lancot but Crouchy shut it down, not letting any of them near the box.
By the second half, the Lucozade had definitely kicked in and the pace was fast – much like the ball, with both teams fighting hard to make that break. Kiani was keeping the pressure on and some great work on the wing from her meant that the greens were showing off some excellent passing play. The ball made it through to Lily-Rose, who channelled her frustration brilliantly to try for another shot, but it went wide.
A green throw-in resulted in a corner being awarded, but no luck again – the Lancot keeper grabbed the ball. A HUGE kick from her went right down the pitch to our goal, but Olivia was prepared and got her hands to it.
Again, some lovely teamwork was on show from Indie and Eden, getting the passes through. Eden’s shot went wide but another high ball from the midfield almost gave Lily another chance, but her shot went wide too.
Were the Galaxy girls going to catch a break anytime soon? Maybe. A Lancot handball fumble resulted in a penalty shot for the Greens, but our shot was saved by the keeper.
More great defending from Maya meant that she got the ball through to Esme, but the dry pitch meant there was a bit too much pace on it for her to get there in time, even with those seriously speedy legs of hers. Hollie and Lily worked hard to get it back and battled hard but Lancot managed to get it down to the box and a big ol’ scrabble resulted in another lucky goal for the yellow and blacks.
The Galaxy girls didn’t give up – Evie managed to intercept a Lancot pass and got it down the wing. The Greens played with more attack and some better tactical passes were on show again, with Eden battling her socks off to try and get past.
That ball just loved bouncing high today and another big looping shot from Lancot sailed over the goal, but Olivia’s hand was there anyway, just in case. But moments later, the final nail in the coffin of defeat when Lancot used a deflection to their advantage and scored a third.
To their credit, the Greens did not drop their heads and even though the sun was getting hot and the pitch was getting dustier by the second, the girls showed great heart. Moments later, Lily managed to break through the line to score one for Galaxy, supported brilliantly in the midfield.
Not the result we hoped for to end the season on a high, but the girls played really well and should be very proud of their performances, regardless of the result. Coaches player of the match was awarded to Hollie and Lancot awarded their POM to Olivia.
