After the slow start of last week, the girls were raring to go at kick off against a really strong Lionesses side.
The coaches were pleased to see that following on from an intense mid week training session, 
the girls hit the ground running. Focused, organised a playing some lovely passing football and doing their best to move the ball forward.
However, the Lionesses are a seriously strong team, fighting for the Platinum title, and their push back was inevitable, and in the end quite relentless.
On the pitch the Panthers did well to repell attack after attack. Millie and Victoria were super solid in central defence, creating a wonderfully strong partnership now. Birthday girl, Flo, Iyla, Eva K and Eva T kept the wings secure and thwarted many an attack. Our sweeper keeper, and serious contender for star of the week, again, Fhallon, was also superb. 3, 4, 5, seriously world class saves. Big paws at close range a full stretch dive that Mary Earps couldn’t even have pulled off, and flying off her line to mop up some good through balls from the Lionesses too.
But alas, the Panther’s set piece defensive frailties struck again and proved costly. A superb corner with a bullet header, and a goal mouth scramble resulted in 2 damaging goals before half time.
The Panthers heads did not drop and they worked right to the end. Ultimately, it was another corner that made it 3 and the 4th, a well taken goal by the Lionesses striker.
But, to the end, the Panthers worked hard. Sienna, up top for much of the game, did her best to defend from the front and hold up the ball. Rivah, with her usual tricky feet ran her heart out, as did Keira and Grace. Much improved fight and determination from the both of them.
Our star of the week this week was Bella. A fantastic determined first half performance saw her linking up well from midfield with both defence and attack and driving down the wing with some lovely individual skill too. Reward not only for her efforts today, but for efforts over the past several weeks.
Although a consolation goal in the end, it certainly tipified the girls fight. Breaking from midfield and exploding through the Lionesses defensive line with ease, Millie broke into the box and cooly slotted home an exquisite side foot finish Thierry Henry would have been proud of. A super well taken goal that left the keeper no chance
Final result…
Narborough Foxes U12 Lionesses – 4
Epworth Forest U12 Panthers – 1
All in all, a very tough opposition but the coaches and parents couldn’t be prouder of the fight the girls showed and the continuous development from all.
Onwards to Nuneaton for a mid table power clash!
