Foxes beaten in their first top flight game – thanks to ex-City star
ALLEN GETS VILLA WINNER AS HOSTS SEE OFF NEW ARRIVALS
NEWLY-PROMOTED Leicester City’s first ever game in the Women’s Super League ended in disappointment as their former player Remi Allen helped Aston Villa fight back to win 2-1, writes Sean Cole of Sportsbeat.
The Foxes, who won the FA Women’s Championship title last season, were bright and purposeful as they stepped up to the top flight and deservedly took the lead through Natasha Flint.
They never let Carla Ward’s side settle in the first half as Flint and Jess Sigsworth caused plenty of problems with their willingness to run in behind.
Flint’s rising shot was tipped over the bar by Hannah Hampton and an unmarked Sam Tierney headed over from a well-worked short corner.
For a sluggish Villa, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah’s clever flick sent Alisha Lehmann through on goal, but she failed to pull the trigger in time and was closed down.
Hampton made an excellent stop from Flint’s thumping halfvolley, but the striker’s persistence finally paid off when she gave Leicester the lead on 39 minutes.
Villa’s young goalkeeper was at fault in an otherwise impressive showing, fumbling Flint’s shot over the line.
The home side were much livelier in the second half but still needed Hampton to deny Sigsworth, spreading herself well in a promising one-on-one situation.
But a quickfire double completely changed the complexion of the game and got Ward’s reign off to a positive start.
First Sarah Mayling on her debut equalised by finding the top corner with a pinpoint free-kick from 25 yards out, and then Allen scrambled in from Lehmann’s low cross almost immediately after the restart.
It was harsh on Leicester, who acquitted themselves well, but were left to reflect on a few missed opportunities, including substitute Lachante Paul’s late chance, and the fine margins in top-level football.
City goalscorer Flint said: “We’re unlucky to come away with a defeat but there are a lot of positives. We’ve just got to put this game behind us and head onto Sunday now.
“I had a few chances before that that were unlucky not to go in, but you’ve just got to keep going.
“I’m here to score goals whether they’re good goals or not. Scrappy goals or worldie goals.
“I love playing alongside Jess (Sigsworth).
“Me and her have been working very hard to create a good strike partnership and we can only get better.
“It’s completely different playing in front of fans. They bring a lot out of everyone’s game.
“They keep the game lively, hearing them shouting from the sides. It’s great to have the fans back.
“We’ve come out of this game with a loss but we just need to put that behind us now. We’ll reflect on it on Tuesday and then go again on Sunday.”
Aston Villa defender Anita Asante said: “We’re delighted to get three points.
“It was super-important to make a positive start to the season. I don’t think we played at our best.
“I think we can be honest and say that we didn’t start with the intensity we wanted to but it’s important to show that we have another gear in us as well.
“There’s a lot more that we’ll be able to show as the season goes on and we bed in the squad that we’ve built. We showed the right mentality to fight and get a result.
“Going a goal down, the important thing is staying in the game for as long as possible. We knew we had a lot of time still.
“We’ve built a lot of resilience from last season and that’s helped us as well. We’ve got some experienced leaders in our team with the likes of Remi. That showed.
“Hannah’s a fantastic keeper. You can tell from just watching a number of the saves she’s made today.
“Of course, things like that happen in football.
“The important thing is that the whole team stuck together and we dug deep.
“She showed her brilliance in important moments when we really needed her.”
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