Draw keep Ladies on top of the table

LOUGHBOROUGH TOWN

LADIES 1ST XI 1 LOUGHBOROUGH STUDENTS

LADIES 4TH XI 1 LOUGHBOROUGH Town Ladies faced their closest rivals in the second of their games this weekend.

Having struggled to find their rhythm on Saturday, Town came out very strongly in the first 15 minutes and their intensity and positivity was high.

Enjoying the majority of possession, Town mounted strong attacks on the Students’ defence but could not find the net. The closest chance came from a short corner routine which led to a goal line scramble, but Town were unable to get the ball over the line; instead finding a Student foot. Emily Hill bravely stepped up to take the resulting penalty flick but a good save from the visitors’ keeper saw the score line stay at 0-0.

As the first half came to a close, the tiring Town had to withstand pressure from the Students, but held firm, Emma Calvert winning woman of the match for her outstanding display at the back.

Heading into the second half at 0-0, Loughborough Students upped their intensity and placed Town under more and more pressure. Having limited Students’ D entries in the first half, Town’s defence found themselves with more to do. However, Students’ rush to attack exposed them defensively; Ash Godfrey drove strongly into Students’ D and slipped the ball to Rachael Taylor who placed the ball perfectly into the back of the goal giving Town the 1-0 lead.

With just 15 minutes to go, Town turned their attention to defending their slender lead. Defensive play being a strength of the team, it was a cruel twist when Town conceded a short corner after a fluke mistake in the transfer from a hit-out. Having gone close from a few previous penalty corners, Students made no mistake with their execution and their strong strike restored the deadlock at 1-1.

After a painful defeat at the hands of Students last year, costing them the league, Town were in for a nervous final 10 minutes. Testament to their character, they continue to search for the win, sisters Ash and Gee Godfrey coming closest in the dying minutes.

However, it was not to be and both teams shared the spoils of the game – Town retain their two point advantage at the top of the league from Students 4s and all is set for an exciting second encounter in March.