Foxes win but fate of title no longer in their hands

TNS 3 LOUGHBOROUGH FOXES 5 LOUGHBOROUGH Foxes returned to winning ways on Sunday when they won 5-3 at TNS in Shrewsbury. The result kept Foxes title hopes as a possibility despite now being second favourites after the poor results at Wolves and Radcliffe over the last 10 days.

Foxes lost 3-2, 10 days ago, at Wolves and then lost again, last Thursday at Radcliffe. Those results left the Foxes still top but now should Wolves win all theIR remaining games, they will win the league by two points.

Loughborough’s win on Sunday was a scrappy affair but saw the return to goal scoring form of Emma Pilling. Her two first half goals emphasised her importance to the team as she twice raced ahead of the TNS defence before firing past the home keeper.

Fullback Eastham also added to her recent good goal scoring form with a volleyed goal from a Steele corner. However Foxes did give two needless goals away that jeopardised the result, especially as TNS did then equalise 15 minute into the second half.

This further tested the Foxes’ nerves - the second half introduction of Charlotte Cooper and Chloe Young did settle the Foxes and a swift five man move involving Pilling, Young, Matlock, Eastham and then finally Tugby, saw the Foxes midfield player calmly side foot home from 12 yards. Win 10 minutes left Young dribbled into the box and fired home to settle the Foxes nerves and secure the three points.

Foxes are now reliant on either Leicester Ladies or Loughborough Students taking points off Wolves to give them any chance of the title and promotion back to the FAWPL Northern Division at the first time of asking.

To not win promotion would be a huge disappointment having been top since game one but Foxes also have a County Cup Final to look forward to on Wednesday, May 17, against Leicester Women.