Loss of key defensive players bites as Foxes hit by losses
FA WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTHERN PREMIER DIVISION DERBY COUNTY 5 LOUGHBOROUGH FOXES 0 WEST BROMWICH
ALBION 5 LOUGHBOROUGH FOXES 0 LOUGHBOROUGH Foxes suffered two 5-0 defeats in the space of four days as the loss of numerous key defensive players from last season continued to bite.
The first match, at Derby County, followed a similar pattern to the defeat to Huddersfield the previous week as Foxes conceded an early goal before finding themselves four down at half time. The second goal came after Amy Burle superbly saved a penalty, only for Rams skipper Hannah Ward to put away the rebound.
Foxes improved somewhat after the break, but rarely looked like scoring and conceded a fifth seven minutes from the end when player of the match Sophie Domingo netted her second with a low shot.
Foxes then travelled to face West Bromwich Albion with realistic hopes of getting something from the game, which made it all the more disappointing that they came away empty handed.
The game began relatively evenly before the Foxes again succumbed to their recent habit of conceding goals in clusters as Albion scored twice midway through the first half.
The opener had a strong element of fortune as a cross was deflected onto the woodwork before dribbling over the line.
In contrast, when Becky Knight’s cross for the Foxes early in the second period was also deflected onto the woodwork, it came down on the wrong side of the goal-line from the Foxes perspective.
From potentially halving the deficit, Foxes again conceded twice in quick succession and the game was over by the 53rd minute.
The fifth goal followed ten minutes later, before the Foxes finished the match relatively strongly, with Knight hitting the crossbar, Rogers shooting narrowly wide and a couple of shots blocked in a goalmouth scramble.
It was much too little and far too late, but these opportunities did confirm that attack is currently the best form of defence for the Foxes.
Foxes are back in action on Sunday, September 15, when Stoke City visit the University Stadium for a 2pm kick-off.