With no league fixture this week, Linslade Galaxy Lions welcomed Deanshanger to their home turf for a friendly match. Deanshanger are a new team, keen to get some experience under their belt with the hope of entering the league in the near future.

It was clear from the off that Flo was up for this game. Her early press up front leading the attack put the away team under instant pressure and the early dominance of the Lions’ front line soon paid off. A quick ball from Amber flashed across the face of the goal, only to be returned straight back by Heidi, leaving Amber with a relatively straight forward tap-in from close range.

The Deanshanger keeper showed that despite her limited game experience she wasn’t to be taken lightly, making a great save from Georgia’s shot. Georgia quickly turned from shooter to provider a few minutes later, playing a long ball through to Flo who almost got on the end of it.

Lions’ midfield had been a solid wall for much of the first quarter, but Deanshanger worked the ball well and a defence splitting pass had their striker through on goal with just the keeper to beat. Despite having had an extremely quiet first quarter, Lauren was quick off her line, and with her arms outstretched, making herself as big as possible, managed to get a foot on the incoming shot, pushing it just wide of the post.

After shooting narrowly wide, Gracie pounced on the resulting goal kick, winning the ball back before sending a left foot rocket into the back of the net. Tehila came on late in the first quarter and was on the scoresheet within minutes, latching onto a wonderful sideways pass from Evelyn. She soon doubled up after another fantastic threaded ball from Georgia split the Deanshanger defence and put her through on goal, finishing calmly.

Georgia was quick to pounce on a spilled shot to get in on the action and followed it up shortly afterwards after a wonderful call of ‘short’ from the captain to Amber, who dutifully listened, laying off a neat pass for Georgia to tuck away. The technical development of the squad was evident all game with a string of players showing tremendous dribbling technique. None more so than Tehila who twice ran the ball from the halfway line, past the Deanshanger midfield, before burying it into the back of the net.

The Lions’ defence showed the same coolness on display from last week and whilst Deanshanger weren’t able to break through their lines many times a Galaxy defender was nearly always there to put an end to the attack. What was most impressive was the communication between the defensive pairings. Kiera showed again strong leadership, ordering her teammates to ‘mark- up’ during corners. Scarlett too spoke well with Aria, telling her to move forward whilst she covered behind.

Having assisted in a number of goals, Heidi was eventually able to celebrate one of her own. Having come close on several occasions, only to be stopped by the strong hands of the determined Deanshanger keeper, it was a long shot that finally broke through and rippled the net. Her effective play down the right wing, taking players on and crossing well, earned Heidi this week’s player of the match award.

The Lions’ confident performance gave the coaches the opportunity to experiment with positions in the final stages of the game with a front line-up of Kiera, Crouchy and Lauren. The latter turned from goalkeeper to goal scorer after a long throw from Tehila found Crouchy who played a superb back heel to Georgia, whose pass found Lauren bearing down on goal. A strong finish brought an end to the day’s entertainment.

This week’s stand out players were: Flo, who worked with incredible energy all game, displaying excellent positioning and coming close on so many occasions. Crouchy, who reminded the home fans of some of the other strings to her bow with some skilful dribbles down the right wing and thoughtful passing. Evelyn, who once again showed a desire and strength in the middle of the park beyond her years and of course Tehila, who displayed a fantastic range of goal scoring, showing a real intelligence in front of goal.

I can’t think of many better ways to spend a morning than watching this group of players – only 7 more sleeps to go!