The superb facilities at Flitwick Community Football Centre provided picturesque conditions for Linslade Galaxy Lions’ away match against Flitwick Eagles. In recent matches, Lions have made a quick start and this morning was no different. Quick, intelligent passing between Georgia, Amber, Heidi and Tehila within the first minutes led to another early goal tucked away by Tehila, which set the tone for the rest of the match.

Despite some genuine quality on the opposition team, including a spirited goalkeeper, this was to be a masterclass in positional play, passing and moving and communication – everything the coaches work so hard to instil in the squad during training.

All game, despite having to watch long periods of the match played in Eagles’ half, defenders Kiera, Aria and Scarlett remained focussed and switched on, playing balls out wide calmly from the back to set up rapid and often devastating attacks. One such wide ball from Kiera shortly after the restart found Amber on the wing who played the ball inside to Tehila. Her quick shot was initially saved by the keeper, but the rebound found itself at the right foot of Heidi who made sure the ball found the back of the net.

It wasn’t long before the keeper was picking the ball out of the goal again after a short corner from Heidi to Tehila, the resulting shot fizzing past everyone into the top corner. Blink and you missed it.

The quality of play on display required real athleticism from the Lions, running off the ball as much as with the ball. And no-one covered more ground today than Georgia and Evelyn in the middle of the park. Both girls showed tremendous determination to get around the pitch, supporting both the attackers and defenders. But as well as being the muscle in the middle of the field, both showed great quality and intelligence with their distribution. One such clever interception and pass from Evelyn played Tehila through on goal, her quick feet taking the ball around the keeper before rolling it across the line.

Playing halves for the first time this season gave Lions the opportunity to really get into their stride and their continued pressure got the rewards it deserved. Gracie, who had come close on several occasions, only to be denied by some excellent saves by the Eagles’ keeper, eventually found a way past after some clever play coming in from the right wing and burying her shot home.

Eagles showed tremendous team spirit and tried hard to break through the Lions' midfield lines. When at last they did, a quick ball found the attacking player with space between Aria and Scarlett, but Lauren was quick off her line and bravely dived at the oncoming feet of the striker, smothering the ball safely in her arms.

Lions dusted off that brief lapse in concentration and were soon back to it. Amber and Gracie – the two left footers - combining, the latter playing a fantastic cross from the right-hand side of the box to the awaiting Amber on the left-hand side, who took one touch to control it before shooting the ball into the top right corner of the goal.

Further goals from Heidi, Gracie, Amber and Tehila soon put the game to bed, but it was once again the team spirit from the girls that was just as joyous to see. Like the cries of encouragement from Scarlett to her teammates half way through the second half.

Once again, Gracie and Lauren switched roles late in the game with Gracie called into action in the dying minutes, diving bravely at the feet of the Eagles’ attacker and Lauren latching onto a well-weighted pass from Tehila, blasting the ball past the keeper. Gracie’s valuable contributions at both ends of the pitch earning her Player of the match.

Special mentions this week go to Tehila, whose outstanding dribbling skills proved simply too much for the Eagle’s team to handle. Evelyn, who didn’t stop running the whole game and was always in the right place at the right time and Lauren who showed that she can be just as impressive in the opposition’s box as her own.

What a way to start the weekend!