The Diamonds sponsored by Impact Retail, MJB Motor services and CPS group made the long trek to Royce Rangers looking to hunt down a top finish in the league. Greeted by one of the smallest pitches in the league and a strong wind it was clear today was going to be about who could pick up second balls better.
The game started and for 5 minutes it was a tennis match with both goalkeeper Lexi B and her opposite number clearing the whole pitch with their kicks and returning it to the other keeper.

As the game then settled into a rhythm Bethan, Lilly B and Emily were reading the long clearances well and with Safia picking up 2nd balls in midfield it enabled the Diamonds to release wingers Ellie O and Violet into space, while up top the strength of Isla and constant movement of Amelia was causing the Rangers defence problems.

Violet and Isla were causing mayhem down the left and only the final ball or finish was missing.

Ellie T and Anna were brought on for Sadia and
Ellie O adding power and guile to the midfield while Evie B and Evi K replaced Lilly B and Violet. The fresh legs helped spur the diamonds on and they went hunting the opening goal.

From nowhere a long ball forward from the Rangers keeper found the striker through and she was thwarted by and impressive save from Lexi B.

The Diamonds were still trying to pass the ball and open up as much space on the tiny pitch to pull the well organised Rangers defence apart and it worked a treat with Isla finding space down the left her cut back was well saved by the keeper and fell to Ellie whose shot hit the unfortunate Amelia in the head on the line.
HT 0-0

At half time the Diamonds had a change of shape reverting to 3-4-1 to plug gaps between the defence and midfield when dealing with the direct approach of Rangers. Safia was given the licence to make third man runs from midfield and immediately after the kick off she was through on goal and an unfortunate bobble as she struck the ball saw her just put the ball over the bar.
Diamonds then got a free kick which safia whipped goalwards forcing a good save from the keeper.
When Rangers did attack they found Bethan, Lilly B and Emily in unforgiving mood and winning every duel to bring the ball forward.
Against the run of play a rangers midfield hit a shot towards the top corner of the net only to see Lexi B somehow push it away.
Again this spurred the Diamonds on.
Amelia forced a rangers defender to concede a corner which safia whipped into the near post, the defender and keeper got in each others way and the ball was tapped home by Isla to put the diamonds deservedly in front.
1-0
Royce Rangers then had to get in the front foot but the whole team were in no mood to let the lead slip and were winning tackles, blocking shots and working hard together to keep them at bay. When Amelia and violet worked an opening down the left Amelia put a ball into the box and the defender handles the ball PENALTY!!
up stepped Safia to cooly stroke the ball into the bottom left corner 2-0
Just as it looked like the diamonds would have a relatively drama free day the referee awarded a very harsh penalty against Anna for handball.

The rangers player struck the ball goal ward... Lexi stuck out her leg and sent the ball behind for a corner what a save.

As the full time whistle sounded the diamonds celebrated what is their most rounded performance yet and went home with the points

GOTG Lexi Baker