MATCH REPORT
The under 13 Panthera’s kick off the new season at home
1st September 2024
- Date: 1st Sept 2024
- League: Leicestershire Women & Girls
- Supporters player of the match: Grace
- Managers player of the match: Lille-Mae
- Result: Rugby Borough Pantheras 1-2 Sporting Markfield
We had the pleasure of kicking off the 24/25 season with a home match against a well drilled team in sporting Markfield.
A team we haven’t had the pleasure of playing before who were last years division 1 runners up. So a baptism of fire was on the cards.
The game started at a good pace, both teams getting a fair amount of the play. Rugby were the first to create an opening as Brooke slips the ball out wide to Maia with a defence splitting pass Maia burst though but the effort just went the wrong side of the post.
The visitors then found a couple gears and starting some good passing centrally to break though but lillie and Grace mopped it up between them.
The game was back and fourth until Sporting Markfield got the opening goal around 10 minutes in with some good work down the right flank and natch with a ball whipped into the middle and the finish just past the outstretched keeper.
Both teams had chances glance wide and great positioning from both keepers meant all through balls were being cut out efficiently.
Half time comes with the guests a goal to the good and the Panthera’s heads looked low.
A rallying cry for more desire is what we asked, with a little tweak of formation we sent them back to battle for the 3 points.
And boy did they respond, a fast break away from the kick off caught the guests napping and confusion at the back and a high press and Emelia wins the ball in the opposition box, skips too the right and places the ball into the bottom corner.
1.1
The second half was just like the first, a really tense match, both defence’s standing strong, hats off too sienna Mia Grace and in parts Joy for their battling on and off the ball.
Tired legs started creeping in and the only thing between the 2 teams was a worldly of a shot from the opposition left flank, just dipping under the bar and giving the guest a 2.1 lead.
We had plenty of opportunities but the sporting Markfield stopper was on top form to keep Borough at bay.
A lot of positives to take from today and although we start with a loss the Panthera’s should have their heads held high after a commendable performance.
Grace picked up a closely contested supporters player after a valiant defensive display with plenty of votes also coming in for Mia & Pippa.
Lillie got coaches player after some great positioning and saves kept the visitors at bay.
Thank you to Adam, who is currently sitting top of the league, for running the line.
