ST PATRICKS'S STARS 4 ASFORDBY AMATEURS ACES 3

Report from St Patrick's Stars

St Patrick's Stars extended their lead at the top of the Under-14 Division to six points with a 4-3 over Asfordby Amateurs.

Stars took an early lead in this City County Girls League clash when Carly Wilson scored with a powerful shot.

Stars midfield, led by Captain Rhianna Wickes, were determined and competitive with Libby Dooher and Tash Cropper linking up well in midfield.

Laura Duffy demonstrated superbly how to protect and retain the ball under heavy pressure while waiting for support and Andie-Lea Ilic's long, accurate throw-ins proved a potent opening to some fine passing moves between Duffy and Cesca D'Amato, whose pace and skill surprised the Asfordby defence.

Both teams were evenly matched with Stars' Jasmine Leftley dominant in midfield. But Asfordby pressure resulted in an equaliser just before half time, despite some fine saves from goalkeeper Tilly Ratcliffe.

Hannah Criglington put Stars ahead in the second half with a strong shot from a seemingly impossible angle. Asfordby hit back with two goals of their own to go 3-2 ahead.

Lucy Lee Bradley tapped in the equaliser after beating two defenders and the keeper.

Stars snatched the winner when Criglington fired home with seven minutes remaining.

Stars: Tyler Cooke, Hannah Criglington, Tash Cropper, Cesca D'Amato, Libby Dooher, Laura Duffy, Jess Hickey, Andie-Lea Ilic, Lucy Lee Bradley, Jasmine Leftley Tilly Ratcliffe, Ellen Waldron, Rhianna Wickes, Carly Wilson.

Report from Asfordby Amateurs Aces.

The Stars took the initiative from the outset, winning an early corner and pushing players forward in an attempt to get an early lead, but Aces defended well.

Aces responded with Charlotte Broad firing in an early shot from the edge of the area to test Stars' keeper Tilly Ratcliffe.

In the sixth minute, Broad chased down a fine through ball into the Stars' area from Rachel Burton but Hannah Criglington showed superb commitment to defend the effort on goal.

Broad hobbled off injured and was replaced by Hannah Toon.

Carly Wilson opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a looping shot that crept under the cross bar.

The Stars, sensing their chance against an Aces team that hadn't played for over two months, piled on further pressure with a series of swift attacks, but the Aces' defence of Nailah Master, Sophie Pickering, Sarah Danaher and Nikita Solanki were equal to the task.

The Aces' midfield worked hard with Olivia Taylor linking up well with the defence and, in the 12th minute, Sophie Ellerton broke through into the Star's area but was just beaten to the ball by an alert Ratcliffe.

A minute later Jade Pereira came close with a free-kick and shortly afterwards broke down the left but was stopped by a fine tackle from Rhianna Wickes.

Paige Gunn equalised for the Aces in the 25th minute, chipping the ball over the keeper and inside the far post.

Five minutes later, Pereira outpaced the Stars' defence but Ratcliffe read her shot and made a fine diving save.

In the dying minute of the half, Solanki made a brilliant last-ditch clearing tackle to stem a fine St Patrick's attack and Aces keeper Heidi Millin kept the Aces in contention with a number of excellent saves.

Playing downhill in the second half, Stars moved their star player Criglington up from defence into an attacking midfield position and soon after she powered through the Aces' defence and slipped the ball past the exposed Millin to make it 2-1.

Eight minutes after the break, Pereira also showed her attacking talent beating the Stars' defence to a through ball and striking a low shot past the advancing Ratcilffe and inside the left post for 2-2.

Stars fought back to regain the initiative, winning a number of corners, but the Aces defence held firm and Millin gathered the ball safely.

Pereira again breached the Stars' defence but this time Ratcliffe made a fine diving save to keep the score level.

Stars responded quickly with a fine shot from Criglington which was safely gathered by a well-placed Millin.

Burton began to make an impact on the Stars' defence with some excellent battling play and Jenny Alcott added further strength and determination to the hard working Aces.

Fifteen minutes into the half, Criglington rounded the Aces' defence and shot across the face of the Aces' goal, narrowly clearing the far post.

Two minutes later, the Aces attacked again with Broad launching a long throw into the area which was flicked onto Burton who struck a brilliant low shot past Ratcliffe to put the Aces 3-2 ahead.

Undeterred, the Stars again fought back with an equaliser.

In the closing minutes, the unstoppable Criglington scored a brilliant individual winning goal by powering into the area and shooting accurately into the roof of the net from a narrow angle for 4-3.

The Aces threw players forward in a brave last-ditch effort to equalise, but this was destined to be the Stars' day.

Both teams must be congratulated for a wonderfully competitive game largely played in a very sporting manner.

Sophie Pickering was awarded Player of the Match for the Aces.

SQUAD: Heidi Millin, Sophie Pickering, Sarah Dannaher, Nikita Solanki, Nailah Master, Olivia Taylor, Charlotte Broad, Hannah Toon, Paige Gunn, Sophie Ellerton, Rachel Burton, Jade Pereira, Lucy Brewer, Jenny Alcott

Leicester City Ladies Lions proved too strong for Westfield Wanderers.

Charlotte 'CC' Cooper gave Lions the lead after 10 minutes of this City and County League Under-12 Division game.

Westfield responded well. A good move down the right culminated in a shot hitting the post with keeper Sadie Palmer saving the follow up.

The second half remained tight until Minty Potterton-Orton finished a fine move involving Mopsy Wilkes, Sophie Hayes and Jamie Elday

Toyah Hudson and Charlotte 'Mini' Cooper worked hard in defence for the Lions.

Five minutes from time, Lions secured all three points when 'CC' Cooper received a ball from Potterton-Orton and lobbed the Westfield goalkeeper.