Lye Town secured an impressive 7-2 victory against former National League side Leek Town to continue their unbeaten start to the season and to keep them top of the WMRFL Premier Division table.
Both teams were up against it with the rain pouring down and struggled to settle into the game in the opening ten minutes. Passes weren’t going where they were supposed to and neither team could gain full control. But shortly after, Lye soon brightened up the game as in the 12th minute, Chloe Handy was brought down in the box and the referee awarded a penalty.
The resulting penalty saw Ruth Graham step up and fire her side into a 1-0 lead, but just one minute after the kick-off, Leek went down the other end and nearly equalised straight away, a great effort went just over the bar.
After 20 minutes both teams seemed to have settled down, the Flyers had more control in the midfield and were looking more likely to go on to grab their second goal and in the 24th minute, they got just that. Some excellent play down the right-hand side saw the ball fall to Louisa Butcher, who played a brilliant ball across the box for Handy to tap in easily and send Lye two goals in front.
Lye were starting to find their rhythm and looked very good down the right, just three minutes after scoring their second they nearly had a third…
But after half an hour, Leek managed to pull a goal back, it was a very well-worked team goal that Hattie Herrity finished off to get her side back in it before the break. Despite the Leek goal, the Flyers still looked the more threatening of the two sides and they continued to push for that third goal but most of their efforts were going just wide or straight at the keeper.
So at half-time, Lye held a slender lead but they were the better side in that first half. Despite a pretty scrappy opening ten minutes from both teams, Lye seemed to settle down quicker after their early penalty. But after Leek pulled one back it set up a pretty nervy and interesting second half, the next goal was crucial.
The Flyers picked up where they left off at the beginning of the second half, and they got their third goal just two minutes in. Some more brilliant play down the right-hand side between Butcher and Lucy Davies (who is only 16 years old, dual signed from West Bromwich Albion and was making her competitive debut for Lye) saw the ball once again go across the box for Handy to score another easy tap in for her second goal of the game.
Lye continued to dominate, and in the 55th minute, it was 4-1. Some more outstanding work from Davies up front saw her pick out Michelle Pasco, who netted her first competitive goal for the Flyers with a simple finish. It was a long way back for Leek now…
Six minutes later it was nearly five for Lye, Sian Johnson hit a thunderous effort towards goal but it just skimmed the crossbar, very unlucky from the midfielder. However, just three minutes after that incredible effort, they did have their 5th goal, an attempted cross from Macy Fox ended up looping over everyone including the Leek keeper, and going in at the back post.
The Flyers were flying.
It got better again for Lye, just two minutes after their fifth goal, they had six. 66 minutes had gone and Johnson finally had her goal with a lovely finish.
After their sixth, the game settled down a bit more and hit a bit of a slow patch. Nevertheless, Lye were still in full control and used all five of their substitutions during this time too, they were on course to be staying top of the table and continue their unbeaten run.
In the final ten minutes there was still time for two more goals, Molly Cook grabbed Lye’s seventh of the afternoon with a great finish on the counterattack after some more brilliant play yet again from Davies and Handy. Leek also grabbed a consolation goal with a beautiful strike from their full-back Emma Henderson which flew past Justine in the Lye goal.
The full-time score was 7-2, Lye were in complete control from start to finish, and they dominated in every area of the pitch. Leek made the game interesting just before half-time but looked pretty tired and lacklustre in the second half, whereas the Flyers were full of energy and could’ve easily scored more than the seven they got. They continue their unbeaten start to the season and stay top of the league on goal difference over Shifnal Town.
A big boost for the Flyers saw their captain Sunya Salim return to the side on the bench after 7 weeks out injured. Their top goalscorer Natasha Baptiste was out injured though as well as Brit Lote, Dan and Clive will be hoping these injuries aren’t to serious and the girls can return to action sooner rather than later.
Dan and Clive’s Comments on the game:
DL: “The first five minutes of the game we couldn’t get near the ball, Leek started off really well, they were quick and were playing balls into areas we don’t like, but then we got a few strong tackles in and from that point onwards we just dominated. They did have spells here and there but ultimately when we got on top of them we were just more clinical.
“We had our fair share of chances in the first half, we were a little bit wasteful with those but second half we were outstanding, every time we got down the wings we were getting nice balls into the box.
“Davo (Davies) 16 years of age making her debut up front, I thought she was brilliant, you’ve got Macey Fox whose been brilliant for us last year and has started off really well this year, you’ve got Handy whose also chipping in with goals as well, we are scoring goals from everywhere which is real nice thing for us to see.”
CR: “Well we certainly didn’t expect this kind of scoreline, but our efforts, passion and desire to win the game was outstanding! Leek did start lively but after just five minutes we got our game together and we didn’t let them breathe, we dominated in midfield, we were good at the back and ruthless up top.”
More on Lucy Davies’ impressive debut which saw her earn POTM from Dan and Clive…
DL: “The only thing Davo missed was a goal, she was unbelievable up top for us, she was POTM in my opinion and I think we all agree on that anyway. She was just brilliant, her movement was good, her linkup play was excellent, and the way she got into the box but unselfishly passed the ball to her teammates for them to score proves she’s playing well beyond her years.”
CR: “For a 16-year-old she is a true team player, she was outstanding, her general footballing brain for a 16-year-old is exceptional and she has a bright future ahead of her if she keeps working hard and showing that passion like she did on Sunday.”
The Flyers have now managed 18 goals in just three games which is a great way to start the season, and goals are coming from all over the pitch…
DL: “Throughout pre-season and the back end of last season we worked on scoring more goals so it’s good to see. We are in a three-year project and this is that third year now, so for us it’s about developing year on year and you now are seeing the fruit of that labour, we are scoring goals from everywhere. In that final third, we are going to be dangerous for a lot of teams in this league, we don’t just play out wide, we can play all different ways to score goals so we will cause problems.
“I think for us as well, we have a lot of quality we can bring off the bench, we made 5 subs on Sunday that are all capable of starting for most teams in our league, it’s just unfortunate for them they are in a squad of 16 which has been playing really well.”
CR: “We’ve scored a lot of goals, yes, but that’s because we’ve created a lot more chances, so naturally our percentages are higher so we should score more. It’s fantastic all round, but it’s not just the attacking we are defending right from the front, the forwards work so hard every game not just to put the ball in the net but also drive the team up the pitch.”
Lye have also only conceded 5 goals in three games, the two against Leek were two great goals, especially the second one, so here are Dan and Clive’s thoughts on the defensive performance…
DL: “The first goal for me was avoidable if I’m being critical, their striker got in between two centre halves which I don’t like, but at the same time it was a really good finish from their player, we just have to dissect that moment and put it right in future games.
“The second one was just outstanding, no keeper is ever saving that, we are proud of the defense regardless because aside from those two goals they were brilliant and the goals we are scoring, we know we will win games, we just need to tighten up that little bit more we may be able to keep a few clean sheets along the way.”
CR: “Ruth had her best game in a Lye shirt, Laffy was in for her first game and gave us 110% as always, Caitlin at left-back was also solid and Lou was brilliant, she can defend and get forward like she did in getting that assist, so the defence is looking really good.”
The Flyers are in Women’s FA Cup action next on Sunday and they face a trip to Coton Green Ladies, the venue is New Mill Lane, B78 3RX. Admission is £5 for adults and U16’s are free.
Their next league game sees them travel away to fellow unbeaten side Shifnal Town on the 29th of September.
Sporty AF 