On a freezing Saturday afternoon, South L2s crammed into the changing rooms at Wilberforce Road to prepare to take on City 5s. We knew what we needed to do; get the win today and be within touching distance of the league title. With a team heavy with midfielders and an additional Katie B, skipper Louisa worked hard to devise a plan for victory!

Tactically starting off with the setting sun on our backs, we were keen to gain an early advantage. Unfortunately it was City who grabbed the lead. Taking advantage of some subbing confusion, City overloaded and drove into the D, coolly slotting the ball past keeper, Lydia.

Southern heads didn't drop though and we worked hard to create chances before Kendra grabbed the equaliser with a hard hit shot: game on! South continued to pile on the pressure; Katie F worked hard picking up the ball on the wings and Jess intercepted and distributed balls in the centre, before Katie G was on hand to put South in front.

City tried hard to hit back and piled on the pressure at the end of the half, bringing some fantastic and resolute defending from Lucy, Harriet, Dani and Annie, successfully defending at least five back-to-back short corners - half time came as some relief.

The half time team talk refueled and refocused us (despite Louisa losing the Haribo…that were in her pocket) and we set up facing the beautiful red sky, ready and raring to go. After solid defending in the first half, Annie joined the forward line and a well-worked team move found her perfectly placed to sweep in goal number three.

The South defensive line of Harriet, Ellie and Lucy continued to soak up City pressure, including defending more shorts with help from Louisa and Dani. At the other end, Izzy made a nuisance of herself, creating more chances, before Eimear picked up the ball in the D, deftly flicking it past the keeper for a certain goal - cleared off the line by a defender!

South finished the scoring with a well-worked goal from Katherine and the final whistle blew on a hard earned victory. MOM votes were spread between Katie F, Katie G, Harriet, Jess and Annie but a worthy winner was Lucy for fantastic defending and tenacity. LOM votes went to Annie for playing with a tiny stick, Louisa for losing the sweets but won by Katie B for playing a great game despite saying she wasn't available!

Well done to everyone who played and worked so hard. We showed the grit and determination that have made us a force to be reckoned with this season. Attention is now turned to next week's match against Sudbury - only the league title to play for, let’s make it ours!