This Sunday saw the highly anticipated start of the senior ladies league campaign in the Leicestershire Womens and Girls Football League Division 1. After a very successful and productive pre-season, senior ladies manager Dan Flint and Head of Ladies Football Mick Duffy have worked tirelessly to assemble an extremely talented squad of players, made up of both youth and experience.

It was certainly a day that did not disappoint, as the ladies were able to get off to a flying start with a commanding 1-4 victory against Desford Ladies. Leicester Road started the game in emphatic fashion, quickly settling into the fluid football and quick attacking style that Dan Flint has tried to instill in his team through pre-season. It wasn't long before the chances started to appear as a fantastic opening 20 minutes saw Neve Hincks, Abbie Keenan, Sammy Tetlow and Ola Janicka all come close to breaking the deadlock. However, the Desford defence stood firm, proving to be very tough to break down. It was a very open half as Leicester Road continued to pressure and probe the Desford defence, the pressure that would soon amount to the opening goal. A wonderful piece of individual skill from Neve Hincks opened up space for the perfect through ball for Abbie Keenan to slot past the Desford Goalkeeper. 0-1 HT.

The second half saw a change in the system as Dan Flint looked to create more options moving forward in order to break down the resolute Desford defensive line. Lauren Bracey and Neve Hincks made way for Chloe-Leigh Farrington and Charlotte Jefferies. It wasn't long before the change in the system started to show its benefits. A wonderfully worked move in the opening minutes of the second half saw Farrington latch onto a forward ball from Louise Ward, where she was able to round the goalkeeper and slide the ball into an empty net, 0-2.
After a strong spell of continued pressure and possession, Leicester Road were really beginning to turn the screw and a third goal soon followed from a corner, as Sammy Tetlow cheekily back-heeled the low driven ball into the bottom corner from close range. Neve Hincks was re-introduced into the midfield and was instrumental with Player of the Match star midfielder Tia Pullen, at piling on the pressure on the tiring Desford team. However, it would be Desford who found the net next, after a momentary lapse of concentration from a defence that had been faultless all game. Desford was beginning to find their feet and gain a bit of momentum but it wasn't long before Leicester Road were able to put the game out of reach. Louise Ward was able to spot ex polish international Ola Janicka's run with a perfectly weighted reverse ball, which was calmly placed under the keeper to finish the game with Leicester Road as 1-4 victors. A very positive start to the season and lots to improve on in time for our next away game to Asfordby Amateurs Women.