North Notts stay top despite defeat

North Notts Ladies remain top of the table despite a 3-1 defeat at Loughborough University.
..
.

North Notts, who had won their last two matches, started well and created early pressure and chances but, from this point, an energetic Loughborough side dominated the remainder of the game.

The students played extremely well as a team and patient build up, accurate passing and lots of movement kept breaking North Notts down, but North Notts put up stubborn resistance.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

North Notts managed to create chances but the game looked like it was going to be 0-0 at half time until Loughborough scored on the half time whistle. Loughborough managed to win the ball from North Notts and an early shot in the D brought a good save from Rachel Hunter but the ball fell to one of the students who placed the ball into an empty net.

The second half started similar to the first, but the game was a little more even with both sides looking to exploit each other.

However a controversial goal from Loughborough to make it 2-0 was crucial in the direction of the game.

A ball fired into the D from a Loughborough player took a deflection off a North Notts players in to the back of the net but the umpire thought it came off a Loughborough player and therefore the goal stood.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Frustratingly the umpire could not name the goalscorer but this did not seem to matter and it took it toll on North Notts.

The team kept trying and were starting to pounce on Loughborough mistakes but the ball was not quite rolling North Notts way and it was Loughborough who made it 3-0.

A penalty corner that was initially defended well but a second shot saw the ball fired into the bottom corner and therefore a mountain for North Notts to climb.

A goal from Amy Butler was pulled back after some tenacious play from the team but it was not enough to catapult North Notts forward and get a result from the game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Following the game a consolation that could be taken from the day was that North Notts remained top after seconnd place Edgbaston lost making next week a key game to who ends top going in to the league break.