Report by Kevin Salter

Leverstock Green Ladies got their season off & running in great style with a hard fought win over a very competent Headington side in the F.A. Cup.

The first half was an even encounter with very little given by either side and it took until the 33rd minute for the deadlock to be broken, when Nic Hollick threaded the ball through to Giselle to slide the ball into the bottom left hand corner from 10 yards.

Far from having it all their own way, the Green Army were often on the back foot, but with an assured performance from "Chops" in goal, giving the back line confidence their chances were restricted. Natalie Burrows had another commanding performance at centre back and Stephs return added great composure and leadership at the back and this coupled with assured performances from Ellie and Faye in the full back roles gave a water tight look to the defence.

In midfield Lucy & Heather pulled the strings and Ellen and Natasha, returning from injury, offered great width to stretch the Headington back line and with Giselle and Nic at their effervescent best Levy always looked a threat when going forward.

The half time scoreline was one nil. The second half began with just the one change with Mia Hickey making her full debut on the right hand flank in place of the hardworking Natasha and just 7 minutes into the 2nd period the lead was doubled. After early domination Nic once again acted as provider and Giselle calmly dribbled the ball round the onrushing goalkeeper to fire home. Less than 90 seconds later the result looked assured when Ellen acted as provider and Giselle completed her hattrick when she received the ball with her back to goal and turned on a sixpence before scoring from 6 yards.

On 55 minutes Giselle was taken out by the onrushing goalkeeper, who was lucky not to see a card as she was clean through on goal, but justice was served when Lucy smashed home the freekick into the top right hand corner from 20 yards.

With 30 minutes remaining Ellie Pickard, was withdrawn from the action, having had an excellent game and replaced by Sarah and shortly afterwards Steph was withdrawn for a well deserved rest with Heather dropping in centre back and Donna taking up the holding midfield role.

On 72 minutes another superb Lucy corner was met with a great header from Nic, for a goal that was thoroughly deserved for her hard working performance and on 78 minutes the rout was completed when Lucy bagged her 2nd of the game from fully 25 yards from a freekick after Mia Hickey had been impeded when rampaging through the Headington back line.

This was the Green Army's best performance of the season with some excellent passing football throughout and many fine individual performances. Giselle Randall was player of the match with a superb hattrick and 100% commitment throughout.