Leicester 0 Buckingham 0

On Saturday Buckingham made short trip to local rivals Leicester and it was the home side who had the better of the opening exchanges. However, Buckingham gradually grew into the game and created the first real opportunity from the first penalty corner, after thirteen minutes. Zoe Shipperley’s fierce strike was saved and although the rebound fell back to Shipperley, her follow-up shot, that was heading for bottom corner was well saved to deny Buckingham the lead. On twenty minutes Abbie Brant came close to opening the scoring when her snap shot was saved and the ball looped onto roof of net. Buckingham were now having the better of both possession and territory but were finding it hard to break down the solid home defence and it was Leicester who had the final two openings of the half with a penalty corner and Ella Jackson having to make a comfortable save on counter with two minutes remaining.

Buckingham began the second half well creating a good chance on forty-one minutes but were unable to find the final touch. They earned their second penalty corner shortly afterwards but the shot was well blocked. Buckingham spurned a guilt edged chance after forty-six minutes and earned another penalty corner shortly afterwards but, once again, the home sides defence was equal to he task. Despite having less of ball and less territory, the home side remained a constant threat on counter with Jackson forced to make a smart smother with nine minutes remaining. Another half chance came and went for Buckingham with three minutes to go and Leicester also had a half chance before the final whistle, but ultimately neither side could find the break through and the game ended 0-0.

“I am a little frustrated with the result but it was another good performance. There were not that many chances for either side but for the second week in a row, I feel we had slightly the better of the game and definitely created the clearer opportunities. But once again, our execution and decision making in the final third were not quite where they need to be. However, we remain positive as we are creating opportunities, it was another strong performance and it has clearly identified the areas we need to keep working on. It is slightly frustrating, as we feel we could have won the last two games and had we done so, we would be sitting at top of the league, so we know we are not too far away. This weekend will be a real measure of where we are, as we take on a Birmingham University side full of internationals who will be buzzing following their 3-1 win over champions Surbiton last weekend."