VOX FOX As we go to press it’s been a relatively quiet month for the Foxes with international fixtures bringing a pause to the Premiership, but that gives us the perfect opportunity to focus on the other outstanding football team in the city – Leicester Women. Last season was, of course, famously amazing for the men but LCWFC, as they are known, did their best to out-do them by winning 22 out of 22 in the league and landing promotion to the Premier League North at a canter. I caught up with captain Holly Morgan to find out what’s new. “We made a number of signings in the close season to strengthen the squad in preparation for the higher level, both from other sides and also six or seven youngsters from the FA’s Centre of Excellence who have broken into the first team,” she told me. “But the stand-out recruitment has been Shauna Cossens from Yeovil Town who plays central midfield. Although she’s still only 20 she has a lot of experience at this level. We’ve always played a high-tempo game but we’re able to be even more so with her in the side.” How are they finding life in the Premier? “Our mindset before the season began was to be in the top four or better and I’d say we’ve done quite well,” she said. A er a shaky start (they lost 4-0 to Fylde on the opening day) they’ve dug in and now sit in fourth, with games in hand, having beaten Stoke, Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion. “We played Fylde again recently , drew 1-1 and really should have got all three points given the number of chances we had, which shows just how much progress we’ve made,” she said. “It’s always difficult to know what to expect when you’re promoted but we now know that we fit in and are competitive with the very best. The girls are hungry and focused and enjoying the season a lot. It’s good to test ourselves against harder opposition and we’re all relishing the challenge of having to raise our own game in response.”
They’ve also reached the first round proper of the FA Cup where they’ve drawn Birmingham West Midlands. “We’re excited at the prospect of a good cup run. I love the magic of the cup – you never know what might happen.” If you’ve not seen this team play, their style is similar to their male counterparts. “We’re a high energy side. The speed of our wingers and full backs means we can break with such pace that our opponents can’t regain their defensive shape in time”. The women’s game is, if anything, puts skill at more of a premium than the men’s with less reliance on physical strength to gain the advantage. If you’ve never watched it live I can recommend it without hesitation. LCWFC play at the Riverside Pavilion on Braunstone Lane (except for the last game of the season when they get to play at the King Power) and with tickets at £3 for adults and £1.50 for kids it’s a great a ernoon out for the family. And Holly means it when she says “Come along and watch us. You won’t be disappointed.”
Clockwise, from above
Gabby Reid strikes for goal; Kim Farrow in action; Alex Madden celebrates
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