GOALS from Emma Billenness and Sis Gowlett helped Leamington Lions secure their third victory of the season at home to Walsall Ladies in the West Midlands Regional Women’s Premier Division.
Sunday’s match proved to be a tight affair with the sides level at 1-1 by the mid-way point but it was the hosts who claimed all three points thanks to a 2-1 victory.
Leamington started the game positively and their quick passing play resulted in a tenth minute goal courtesy of Billenness who put the finishing touches to a well worked move.
The goal injected confidence into the Leamington side and they kept pushing forward in search of a second with Gowlett coming close from long range.
But Walsall grew into the match as the half progressed and five minutes before half-time they got back on level terms when a wicked bounce saw the ball drop kindly to an opposing striker who placed the ball over the on-rushing Wiffen and into the goal.
Walsall ended the half on top and forced Wiffen into two smart stops but the scoreline remained 1-1 at half-time.
The game turned into a scrappy affair after the break with both sides putting in some strong tackles, one of which resulted in a yellow card for a late lunge on Jen Johnson.
Leamington kept chipping away in search of the winning goal and the visiting goalkeeper was forced into a series of fine saves, while Gemma McGubbin was keeping the Walsall winger quiet breaking up numerous attacks.
A free kick from Emma Billenness struck the crossbar with the rebound being saved from a clever attempt by Sasha Pendleton and the winning goal came soon after.
Sasha Pendleton played a through ball for Gowlett to put the ball in the back of the net to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
Tempers flared late on as the game drew to a close with one Walsall player getting send off for a late challenge and dissent towards the officials and despite a late flurry the visitors were unable to score an equaliser and Leamington were able to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.
