With an attacking UCL XI, and practically no defence from KCL, a 4-1 victory was unsurprising but still entertaining to watch.
It did not take long for UCL to set the tone of the match. Within three minutes of kick off, Irene Martinez exhibited spontaneity and skill as she belted the ball outside the box to score in the top right corner of the goal.
Suffice to say, the UCL contingent of the crowd were ecstatic that the team already had a lead before many had sat down with their pints.
Attempting to capitalise on their early success, Lilian Bown was denied a goal at 17 minutes. KCL retaliated with a bit of initiative, as KCL’s centre back made a run into UCL’s box.
KCL began to gain momentum and some miscommunication amongst UCL’s defence meant that the ball was threatening the goal post.
Things took a turn in favour of the Reds when a harsh foul awarded King’s a penalty at 20 minutes, which ultimately led to King’s equalising UCL 1-1.
KCL’s centre back followed up on this by attempting to boot the ball into the goal, but Metzler, not wanting to concede another goal, was able to prevent King’s from taking a lead.
Though KCL had somewhat stepped up their game to equalise with UCL, the penalty did not dishearten the players donning purple, with Lilian Bown dominating possession of the ball, and forcing the attack back into the KCL half of the pitch.
The first half of the match was dominated by UCL’s possession of the ball, with some bursts of energy to threaten KCL’s posts. But the first 45 minutes of the game ultimately ended up with a level score.
Following the break, the second half brought a higher tempo. UCL enjoyed a period of uninterrupted possession with multiple attempts at goal, driven largely by the prowess of midfielder Amber Grace.
Initially unable to capitalise, the Purples scored a deserved goal through winger Saige Rovero.
Under the cosh, KCL number 18 committed a wildly unnecessary challenge on Bown, resulting in a yellow. The fans clearly took to the revitalised UCL team and rallied them to put no doubt in the result.
UCL piled on the pressure, with Gina Robinson and Lillian Bown linking up to trouble the KCL defence. The tension was telling for KCL, when their number 15 gave a gift to the UCL attack. However, the score remained at 2-1 as the effort was put wide. Sensing it was time for a change, the UCL coach summoned the energetic Isabel Peebles into action, replacing Leila Treacher.
Now under the floodlights, UCL furthered their lead when Bown coolly slotted the ball in the bottom left corner, with the tough angle being no problem for the midfielder.
Now with a lead of 3-1, UCL could play with increased confidence and go in for the kill with 15 minutes to go.
The final nail in the coffin for KCL came when Bown was again involved. The midfielder was at the heart of UCL’s attacking efforts throughout the match, and effortlessly set up another goal when she found Nadia Kobayashi in the box for a simple finish.
The dominance of the Purples was by this point reflected in the scoreline, and this was before more chances to extend the lead were turned down before the whistle blew signifying the end of the game.
Though a clichéd way to describe the match, it was really a game of two halves. Though the first half ended relatively tense due to the levelled score, UCL supporters were thoroughly enjoying the free flowing goals and skill the players were exhibiting in the second half.
What stayed consistent throughout the 90 minutes was UCL’s attacking dominance, which exposed a relatively weak King’s defence.
The SkyEx Stadium was bleeding purple after the 90-minute master class by UCLWFC.
The Cheese Grater 's player of the match goes to Lillian Bown. Due to her commanding performance in the UCL midfield, Bown made the impression that she was driving forward both attack and defence. Her goal and assist ultimately rounded off an impressive display.