SJR Women fall just short against Loughborough

SJR Worksop Ladies were left disappointed at the final whistle after another thrilling encounter ended in a narrow 3–2 defeat to Loughborough Foxes.

Another side expected to be challenging for the title come the end of the season arrived for SJR’s first home league game of the campaign — and, as expected, Loughborough started strongly.

Within the opening few minutes, the SJR defence was put under serious pressure. SJR struggled initially to come to terms with Loughborough’s system and, after a number of half-clearances inside the box, the visitors eventually found the breakthrough with a shot that squirmed its way into the goal.

SJR made a tactical tweak at the break and it immediately had an impact.

Hudson and Shafer-White were pushed higher up the pitch, giving SJR a much more attacking threat, while Chelsea Bailey, Emily Fowler and Emma White began to get on the front foot in midfield.

But SJR were caught cold with Loughborough’s first attack of the second half. A lapse defensively allowed the visitors to ghost in and finish well from a cross to make it 2–0.

SJR didn’t feel sorry for themselves and began to dominate possession and territory. The pressure eventually told when Millee Clarke scored from a free-kick.

Clarke was denied an equaliser from another well-hit free kick by a good save.

From the resulting corner, Jemma Wheatley delivered into a dangerous area and Rach Bell was on hand to smash the ball home from close range.

SJR were now firmly in the ascendancy and looked the more likely side to go on and win the game.

However, with around 15 minutes remaining, a number of injuries disrupted SJR’s rhythm and momentum.

Loughborough found another gear late on and, with only minutes remaining, eventually found the winner.

It was another encouraging performance against one of the teams expected to be right in the title race but, ultimately, performances need to start turning into points.