After a nervy first ten minutes the visitors took the lead, when a long ball was met by Gemma Fraser who hit a speculative effort on the half volley which went in from what seemed like an impossible angle.

The Reds then looked to equalise and some nice play saw Jodie Snelson hit a shot wide on the half volley.

In the 17th Minute the visitors No.1 Collette Bell tipped a shot over from an attempt from Amber Sewell, with the corner crashing the bar. Jodie Snelson had another attempt minutes later but was high and wide.

Just as it looked like The Reds were playing themselves into the game, a sucker punch in the 20th Minute, as a switch of play on our left, saw the visitors right back Abi Cowie delivering a ball to Gemma Fraser who slotted it into the bottom right corner.

The Reds looked deflated and in the 25th Minute it was 3-0 when a couple of neat passes in the box found Evie Gallop who hit a shot towards goal which took a deflection past Bean Clarke. The visitors had a chance to make it 4, which was saved well by the Reds skipper.

In the 34th minute the Reds were given the opportunity to give themselves a glimmer of hope when Jemima Jarvis, winning the ball back on the press, was adjudged to have been fouled in the box, which, after JJ stayed up, was given.

Jemima Jarvis, having won the penalty, then buried it to make it 3-1.

Shortly after the goals, Millie Fugler was shown a yellow card for a challenge on Gemma Fraser in a dangerous position, and after a few minutes it felt like the game would go in 3-1 at the break, but the visitors made it 4-1 after some wing play saw Gwen Horgan slotting it home.

Half Time. The Reds 1-4 Leafield Athletic.

The second half started scrappily as the Reds looked to get back into the game, but were dealt a hammer blow in the 50th Minute when a long cross field ball evaded the defence and was pounced on by Leonie Joyce who slotted it in to make it 5-1.

In the 57th minute The Reds were then awarded a penalty when a brave Charlotte Stuart was caught by Evie Gallop, and in trying to clear the ball, caught her in the face. The referee then gave the visitors Gallop a straight red card. The penalty was again taken by Jemima Jarvis and again was buried to make it 5-2.

Following the goal, the visitors made several changes to try to stifle the forward attacks from The Reds and it wasn’t in the 71st minute a good effort from Jemima Jarvis was tipped around for a corner. The corner was blocked well but found Amber Sewell whose shot, which was heading for the bottom corner was blocked for another corner and Faith Horner headed just wide.

Minutes later, having been on the attack, a foul, which looked innocuous, ended up with Ocean Rolandsen in the book. With ten minutes to go a series of efforts from Jodie Snelson and Faith Horner came and went. It wasn’t until the 87th minute, when a chance from Jemima Jarvis was tipped away by Collette Bell and the ball was bundled home by Olivia Richardson to make it 5-3.

Time then fizzled out and the full time whistle was blown on a game with everything, except the result The Reds wanted.

Full Time- Barnsley Womens Football Club 3-5 Leafield Athletic

Unit’s thoughts: In the first half we didn’t really get going but it did feel like every chance Leafield had went in. The second half was much better but the damage was done in the first 50 minutes.

We need to stick together, work hard and keep united as we go into our next league game. Whenever there is a set back, it allows for a comeback. We go again!