LCFC Women's Promising Start To 2020/21
Turning professional and officially coming under the umbrella of the Football Club, LCFC Women experienced a series of exciting off-the-pitch changes over the summer months.
On the pitch, the wheels were already in motion before the first ball was kicked on Sunday 6 September, as the 2020/21 campaign began behind closed doors.
A host of experienced names and exciting young talents joined the Club, including Kirstie Levell, Sophie Howard, Esmee De Graaf, Remi Allen, Ruesha Littlejohn, Millie Farrow and Hannah Cain, all plucked from Women's Super League outfits.
With Sam Tierney, Sophie Barker and Liv Fergusson - all regulars for Sheffield United in their 2019/20 promotion challenge - also signing for the newly professional Foxes, an ambitious squad had been assembled ahead of the new season.
City got off to the perfect start at Farley Way Stadium, beating Blackburn Rovers 3-0 thanks to Charlie Devlin's opener and a brace from ex-Rovers forward Natasha Flint, who opted to make the move to Leicester in the summer.
Travelling to face Sheffield United for their opening away game of the campaign, former Reading striker Farrow scored her first City goal inside two minutes, but it took a 90th minute spot-kick from Flint to salvage a 2-2 draw from the encounter.
Then came last season's rearranged Women's FA Cup Quarter-Final with the holders, Manchester City, who, despite a spirited performance from the Foxes, and a goal from Lachante Paul, triumphed 2-1 to progress into the last four.
Leicester were back in league action a week later, at home to another promotion rival, Durham. Again the Foxes showed their powers of recovery to twice come from behind and secure another 2-2 draw. Stand-in skipper Allen equalised early in the second half, before Paul's injury-time leveller.
One of the results of the season so far came against newly-relegated Liverpool, the third potential title rival City had faced in as many league games. Taking a first half lead courtesy of Paige Bailey-Gayle's neat finish, Paul also got on the scoresheet in Quorn to establish an unassailable lead.
October ended on a high as LCFC Women made it five unbeaten with a 4-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace in south London. After going behind early on, the visitors established control of the game in the second half with Allen (2), Flint and then Paul rounding off a convincing afternoon.
With seven points from a possible nine, Jonathan Morgan scooped the LMA Manager of the Month award for October, while Allen and Paul were both nominated for the FA Women's Championship Player of the Month, highlighting the team's good form.
The 4-1 reverse at London City Lionesses proved to be a minor blip in form as City responded by getting their Continental Tyres League Cup campaign up and running with a five-star performance, three days later.
Facing Blackburn for the second time in 2020/21, Flint impressed once more, scoring twice as Leicester resisted a second half fightback from the Lancashire club before Devlin, Bailey-Gayle and a late own goal recorded a 5-2 victory and put three points on the board in Group E.
Three straight league wins either side of the international break continued the Foxes' early season momentum, starting with a 1-0 home win over Lewes, secured by Bailey-Gayle's first half strike.
A record breaking 9-1 hammering of Coventry United followed, in what was the biggest Championship victory ever recorded by the Club. There were seven different scorers at Butts Park Arena, including two from both Flint and Paul and first Leicester goals for Barker and Littlejohn. Allen and Farrow also netted in an impressive display, though more records would tumble in the coming weeks.
Forward Bailey-Gayle was nominated for the FA Women's Championship Player of the Month prize after the 19-year-old scored four times in all competitions across November.
Into December and a 3-0 scoreline versus London Bees sent LCFC Women to top spot in the Championship standings for the very first time. Flint continued her fine scoring form with the opener, ahead of Bailey-Gayle and Farrow sealing the three points.
Turning their attention back to the Conti Cup, Leicester knew a win would see them through to the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time. Following a goalless draw in normal time, City triumphed 6-5 on penalties to earn an extra bonus point and finish top of the group.
Leicester would remain at the Championship summit after a hard fought 2-0 away victory over Charlton Athletic at The Oakwood. Flint and Allen were on target in the capital to complete the first round of fixtures with a win.
A 3-2 triumph over Blackburn ensured City would stay top of the pile at Christmas, as Flint scored her 9th and 10th league goals this term to help her team to victory at Bamber Bridge.
Collecting 26 points from the opening 11 fixtures of the season, including eight wins and two draws, it has been a promising start from the Foxes, who hold a one point lead over second place Durham.
And with a Continental Tyres League Cup last eight tie with Crystal Palace to come, as well as the remainder of the league programme and an exciting move to their new home at Belvoir Drive, there is plenty for LCFC Women to look forward to in 2021.