The LCFC Women WSL Academy Team have won the 2021/22 FA WSL Academy League Plate after defeating Arsenal 2-0 in Sunday’s final.
Overcoming Everton in the quarter-finals and then Liverpool at the competition last-four stage, the young Foxes faced the Gunners at Holywell Park Stadium in Loughborough aiming to win silverware for the first time since the team formed last summer, following LCFC Women’s promotion to the Barclays FA Women’s Super League.
And the side coached by Louis Sowe did just that, courtesy of a goal in each half from Lydia Tilbury-Henry and Ferne Powell.
Tilbury-Henry opened the scoring just over 10 minutes ahead of the interval, allowing a long ball forward to bounce before taking it down and volleying an unstoppable strike into the roof of the net.
The game was then stopped for 14 minutes during the second half, due to an injury picked up by Monique Robinson, who had to be stretchered off and replaced by Jess Camwell.
The long interval did little to stop Leicester’s momentum, however, as the opening goalscorer played a part in the second goal with five minutes of normal time to play.
Camwell’s ball in behind the Arsenal defence was picked up by Tilbury-Henry and although her shot was saved, it could only be parried into Powell’s path and she bundled home to double the advantage and seal a maiden trophy for City’s Academy Team.
City: Bastock, Walton (c), Brooks, Brown, Neville, Robinson (Camwell 67’). Smith, Wood, Powell (Chapman 90+5’), Tilbury-Henry (Malone 90’), Baker.
Subs not used: Copley, Ruparelia.
Goals: Tilbury-Henry 34’, Powell 85’.
