Kirk: A Game Of Fine Margins
- LCFC Women were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa on Friday evening
- Rachel Daly scored the winner for the away side at Pirelli Stadium
- Manager Willie Kirk gave his take on a disappointing night for the Foxes
- He felt missed chances in the second half were Leicester's downfall
Rachel Daly netted the only goal of the game in Burton to see the Villans leapfrog the Foxes, who slip to ninth in the Barclays Women's Super League table, though the hosts had their fair share opportunities to level the scores, particularly after the interval.
Those misses ultimately cost City in their first league fixture of the New Year, though Kirk believes there are plenty of positives to take from the display in the second 45 minutes.
Reacting to the reverse, the Foxes Manager commented: "I think it was always going to be a game of fine lines and a really hard fought derby with two teams next to each other in the table and that's what it proved to be. It was down to those very fine margins.
"I thought we left a lot of chances out on that pitch so we're really frustrated at that. We've had more than enough clear-cut chances to get something from that game. We've created a lot in the second half and have to stick one away. You never know how the game can go after that. A number of things are frustrating, some out of our control, but it's really disappointing.
"[Daphne] Van Domselaar pulled off two or three really good saves and she defended her goal well. She's probably known more for her distribution and I thought she had a good game tonight and that's credit to us that she's had to have a good game.
"Obviously we're disappointed to draw a blank. It's only our second one in 11 games. It's not like us. We have been finding the net quite regularly this season.
"But I was really happy with the second half in terms of our performance, apart from obviously finishing the chances. The build-up play, the relentlessness of the attacks and the pressing, I thought we gave ourselves a really good chance."
Now aiming to bring a rhythm and consistency back to their game, it's a quick turnaround for the Foxes with Wednesday's Continental Tyres League Cup group stage fixture with Everton on the horizon. The cup fixture is another 7pm GMT kick-off in Burton. The pair then face off in the WSL four days later.
"It's about building on that now," the 45-year-old explained. "Wednesday is really important for us in the Conti Cup. We've treated it importantly all season and my team selections have shown that.
"We want to qualify and we know the only way that will happen is if we beat Everton. We travel to them a few days later in the league so it's a big week for us and we want to win both of them. We'll do everything we can to do that.
"Those cup results during the season have kept us going. We want as many games as possible to get consistency and hope to continue that this week."