Mid West Counties League

Hereford FC Women 2 Ross Juniors Women 2

ROSS Juniors Women's youngsters showed they are a force to be reckoned with after fighting back from 2-0 down to draw with Mid West County League leaders Hereford FC in a table-top away battle on Sunday.

With three 16-year-olds in defence and a 17-year-old in goal, they went toe to toe with the city outfit in challenging wet and windy conditions to prove their own title credentials, a spot kick ‘triple’ save from keeper Ruby Wood also proving key.

Both teams were keen not to give the ball away and played neat tidy football in the opening period, but on 23 minutes, a Hereford counter attack saw them get in behind the Ross defence with the cross converted by Robyn Mear.

They then went close again but for some excellent defending from Jess Ruck.

Ross settled though and worked hard to stay in the game, with a Millie Malsom cross into the box on the counter cleared just ahead of Lauren Creed.

And Hereford keeper Hannah Pritchard was then forced into a save from a Malsom effort.

But two minutes before half-time, Ross were caught out when Hereford quickened up the play and Ysabel Pearson finished first time to put the hosts 2-0 up and in command.

At half-time, Ross spoke about how little things were the difference and needing to match the hosts' bite in the tackles and winning second balls.

Romerleigh Parker and Bea Zuka were introduced to the fray, and the restart saw Juniors more aggressive in the press, Bea leading the line with Macy Walker, Lily Irving and Malsom backing her up.

Hollie Mace and Keira Brain began winning their midfield battles and Parker, Ruck, Abbie Fuszard and Meg Walker got tight and aggressive in their tackles.

And Malsom and Irving both went close before combining on 72 minutes to get the visitors back in the game, when Macy Walker fed the latter who played an excellent cross ball for Millie to finish well across the keeper for 2-1.

It looked like all the good work would be undone though when they conceded a penalty a few minutes later.

But Wood in goal not only saved the penalty, but also the two follow ups, pulling off a triple save to keep Ross in the game.

This spurred Juniors on to push forward for an equaliser.

And on 84 minutes, a Macy Walker shot was headed into the air by Bullettes defender Matilda Harris, causing chaos in the box before Zuka rose to head home for 2-2.

It was no less than the visitors deserved, and with Holly Thomas coming on for the final few minutes, they could almost have snatched a winner.

Coach Carl Roberts said a fantastic second half really showed togetherness and fight and the improvement was there to see every week.

"We started with three 16-year-olds in our defence and Ruby in goal at 17, while Abbie’s leadership at only 18 was fantastic to see,” he said.

The result leaves Juniors second on goal difference to Hereford, although the hosts have two games in hand.

This Sunday (March 2) sees Ross host Ludlow Town, kick-off 2pm, while Juniors Ladies return to action with a Herefordshire Cup clash at home to Pegasus.