From the opening whistle, both sides looked eager to set the tone, and Lightning in particular showed confidence in possession and sharpness in transition.
The visitors got off to a bright start after the whistle blew. Within moments, Lightning were pushing forward, with the early passages of play suggesting they had no intention of easing into the contest.
The first moment arrived in the 3rd minute, where Coutts, lively down the flank, produced a measured and well-shaped cross into a dangerous area. Greenwood timed her run well, sweeping through defenders, but the ball narrowly missed her stride—an early warning sign for the hosts that Lightning were prepared to exploit width and movement.
Just one minute later, Lightning built again from the back. Hewitt showed great awareness as she stepped in defensively, clearing the danger before immediately turning defence into attack. Her pass into the feet of Collyer sparked one of Lightning’s best early opportunities.
Collyer weaved through West Brom pressure with excellent footwork and fed Hogg, who suddenly found herself bearing down on goal. West Brom goalkeeper Clarke reacted decisively, rushing out to claim the ball and deny Lightning what could have been an opening strike.
West Brom responded with their first significant chance of the afternoon in the 6th minute. A well-struck effort forced Grimmond into action, but the Lightning goalkeeper dealt with it cleanly, sweeping up confidently and resetting play. Her command of the area would become a theme throughout the match.
Lightning continued to put the pressure on as the first half progressed. Greenwood, involved all over the pitch, tried her luck from range in the 12th minute with a purposeful effort that took a touch off a defender and flew behind for a corner. The resulting set piece added further pressure on West Brom, though Lightning couldn’t quite craft the finish they needed.
As the half wore on, both sides continued to battle for control. Lightning’s midfield worked hard to disrupt West Brom’s build-up, while the hosts tried to generate momentum through wide play.
Grimmond remained assured between the posts, collecting crosses and preventing any loose rebounds that might invite trouble. But the work of both goalies led to it all being square with no goals at the halfway point.
The second half followed a similar pattern - competitive, structured, and full of determination from both teams. While chances became more limited, the defensive organisation from Lightning stood out.
Collyer continued to be Lightning’s spark. Every time she picked up the ball, she looked for forward runners and attempted to inject speed into Lightning’s play. Her link-up with Hogg threatened to open spaces behind the West Brom defence, but the hosts tightened up after some nervy moments early in the half.
The midfield battle intensified as both teams fought to control the rhythm. West Brom tried to break the game open with wider attacks, forcing Lightning to remain compact and switched on. Grimmond was called into action once or twice to gather crosses or smother loose balls, but she handled each situation with composure, continuing her confident performance from the first half.
As the match entered its final 20 minutes, the Lightning gradually began to wrestle back control, as seen through the substitutions. Their passing became sharper, movement more coordinated, and the pressure built steadily.
Lightning’s best moment of the half came from a sustained build-up on the right side. Mitchell pushed forward, combined neatly with Collyer, and delivered a teasing ball across the box. For a split second, it seemed destined for a decisive touch, but West Brom’s defence held firm, scrambling it clear before any Lightning attacker could convert.
In the closing stages, Lightning demonstrated strong game management—balancing their desire to push for a winner with the composure needed to protect a clean sheet. The back line remained organised and Grimmond’s confident handling ensured there were no late scares. With a final chance coming from Collyer and Mutch in the box, they narrowly missed the net.
Despite their best efforts, neither side could carve out the decisive opportunity.
For Lightning, it was a performance full of resilience and togetherness - an encouraging note on which to close their 2025 campaign.
They will head into the new year with confidence, knowing they have a strong foundation to build on and plenty of positive patterns to refine as they move forward.
Full-time: West Brom 0-0 Loughborough Lightning