The 1s third game of the season sees Bristol travelling to Cardiff, joined by the 2s and the first time on the coach with just UBWFC. You can imagine the vibesđ A 2pm kick off against the highly anticipated Cardiff Met. Several cameras, a couple of commentators and the promise of a free Mcdonalds if we win gets the match going.
Bristol takes kick off and gets some early pressure on, but Cardiff compose themselves and switch the play, getting an early shot which is comfortably saved by Betty. Cardiff keep possession for a while, but a mistake from their defenders and Hannah is right on it. 6 minutes in and Hannah has scored an absolute banger. A long-range strike from way outside the box loops over the keepers head and sets Bristol up 1-0. The first team to score against Cardiff Met this season.
The game continues with relentless back and forth play from both teams. Bristol's next chance comes from some lovely play down the left-hand side, winning Bristol a throw and then a cross from Sophie to Stella who very narrowly misses from a half volley. Cardiff regains possession and creates chances but Bristol's defence holds firm every time. First injury break 11 minutes in sees Met having to call in a tactics meeting. Bristol takes the opportunity to rest after a very fast paced start.
The game resumes; Lizzie clears another attack into the midfield where a long range shot from Cardiff lands straight into the hands of Betty. A lot more back and forth play, with every chance Cardiff creates being stopped by the solid Bristol defenders. Another Met break stopped by Bristol's defence, they haven't found a way through and are getting frantic. Lizzie beats the striker in a foot race and clears yet another dangerous chance, giving Cardiff their first corner. This is comfortably dealt with at the front post. The back and forth play continues, but the strength of Bristol's defenders stops Met from getting any real shots on goal.
Some beautiful play between Anna, Hannah and then Stella who sends in a lovely through ball to Marita, but she can't get there in time before a sliding defender clears it out for a Bristol corner. The corner is cleared out by Met defenders, but Bristol press again seeing a chance for Molly who presses well but the goalie gets there first. Another dangerous chance by Cardiff cleared away by Meg and the game continues with Met pressing and creating chances to no avail, any attempts at a shot on goal saved by Betty's safe hands. Bristol's defenders are first to the ball and are proving a very difficult barrier to play through, with the midfielders helping around the area, and winning 50/50s.
A dodgy tackle from SJ gives Met a free kick but nothing comes of it. More chances defended awav by SJ, Eve, Meg and Lizzie who are consistently first to loose balls, winning 50/50s and clearing. A big shout out to the defenders this week for their
solid and relentless performance.
Bristol haven't had many dangerous chances but with less than 10 minutes to go until half time, Stella wins the ball in midfield. She passes to Marita who chips it into Molly in the box, some lovely passing between Molly and Anna sets Molly up for a beautiful strike in the top right corner. 2-0 at half timeđ€©
Cardiff Met kick off after what I'm sure were some very stern words from their coach. They put pressure on straight from the start and Bristol continues defending their chances. For the first 10 nothing gets through the Bristol defence, anything that escapes the back 4 is cleared away by Hannah or won back by Stella. But one long ball through gives Cardiff Met a 1 on 1 with the keeper making the score 2-1.
Met continue to attack relentlessly throughout the second half but Bristol's defenders fight tirelessly and restrict their attacks to mostly half chances. A dangerous break through our defence sees Met equalize with a chip over our keeper. The game continues with 20 minutes to go and both teams holding nothing back. Gloria is the first set of fresh legs followed by Bella and Leila.
More excellent defending stops Cardiff getting any dangerous shots on goal, but they continue building pressure and creating chances. Bristol's next big chance is a lovely through ball by Anna which finds Stella's left foot but is saved by the keeper. More attacks from Met but each one is saved by Betty. With only 3 minutes to go, Stella gets the ball into the danger area and with a cheeky backheel finds Gloria, who after some
fancy footwork loops the ball from outside the box right over the keepers head. 3-2!!
Despite Cardiff's relentless attacking throughout the second half, another absolute beauty ends the game and puts Bristol at the top of the table.
WOTM: Eve Rhind
Written by: Marita Clarke
Watch the match using this link! https://youtu.be/ZdybmcJcWx0
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