It's a glorious afternoon down at Combey Ding as UBWFC take over 3 pitches at the mighty sports complex! The 1s are the last squad of the day to kick off against Essex 1s, who face their first ever prem game after being promoted last year!
The whistle blows and it’s an Essex kick off sending the ball straight over the top for Betty to comfortably take hold of. Bristol composes themselves and start to make distance up the pitch with a lovely ball down the channel for liv but sadly nothing comes of it. As the play continues the ref was beginning to lose his patience with Meg who was cheekily shuffling down the line with every throw in. Essex takes a goal kick now but pressure from Molly prevents them getting out and Marita now has the ball at her feet which is always dangerous but loses the 1 on 1 with the keeper. Essex attempts another goal kick but this time it is sophies big head that sends it straight back. Stella is now skilling up the midfield and sends a beautiful ball out to Sophie who delivers the cross but Marita is not at front post!! oh no, we will be working on that in training.
Essex begins to see how well the Bristol high press is working by using our own tactics against us putting pressure on Liv who has the ball near the box, they manage to take a shot which is saved by the cross bar. Betty's Laughing. The Essex attacking play continues and they receive a corner which in the second phase leads to a screamer of a volley in the back of the net: 0-1 Essex. BUT not for long as Marita Haaland charges up the pitch and gets revenge on the keeper for the 1 on 1 she missed earlier by seeing the ball into the net to even the score before half time, 1-1.
After some encouraging and stern words from Bill in the changing rooms, Bristol kick off and immediately put pressure on the Essex line of defence. Balls from the midfield 3 are being flown into the box but Haaland is giving the keeper way too much catching practice. Meanwhile Meg continues to skip down the line with every throw in, but Bristol won’t complain because they’re going straight to the attackers’ feet after Bill's intricate throwing session. Zoe comes on now to replace Molly giving the Essex back 4 a break after Molly terrorised them all game, well played Molly. The ball is on Lizzie's side now and she sends an absolute beauty of a ball into Marita who SCORES a naughty chip over the Essex keeper: 2-1 Bristol.
Bristol is hungry for goals now and don’t back off the Essex defensive line, Sophie's menacing left foot causes the Essex keeper to make a spectacular save. The Essex coach is not best pleased and is uttering words that us Bristol girls have never even heard of!! Bill could never. The back 4 continue to be solid as Webby and SJ aren’t letting them have a sniff. Leila comes on for Lizzie and immediately uses her strength to rile up the Essex wingers who won’t be getting passed her without a scratch. The two centre backs are communicating beautifully with each other and with the easily distracted Leah who can be seen sliding all over the pitch. Stella takes a free kick for Bristol in a promising area which of course falls perfectly onto the 6ft head of our striker giving Marita a hattrick!!! 3-1 Bristol.
Essex has by no means given up and go on the attack by delivering a good ball into the box which Betty sees out but then Essex pick up the second Phase and put a goal in the net! What a game: 3-2 Bristol. The game resets and Zoe turns the midfielder from a Bristol throw and gets the ball to Gloria who is keen to get a touch on it after her 30 second debut last week. Marita however takes all the glory by scoring a beautiful 4th goal in the top left corner woohoo!! How does she do it: 4-2 Bristol. Liv nearly gets on the score sheet forcing the keeper to make a fingertip save onto the cross bar, so close!! Just when you think it is all over Gloria receives a foul in our attacking half for Stella to fly the ball into the box and its none other than Gloria herself who volleys it beautifully into the back of the net with 30 seconds to go!! Final score: 5-2 Bristol.
Bristol played beautifully as a team but there can only be 1 man of the match which was the long-legged Marita for putting away 4 goals against the very impressive Essex keeper.
6 points in the bag, bring on Cardiff Met next week.
Written by Leah McCarthy (Bill's favourite)
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