The day started early with a 7am meet time ready to trek across the country to the far far away lands of Colchester. After a long 4 hour couch journey, with many taking advantage to get in a couple extra hours of sleep, we navigated the interesting changing rooms and were ready to get going.
Essex started the game off on what looked like a luscious grass pitch but we quickly learned it was muddy and slow. The back line did well to withstand some early pressure from Essex with great clearances from Leah in the middle and Lizzie at the back. We had done well to dig in for the first 20 minutes before finding some rhythm of our own, then having some more luck playing forward into the wide areas with Sophie hooking the ball for Marita to run onto but unfortunately the shot went wide. It wouldn’t be a close game without Meg pinching yards down the line on a throw in to get play up the pitch! Quickly we were through on goal and after two quick saves from the Essex keeper it went out for an Essex goal kick. We were piling on the pressure with crosses from Molly on the right and Sophie on the left but Essex were quick to respond with an attack of their own that ended with a comfortable catch by Betty. A great free kick from Stella on the left side of the pitch went into the box and was headed just over by Anna! The back four remained solid with good clearances all round and we remained on top. Great pressing from Sophie saw her get the ball and narrowly miss the far post. Going into half time we were unlucky to not be a couple up.
Having already had the half time talk because of an injury and solid tackle from Leah, Bill was able to give some extra words of wisdom when half time came hoping to get the game going. Starting the second half away from the sun, we were quick to start the attack again. Bill might have mentioned a couple of times sliding the ball down the line to Marita and soon Sophie was sliding passes for Marita to get on the end of, Essex were struggling to deal with this dynamic duo down the right. A Bristol free kick was cleared by the Essex back line and Lizzie was on the attack with a great through ball that was gathered by the Essex keeper to start a new wave of attacks. After an intense 25 minute period Essex were able to get the ball up the pitch with multiple throw ins. After an Essex throw in, a clearance by Eve high into the air and a scramble of headers to clear the ball from just outside the Bristol box, a shot went in over Betty and it was 1-0 to Essex. With a new sense of urgency, we were desperate to level the score line and leave with the points they deserved. We were defending with everything we had, with a crunching tackle from Gloria that lead to (unsurprisingly) another drop ball after some questionable refereeing decisions. Stella, like always, was everywhere you look, starting another string of attacks and driving the ball up the pitch, but unfortunately Gloria wasn’t able to get the ball in the box and it went out for a Bristol throw.
Despite hitting the cross bar multiple times and numerous close attempts we unfortunately left with a 1-0 loss to end the unbeaten streak. This one definitely wasn’t easy to take for the 1s and the goal will haunt us for days to come, but we will be back stronger for the next game at the mighty Coombe against Cardiff Met under the lights to regain the top spot in the league.
POTM: Meg Phillips
Written by: Katherine Webb (aka Webby)
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