After a month of hard work at preseason for UBWFC, the 5th October finally came around: the first BUCs game of the season! UBWFC’s 1s faced USW away and knew that it was going to be a tough game.
Bristol started the game strongly but it was USW who looked the more dangerous team in the first 10 minutes, constantly trying to break through Bristol’s lines of defence and find their rapid no. 9. Marita managed to get a shot off after a Bristol counter attack but USW continued to threaten and after a ball into the penalty box, the striker managed to dribble round Betty and slot it into the back of the net: 1-0 USW.
The game restarted with Bristol looking more determined. Just a few minutes after the USW goal, Bristol began to pile on the pressure and Sophie’s quick feet on the left wing won Bristol a free kick in a great area. Stella stepped up to take it but unfortunately it landed right in the keeper’s hands: “catching practice” as Bill would call it… Bristol continued to attack and after a nice passage of play, Marita managed to get a shot on target drawing an excellent save from the keeper who just couldn’t get back on her line in time and could only watch as Molly Kane’s perfect shot flew over her head and into the back of the net! Absolute screamer!!! 1-1.
The game was now looking much more even between the two teams and Bristol were starting to string together some lovely passes. USW were finding fewer gaps to play through and Leah was blocking pretty much everything going through midfield in her new role at no. 4 (CDM) but they were still looking dangerous from balls over the top. Bristol continued to look confident playing out from the back and after a passage of one touch passes through midfield, Marita made a run between the two centre backs to receive a through ball, took a touch past her defender and curled it past the keeper’s fingers into the right side of the net! A finish that Haaland would be proud of, making it 2-1 to Bristol.
Bristol continued to look strong going forward but USW weren’t giving up. They continued to send balls over the top looking for their relentless striker who’s pace was giving the back four a tough time. Despite looking increasingly cohesive as the first half had progressed, one ball slipped through the Bristol back line and USW managed to convert a scrappy goal as the Bristol defence hesitated due to a shout for offside. Unfortunately, the linesman’s flag stayed down: 2-2.
Nevertheless, the goal only spurred Bristol on. The USW goal had been against the run of play and Bristol kept up the high quality of passing that had developed all over the pitch. A shot at goal saw a scramble in the box and Stella hit the bar but the keeper managed to get hold of the ball. She played a long ball quickly out of her hands and the USW striker managed to slip through the defence to leave her one on one with Betty but she timed her movement perfectly and cleared the ball into touch.
Up the other end Sophie, Marita and Molly were consistently making life difficult for the USW defence and Sophie’s battling won Bristol a corner. Seeing that Liv was free on the edge of the box, the corner was played directly to her and she got a cracking shot off, only to be knocked out for another corner by USW’s keeper who was having a great game. Both sides had a couple of near chances in the last ten minutes of the first half but as the halftime whistle went, the score remained even.
USW kicked off the second half but this time it was Bristol who looked the more dangerous team after a first half that had progressively gotten better and better. Bristol won a couple of set pieces high up the pitch thanks to the quick feet of Marita but were unable to convert any of the opportunities. Successive counter attacks from USW were cut out by slide tackles from Lizzie and then Leah and any balls over the top were now being cleared up by SJ and Webby at the back. Some more lovely build up play from Bristol lead to a couple of chances for Liv and Marita but USW’s keeper wasn’t letting anything go. USW managed to break forward but Bristol’s organisation at the back meant that the winger was offside and SJ’s free kick sent Bristol back up into their half. After an attacking throw in (thanks to Bill’s throw in training the day before), Bristol played some quick passes around the edge of the box, Marita laid it off and Stella hit it first time - the keeper got a hand to it but couldn’t keep this one out, much to Stella’s relief! 3-2 Bristol!
The goal was well deserved by Bristol who had been playing with much more confidence and flair in the second half and USW were starting to seem dejected. Another chance for Bristol came as Molly ran into the box but she couldn’t quite connect with the shot on her leftie. Bristol’s first substitution saw Ffion come on for Molly who’d worked tirelessly up the right wing and should be in the running for Goal of the Season with her first half strike. The game continued with a cheeky handball from Leah who was having an absolutely brilliant game and proved it when she immediately won the ball back after the USW free kick. Isabella then came on for Sophie on the left wing who’d covered a huge amount of ground during the game and played really well. By this time USW were getting frustrated and Lizzie and Meg were battling hard against some angry wingers; even the ref was impressed with the tenacity as he was heard saying “on to the next victim” when Meg’s player was subbed off… Despite this, Bristol maintained their composure and managed to keep creating chances as the clock ran down. Gloria came on for Marita, who’d been class all game, supposedly with 5 minutes to go but unfortunately she didn’t get a touch on the ball as the ref blew up early! The second half had been an amazing performance for Bristol who fought hard and played some really high quality football. The back four, Betty and Leah had been phenomenal as after the USW goals in the first half managed to clear absolutely everything. Everyone involved had a great game but Player of the Match went to Leah McCarthy who’d been unbeatable sliding and screening in midfield.
A great start to the season for UBWFC. Bring on next Wednesday where all 3 BUCs teams are in action at Coombe Dingle!!!
P.s. shoutout to Bella for some very detailed match notes!
Written by Stella Gandee Morgan (1s Captain).
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