With five wins from five under their belt, Bristol firsts were in an unrivalled position coming into their home game against USW. This game marked the start of the second half of the season for the current southern prem leaders.
A late kick off under the lights on a cold evening at Coombe started with early chances for both top scorer Marita and our diamond Liv Holder after a great ball from Stella. This was quickly followed by a second opportunity to score from our favourite horse girl Sophie, who's shot just goes over the bar. Bristol are dominating both possession and play but are still yet to score. Leah and Anna handle the goal kicks from South Wales’ mediocre keeper with ease. Heading practice has clearly paid off for the midfield duo. Chances continue to pour in with a cheeky one-two between Liv and Anna. South Wales get their first chance of the game but Vikki isn't even phased. Safe hands all day. The tension continues to build with balls flying in and out of USW's box from crosses and a good corner. Stella works the keeper with her trade marked "catching practice". They counter but a strong header from Eve puts a definite stop to that. The centre back fresher has no time for any of that nonsense. The best chance of the game so far comes from an unreal ball behind to Sophie who is killing the poor Welsh fullback with her rapid pace. Three shots have the crowd roaring but still no goal. Bristol's onslaught of attacking continues with a slick through ball from Marita from Sophie. A clear foul and the crowd is screaming for a pen. Ref is remarkably quiet and allows play to continue. Where did you find him again Stella? Shots on shots on shots but still no goals. Anna is a dominant force in midfield with a brave header from an opposition goal kick. Ball falls to Stella. Pass to Marita. Shot. GOAL! The medic didn’t miss this time and the crowd is going wild. Finally, Bristol have broken USW and Bill looks a teeny-weeny bit less angry. Straight from kick off Bristol is looking for seconds. The ref finally finds his whistle as Anna is fouled in the final third. Stella plays a lovely ball but now the ref has discovered his whistle he seems desperate to use it again. Apparently Eve fouled the keeper. Lies and slander. Bristol keeps a high press and USW are starting to crumble under the constant pressure. Meg wins a goal kick. Marita to Sophie. Then to Liv. Beautiful ball to Stella. GOAL! Despite glancing off a south Wales’s defender, stella claims it was 100% on target so we’ll let her have it. The half ends with a cheeky hand ball from Sophie.
Poor USW were probably hoping for a better start to second half. Bristol however were not looking to make friends and early pressure resulted in two goals in quick succession. Lovely loop from Stella to a clinical Anna for the former and a cheeky chip from Marita for the latter. The striker is not finished however and only ten minutes later converts a beautiful ball from Sophie for another goal. It’s another hat-trick for Marita Clarke! Despite the five-goal lead, Bristol do not let up and continue to press. More balls into the box and plenty more shots. It’s no surprise a beautiful bit of link up play from centre back SJ to Marita results in a good opportunity for Liv, who fires a solid shot. A great save doesn’t it keep it out however as Sophie is ready to smash in the rebound. The two late subs have some lovely link up play with a great run and cross from Webby. Bill says he’s never seen her so rapid. Unfortunately, Anna’s shot slides just wide. The last ten continue with tense back and forth both on and off the pitch. A USW player comes off with injury and, with no subs, they’re down to ten men. Luckily for them, the ref blows his whistle and its all over. Despite a few angry words been the opposition coaches, they end with a hug as Bristol celebrate their sixth win in six games.
Next week’s fixture is a long-haul trip to Essex where Bristol will attempt to cement their place at the top of the league.
POTM: Sophie Bater
Written by: Leila Treacher
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