The scene was set, on a cold crispy day at the fortress that is Coombe Dingle. Bristol 2s take on Gloucestershire 1s in their first match of the year. After a pre-season, there was an air of confidence that they would secure a win. The 2s fronted a strong team and were led by 1s coach Bill in the absence of Brandon.
The first half starts quickly, with a few good chances from Bristol. Serena playing fullback got in great throws that were sailing over Gloucestershire’s ‘finest’. In the first few minutes, Beth has a shot, but it just goes clear. The chances just keep on coming for Bristol. Chloe is tearing down the wing and passes through to Zoe, who is fouled by one of the Gloucestershire defenders who appeared to be channelling her inner Sergio Ramos. The referee was questionable throughout the game, we aren’t sure where Bea sourced him from, but he certainly won’t be refereeing for us again. Bristol continues strong on the attack, with plays from Beth through to Alice and onto Bea, but Bristol is still yet to score. Gloucestershire loses possession, Chloe picks up the ball and sprints across the full length of the pitch and slides it in past the goalie. 1-0 to Bristol. Spirits are now up in the team as the hard work is paying off. Gloucestershire has a few attempts at breaking through, but these are quickly stopped by Lotte and Hollie. The ball falls to Bristol again and a shot from Anna from outside the box hits the post, Alice picks it up on the rebound and scores! 2-0 Bristol. Another nasty foul from Gloucestershire lands Bristol a free kick. Lottie steps up to take it and it flies into the box and falls to Bea who takes a shot that is saved and rebounds. Annie boots it and it is reflected but she can’t find the ball behind her as she spins around in the box. The Gloucestershire keeper gets the CB to take the kick again. GK wasn’t feeling it I guess. The ball is cleared to the Gloucestershire front three who break through, only to be stopped by Serena. The referee decides to join in with the game and awards Gloucester a free kick, again questionable. The Number 6 for Gloucestershire steps up and takes a clean free kick which sails over Wendy’s head. 2-1 Bristol. This does not dampen Bristol’s spirit as we break away again with Beth on the ball. It is played into Alice who shoots and is saved, the ball falls to Annie who scores! 3-1 Bristol. At the half-time whistle, Bill only had positive words for the 2s and encouraged them to take every chance they get. He did give a warning about the ‘danger weapon’ number 6 who to be fair was good on the ball on the rare occasions she ran to receive it.
The second half begins, and Gloucestershire made a tiny dent in the brick wall and win themselves a corner. However, it is a quick recovery for Bristol as Ellie clears it with a solid header. Further questionable decisions from the referee throughout this half have Bill now bonding with the coach on the other team as they share their thoughts on his decisions. Bristol has possession of the ball again which is played to Molly who slides it past the defender and shoots, but it is deflected and goes out from a corner. Bristol continues to get more chances with Zoe shooting from outside the box but unfortunately, it flies just over the bar. Ellie is on the throw-ins which even Rory Delap himself would be proud of. You can tell someone has regularly attended their S&C sessions. The ball is floating between the Bristol team, Lotte plays a through ball to Molly on the right wing who tries to dip the keeper and just misses out. Another questionable tackle by the Gloucestershire centre half results in Molly winning a free kick at the edge of the box. Lotte steps up, calm and collected, and sends the ball straight over the keeper. 4-1 Bristol. Wendy’s confidence as a keeper is unmatched as she rushes to meet the ball outside the box with a great header that spurs on the supporters. Bristol is breezing through the last few minutes with more opportunities as Noa has a tight angle but misses an open goal, there was a delay in confirmation of this as the Bristol fans were already celebrating. The last chance of the game came from Maya who played the ball to Annie, easily passed the defender, and played to Noa who quickly returned it to Annie after the previous incident. Gloucestershire wins a free kick but luckily Bea went to the boxing give it a go and wrestles the defender to ensure it goes out for a throw. The referee finally blows the whistle and the 2s celebrate their well-deserved win. Final score 4-1 Bristol.
POTM: Serena Malone for a massive shift at fullback
Written by: Hollie Allen
