Devs kicked off the last UBWFC game of the year against United Bristol Women Warriors on a freezing Saturday afternoon. The Devs were out for revenge after a 5-1 thrashing by the Warriors last season but didn't let that bring their spirits down!
The Warriors got an early shot in, but Katy managed to drive the ball all the way up the pitch and was unlucky to hit it just wide. Great pressure by the Devs lead to the Warriors kicking the ball out for a throw in. A lucky break from the Warriors lead to a great sweeping clearance by Devs keeper Wendy, if only the box was big enough for her pick it up!
7 minutes into the first half and it started raining, but the weather was no dampener on skipper Asia’s mood as she kept up with the Warriors attack. She absorbed the pressure well and was able to send the ball up towards Katy. Great to have her back after injury!
A solid shot from Katy resulted in a Dev corner, and great pressure from Beth caused lots of Warriors mistakes. Another break from the Warriors attack was collected by Wendy’s safe hands, but in her excitement, she carried the ball out of the (tiny) box. Whoops! Luckily the free kick given to the Warriors went wide.
Back in the Warriors’ side of the pitch, a close shot from Nim went just wide for a throw in from Rosie S. Dev pressure resulted in a corner, unfortunately the Devs really need to work on corner tactics.
Going into the last few minutes of the first half, another shot on target from the Warriors was saved by Wendy. She booted the ball up and managed to get a corner off it. Another corner from Nim clearly hit the hand of a Warriors player in their box but no pen! Referee blows the whistle for time; first half ends 0-0.
The second half started with instant attacking pressure from the Devs. Rosie S collected the ball in her own half and managed a lovely run up her line before playing it off to Nim for a shot on target. Katy then had a great shot which was collected by the Warriors keeper. A fantastic piece of defending saw Dee going up her line for a 2-on-1 situation and was just unlucky to lose the ball after some great footwork.
Another surge of attacking lead to yet another Dev corner. This time Nim played it short to Becca, who then played it back for a cross into the box, but the Devs weren’t able to convert it. The next Warriors goal kick was controlled with a great high leg from Katy before possession turned over to the Warriors - Wendy with another fantastic save at the other end of the pitch to prevent the Warriors from scoring.
Possession was back to the Devs with multiple shots going just wide. A great bit of footwork from Katy saw her keeping the ball in play, but Nim wasn’t able to convert that effort. Rosie S decided to join in the fun and had a brilliant shot from long range that was literally inches away from being an absolute worldie. Solid link-up play between Nim and Katy saw yet another shot from Katy saved. Off a Warriors goal kick, Rosie S has a brilliant run up her line and put in a stunning pass to Nim for a 1-on-1 with the keeper, but the shot goes just too high.
Off the next Warriors goal kick, Nim nicked the ball off their defender and was in another 1-on-1 situation with the keeper. She managed to chip it in with loads of time to spare, 1-0 Devs!
Right off the centre start the Warriors were awarded a very suspicious foul. The Warriors produced a great free kick but it went right into the safe hands of Wendy, of course. A good bit of defending from Nim sees the ball into the Warriors box, Katy with the control but unfortunately was narrowly defended out.
The Devs adopted a counter-attacking style for the last few minutes of the match, with lots of pushing forward and attacking the spaces left open by the Warriors. Nim tried to curl it in, but skied it like Harry Kane instead (too soon?). A sudden break by the Warriors attack resulted in Wendy being the absolutely fabulous keeper she is, and she sent the ball straight back up the pitch. Nim controlled it beautifully and sent a fantastic shot at the keeper, who just about managed to get her fingertips to it.
Going into the last minutes of the game, Chloe defended brilliantly and completely pocketed the Warriors’ star striker. There was continuous attacking play by the Warriors, but the incredible backline of Rosie S, Chloe and Dee absorbed the pressure really well. In the final play of the game, the Warriors pushed forward, with all the Devs falling back. There was a loose ball in by the Warriors which went out for a goal kick, and the referee called time.
The match ended 1-0 to the Devs, who sought revenge from last season and continue their winning streak with three from three. Results elsewhere in the league saw them move up to second, behind first only on goal difference. Player of the match went to the amazing Katy Shirtcliffe for her tireless attacking and incredible runs up the pitch. See you in 2023!
POTM: Katy Shirtcliffe
Written by: Nim Mudher