After months of preparation and gruelling fitness challenges, the 2s first league game of the season finally arrived. The 2s arrived in Gloucester with plenty of time to spare before kick-off, 3 hours to be exact, but better early than late! After a few fruitful attempts at uni work to fill the void, the 1s livestreamed game proved to be the more appealing option. Bristol left the changing room pumped courtesy of an inspiring team talk from stand in coach Anna Bowes and Heatwave by Wiley (absolute tune). The whistle blew prompt at 2pm and the 2s long-awaited 23/24 BUCS journey commenced.
Bristol started as they meant to go on with high intensity pressing and precision passing. It was only a matter of minutes until this paid off. A cross into the box was poorly dealt with by the Gloucester defence resulting in the ball falling at Molly’s feet and her laying it off to Bree who rifled the ball into the top corner. 1-0 Bristol!!!! Bristol continued to dominate possession in the 1st half, with incredible link up play displayed by Hoda and Millie down the left-hand sign and the midfielders’ firing balls over the top for the wingers to chase down. Unfortunately, against the run of play and with Gloucester unable to create any opportunity of their own, we gifted them an early Christmas present. A back pass to Amy was under hit allowing the Gloucester striker to pounce on the ball as quickly as a Santa on a plate of mince pies. 1-1. Gloucester’s short-lived spell of confidence was soon trampled upon after Bristol won a freekick outside Gloucester’s box. Molly stepped up to take it and she must have been taking notes from the Beckham documentary as the ball curled beautifully into the bottom left-hand corner. The halftime whistle was a welcome noise for all parties involved gasping for a lick of water.
The 2nd half restarted with Bristol coming out the blocks strong with a point to prove. Some further good spells of passing were unfortunately not rewarded with a goal. Against the run of play Gloucester broke the backline and the right winger had time to cross a pinpoint ball into the box. The ball landed on head of their striker who executed, dare I say, a rather good header. The score now stood at 2-2. For the rest of the match both teams were frantically searching for a winner. Amy pulled of some truly show stopping saves to keep Bristol hopes alive. With 12.34 minutes on the clock, Chloe answered our prays. Alice slid a ball down the right-hand side which Chloe pounced on and showing the Hooper pace, bombed down the edge of the box before slotting the ball into the bottom corner from the most obscenely tight angle. 3-2 Bristol!!!!! After the pitch invaders (ie Anna and the substitutes) had removed themselves Bristol remained calm and kept possession for the rest of the game to secure the W. Celebrations continued on the coach with some very good Fresher karaoke but less so from the Men’s 2s players who sounded like strangled cats and tainted Adele’s name.
By Alice Jack
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