Bridges Women held to a draw by Hastings United

By Ellie Duffett

After a victorious midweek fixture against local rivals Burgess Hill, Bridges Women entered today’s league match against Hastings United with high spirits.

Bridges entered the game positive creating strong passages of play, which opened an opportunity for Katie Butts to make an early attempt on goal. Butts made a run in towards the box, receiving the ball in the box, she kept her momentum, driving towards goal before taking a strike. The strike looked to be promising, but the ball went wide of the goal.

Bridges tried to maintain their momentum however small technical mistakes gave Hastings the opportunity to apply pressure and pick up a loose ball. Once in possession, Hastings acted on the given space, passing up towards goal.

The Hastings striker received the ball at the top of the box before taking keeper Robinson on in a 1v1. As Robinson moved to block the ball, Hastings reacted striking in the opposite direction. Hastings secured the goal and gained the advantage.

This fuelled a fire within Bridges, determined to equalise before half time.

Bridges dominated the ball in their midfield, with today’s player of the match, Grace Bates, playing a key role at the strengthening the play of passes. Short, sharp passes limited Hastings’ contact with the ball. Working in small pockets of space, Bridges began dominating the visitor’s box.

Bridges took shot after shot, however it was Zoe Case who sealed the equaliser.

Case had run into the box following a Hughes shot on goal. Reacting to the shot, the keeper ran out but was insufficient in shutting down the chance. This gave Case the opportunity to slot the ball home.  The scoreline changed to 1-1.

Minutes later, Bates changed the scoreline once again giving Bridges their deserved advantage. Having received the ball at the top of the box, Bates struck the ball over the head of three defenders and straight into the top of the net in one effortless motion, Bridges led 2-1 into half-time.

Bridges continued their positive style of play into the second-half. Seconds after kick-off, Butts took Bridges’ first chance at goal in this half but unfortunately for her the shot went wide.

The team continued their pace with half-time substitutes like Nancy Newman and Poppy Nicholls providing bursts of energy on the pitch. Nicholls looked as though she was about to score another for the home side after heading the ball from a corner into goal. The ball went up but too far and on to the top of the goal.

In a lapse of judgement, Hastings picked up a loose ball and immediately turned to take a shot into goal. Robinson reacted quickly but couldn’t reach the high ball and so the scoreline was once again level.

The remainder of the second-half was slower with Bridges keeping possession in small tight spaces continuing to move with the ball. However, no shot on target could reach the net and so the game ended 2-2.

Congratulations to today’s player of the match, Grace Bates, a well-deserved recognition for her composure and performance in today’s game.

Bridges Women now look ahead to their next league fixture against Montpelier Villa at Jubilee Field on the 11^th October.