Recap
Bridges Women Victorious in Division 1 Debut
Player of the match: Grace Bates
By Ellie Duffett
A new league, a new challenge but the same winning feeling. Bridges Women kick-started their London & South East Regional Women’s Division 1 campaign with a 4-2 win against local team Dorking Wanderers.
Today’s league debut was proudly captained by Poppy Nicholls, a player who greatly helped the team reach promotion last season.
As the whistle blew to signal kick off, the Wanderers immediately placed pressure on Bridges scoring within seconds of gameplay taking the early lead, 1-0. But any idyllic start to a league campaign can’t happen without an initial setback.
Nicholls and Amelia Sandys minutes later looked to give Bridges their first chances at equalising. Nicholls made a run at goal, taking a shot but, it was caught by the keeper. As soon as Bridges regained possession minutes later, Sandys positioned herself on the edge of the box, taking a shot at goal. Nicholls in front of goal met Sandy’s ball in an attempt to finish the shot. The ball bounced from Nicholls and onto Katie Butts.
Bridges fans were left in momentary suspense before the Wanderers defence blocked the opportunity.
Butts was a new face in the starting XI for this opening match of the season, making an impressive impact on the pitch today, constantly looking for opportunities at goal.
With half time nearing Butts looked to have the chance to equalise after Nicholls played a progressive ball up to her . Butts crossed the ball to Martha Behr who took one touch. However, a poorly timed tackle by the Wanderers defence sent Behr quickly towards the ground. The whistle was blown, and a simultaneous yellow and penalty were awarded.
There was no hesitation; Sandys stepped onto the penalty mark. The whistle sounded and immediately the ball was slotted into the top left corner of the goal. Bridges equalised to 1-1 before half time.
Following the same pattern as the first half, the Wanderers scored an early goal just under 10 minutes into the second half after a direct free kick, Dorking Wanderer’s led with a scoreline of 2-1.
At 60 minutes Kaitlyn Paul gained possession of the ball before dribbling to the edge of the box. Paul played the ball to Butts who took a shot; Paul followed her pass, redirecting the now loose ball into goal, 2-2.
74 minutes saw the entry of Sarah Chapman, who immediately made an impact dribbling the ball to the left side of goal before striking. Unfortunately, the ball was caught by the keeper, but Chapman’s search for opportunity gave momentum to the home side.
One minute later, Daisy Ratcliffe fought hard to maintain Bridges’ possession. Having turned on multiple defenders at the edge of the box, Ratcliffe passed the ball onto Grace Bates. Bates set up yet another goal for Bridges after a link-up with Behr who was positioned to the right of goal. The Wanderers defence quickly reacted, trying to block the path of the ball. Paul saw the brief commotion, stepped towards the ball and slotted it home. Bridges led 3-2.
With only 7 minutes of full time remaining, the Wanderers began a counterattack in an attempt to once again level. However, the side was unsuccessful when taking on goalkeeper Faith Gibbons who made a dive towards a shot on the right side of goal shutting down the opportunity.
The Wanderers had limited opportunities but not Bridges. With 5 minutes of full time remaining, Behr took on the visitor’s goalkeeper, taking a shot at goal. Behr’s ball hit the back of the net cementing the final score of 4-2.
The team is back at Jubilee Field next weekend on the 23rd August at 3pm, so come along and see the side face Leatherhead in the FA Cup.