Bridges Women secure valuable three points with 3–0 win at Sevenoaks

By Ellie Duffett

Bridges Women secured a valuable three points away at Sevenoaks Town FC, tonight moving them up to third place in the league.

Bridges had yet to face Sevenoaks so far in their league campaign but quickly found their feet within the game.

Three minutes into the game, Bridges had their first chance in the home side’s  box after Sandys played a strong ball up to Hughes. Hughes turned and ran into the box, Sevenoaks’s goalkeeper anticipated the attack and ran out of goal. The press on Hughes was tight leaving her no space to score.

Bridges proved themselves to be the dominant side in the first half, maintaining possession and making several important interceptions of Sevenoaks’ passes.

In the 15^th minute Paul looked to secure Bridges their first goal of the game. The opportunity was given by Sandys who crossed the ball into the box, pre-empting Paul’s run. Paul took one touch and immediately sent the ball into goal. The ball went in and looked to be on target but went wide of the post.

Only 6 minutes later, captain of today’s game Bates was the first to add her name to the scoresheet. Bates held possession just outside of the box, looked up and saw an opening in front of goal. Reacting immediately, Bates struck the ball over the defence and into the left-hand side of goal.

Sevenoaks attempted to equalise the game minutes later after a corner. The corner, taken by Sevenoaks number 11 went into the box before it could be played back out to the same player. In possession, Sevenoaks struck the ball but sent it over the crossbar.

In the 36^th minute, Sevenoaks were awarded a yellow card after pulling Butts’s shirt. A throw in was awarded taken by Sandys but unfortunately the opportunity was shut down.

Bridges entered half-time holding their 1-0 advantage.

Bridges entered the second half with a fire to build on the possession and technique demonstrated in the first half.

In the 48^th minute Sevenoaks tried to equalise once again with consecutive shots at Bridges goalkeeper Robinson.

Robinson saved the first attempt, but Sevenoaks regained possession and sent another strike towards the left side of goal. Robinson immediately jumped up and defended the strike on the opposite side of the net.

Bridges continued to look like the more dangerous side intercepting every loose pass by Sevenoaks and dominating possession.

In the 59^th minute, Bates was pressing Sevenoaks number 12, when the opposition lost control sending the ball over the sideline. Bates picked up the ball and was poised ready to take the throw in when the ref ruled Sevenoaks’s ball. Frustrated, Bates threw the ball down for Sevenoaks’s collection and was immediately awarded a yellow.

In the 77^th minute, Sevenoaks were awarded a throw in level with the box. The ball went in and was met by Butts who headed it away into a space at the top of the box. Sevenoaks attack ran onto the ball and struck the ball wide of the goal.

As Robinson looked to prepare a goal kick, the referee’s hand went up, and a yellow card was shown for Humphries for what appeared to be dissent, as no foul was committed. An indirect free kick was given to Sevenoaks at the top of the box but the home side could not convert the set piece into a goal.

Three minutes later and it was a set piece that gained Bridges their second goal of the night. Sandys stepped up to take a corner in the 80^th minute, playing the ball into Flegg’s path in the box. Flegg took a touch and powerfully slotted the ball just inside the right post.

Bridges tenacity in tonight’s game deserved them a larger advantage. The visitors kept fighting and finally scored a final third goal in the 90^th minute just as the game was entering additional time.

Newman received a cross in front of the box by Flegg who pre-empted her run. Taking a touch, Newman drove towards goal through acres of space, leaving her one-on-one with the home side’s goalkeeper. The first strike by Newman was deflected back out to her, allowing her to turn and place the ball into the opposite side of the net.

Bridges finished with a deserved 3–0 victory, adding another three points to their league tally and moving up to third place in the table.

Bridges Women will face Newhaven in the London and South East League Cup at home at Jubilee Field, this coming Sunday, the 8^th of November.

The player of the match: Caitlin Griffin