Bridges secure a valuable three points away at Steyning Town

By Ellie Duffett

Bridges Women have climbed the table after a victorious 5-2 win away at Steyning Town. From the off, Bridges demonstrated a positive style of play, dominating possession.

Only two minutes in and Bridges were awarded a throw-in after Butts is fouled. Amelia Sandys took the throw-in. The ball goes into the box before being deflected back out to her. Immediately responding, Sandys struck the ball but placed it just slightly wide of the goal.

Tonight, Kaitlyn Paul made a start for Bridges and had a strong game keeping great composure up front, looking for every opportunity to make the run up to the box with the ball.

Before the 10 minute mark, Bridges had had three tries at goal. At 8 minutes, Grace Bates took a shot just outside of the box. The ball was on target but caught by Steyning’s keeper. One minute later, Butts created another opportunity at goal after crossing the ball onto the right-hand side of goal. Bo Hughes jumped in an attempt to reach the delivery but unfortunately, for Hughes the timing did not match up.

However, in the 19^th minute, Paul secured the goal that Bridges have been wanting. Paul took off at speed down the pitch towards the home teams’ goal, chasing a loose ball. Paul recovered the ball just as it was about to reach the edge of the pitch. With the ball in her control, Paul passes to Sandys positioned just outside the box. Paul then made a run around getting herself in front of goal, received the ball back and slotted it home. 1-0 for Bridges.

Just before half-time and Steyning looked to equalise after a shot from the left-hand side of the box. However, the ball crossed slowly across the goal.

In the first minutes of the second half, Steyning equalised after a corner ball could not be cleared and subsequently the ball is passed behind the goal line.

Sandys was a key player in todays midfield being precise with the ball in tight spaces and was successful at shutting down a large amount of opposition passes.

In the 57^th minute, Daisy Ratcliffe is yellow carded for a foul on the opposition.

Substituted on for Paul in the second half was Lilly Standing. At almost the 60-minute mark, Standing made a run towards the oppositions goal taking the keeper on in a 1v1. The keeper didn’t react to Standing’s approach and instead stayed in her box, allowing the space for Standing to slot the ball home. 2-1 to Bridges.

Just over 10 minutes later and Standings secured a brace after making another run with the ball up to goal, Again Steyning’s keeper did not move out of goal to try and shut down Standing, allowing her to strike the ball clear into the back of the net. Bridges led 3-1.

Three minutes after being subbed on, Emily Flegg added to the scoreline after receiving the ball on the edge of the box from Standing, Flegg took a touch before placing the ball perfectly in the top right corner of goal. 4-1 to Bridges.

The first but not the last time we will see these players names on a Bridges scoresheet.

Bridges final goal of the game was secured by Hughes after she jumped over a defenders slide tackle before striking the ball into the back of the net. The scoreline advanced to 5-1.

In tonight’s match Bridges remained dominant on the ball with players consistently placing a tight press on opposition whenever they got a chance in possession.

In the last minutes of full time, Steyning gained another goal after a shot just on the edge of the box placed the ball too high of keeper Mia Robinson’s reach.

The final whistle blows and Bridges secured a 5-2 win and gain an important 3 points for the league table.

Bridge will return to Steyning Town again this Sunday, facing the side at 2:30 pm in the Sussex Women’s Challenge Cup.