Bristol Ladies Union vs Frome Town Ladies - November 16th

Squad: Emma Henshaw, Vics Evans, Thandi McNair, Leah O'Brien, Jenny Griffiths, Adele Cordy, Catherine Needham, Sarah White, Amy Clift, Vic Vidart, Katie Corkill, Rachel Creedon, Lauren Rowels, Grace Snell

Scorers: Vic Vidart, Katie Corkill

BLU Player of the Match: Thandi McNair


November 16th saw Frome Town come to Coombe Dingle having beaten a battling 9-man Bristol 11-0 in the reverse fixture on the first game of the season. Without a doubt Bristol had a point to prove, and with a strong squad of 14 players meaning competition for every position, the women looked good.

The start of the match, however, proved worrying for Bristol. The home side looked a bit edgy and nervous during the first 10 minutes and struggled to clear the ball from the danger area. With Frome making good progress and applying pressure down the right wing, a defensive lapse and confusion in the box saw a scrappy goal put Frome up 1-0 as the visitors looked on course to maintain their unbeaten start to the league.

In fact, as is so often the case, the goal served to wake Bristol up and although they had given themselves a hard ask, they began to play the sort of football they are capable of and show Frome and themselves they could compete all over the pitch. The whole team applied pressure on every Frome ball and the midfield and strikers were linking up well. Hard work from Amy Clift on the left wing with Vic Vidart holding the ball up well relieved pressure on the defence and Bristol started piling on pressure in the final third, winning 2 or 3 corners and chances on goal, Sarah White firing over from inside the box. Still, Frome proved what a threat they were when they cut out a Bristol attack to break quickly; Frome's striker must have been thinking about her celebration already, only for Bristol keeper, Emma Henshaw to pull off what is fast becoming a trademark point blank save to keep Bristol just one goal down and still believing they could turn the game around.

Half time was fast approaching, with Bristol now edging all the battles in every position on the pitch. The defence was proving what a resolute unit it is, snuffing out Frome's attacks at the earliest opportunity and distributing the ball well. On one such occasion Bristol broke quickly and effectively as a team. Excellent work from Katie Corkill caused Frome's defence problems before she laid the ball off to Vidart, who neatly slotted home in the right hand corner. 1-1. As the whistle subsequently blew for half time Bristol headed back inside much the happier team and ready for coach, Robbie Fox's team talk.

The start of the 2nd half signalled danger for Bristol as Frome were the quicker to start. Bristol's defence was proving difficult to break down, however, with Thandi McNair winning everything in the air and Captain, Vics Evans showing her quality sweeping any loose balls and producing a couple of last ditch tackles to keep Bristol level.

Bristol's effort and control of the game got its just reward around halfway through the second half, Adele Cordy linking up well with Katie Corkill on the right hand side, who produced a fantastic shot on goal from outside the area which Bristol celebrated as it flew into the back of the net.

Bristol produced a good follow up to the goal, Adele Cordy putting in some nice crosses and Kit Needham getting a long range effort on goal. As the 2nd half wore on the visitors' tempers began to fray as they sought to draw level. With things getting a bit heated, there were one or two late challenges from Frome which some Bristol players will feel for a few days. The last 10-15 minutes was quite a scrappy affair with Bristol tiring from the effort put in throughout the game and Frome pressing for the equaliser. A deflected Frome free-kick looked to have accomplished that, looping high over the box and dropping just beneath the cross bar; but up popped Henshaw again with a strong punch to send the ball over for a corner and keep Bristol 2-1 up. Frome continued to apply pressure to the Bristol defence, which was now looking solid all over and was supported well from the midfield and wings, with subs Rachel Creedon and Lauren Rowles working hard pressuring balls up top. Bristol finished the game tackling, running, challenging and, finally, celebrating together as a team as the ref's whistle blew! Now it's up to Bristol to prove to everyone else that this result was no flash in the pan and maintain their winning streak beyond next weekend.

Bristol ladies union vs Exeter University (away)

Score: 8-0

Goal scorers: Katie Corkill (2), Adele Cordy, Amy Clift, Catherine Needham, Vic Veedart (3)

Man of the match: Adele Cordy

Bristol put in an amazing performance, playing some good passing football, working together well, creating many opportunities in front of goal. They through deserved the 8-0 win, but all credit to Exeter who kept fighting till the end.

Bristol ladies union vs Stoke Lane athletic (home)

Score: 3-3

Man(s) of the match: Katie Corkill and Amy Clift

An extremely hard fought game with Bristol drawing level in the last 5 minutes of the game, they thoroughly deserved the win, with many new players looking promising for the rest of the season.

Bristol ladies union vs Frome Town (away)

First match of the season

Score: 0 - 11

Man of the match: Jenny Griffiths

Season 2008-09

Welcome back for a new season.

Sunday fixtures now up! See calendar.