BSLFC Res 2 vs 1 Hawley (Hampshire Cup)

We welcomed Hawley to Chapel Gate for our first round of the Hampshire Womens Trophy. We had never faced Hawley before and knew very little about them, although they had previously won the competition while we were recent losing finalists so it shaped to be a good game.

With a storm threatening in the distance there were concerns we would get through the game but conditions were fine to begin with.

Both teams had a chances early, the pace of the Hawley winger was something we were definitely going to have to be at our best to defend while their organised defence were going to make life difficult the other end.

After the early exchanges it looked like it would be Hawley drawing first blood but a good save by Clarke on 21 and some great defending by Orton on 27 kept things level.

We created a couple of chances from corners just after the half hour mark, the best of which fell to Asira but she fired over.

The pace of their winger was still a threat and some good defending by Davies and Corredera Espejo was enough to keep them at bay before Asira found herself through 1 on 1 unfortunately a heavy touch gave the GK a chance to get down at her feet.

There was a shout for a sports pen at 40 minutes as Lander was brought down when through but the ref didn’t agree.

Just before half time we were reliant on Clarke again, the initial corner was cleared but a good back had to be dealt with by a good save.

0-0 at HT both teams had chances but Sports probably edged possession.

We started the second half very well and when Gubb broke down the left 2 minutes in Asira made no mistake from the cross slotting in to the bottom right corner.
1-0

Taylor almost added a second instantly from a Davies cut back but just stung the hands of the Hawley GK instead.

Anderson was on for her sports debut on 51 and it wasn’t long before she was in the thick of the action, a slight mistake on 53 gave the Hawley striker a sight of goal. Despite the angle being against her she finished into the far side very well to make it 1-1. Harsh on the young defender who had very little time to settle and was clearly a little nervous.

This did seem to wake us up though and a flurry of chances for Mosley, Asira and Gubb either side of the hour mark all ended straight at the Hawley GK.

67 minutes Anderson was unlucky not to make up for her initial mistake, a great reaction and now settled into the game she played a great ball in to stocker but she was narrowly beaten to it by the GK.

By this time the storm was close, there was flashes of lightning in the distance and clear thunder but we plugged on hoping to get the game done. A few more sports chances went straight at the keeper before Benjamin had to put substantial pressure on a Hawley break away to make sure Clarke could make another save.

85 minutes and we had the breakthrough, some great play by Stocker, Asira and Mosley on a quick break and Mosley was on hand to make it 2-1.

We had the lead but the rain was now in. The ref clearly wanted to get the game done fairly with the correct amount of time.

Hawley had a great chance to equalise on 86 but out the chance wide before sports had two very good chances both saved quite superbly by the Hawley GK. The close nature of the game meant the ref was going to play the full 5 minutes injury time. Despite the fact we were in the eye of the storm and could no longer see the other side of the pitch we valiantly continued and when the whistle eventually sounded people scattered to cover.

A very good win against a very resilient side and we move onto the next round at home again to US Portsmouth.

Rory: MAJ

Managers player: Keira De Angelis

Player of the match: Abi Orton