Match Report

BSLFC vs Winchester City Flyers Res (Hampshire Trophy)

We welcomed Winchester back to Chapel Gate for the 2nd time this season.

Three things are certain death, taxes, and a cup game vs Sports and Flyers.

Always full of games regardless of the teams involved and this was to be no different. Having lost 3-2 a few weeks ago in the league, a game that we had actually played quite well in, we knew it was going to be another difficult day.

We got off to a good start and Lander fired across a good corner after 4 minutes which was headed off the line.

7 minutes in and Asira and White both brought out the best of the Winchester GK. A diving save to her left, before getting up quickly and diving the same way to deny White on the follow-up. The resulting corner fell to Lander, who got her control right but could only smash the bar from a few yds out on the volley.

We had started with a similar intensity to the week before but this time we were trying to avoid the GK with our shots. Unfortunately, she kept moving in the way with some great saves and assured handling.

We would eventually beat her on the 16th minute, a ball out wide from Roe to Asira, who cut inside and laid off an inviting ball to white. Her low shot across the GK was well saved but Roe was on hand to tap in the rebound from close range. 1-0

Roe would see another powerful effort from the edge well saved just after 20 minutes before a nice flick from White fell to Asira who couldn’t sort her feet fast enough to direct her left-footed effort on target.

Most of the play was in the Winchester half but our DMs Hughes and De Angelis were working hard to win and recycle ball while Bradford kept Orton and Sims organised at the back. It was key we didn’t let them get back into the game as our undoing last time was giving them chances.

Curtin was beginning to stretch the play on the left wing as well, giving some good chances to get crosses in.

It would be Lander that would make it 2-0 in the half-hour. Roe with some good battling high up the pitch won the ball and it fell kindly into Landers path. She was calm and collected as she ran through and slotted it in the corner.

5 minutes later Lander was at it again, with her back to goal and defender behind her she chested the ball down on the turn, rolled the defender and scored superbly from 20yds out. However, the flag went up and the goal was eventually disallowed for offside much to the bemusement of Lander and the Sports bench.

There was time for another couple of good chances for Asira and White before the halftime whistle but neither could find the target so we went in 2-0 at HT

While we were relatively comfortable we had seen enough of Winchester to know they wouldn’t give up and 2-0 was still close enough to be a concern.

Hughes gave us a bit of breathing room 4 minutes into a second half that had started a more even contest. White found her on the edge and Hughes took a touch and then finished into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. 3-0

Winchester then started to apply some of their own pressure, Owen tipping away a dangerous cross as it looked to loop in on the 57th minute and the defence having to dig in to keep the lead.

Winchester got one back on the 67th minute, a free kick 35yards or so away from the goal that looked relatively inconspicuous was hit high into Owens goal leaving her very little chance. 3-1

It was almost 3-2 a minute later, some nice build-up play from Winchester around our box have them a great chance but Owen was able to keep it out with a smart save.

The game had become far more open and there were half-chances for both sides with neither team carving out a clear-cut opportunity.

As the clock ticked down it appeared our cup progression was secured but with 3 minutes left Winchester had other ideas. The ball went out of play for a throw halfway inside in the sports half but the linesman didn’t see it so Winchester continued down the line, winning a corner. It was dangerously whipped into the back post, which either gave our defender no chance (I had an OG confession later) or a simple tap-in to an attacker. It was difficult to see where we were as it was pretty crowded back there but either way, it went in making it 3-2 with 3 minutes to play.

Roe was reintroduced to get us on the ball and keep hold of it to see it through. It turned out to be an inspired substitution. She won us a couple of free-kicks in the Winchester half. The second being 22 yds out on the edge of the box. She stepped up to take it herself after a bit of team persuasion and unleashed a superb effort to the far top corner leaving the GK with no chance. 4-2 and game over.

?Players player: Lindsay Roe secured it on a single vote from Lucia White and Jasmine Hughes as the midfield dominated the voting.

?Managers player: Lucia White for an energetic display covering box to box.

?Rory: Abi Lander for arguing with the ref after her self-described “best goal I will ever score” was chalked off. Having seen her play for many years I have to say I’m in agreement with her too.