Has been a tough season in the league so far for Bristol Academy Women since that memorable night at Ashton Gate where they secured a 2 legged Champions League quarter final victory over Barcelona Women the team has undergone a huge transitional period. Lost several of their 1st team regulars to other clubs before the season begun both in attack and defence moving on to new challenges.
A poor start to the season no wins and just the 2 points on the board led to the departure of manager Dave Edmondson, more players have left the club too others out with long term injury, a difficult time for everyone at a club that has always enjoyed fantastic support. The club have been quick to bring in a new manager, Scotsman, Willie Kirk and he has recruited heavily over the FAWSL mid season break brought in a lot of new faces has little time to make them gel as a team but with the games, both league and cup coming thick and fast you need a squad that can cope.
Watched them in mid-week at Sutton Coldfield FC as they played Aston Villa Ladies in their opening Group Three game won the match 4-0 and were the better side from start to finish the win would have done the confidence the power of good, now they needed to carry that into the league.
Couldn't have asked for a tougher opponent to come play them at Stoke Gifford than Sunderland AFC Ladies. Were many, and I include myself in this favourites to be struggling at the bottom of the table but we're all getting full on humble pie as Sunderland are not just doing OK in the league but riding on the crest of a wave having held their own before the mid season break have returned to action with 2 home victories against Notts County Ladies (2-1) and the *please take note* 4-0 win against FAWSL 1 leaders Chelsea Ladies last Saturday to move into 2nd place in the league.
Coming all the way down the country from the North East to play Bristol this evening they had the chance to go top of the league with a victory. Following their promotion to the top tier of women's football last season, Carlton Fairweather has taken over the managerial reigns as the club entered FAWSL 1. Hasn't added too many new faces to a squad that has been successful for a number of years, Sunderland have been league winners for 4 years in a row! Not to get carried away Sunderland's first aim will be to secure survival in the league.
It's a long way from Norfolk but I always enjoy visiting Stoke Gifford Stadium (my new sat nav has a bizarre way of getting there mind you). A running track around the pitch, volunteers on hand to help you out.. and of course a cheeseburger what with the appetite being restored and all. A pleasant if rapidly cooling evening prior to kick off a slight breeze as the sun started to set, the 2 teams entered the pitch.
Bristol Academy Women starting XI - Mary Earps, Lauren Dykes, Hayley Ladd, Marije Brummel, Frankie Brown, Georgia Evans, Caroline Weir, Sophie Ingle (C), Nadia Lawrence, Christie Murray & Jade Boho-Sayo.
subs - Hannah Reid, Lauren Townsend, Angharad James, Evdokia Popadinova, Sharla Passariello, Tatiana Pinto & Hannah Short.
Sunderland AFC Ladies starting XI - Hilde Gunn Olsen, Abbey Holmes, Victoria Greenwell, Stephanie Bannon (C), Victoria Williams, Rachel Furness, Brooke Chaplin, Kelly McDougall, Keira Ramshaw, Stephanie Roche & Beth Mead.
subs - Rachel Laws, Hayley Sharp, Gemma Wilson, Abbey Joice, Sarah McFadden & Emma Kelly.
It's Bristol to kick off the league match back at home wearing their red kit with white trim against Sunderland lined up in a new and very green away kit a variety of shades that didn't blend in with the playing surface. Christie Murray for Bristol has the ball at her feet travels with it up the left of the pitch looks to play the pass inside to fellow Scotswoman Caroline Weir in the middle of the park, she attempts the through ball for striker Jade Boho-Sayo to attack, the ball is cut out by the Sunderland centre backs.
The ball is fired out to Stephanie Roche on the left for Sunderland close to the touch line she does well to not only keep it in but play it down the line for Beth Mead to latch onto, the ball is taken from her as Bristol's Frankie Brown comes across to put in the tackle to win the ball. Bristol captain Sophie Ingle is fouled 30 yards from the Sunderland goal, in a central position, Weir is the one to take the free kick hits low strike past the wall Sunderland goalkeeper Hilde Gunn Olsen throws herself across to her left, the shot though is off target the ball sails wide.
Competitive from both sides there isn't much goal mouth action in the opening minutes as the ball is taken up the pitch then won back both defences not allowing the ball to be crossed into the area. Sunderland playing as they did against Chelsea last Saturday with 10 back behind the ball leaving Mead up top to ready to spring into action when the ball is won, up front for Bristol Jade Boho-Sayo is playing a similar role, does come deep to get the ball sees Nadia Lawrence making a good run into space on the right wing puts in a early cross into the box the ball is intercepted by the Sunderland defence.
Starting on the left for Sunderland Stephanie Roche links up well with Mead pushing the ball into the her backed up against the defence, Mead returns the ball to Roche spinning off her marker looking to run beyond as Roche attempts the past is too heavy allowing Bristol goalkeeper Mary Earps the opportunity to come out gather the ball before Mead can pounce. Earps makes a confident claim rising at her near post to collect a high ball sent in from a Bristol free kick out wide on the right. Sunderland are starting to see more of the ball Roche has switched to the right of the field with Keira Ramshaw coming over to the left.
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| A competitive match up Frankie Brown shielding the ball from Sunderland's Keira Ramshaw |
GOAL! With half the 1st 45 minutes played Sunderland open the scoring the build up on the right side, Roche does well winning the ball in her own half before riding a challenge takes the ball forwards before playing a great past into Mead splitting the Bristol defence the striker opening up her body up for the shot outside the box sends the ball into the back of the net giving Earps no chance as she throws herself across her goal attempting to save 0-1.
Bristol look for an immediate response in the middle Ingle skips over a challenge gets the ball out to Lawrence on the right taking it forwards before sending a squared ball back into the area racing in it is just behind Boho-Sayo in the centre, the striker does well to turn and prod the ball towards the edge of the area, Murray is there shoots but Sunderland have closed her down the shot is blocked.
Earps is called into action as Sunderland break with the ball Mead is played through beyond the defence one-on-one Earps throws herself down and makes the save before Mead can get the shot away. Lawrence starts another Bristol move in her own half has Weir making the run beside her up the right plays the ball to her as she comes inside looks up has Murray making a run into the box at the far post sends a great diagonal ball in towards her, she and Olsen are hurt as the keeper comes to punch the ball away from danger collides with Murray, both need treatment but are OK to play on.
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| Bristol's Caroline Weir with Sunderland's Abbey Holmes |
Possession from Bristol on the left brings them a corner off Bayo-Soho, the ball played in is punches away for a throw on the right by Olsen, Bristol keep the pressure on Lawrence taking players on fires a great low cross along the six yard line no one there to turn the ball home. Lawrence has another go from the right ready to burst into the available space whenever Bristol break up a Sunderland move takes the ball right to the by line before cutting it back across the box but can only pick out a green shirt.
GOAL! Bristol are working hard off the ball to pressure the ball and this pays off as they force a mistake to score an equalising goal. Sunderland have the ball at the back opt to play the back pass to keeper Olsen inside her six yard box, she slips as she attempts to kick the ball away resulting in it rolling along the ground is picked by Ingle outside the box puts the ball into Bayo-Soho in the centre she sends the ball home past Olsen 1-1.
Entering the last 5 minutes of the 1st half Bristol have their tails up are back in the match and looking to take the lead, Sunderland have plenty back as the ball is played in from the left into the area picking out Murray in a central position her back to goal as she chests the ball down too many around her to turn and shoot, plays it back into Lawrence inside the D, Rachel Furness is back to put in the sliding tackle to block the shot.
Half-time Bristol Academy Women 1-1 Sunderland AFC Ladies
A pretty even 1st half between the 2 sides both putting in a lot of effort to win the ball and take it to the opposition. All to play for as Sunderland kick off the 2nd half. Winning the ball Ingle takes it forwards before delivering a pass that sends Bayo-Soho through behind the Sunderland defenders, out of her box quickly Olsen is alert and kicks the ball away.
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| Bristol Academy captain Sophie Ingle |
Murray looks to come inside from the left take on the shot from distance the ball is blocked loose Bayo-Soho is looking to latch onto it but is denied again by the quick reactions of Olsen who is to the ball 1st kicking it clear. Murray on the ball again plays it out to Lawrence on the right she gets the ball into Ingle making a run to support her takes on the shot a low effort drilled into the middle is blocked before being cleared.
GOAL! 5 minutes into the 2nd half and Sunderland double their lead. Is good work wide on the left by Mead to initially win the corner. The corner is sent into the area is a little too high for the leaping Furness to get her head to in the middle of goal, instead drops to Mead positioned behind her, she lashes her shot goal wards heading low for the far post it's Hayley Ladd who is there to block the ball spins loose inside the six yard box think Roche gets a shot away Earps saves the effort the ball isn't secured falls to another Sunderland boot this one belonging to captain Stephanie Bannon she prods it home to make it 1-2.
Bristol take the ball down the other end win a corner of their own played in from the right is a good delivery met by Ingle rising at the near post her header turns the ball goal wards close but wide of the target. A diagonal ball picks out Murray takes on the shot from distance a curling effort is over the cross bar. Strong running from Bayo-Soho down the left surges forwards plays the ball into the area Lawrence is a cross to attack it has Victoria Greenwell with her the Sunderland defender heading the ball behind for the corner.
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| Sunderland's Beth Mead shakes off the attentions of Bristol's Marije Brummel |
Mead a constant threat ready to peel off the last defender is almost sent through on goal again on 60 minutes is stopped by Ladd who comes across to put in a great tackle. The visitors make their 1st change bringing off Roche, Emma Kelly the player coming on to join the attack.
Bristol press players forwards Murray with the ball at her feet to the right of goal 20 yards out takes on the shot sees her strike smash against the cross bar. Still in play the ball then drops to Ingle outside the box she goes for goal Olsen tips the attempt up and onto the bar. Two great chances to level the scores.
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| Christie Murray on the attack for Bristol Academy |
A second change for Sunderland with Sarah McFadden coming on in midfield to replace Kelly McDougall. Bristol then make a triple change with Angharad James, Evdokia Papadinova and Lauren Townsend on for Frankie Brown, Loren Dykes and Nadia Lawrence. Bristol are pushing players forwards looking to get back into the match, Bayo-Soho is flagged offside a very harsh call as she was about to break through on goal. On the right James then puts a good ball into the middle Bayo-Soho with the shot, Abbey Holmes is there for Sunderland to defend put the ball out for a corner.
Playing a higher line now Bristol are vulnerable to the counter attack especially with Mead always ready to pounce. The ball is put over to her with plenty of space to run into on the right takes it deep attempts the cut back across the area however she can't pick out a team mate.
GOAL! 10 minutes left to play Mead has the ball out on the right takes it into the corner holding it up before winning a throw, players around the ball Sunderland manage to fire a cross in along the six yard line Earps throws herself at it with Kelly the players inside the box can only knock the ball into Kelly who takes the ball past the keeper and knocks it into the empty net to extend Sunderland's advantage 1-3.
Bristol keep pressing forwards looking to find a goal themselves Murray crossing the ball into the box looking to pick out Bayo-Soho the ball is cleared only to the edge of the area where it is picked up by Georgia Evans left of the area 20 yards out she hits a low drive towards goal, Olsen is down to make the save.
GOAL! 3 minutes after adding their 3rd goal Sunderland have a 4th. Kelly springs the offside trap out on the left of attack travels with the ball quickly has Mead making a run with her on the right unselfishly squares the ball to her Earps is caught between them as Mead confidently sends the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-4.
Lauren Townsend bursts forwards down the left for Bristol sends in a great cross into the box Murray is their to attack attempts the over head kick gets contact on the ball but the ball is blocked. Into injury time late change for Sunderland with Gemma Wilson on for Mead. Bristol continue to attack late on nearly pull a goal back as Bannon almost turns a cross into her own net. The final whistle blows and Sunderland have the 3 points winning 1-4 and in doing so go top of the league.
More importantly though the 3 points mean they are the 1st side in the league to have secured safety which as I said was their main objective at the start of the season. Top of the league can they stay there have shown they can compete with anyone in the league so I guess the question is can the others compete with Sunderland? Still all to play for.
A 4-1 defeat is harsh on Bristol who worked really hard and matched Sunderland for much of the game are still without a win in the league and stay bottom still plenty of points to play for.
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