Match Report
Match Report - 27 Aug 2009, Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies lost to Aldershot Ladies FC
The Robins welcomed local rivals Aldershot to Larges Lane for the first home game of the new season.
With several new faces on show it took the Robins a while to settle into the game but when they did their passing and movement created problems for the visitors. Siobhan Ridout making her home debut cam closest to breaking the deadlock when her low shot struck the foot of the post with the Aldershot keeper rooted to the spot.
Other chances were spurned by the Robins with Corkett and Strange, another making her home debut, coming close. Aldershot broke clear on the rare occasion with former Robin Tracy Marlow, forcing Emily Cross, also making her home debut, into a fine save.
The deadlock was broken on 44 minutes when they forced a corner. Strange struck the ball into the heart of the penalty area and Caz Garner found herself in space and finished well keeping the ball low through a crowded 6 yard box.
The second half proved a very different affair with Aldershot starting fast and forcing the Robins onto the backfoot. On 52 minutes, a long through ball was met by Gardner whose mis-directed header resulted in a chase for the loose ball between her and Marlow. Marlow got to the ball first and struck early, volleying the ball into the top corner of the net with Cross helpless. Aldershot had the momentum at this stage causing the Robins players to rush into hasty decisions and poor passing selections by denying space and time aggressively. The second goal for the Shots arrived on 63 minutes when a cross cum shot flew in at the far post after the player had turned Tash Boyle inside the penalty area. The SHots continued to press home their advantage and scored a third in the 70th minute with a well taken goal.
The Robins seemed to settle down at this point and began to play their way back into the game. Two changes were made by manager Dave Ward when he gave two further home debuts to Laura Slater and Holly Collard-Brooke. Both made a positive impact with Collard-Brooke helping Ali Pankhurst break up the Shots attacking intentions whilst Slater showed some neat touches added to by her pace to force the Shots defenders into a rear guard action. The Robins forced 4 corners in the last 10 minutes and with 87 minutes played, Gardner again got onto the ned of a corner to score the Robins second.
The final few minutes were played at a frantic pace with the Robins trying desperately to score the equaliser but the Shots held firm to take the 3 points.
All in all, an encouraging start from the new look Robins squad. The Robins will no doubt be disappointed that they failed to take some of the chances they created in the first half and put the game to bed by half time. Individual errors were punished by the hard working Shots who, on the balance of their second half diplay, deserved the points as they took the chances that came their way.
Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies 2 - 3 Aldershot Ladies FC