Match Report
Match Report - 19 Sep 2010, Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies lost to Portsmouth University
The Robins made the trip to Portsmouth for what promised to be an entertaining match between 2 good footballing sides. Those that watched the game would have been more than satisfied with what they saw from a neutral perspective but anyone associated with the Robins would have been seething at the injustice dished out by a biased assistant referee, a Portsmouth substitute, and a referee that failed to apply his decisions consistently and equitably for both teams.
Both teams started brightly but it was the visitors that created 2 early chances in the opening minutes. Caz Paterson went close with a header from a Jo Atkins cross followed very closely by Caz Gardner getting a firm shot away following a neat exchange of passes between Corkett and Shuttle.
An underhit goal kick into the wind was attacked by the Portsmouth midfield and from this break they opened the scoring. Defensively it was disappointing as really the Robins back 4 should have nullified the opportunity.
The Robins didn't let this setback affect them and they immediately set about trying to get back into the game with another bout of sustained pressure. Many of their attacks were thwarted not by the defensive strength of the Portsmouth players but by the flag of the assistant referee even though there were a significant number of very dubious decisions which demonstrated at best, a poor understanding of the offside law. When the chances came and there could be absolutely no doubt, the best fell to Emma Constable when she headed narrowly over the bar from a Libby Shuttle corner. Following another corner the ball broke to Constable whose volley sped over the bar from 8 yards.
For the majority of the second half the Robins were camped in the Portsmouth half apart from the opening 10 minutes of the half. Fast paced, incisive passing movements resulted in several opportunities but the Portsmouth back 4 and keeper stood firm and defended well. A penalty appeal was turned down inexplicably by the referee when the ball struck the hand of a Portsmouth defender inside the 18 yard box. It may have been a harsh decision had a penalty been awarded but the same thing had happened to Jen Friar in the first half where it appeared to be accidental handball but on that occasion a free kick was awarded in a threatening position for the hosts. This was typical of the way many of the decisions appeared to be in favour of the home side.
On 76 minutes, Chakira Graham entered the fray replacing full back Emma Turner, as manager Dave Ward took a chance switching to a back 3 and seeking to change the balance of the game in favour of his charges. It should have paid off as Graham burst past 2 defenders to attack a cross from the left side of the pitch. She controlled the ball expertly with her right foot and then struck the ball left footed past the hapless Pompey keeper. Celebrations were cut short as a Portsmouth substitute performing the role of assistant referee, flagged for offside. It was a blatantly poor decision and sadly the referee agreed with her decision and disallowed the goal. The Robins were not in the mood to give up and continued to take the game to the hosts with chances going begging. Inevitably, by pressing forward the Robins were caught on the break in the 89th minute and Portsmouth scored a second goal to seal the points.
It is very rare for the Bracknell players and management to feel so aggrieved by a defeat especially if they are beaten fairly and squarely by the better team on any given day but the prevailing sense of injustice will certainly stay with them for the next few days as they prepare to welcome the current league leaders to Larges Lane on Sunday 26 September, 2 p.m. kick off.
Portsmouth University 2 - 0 Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies