Match Report
Match Report - 27 Mar 2011, Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies lost to Portsmouth University
League leaders University of Portsmouth were today's visitors to Larges Lane, aiming to secure a further 3 points in their quest for the league title. The Robins were looking to extend their unbeaten league run to 9 games and to keep alive their hopes of a top 3 finish.
The visitors started the brighter of the teams as they settled quickly into a passing and moving game using their 4-4-2 shape to good effect. The movement of their front 2 allowed the more advanced of the central midfield pair to join in quickly without being picked up which created defensive problems for the hosts. Despite their good work, the final ball was lacking as the Robins picked off their profligate use of the ball to start their own counter attacks. The pace of Mabbett caused a few tremors in the Portsmouth defence as she latched onto some astute through passes before putting in several very dangerous crosses only to see them come to nought.
Helen Adamson, stepping up from the reserves to make her full 1st team debut in goal, was rarely troubled during the first 45 minutes and neither was her opposite number.
With half time out of the way, the visitors took early control of the game and dominated both possession and territory. During this spell of pressure they hit the bottom of a post and missed a clear 1v1 opportunity. The Robins regained their composure and enjoyed a good spell of pressure in the middle part of the half. Emma Constable came close with a left foot strike followed by a header from a corner that went narrowly wide. Mabbett had perhaps the best chance when she latched onto another good pass from Shuttle. She beat 2 defenders as she drove into the penalty area and then saw her shot blocked and beaten away by Fowler.
Both teams enjoyed spells of possession but all too often the defences were on top denying any clear scoring chances. As the game entered the final minute, a Robins throw deep into their half was received by skipper Tash Boyle who had put in another faultless display. She controlled the ball and found herself with a lot more time than she was expecting. She dwelt on the ball but was then rapidly closed down by substitute Kirstie White. Boyle made her one mistake of the game as she fluffed her clearance only for White to steal the ball and go on to score from close range. Typically, the skipper was urging her team mates forward from the re-start and got a positive response by forcing a corner deep into what was effectively stoppage time. Shuttle's far post delivery found the head of the hard working Emma Constable who could only steer it beyond the post under challenge. Referee, Ebby Saleh called time on the game moments after the resulting goal kick for the Robins to see their unbeaten run cruelly ended.
The players worked incredibly hard throughout the game and merited at least a share of the points but it was not to be. Good luck to Portsmouth as they seek to make it 2 consecutive league titles after having won division 1 last year to gain promotion to the premier division. As for the Robins, they need to take all 3 points from their last game of the season against Oxford Utd at Larges Lane on 10 April to guarantee 3rd place. Not an easy task with Oxford being on a good run currently.
Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies 0 - 1 Portsmouth University