Match Report
Match Report - 29 Mar 2009, Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies drew with Southampton Saints
This game always looked likely to be a very tough encounter for the Robins. Those that watched today were certainly entertained by two groups of players who looked to play the game the right way.
Saints set the early pace looking to hit passes into the channels between the Robins back 3 for their pacey front line to get on the end of. One such attack in the 4th minute resulted in a fast breakout by Saints, the ball being played wide left and then an excellent through ball which was only half cleared. The ball broke to Pardoe who finished with style.
The Robins reorganised to a more conventional 4/4/2 formation. This resulted in less space for the Saints to find behind the Robins back line. However, as this change settled down, Calder in the Robins goal was called into action and saved well to her left after a deflected strike. Unlike previous games in which the Robins have found themselves behind, they continued to play patiently and began to exert their influence on the game. Turner and Corkett worked hard to free themselves from their markers both managing strikes on goal that were saved. Constable and Patterson also started to find their range with Constable striking a fierce shot that Haughton in the Saints goal was relieved to see go narrowly over the bar.
Both Robins full backs became more involved in setting up good attacking moves, particularly Tasha Boyle, who frequently found herself able to break forward and supply good quality ball into the strikers as well as feeding Maggs on the right side of midfield. Maggs was her usual busy self trying to make things happen in and around the danger area. The hard working Emma Constable found herself getting onto the end of a pass following good link up play with Patterson and Maggs only to be felled on the edge of the penalty area. The referee waved play on with Constable visibly feeling the effects of the challenge.
The half came to an end without either side creating any further clear opportunities, Saints holding on to a narrow lead.
It wasn't long after the restart that it was clear that Constble was struggling with her damaged ankle. She was replaced by Beales who settled on the right side of midfield with Maggs sitting centrally alongside Patterson who was gaining more of a hold in midfield. The Robins continued to play the ball around and try to work openings for that elusive chance. Strikes from Patterson and Maggs were dealt with well by Haughton allowing the Saints to remain confident on the break. The Saints skipper continued to be a thorn on the side of the Robins as she took on defenders to get some good crosses into the danger area. When the shots came, Calder was more than equal to them and made some very good saves to ensure that the Robins had a sound platform on which to build their own offensive. The hard working Turner was replaced by Bowen with a little over 20 minutes left. With her fresh legs came an injection of pace and aggressive pressing that caused the Saints defenders to look for safety rather than being able to build play from the back. As the pace hotted up, the eager Barton pushed out from the back to compete for a 50:50 ball which she won but at a cost. She took a heavy blow to the side of her thigh which restricted her freedom of movement. Rather than risk aggravating the injury further she was replaced by Dawn Campbell with 15 minutes to go. Campbell settled into the right back berth and made a positive impact with her calmness under pressure and ability to keep the ball.
Jen Friar saw more of the ball in the final 15 minutes and began to make some telling runs pushing the Saints onto the back foot. She linked up well with both Emily Campbell and Jen Patterson to get some good crosses into the danger area causing the Saints to sit deeper and try to clear their lines.
With the clock running down the Robins continued to drive forward. Dawn Campbell picked up the ball on halfway and played an excellent pass into Bowen. She wriggled free of her marker and turned to attack the penalty area. The recovering defender forced her onto her left side and away from the centre of the goal only to see Bowen unleash a powerful left foot strike into the back of the net for a well deserved equaliser on 88 minutes.
The game was a credit to both teams and a draw was probably the right result on the day although that outcome was marginally better for the Saints as both teams compete for a top 3 finish.
Southampton Saints 1 - 1 Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies