Bridgnorth Vs SAHA

 

It was a dull, foggy day at the Seven Centre in Highley where Bridgnorth were to take on SAHA.  SAHA were unfortunately only able to field 10 players against a full-strength Spartan squad. 

 

Despite this Bridgnorth knew it wasn't going to be an easy game, as previous meetings with SAHA have always proved a tough battle for Spartans to gain the full three points.

 

The first 10 minutes of the game was mainly controlled by Bridgnorth, and this was soon rewarded with a goal when Larni Pope put a threatening ball into the SAHA six-yard box, which was then deflected awkwardly into the back of the net. 

 

Not long after Spartans created some good build-up play, which allowed Carly Whitehouse to put a dangerous cross into the box which Nicky Perry slotted into the back of the net.  This was however was judged to be off-side which meant the score remained 1-0.  SAHA persisted and put the Bridgnorth defence under a lot of pressure.  If not for some impressive defending by Rebecca Downing and some good saves by Rosie Taylor, SAHA could have been a couple of goals ahead.  However SAHA's perseverance finally payed off when one of their quick forwards broke away and slotted the ball past the Bridgnorth keeper.  The equaliser was much deserved and certainly woke the Spartan team up.  Bridgnorth pushed on however against a resilient SAHA, and were rewarded by a Becky Allen brace on the 20th and 25th minutes.  The rest of the half remained fairly equal with both sides coming close to scoring.

 

Half-time - 3-1

 

The second half was very similar to the first, SAHA very much remained a threat and Bridgnorth were still struggling to make any headway against the 10 player SAHA team.  Substitutes Emma and Gayle came close to scoring early on for Spartans and SAHA had their fair share of chances with some dangerous crosses just going wide of the post and a couple of corners that were awkwardly scrambled away by the Bridgnorth defence. 

 

SAHA managed to hold Bridgnorth to 3-1 until the last 5 minutes where Nicky Perry got a well deserved goal and Becky Allen completed her hat-trick after Larni Pope made a commanding run from the half way line.

 

SAHA put up an extremely good fight and with 11 players the score line may have been a bit different.  However Bridgnorth in the second half got their act together, played some good football and managed to collect the win they wanted.

 

Full-time - 5-1

 

 

Report by Denise Cresswell