Not many games are played on Easter Sunday  in Ladies Football, but Bridgnorth and Dudley Utd Res did not let the date get in the way of a superb game of football, made all the more enjoyable by the fantastic  sunny weather at Oldbury Wells School.

The game was very evenly matched; Bridgnorth had key players missing, while Dudley brought out their big guns, in a team featuring several first team players. There were several good chances for both sides but first blood went  to Bridgnorth.  Skipper Nic Perry saw her shot come back off the post and the excellent Charlotte Beaman was there to blast the follow up past the keeper. 1-0

Bridgnorth won a free kick just outside the box when Perry was fouled and Beaman put the ball over the bar. Dudley then could have easily equalized when Gemma Goode sent a lovely pass through for Marie Curran to run on to, but the striker lifted her shot over the bar.

Dudley deservedly equalized not long after when Sian Griffiths beat the defence to lob stand in keeper Jo Butler. Butler got a hand to the ball but could not prevent the ball from hitting the back of the net. 1-1.

There was almost an instant reply from Bridgnorth when Beaman made a lovely run down the wing and crossed the ball in to Becky Allen, the keeper somehow got down low to save the ball at the striker's feet.  Not long after Bridgnorth were in front again, but no credit could really be taken by anybody as a mix up between two Dudley defenders resulted in an unfortunate own goal. 2-1

H - T 2-1

 

At the  start of the half Becky Downing took a well placed free kick and popped it just over the bar, Beaman was then unlucky not to score when she slid in on a cross bravely and saw the keeper make another good stop.

Downing almost grabbed a goal of the season contender when she launched a 30 yard effort that looked destined for the back of the net until the keeper pulled off a great save.  Play went end to end with Dudley  ooking to have forced an equalizer when Butler fumbled a save for the first time in the game, the keeper recovered to pull the ball from under the bar, giving her team the chance to clear the ball from danger.

The game remained 2- 1 to Bridgnorth until late on, when the game was made safe by a Nic Perry strike.

Dudley will feel that the game was a lot closer than the final 3-1 score line may suggest, and they may be correct, but it is goals that count, and Bridgnorth showed again today what they have showed all season, that they have cutting and with it the ability to summon up a goal when they most need it.