Stoking The Fire.

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Intro

Just 5 teams compete in the Northern Division of the South West Regional Women’s League this season after the dropping out of Weston Mendip. Olveston are currently in 4th position, however just 2 points separate them from top spot. Each of the 5 teams has played a different number of matches, which makes it difficult to call who might be favourites for the championship come the end of the season. Olveston’s last game was a friendly against Swindon Town’s Development which ended in a 2-0 win for the Wiltshire team. Prior to that was the reverse of today’s fixture and saw Olveston come from 1-2 down to win 3-2.

Oldland sit in 2nd position but have played the most of any team in the league, so they’ll be desperate for the win today to keep them ahead of their rivals. They’ll also be keen to avenge the result of these teams’ meeting a few weeks ago. Looking back at results so far this season it is clear that anyone can beat anyone in this division – particularly the top 4 teams – too close for me to call a winner in today’s match anyway!

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The Ground

Stoke Gifford Stadium is a recently-built sports development in north Bristol, forming part of the campus of South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. It was home to Bristol City Women’s team until 2019 when they began a ground sharing agreement with Bath City until the Robins High Performance Centre was completed. What used to be the main football pitch has been repurposed as an American Football field (the home pitch of the Bristol Aztecs), meaning that SGS Olveston United play their home games on an adjacent 3G pitch. There is a small covered seated stand on one side. This is also the only part of the perimeter of the pitch open to spectators.

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The Match

The home side started the brighter with Jess Dobbins heading over from a corner in the opening exchanges, before Izzy Amphlett was put through on goal but found Oldland keeper Jayde Holcombe equal to her effort. Holcombe was breathing a sigh of relief just before the half-hour mark as she came to claim a corner but misjudged it. The ensuing Olveston effort was wide. Somewhat against the run of play the visitors took the lead a few minutes later. Mollie Robbins capitalised on a short back pass, getting to the ball before home keeper Natasha Hibbert and steering it into an empty net. There was almost an immediate equaliser from Olveston but a snap shot from the edge of the area was straight at Holcombe. Good counter-attacking work from Oldland’s Lucy Werrett put their Sophie Byrom in a good position but her shot was wide. Amphlett had another chance for Olveston as she nicked the ball on the edge of the area but again found Holcombe up to the challenge. With 8 minutes of the first 45 to go the visitors doubled their lead – a deep free kick caused Hibbert problems and the ball fell to Byrom to tuck it away. Amphlett almost pulled one back before half time as she battled with a couple of defenders. Her toe-poked effort was just wide, however.

The first chance of the 2nd half fell to the hosts as they looked to claw their way back into the fixture – a deep ball, spilled by Holcombe, could not be finished off by the Olveston attackers and the keeper eventually grabbed the ball. On 71 minutes Amphlett raced onto a long ball but shot just wide after going one-on-one with Holcombe. It was looking more and more like today wasn’t going to be her day. Finally, thought, Olveston did manage to get a foot in the door. Weronika Josefowska’s cross was missed by Hibbert and Dobbins had the relatively easy task of finishing into an empty goal. Frustratingly for the home side Oldland’s 2 goal advantage was restored just 7 minutes later as Cerys Jones latched onto a long ball, ran into space and unleashed a shot which was too powerful for Hibbert to keep out despite getting a hand to it. The away side never looked like letting the 2 goal lead go this time and held on to claim all 3 points.

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The Photos

The full gallery of match photos is also available HERE