Bristol City 5-2 Aston Villa
5/12/18, 7pm, Stoke Gifford Stadium, Conti Cup
Goals – Baptiste, Hanssen
A wet and grim Wednesday night saw Villa Ladies travel to Stoke Gifford Stadium to play Bristol City Women in the Conti Cup. Even though we was still in the competition, it was pretty much a game we could try a few things out against the Womens Super League team. This was shown with 5 changes to the team that played against Crystal Palace on Sunday with the big league game against Sheffield United next up. Was great to see players like Phoebe Warner, Ria Elsmore, Tanisha Smith and Tash Baptsite getting minutes on the pitch. This was always going to be a tough game for us the last time we played Bristol was 2 years ago and we was in the same division but both teams had took different directions. I’ve always liked Bristol as they seem to be a team that just get on with things and try to improve themselves and of course Willie Kirk was always welcoming and a top guy. When the team was announced on paper was tough trying to work out who would be playing at Right Back but as the game started it would be Jodie Hutton which was a bit of a shock, we had only travelled up with 2 substitutes as well so hopefully everyong stayed safe and healthy.
For the first time this season we was hit with an early goal against us that took the visitors 6 minutes to score as Bristol broke through and as the ball fell to Lucy Graham she left Sian Rogers no chance to stop the shot giving Bristol an early 1-0 lead. Alot of the play was for Bristol early on as we tried to get into the game Sian Rogers was busy in the goal, while Nadine Hanssen was trying to run the midfield but when we got the ball Bristol hustled it back from us before we could create anything of notice. On the 20th minute an effort from the edge of the box agonisingly was chipped towards Sian Rogers who looked like she had pulled off a cracking finger tips save but it wasn’t quite enough as the ball just about dropped into the net giving Lucy Graham her second goal and Bristol a 2-0 lead. Villa was working hard to try and get into the game but Poppy Pattinson showed her class as we couldn’t quite pick a perfect pass with the pitch making the ball run on as well when we did finally get one past her. Bristol as to be expected were the team with most of the ball and on the 33rd minute Julie Biesmans played an inch perfect pass that Juliette Kemppi hit a hard and powerful shot leaving no chance for Sian Rogers once again giving Bristol a 3-0 lead and a worry that we might be on a hiding or fall apart as it seemed it was going to be a tough night. But as always this season our Ladies showed some real heart and determination and it wouldn’t be a Villa game without a Boom and a Pow and Elisha N’Dow putting it all on the line to win the ball which saw a hard tackle get her a yellow card, but this seemed to light the fire under Villa to keep going as we kept it to 3-0 at half time with Sian Rogers once again pulling off a cracking save just before the half time whistle. 3-0 at half time to Bristol City was no shock and I said at half time all I wanted to see was improvement and would be nice to get a goal against players like Poppy Pattinson and Ella Rutherford who both will be big players in the future of the game.
With no changes at half time would our Ladies be able to get a goal to take away from Stoke Gifford Stadium. After a scare when Ella Rutherford crashed a beautiful free kick off the bar. We came out the blocks better with bringing the ball down and some great passing with alot of the play coming through Nadine Hanssen who was a joy to watch as she won the ball back, held the ball up and passed it off on so many occasions really played the holding role well in midfield. Tanisha Smith wasn’t letting the Bristol players settle on the ball as she won the ball back so many times in her own half and in Bristol’s half. On the 51st minute some great play again by Ella Rutherford saw Bristol break once again as the ball was played through to Juliette Kemppi who once again added the finish for the Finnish striker who looks a real player, We were starting to get into the game just before the hour mark and really had shown improvement from the first half, when Nadine Hanssen got the ball in the middle and played a fantastic ball through to Tash Baptiste who just like last time we played Bristol got her name on the score sheet. For anyone who knows this is a special goal because we’ve all missed Tash doing what she does best and to see her back on the pitch in a Villa shirt is a great thing but if you give her a chance she will put it into the back of the net and she proved this in that moment, we had that goal we had hoped for with the score at 4-1 on the 59th minute and 1-1 in the second half. Sian Rogers wouldn’t let Bristol have anything easy as she came out and collected the ball on a regular basis when the tried to nick in behind the Villa defence. Our two substitutions were called into play as Alice Hassall came on for Amy West and Kerri Welsh on for Tash Baptiste. Could mention the officials but once again people know the standard we get in our game as Hollie Gibson picked up a ridiculous yellow card and Jodie Hutton got herself one as well. We got ourselfs a free kick in a dangerous position in the 78th minute and Kerri Welsh took it but it just didn’t have enough whip on it to curl inside the post but a decent effort towards the goal. The game was very open now as Bristol countered but couldn’t quite get a final touch on the ball across the box, but as we broke out from the back once again Nadine Hanssen held the ball up so well and didn’t panic as she looked for a pass on the edge of the box picking out Alice Hassal who hit a rocket of a shot (I think someone moved the goal a little) but it just went wide of the post but it was great to see Villa still giving it their all up till that final whistle. Bristol got a 5th goal (now I’d love to see a replay of this and maybe if the linesperson could of kept up with play this wouldn’t of stood) which everyone near the play could see was a mile offside but Katie Robinson added a 5th goal for Bristol making the score 5-1 on the night. Jodie Hutton went on a surging run like her normal position would be and nearly scored as the ball just went past the post as she dragged it across the goal. The story of our season and why we are so proud of our girls is that even at 5-1 down in the dying minutes of the game, not a single person dropped their head and gave up everyone worked for each other and this showed as once again Nadine Hanssen had an effort that unfortunately the keeper was on her feet early to and stopped her break through, she had deserved a goal and she didn’t disappoint as on the 89th minute she got the goal she deserved. As Nadine Hanssen broke through the Bristol defence she picked out the corner and placed it home to give Villa a second goal and make the score 5-2, with the second half being 2-2. The game came to an end with the score at 5-2 to Bristol City Women.
Any realest knew we wouldn’t go to Bristol City and win with them being in the league above us and having the aray of talent they have in their squad. But so proud of the effort and play that we managed to put together with scoring 2 goals as well, if we can take this into Sundays big league game against Sheffield United then, should be no reason we can’t finish our League campaign for the year with 3 points. The character of the team was very impressive for me, everyone played a big part in this as well. I’ve said many times when you don’t win you can still actually win and if only for confidence we proved once again that we never ever give up. When you consider our oldest defender on the pitch was Elisha N’Dow at 22 years old with the other 3 still being in their teens it shows great maturity in youth. It was Tash Baptiste first start where some of our other players had hardly had any game time on the pitch it was great to see them getting the time they all deserve. We missed a few players that couldn’t make the game but hopefully will be back for Sunday’s big game as well. Some of the play was fantastic and going forward will only put us in a better place throughout the season. We have struggled in many games to score more than one and it has cost us, but it’s great to see we are scoring more goals now and that it isn’t just down to one person. We play again on Sunday against Sheffield United at Boldmere in our last League game of the year, hopefully we can put in a big performance and close the gap on them as well. We have lost twice to them so far this season but as we improve each and every game I can’t wait to see how we do on Sunday against them. We finish our year off with our final Conti Cup game, and what a game it is as we welcome Manchester City to Boldmere on Thursday 13th November.
Team
Sian Rogers – As always Sian was there when we needed her to pull off some cracking saves to keep the scoreline down, reminded alot of the Liverpool game last year were she was fantastic even though conceded 5 on paper.
Jodie Hutton – Never ever seen Jodie play at Right Back before but did a good job up against Ella Rutherford, missed her talent going forward alot as showed when she nearly scored late on.
Elisha N’Dow – Lish is always in the running for POTM for Villa and was no different as she always puts her body on the line for the cause and pulled off some great tackles throughout.
Ria Elsmore – Ria made some important tackles at the back to stop Bristol creating more than they did, a double tackle in second half stopped Bristol and started Villa on a counter attack.
Hollie Gibson – Hollie worked so hard on the wing going forwards and backwards, picked up a booking for the first foul she made which was ridiculous but even on a booking still helped Villa get forward and out from the back.
Alison Hall – Worked so hard with Jodie, showed maturity to cover when Jodie went forward. Always gives 100% to the cause when trying to tackle and win the ball back.
Amy West – Amy as always worked hard in the middle of the pitch to try and get Villa on the front foot while tracking back to try and win the ball back from a strong Bristol.
Nadine Hanssen – Best game that I’ve seen Nadine have a Villa shirt she really stepped up to take control of the midfield whether in a defensive or attacking position, she totally deserved her goal and could of had more.
Phoebe Warner – Phoebe tried to keep the ball flowing and moving in the midfield, she worked hard on and off the ball to try and influence the game on a very quick and wet pitch.
Tanisha Smith – Tanisha was impressive as always, if you could see someone winning the ball back and turning defence into attack it was T, showed her strength at the back to stop Bristol when they attacked.
Tash Baptiste – First start back for Tash and she didn’t disappoint as she got her name on the score sheet just like the last time we played Bristol, she combined well with Nadine on a few occasions.
Alice Hassall – Came on to try and freshen up the legs in the midfield after Amy had put a shift in and helped break up Bristol’s play in the centre of the pitch.
Kerri Welsh – Came on late on to help Villa freshen up the attack and hold the ball up well and again link well with Nadine in the Centre of the pitch.
Picture from Sheffield United