Back to winning ways for our Women’s Under-19s
Two goals in four first-half minutes saw our Women’s Under-19s come from behind to beat Bristol City 2-1 in the Professional Game Academy League on Wednesday afternoon.
Having fallen behind to the Robins five minutes from time in the first period, we made an instant response as Poppy Neill grabbed her first goal of the campaign, Nife Aramide with a chipped ball into Neill inside the area and she drilled low on the half-volley into the bottom corner to put us level on the stroke of half-time/
Then, two minutes into stoppage time of the first half, forward Grace Bellwood, who was making her first start of the season after returning from an injury towards the back of the last term, also opened her account for the season, first starting the move by playing Eloise Summers-Mee down the right, she advanced to the byline in the box before cutting back to Bellwood just inside the area and she slotted home first time to hand us the lead heading into the break.
Those goals proved to be enough as our youngsters ran out 2-1 winners in the southwest and sees us return to winning ways in the competition, having fallen to defeat for the first time this campaign earlier this month to Ipswich Town.
That also sees us rise to fourth in the table with just one round of fixtures left to play in the first phase of the Professional Game Academy League, with the top half teams in the Northern and Southern Division to compete in Division One later this year.
Speaking after the game, coach Matt Sharman said: "It was a great response. We’ve been itching for another opportunity to compete and showcase the best version of ourselves and I couldn’t be prouder of the players’ approach to the game. That mentality started in training last week and carried through to the game.
"Tactically, the players nullified Bristol City's threats really well and we produced some very good performances and moments throughout the game. We were proactive, stayed together and showed great togetherness from minute one to minute 90.
"It was fantastic to see Poppy and Bellwood get their first goals of the season, with both coming from very strong phases of play from the team. Every member of the squad contributed to this result, and we move forward together. Now, we have to look forward, focus on our recovery, and get ourselves ready for the next challenge."
Starting XI: Mylam, Hills, Bush (Deria 63), Bird, McClean, Mace, Aramide, Withey, Summers-Mee, Bellwood (c) (Johnson 46), Neill. Substitutes (not used): Radbourne, Thomas, Leathers.