Date: 02/01/2005
Fixture: Bedfont Sports V BAWFC
Result: 2-1
Author: Simone Rapa

On paper this game should have been a stroll in the park for the BA girls based on previous performances against the home team and the fact that Bedfont had only 9 players from kick off. The game started well for BA, with all the play in Bedfont’s half. An early BA strike resulted in a goal kick out to the left which was intercepted by Debs and BA were again on the attack. A Bedfont free kick just outside the goal area was intercepted by the reds with a great chance but was kicked straight back to the Goal Keeper! This unfortunately was the state of play for most of the first half. However, about 8 minutes into the game Bedfont went on the attack and Katie found herself 1 on 1 with the Bedfont forward, but a great dash towards the player made her shoot wide - phew! Bedfont kept the ball in our half for a couple of minutes but another Bedfont free kick was picked up by Pam and BA were straight back on the attack. BA kept on the pressure (with some long balls played by Bedfont taken care of by Preeti and co.) and finally a goal came in the 17th minute from a great throw-in by Suzie, which went to Char who passed to Stacey who passed to Tania and we were 1 up! However, in the same minute a free kick was awarded to Bedfont for a back-pass on the edge of the area which was actually a mis-kick by Yours Truly. Luckily Debs blocked the shot and BA were on the attack down the right wing. Another great chance from a BA free kick on the edge of the area but no goal! Then, in the 22nd minute Bedfont were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area due to a tripping offence, but Big Bird saved the shot - great work.

Another free kick awarded to BA a few minutes later was saved by the Bedfont goalie. We had chance after chance but the Bedfont goalie was on form today. A great shot by Stacey was parried by the GK and Nav blasted it but it sailed over the bar! Then, a well-taken short corner by Pam led to a great cross by Char across the penalty area but was headed out - Tania crossed it back in and Stacey battled to keep possession and managed to pass it back to Tania who made a fantastic shot which the GK couldn’t get hold of and Char smacked it in the back of the net - 0-2 and didn’t we make hard work of it! From the centre kick the ball was back in the Bedfont’s half and just before half-time the GK saved another Stacey strike.

2nd half - and a change of tactics. Char moved up front with Debs and Tania, Line moved up from the back line to mid-field and Pam (who played a blinder as right winger in the first half) moved back into RB. Jenny came on as LB, and Simone moved into central defence. Suzie, who was solid in the RB position gallantly volunteered to come off (and then helped John with the filming).

From kick-off a feisty Bedfont team were straight back on the attack but it wasn’t long before BA were back in possession. Tania did a fantastic job of taking 2 defenders out to the wing leaving Char with a great chance to add to the score-line but the ball just didn’t find the target.

Bedfont, unwilling to give in went on the attack again but the efforts of the Bedfont No. 15 were thwarted by Katie who kicked the ball out of the danger zone. Tania made another great run down the wing, which she did relentlessly. Line was strong in mid-field and was unlucky not to score In the 70th minute Bedfont looked dangerous again and a strike by the no. 8 was saved by Katie. This was followed by a strange incident where the Bedfont No. 15 seemingly 'collapsed' in front of Katie in the penalty area, but the Referee decided to treat this as an injury and stopped the game for the player to receive 'treatment'. Water was called for, and Pam thoughtfully ran on with the bucket and sponge, but apparently it was only a drink of water that was required! With the game re-started BA continued to pass the ball around but disaster struck about 5 minutes from the end when the Bedfont No. 15 had a very lucky shot which found its way into the net - from a very difficult angle it has to be said. Bedfont couldn’t believe it, but having run themselves ragged for 90 minutes they couldn’t do more than hang on. The final whistle and a victory for BA but a score-line (1-2) that should have been quite different. The number of shots on goal was numerous - but perhaps the Xmas over-indulgences and lack of footie practice took their toll on the day - a temporary glitch! A great team effort - some brilliant passing and skills, just not many goals. Well done everyone - a good start to 2005 - Happy New Year!

PS. The video is a bit disappointing - most of it is unwatchable due to an 11 yr old boy with frozen arms and the glare of the sun in the 2nd half, but John will put it onto tape if anyone is interested in viewing it (Warning ! it might make you sea-sick!)