Date: 18/09/11
Fixture: League
Game: Victoire 0 v BAWFC 5

Players' POTM: Gilly Thomson
Manager's POTM: Gilly Thomson

Author: Lucy Gibson

Line Up: Natasha Bajwa (GK), Amy Jackson (C), Preeti Johal, Nicole Cho-Yee, Emma Longman, Jayshree Badhan, Nav Johal, Liz Foster, Lucy Gibson, Rebecca Poulton (1), Gilly Thomson (3)
Subs: Petra Lausen (Longman 70), Kim Terry (1) (Foster 65), Kate Williamson (Badhan 60)

Arriving on time and getting changed in a shack resembling something from the film "hostel" we preceded to warm up together whilst trying to avoid the dog poop.

The match commenced with Victoire winning the toss and choosing to play uphill with the sun in their eyes...

B.A created some nice chances in the beginning stages of the game with a few one on ones with the keeper by Foster and Gibson which should have both been goals. However it wasn't long before we were in the lead as the oppositions keeper kicked the ball out which went straight to Gibson who flicked the ball back into the oppositions own half with Foster running onto it and passing it nicely to Thomson who did an awesome slide and netted B.A's first goal.

Victoire tried to get straight back into the game but with the BA defence they were finding it hard to equalize. Victoire did manage to get the ball in our own half and we gave away the first and only corner of the first half as we didn't want to leave keeper Bajwa out of the game.

Longman at right back was very vocal and linked up well with midfield making some good through balls and helped to create some good opportunities.

Frustration grew as we were called offside four or five times equalizing to a yellow card being provided to N.Johal for contesting the ref's poor decisions.

B.A were awarded a few free kicks; one specifically which saw Foster link up well with N.Johal making a pass along the ground to N.Johals feet who took a shot on goal but it unfortunately went just past the far post.

Cho-Yee came up from defence to take a B.A corner which nearly became B.A's second goal as the ball was passed in firmly along the ground to midfielder Foster who had more time than she realized and shot the ball first time into the keeper.

However constant encouragement from Captain Jackson kept BA working towards their second goal which came just before the end of the first half. It was another link up between Foster and Thomson with Thomson proving yet again too quick for the oppositions defence and slotting the ball in past the Keeper.

The first half ended with B.A 2-0 up although really it should have been at least 5-0 considering the amount of chances created.

HALF TIME

The second half began with BA having to defend but with Longman, Cho-Yee, P.Johal, and Jackson doing some nice tidying up at the back we getting back in to attack mode.

Badhan made some good runs down the left wing and committed to tracking back when needed. Badhan got in a good position finding the ball at her feet in front of goal but regrettably couldn't get it into the back of the net.

20minutes into the second half the author may of got a red card for reacting aggressively to an opposition player who started on her for committing an accidental foul. Both players involved were sent off and the teams were reduced to 10 aside. (apologies team)

60minutes in Williamson came on for Badhan and instantly changed the structure of play sending crosses in from the left creating chances for the strikers in the air and tracking back doing some good defending and covering her teammates.

65minutes - Terry came on to replace Foster and instantly linked up well with Poultan who made many confident runs down the right wing using her pace to skip past opposition players and produced a cross towards Terry who controlled the ball neatly and scored her first league goal this season. 3.0 B.A.

70mins - Lausen on to replace Longman and taking up the left midfield position pushing Williamson into midfield. Lausen proceeded to keep the opposition at bay as she kept tight on her player restricting their involvement.

Poulton continued to be a nuisance for the opposition sending another cross into the box which Thomson met with a dramatic diving header sending it spectacularly high. However Thomson's hatrick was not denied for long as Poulton assisted Thomson yet again and finally got her hatrick. 4.0 B.A.

Victoire continued to pressure the defence trying to scrape a consolation goal but were unsuccessful in their attempts. B.A's defence consistently closed down the opposition's attacks and defender P.Johal found the ball at her feet, proceeded to try and distribute it into midfield but was fouled and made an Oscar winning "dive".

In the last moments of the game Thomson was yet again through on goal when she was fouled causing confusion between players as they stopped play although the whistle had not gone, Poulton being on her game was first to react to the still ball striking it from around the box straight into the goal. 5.0 B.A.

B.A ended the game with a clean sheet with Bajwa only having to make one or two proper saves effortlessly and B.A remain top of the table with an impressive goal difference.