Positive Performance Despite Defeat

Keynsham [3 - 1] Bristol & West Jaspers 2s

After a disappointing start to 2020, the Bristol & West Jaspers second team arrived at the Keynsham home pitch with a fresh mindset and a positive team attitude. Although we could start to feel the initial effects of Storm Ciara, we started with an upbeat warm up and encouraging team talk to get us raring to go.

When the whistle blew, we knew it was going to be a challenge, facing a tough opponent chasing promotion. Against the form book, we got off to a strong start keeping the ball mainly in the opponent's half for in the opening period and limiting attempts on goal in defence. The forwards were pressing high and made excellent advances into the Keynsham half, earning a couple of short corners but unfortunately not being able to score. The defence was strong in holding off any attacks from the opposition and there were also several great saves by our defender-in-goal Bernie and a sublime goal-line clearance from Sarah "Smurf" Mattravers who was influential on her return. After periods of excellent play and pressure, 2s debutant Antonia almost broke the deadlock by going one-v-one with the keeper but her shot on goal was saved. A harsh green card was shown to Lauren while defending in the final moments of a scoreless first half.

The second half started similarly, but after a couple of short corners to the opposition and a lapse in concentration we conceded twice. Elise managed to peg a goal back after receiving the ball from Clare just inside the D and slamming it towards the goal and past the keeper. The goal was was greeted with cheers from our supporters watching from the side-lines as a potential upset seemed back on the cards. For the rest of the half the team played some brilliant hockey linking up play from the defence to the midfield and then to the forwards. Unfortunately, the opposition scored with the final touch of the game, against the run of play, to secure the win on the day.

Overall the team played some exceptional hockey and certainly wasn’t what the opposition were expecting after their 7-2 win in the first match of the season. It was a great display of teamwork and skill from the ladies and is a thrilling prospect of what’s to come.

Like they say, onwards and upwards!

Written by Player of the Match: Ishba Mahmood