Ladies 2 v Nailsea 2

North Somerset Ladies Second Team 5 – Nailsea Ladies Second Team 2

Saturday saw a keenly contested game between teams 2nd and 3rd in their division, chasing runaway leaders Knowle 2.
Nailsea had won the reverse fixture and North Somerset knew they had to win if they were to have any hopes of gaining promotion as the second placed team.
North were able to field a strong squad of 16 players full of attacking players, so switched to a less familiar 3-5-2 formation, with the aim of dominating midfield and using pacy wing halves to attack down the wide channels.
The game plan worked well, and Charlotte Millington proved a real handful for Nailsea from the very start, with the first of many trademark pacy runs down the wing, before arcing into the D and crossing to the waiting forwards.
North were awarded a short corner from one of these early runs, and although the first strike was unsuccessful Jo Withers was at hand as the ball found its way to her.
Nailsea then showed their quality, a rapid break through the middle and a good shot saw them equalise.
North continued to look very dangerous in attack and Milli Bryant scored the second from open play, then Becky Urch converted another short corner with an expert high flick. The Nailsea keeper made several good saves, and Nailsea were also attacking dangerously with their possession and another good move on their part saw them get a second goal to leave the score 3-2 at half time.
At the half time team talk North were told to keep up the attacking play, but also ensure they kept a better defensive shape when the opposition had the ball and not leave the back 3 exposed to attacks from the Nailsea midfield.
The second half saw North dominate play as the central midfield of Becky Urch, Clare Sheffield and Phoebe Gibson tightened their hold, aided by the wide midfield players. There was no respite for Nailsea when the pacy Millington was off the pitch, as Molly Wilcox also provided power down the right hand side.
Jo Withers got her second goal after another North attack, collecting the ball from a cross her first shot was well saved but she coolly collected the rebound to slot it past the keeper.
Milli Bryant then got her second goal, yet again a cross flashed into the D and Milli powered in her deflection shot from near the top of the D.
A good win for North, who now know that if they win the rest of their fixtures they can gain second place.