Last second goal denies the win

North hosted Bristol for a crucial top of table clash and were denied a great win by a penalty corner strike at the very end of the game.

The composition of the league has been altered this season with two strong teams moving into the division, Bristol University 4th team and Bristol, plus Gryphons re-entering a second team so North are in a promotion fight with three other strong outfits. Having lost earlier in the season to Gryphons Saturdays game was crucial for North's promotion hopes and was also the farewell game for key midfielder Clare Sheffield.

Bristol started the game more strongly than North, attacking at pace from midfield down the flanks, and from one move they had a great chance to score as a cross was flashed across the D from their right, but the Bristol player on the far post missed the chance to turn the ball into the goal. North were playing with two forwards and five across the midfield, and when they did find their front players they were normally outnumbered by Bristol defenders, and Bristol would launch their attacks from deeper down the pitch once they regained possession.

Mid way through the first half North altered formation slightly to counter the Bristol tactics, with Clare Sheffield dropping to hold a defensive midfield role in front of the North back three, giving the rest of the North midfield a bit more licence to move up and down the pitch. The Bristol threat was now much reduced, Clare making many vital tackles, and if Bristol got past her Jane Thompson Bennett marshalled the defence well. Any shots Bristol got on target were capably dealt with by Gabby in goal.

North were also starting to put more pressure on Bristol, the pace of Milli Bryant on the left causing problems for Bristol. The first half ended scoreless and with Bristol realising they now had a real fight on their hands.

In the second half North continued to play well and were now putting more pressure on Bristol. A series of short corners went unrewarded, and there were a couple of other occasions when the ball fell agonisingly wide of a North player in the D. Bristol's attacks were being kept out, and Gabby made some more valuable saves.

Milli then scored a fine individual goal after a pass from defence saw her one on one v a defender, who she beat using her pace and she calmly beat the keeper top score after running on in to the D.

With 10 minutes to go Bristol now upped their intensity and North were defending more. Several short corners were successfully defended but one final penalty corner was awarded just before time was blown. The initial corner was saved, but at the expense of a further short and from what turned out to be the final play the shot was deflected up off a North defenders stick, onto the body of the goal line defender, falling to the Bristol forward who swept it into the net.

Bristol celebrated as though they had won the game, but the real winners were North (unbiased view from coach and report writer!) who battled hard, raised their game and actually from mid way through the first half until the last 10 minutes had outplayed Bristol by nullifying the Bristol attack and posing more danger themselves.

Well played everyone but Clare deserves special mention for a standout performance in her last game.