The Royal Navy ladies traveled to a rearranged fixture against Bridgwater Town on 27th January 2010, having not had a competitive game since November. With the Inter-services fast approaching it was vital that the ladies got some much needed game time.
Due to work commitments and a unfortunate injury during the morning training session to LA(SE) Amy King, the ladies were only able to field two recognised defenders, these were RPO Michelle Garrett and AB(WS) Lisa Fraser, who were to be assisted by LOGSPERS Naomi Marsh dropping back from midfield into a 3-5-2 formation which none of the players had any experience in.
During the opening 10 minutes the lack of games combined with the players settling into a 3-5-2 formation proved very noticeable with Bridgwater Town having the majority of play and looking dangerous especially on the attack.
On 12 minutes after another Bridgwater Town attack the Navy launched a swift counter attack with the ball being moved quickly through AB Sara Mansfield, LPT Natalie Bavister and SURG LT Stephanie Ingram, with the move only ending after a last ditch challenge from a Bridgwater defender who conceded a corner.
The Navy took confidence from that moment and didn’t look back for the rest of the game. Garrett, who was captaining the side for the game, was in dominant form controlling the defence and midfield players consistently, ensuring Bridgwater Town’s attacks were stifled out.
With 20 minutes on the clock the Navy started taking control of the game and began playing some impressive pass and move football all over the pitch. Two minutes later a great passing move involving four Navy players culminated in Ingram being played in down the left. She easily beat the Bridgwater defender and drove at the goal forcing both centre backs into blocking positions. In doing this it freed up Navy centre forward Mansfield who accepted Ingram’s pulled back pass and calmly slotted the ball past a stunned Bridgwater keeper. 0-1 Navy.
The Navy, with every passing minute, were improving and gaining in confidence enabling the team to play some of its best football of the season. With a little more composure, a number of efforts could have stretched the Navy’s lead prior to half time. Halftime 0-1 Navy
The second half began with Bridgwater putting the Navy under pressure as per the beginning of the first half; however with the Navy learning its lessons from the first half were far more comfortable in dealing with the expected pressure. Garrett was still impressing in the middle of defence and justifying her selection as captain.
A mistake by Bavister on 52 minutes nearly undone all the Navy’s hard work when she lost the ball in her own half too easily, enabling the Bridgwater winger to bear down on the Navy goal. Marsh came to the Navy’s rescue with a great challenge in the area as the Bridgwater player was about to shoot.
In to the 65th minute Fraser, who was also having a great game alongside Garrett, drove forward with purpose and determination, moved through two stunned Bridgwater midfielders until she was eventually blocked off, Shielding the ball from the defender, Fraser calmly traveled in field sliding a great ball inside to Bavister. She made up for her earlier mistake by seeing the run made from Ingram and being able to find her with a great pass. Ingram made no mistake - needing only one touch to control the ball and fire the ball past the Bridgwater keeper. 0-2 Navy
Tired legs became a problem on an increasingly heavy pitch and this took its toll with both sets of players tiring. On 80 minutes MA Lindsay Phillips had a chance to kill the game off with a 1v1 with the Bridgwater keeper but pulled her shot wide of the post. All in all the Navy gave a good performance with some great passing and movement reducing Bridgwater Town to only one serious shot during the game, which came in the second half of a Royal Navy dominated match. Final score: Bridgwater Town 0 - 2 RN