Bath showed the progress they
have made through the season by emerging with a draw against
Bristol City Academy where, at the
start of the season we were thumped 8-1. The score line,
however, didn’t reflect the pattern of the match. For large
periods the City team gave us a lesson in passing and moving.
It was only some charitable finishing from City that stopped
something like a 5-2 score.
On the positive side, our work
rate without the ball was good and the two goals we scored
were both quality finishes from players at the top of their
game.
The match was played with two
periods of 7-a-side and one of 9-a-side, each period being 20
minutes.
The match started brightly
enough and a good personal contest between Dave Pollinger (Saltford) and
the City centre back ensued. Bath got the breakthrough quite early
with a good cross from Will Oswin (Newbridge) being met by the left
foot of Bradley Norris (Oldfield
Park) at
hip height which flew past the City keeper.
The goal seemed to matter little
to City who continued to play with composure and patience.
They eventually equalised, after several dangerous attacks,
from a sharply whipped in cross which Ginny (WASPS) couldn’t
keep hold of leaving a simple tap in for any one of three City
strikers.
The second half continued in the
same vein with Bath having little possession
and struggling to keep the ball when they did get it. Despite
their dominance in open play, the second City goal came from a
set piece. Poor marking meant a good cross in from a free kick
being badly defended, leaving the City striker with a free
header which he duly despatched.
The third period seemed better
for the Bath side who were starting
to win a few more of the challenges in midfield. Eventually,
Will scored the
equaliser for Bath by intercepting an over
ambitious cross field pass, running directly at goal and
finishing with the quality we have seen so often this season.
Bath then held the score line
despite riding their luck on two or three
occasions.
Both Tim Kirk and Dave Hedges were
disappointed with our performance, but credit must go to the
City team who made us look poor. On the positive side, we have
learnt a bit more about ourselves against very good opposition
and performances from Jack Rowlands, who made some very
important interceptions, and Jack Neil, who looked back to his
old self after disappointing in Jersey, can only help for the
forthcoming National Finals in Keele. The City coach was very
complimentary towards us and we must remember that this was
the best opposition we have come across this year. As long as
we learn from it then we have benefitted.
And hey, we drew with Bristol
City!!!
