With a rearranged fixture for Sunday, Bristol & West Jaspers' first team had a busy weekend as they aimed to keep the pressure on the league leaders. The first test came in the form of a Yate side who are fighting to stay out of the drop-zone in the North Division.
Our ladies got off to a blistering start with two early goals pinning back the opposition. With the defence confidently moving the ball around the back, paired with excellent movement from our central players, gaps in the Yate team were opened up and exploited. With the tireless running of the forward line unmatched, the girls found two further goals before the break to take a commanding half-time lead.
An animated half time opposition team talk injected some life into the Yate side as they became a stronger challenge in the second period. Our ladies once again proved they were up to the task adding to the scoreline and despite a late consolation for the visitors, our first team collected a well-earned 6-1 victory.
But there was little time to celebrate with the next game less than 12 hours away. A blustery Sunday morning at Fortress Ridings welcomed a visiting Bretforton team who started the weekend chasing our heals in 3rd place. If there was any tiredness in the legs of the Bristol & West Jaspers girls it didn't show as they started the game with the same confidence that had proved too much for Yate the day before.
Perhaps hearing whispers of an opportunity of watching something special, supporters from across the club turned out to watch our women reap the benefits of continued hard work throughout the season. Stringing together passing triangles all over the field, our women didn't offer Bretforton the opportunity to get a foothold in the game. Four first-half goals without reply served up a convincing half time scoreline for the home side but the 'Wasps' weren't done yet.
Bretforton had shown themselves to be worthy competitors this season and shared the points with B&WJ on the opening day. But with the experience of the day before, our ladies were determined to stay focused and add to the scoreline. What followed was a second half even more convincing than the first with wave-after-wave of attack and a flurry of short corners providing the platform for another four goals to tie up an 8-0 victory.
Man of the match awards were deservedly picked up by Emma and Toni, but the watching fans were treated to 10/10 performances all over the park this weekend. With all teams now having played 15 games, our 1s sit second in the division on points and have scored the most goals in the league. With three games remaining, there's still a chance of a title-decider against Wotton on the final day!
Bristol & West Jaspers 6-1 Yate
Bristol & West Jaspers 8-0 Bretforton