Match Report: Bartestree Harriers Ladies 1 vs Evesham Utd Ladies 3

With all the problems with the weather recently it was fantastic that this game was played at all, but the Bartestree management team had managed to organise playing at Tewkesbury School 3G with a 5.30 kick off, and even with a few minutes playing in semi darkness until the floodlights were switched on, both teams put on possibly one of the best games of Ladies football played in the league so far this season.

A strong and agile Bartestree side were facing Evesham’s Ladies who had to significantly reshuffle due to players being unavailable due to illness or holidays. However, Captain Rosie Johns moved into one of the holes at centre back to inspire her team to victory assisted again by a brace of goals from striker Katie Armento.

From the first whistle both the Harriers and Evesham teams were intent to play a high tempo game on the artificial surface and the play was end to end. Evesham were possibly slightly on top with Watts and Corbett in midfield creating chances for the Evesham strikers and after 15 minutes Evesham had the breakthrough when Armento latched on to a through ball and turned the defender before placing a shot superbly over the Harriers keeper to open the scoring for Evesham.

The football continued, fast and frantic with both sides putting in firm but fair tackles and no one was holding back. From one of these crunching tackles Watts the Evesham midfielder was injured and further shuffling was required as she was unable to continue. This allowed the Bartestree Ladies to get more into the game, and they got on top firing in shots which were either just off target or dealt with by Jessica Newman in the Evesham goal.

Over half time Evesham were able to change things around a little, due to the absence of their midfielder, and more strong play was imminent when the second half commenced. It was the influential Johns who took the game to Bartestree breaking through from defence and played a superb through ball to Grace Harker who rounded the keeper to put Evesham 2-0 up. Bartestree weren’t going to lie down and came back with more attacks of their own which were generally being dealt with by the Evesham defence and keeper.

 

Another break for Evesham saw Armento latch on to a ball and powered a superb shot which the Harriers keeper managed to get a hand to but couldn’t stop the ball dropping over the line making the score 3-0 with twenty minutes to go.

This just inspired Bartestree even more and from a corner Harriers, Sarah Phipps powered in a header to reduce the arrears. Harriers continued to press for the last 15 minutes and forced Evesham back as they started to tire. However Johns continued to mop up any breakaways Bartestree had, to lead the Evesham Ladies to another important victory.

The game was played in a very competitive but equally respectable manner and everyone watching commented on the quality of play with four excellent goals.

Players of the Match were given to Julie Nicholas and Rosie Johns the Bartestree attacking midfielder and Evesham defender respectively.

Evesham Ladies now sit two points behind Droitwich, but with a game in hand, as the chase for the league continues.