A lone goal from Bonnie Davies was enough for the Olympia Warriors to reclaim top spot on the Women's Super League table as they registered a 1-0 win over Clarence Zebras. Davies slipped clear of Zara Dixon to fire her side into the lead in the first half for what would prove the only goal of the game, in a match the Warriors were good value for all three points, and that they could well have won by a wider margin.
Without taking too many risks, both sides adjusted their starting lineup with the one change each. Hannah Johnson slotting into right back, replacing Charlotte Chambers was Olympia’s sole change from 11 days prior. While Clarence Zebras also had the one fresh player as they shuffled things around, and Rachel Gill slotted into left back, tasking Selina Steventon with the role of handling Madi Chambers. This meant Louisa Marmion ventured into the midfield with Bronte Gadon starting on the bench.
The wind was literally in Olympia’s sails in the first half, and the Warriors took full advantage. From the opening whistle, Olympia looked to exploit spaces left open in the Zebras defence as the match turned physical quickly. The homeside’s flat-footedness was evident with how Sophie Leszcynski was driving out of defence with the ball, all too often she was met with no challenges. Instead the centre back was given free reign to wander and combine in close proximity in her scoring end.
Chances were building for Olympia, with Shelley Cook needing to remain alert as Davies began to expose the minimal space available behind the defence. The Warrior’s higher balls both benefited and were disadvantaged due to the wind. Meanwhile Clarence Zebras first real attacking foray with a hint of trouble didn’t arrive until the 11th minute, on the counter Allie Berry’s cross arrived too early for her oncoming runners.
Soon Clarence Zebras were down to ten players. First Caitlin Stalker received a knock that required a spell on the sidelines, then, as if tag teamed, Marmion too received an ankle injury that saw her spend time off the pitch.
During those ten minutes, Olympia’s momentum built as chances became more frequent. First Steventon nearly turned the ball into her own net, Davies powerfully hit cross forced the defender to attack the ball at the near post and her block ricocheted the upright. Minutes later, Innocent Michael hit the crossbar with a rocket of a shot from range, finding some space in midfield to fire.
Even with the Zebras returned to a full complement of 11, it was Olympia who were in the driver's seat and they soon found their reward. The 29th minute required Dixon to produce a recovering sliding challenge to deter Davies, but it wouldn’t be that simple a minute later. Davies solo effort saw the forward dart to the outside, before finding space and taking the shot on a tight angle. Birthday celebrations were had by the Warrior, with a mixture of relief and joy for finally cracking the Clarence Zebras defence.
The Warriors held out against the Zebras quick counter from the restart, with the home side unable to find the final pass. A hunt for a return goal did inspire Clarence momentarily. Berry and Zoe Nichols combined to create chances, but neither were able to find a finish. While Stalker’s pace threatened, and a scintillating opportunity on the whistle saw Dixon just unable to keep the ball down following her header from a free kick.
For the excitement of the first half, the second 45 minutes was nothing to write home about. The Wentworth Park gust made itself known, the game opened up and the match resembled ping pong for large spells.
The first minute bucked the trend of the half, when a shot from range by Leah Gubb was punched over the bar by Cook. With the game opening up, it was Cook who was the busier of the keepers. On the 67th minute, the pace of Chambers saw her storm down the left through on goal, but the ball was swept from her feet by the goalie. Clarence replied with a chance of their own, as breathes were held by the home fans when Berry turned on a dime, pulled the trigger but couldn’t find her aim.
With under ten minutes to play, an opportunity a piece could well have turned the match on its head. Patient and creative play by Clarence Zebras was finished with a sliced shot by Berry from her first touch. Soon after Chambers countered, and forced Cook to use her feet to produce an important save and keep a flicker of hope until the final whistle.
The conditions wrecked havoc again in this encounter between the top two as windy Wentworth Park lived up to its name with Olympia the benefactors, grinding out the second half after a five star display in the first. The Clarence Zebras were simply unable to find a goal and struggled to adjust to having to chase the game this time around, unable to replicate their game-plan from the first meeting of the two sides.
https://youtu.be/dGui0RO8o-8
Chances were building for Olympia, with Shelley Cook needing to remain alert as Davies began to expose the minimal space available behind the defence. The Warrior’s higher balls both benefited and were disadvantaged due to the wind. Meanwhile Clarence Zebras first real attacking foray with a hint of trouble didn’t arrive until the 11th minute, on the counter Allie Berry’s cross arrived too early for her oncoming runners.
Soon Clarence Zebras were down to ten players. First Caitlin Stalker received a knock that required a spell on the sidelines, then, as if tag teamed, Marmion too received an ankle injury that saw her spend time off the pitch.
During those ten minutes, Olympia’s momentum built as chances became more frequent. First Steventon nearly turned the ball into her own net, Davies powerfully hit cross forced the defender to attack the ball at the near post and her block ricocheted the upright. Minutes later, Innocent Michael hit the crossbar with a rocket of a shot from range, finding some space in midfield to fire.
Even with the Zebras returned to a full complement of 11, it was Olympia who were in the driver's seat and they soon found their reward. The 29th minute required Dixon to produce a recovering sliding challenge to deter Davies, but it wouldn’t be that simple a minute later. Davies solo effort saw the forward dart to the outside, before finding space and taking the shot on a tight angle. Birthday celebrations were had by the Warrior, with a mixture of relief and joy for finally cracking the Clarence Zebras defence.
The Warriors held out against the Zebras quick counter from the restart, with the home side unable to find the final pass. A hunt for a return goal did inspire Clarence momentarily. Berry and Zoe Nichols combined to create chances, but neither were able to find a finish. While Stalker’s pace threatened, and a scintillating opportunity on the whistle saw Dixon just unable to keep the ball down following her header from a free kick.
For the excitement of the first half, the second 45 minutes was nothing to write home about. The Wentworth Park gust made itself known, the game opened up and the match resembled ping pong for large spells.
The first minute bucked the trend of the half, when a shot from range by Leah Gubb was punched over the bar by Cook. With the game opening up, it was Cook who was the busier of the keepers. On the 67th minute, the pace of Chambers saw her storm down the left through on goal, but the ball was swept from her feet by the goalie. Clarence replied with a chance of their own, as breathes were held by the home fans when Berry turned on a dime, pulled the trigger but couldn’t find her aim.
With under ten minutes to play, an opportunity a piece could well have turned the match on its head. Patient and creative play by Clarence Zebras was finished with a sliced shot by Berry from her first touch. Soon after Chambers countered, and forced Cook to use her feet to produce an important save and keep a flicker of hope until the final whistle.
The conditions wrecked havoc again in this encounter between the top two as windy Wentworth Park lived up to its name with Olympia the benefactors, grinding out the second half after a five star display in the first. The Clarence Zebras were simply unable to find a goal and struggled to adjust to having to chase the game this time around, unable to replicate their game-plan from the first meeting of the two sides.
https://youtu.be/dGui0RO8o-8