U11s

A surprising early goal from Longwell Green started the match but Jess and Iris were straight on the attack with some good shots at goal. Great defending by Lily, Emily and Pippa, with great passing between Jess and Evie.

Lots of pressure at our end with Maeve doing really well. Jess another good shot at goal, then lovely pass between Jess and Kate across the goal with another near miss.

Kate had three throw ins and worked well with Iris. Maeve did a really good save but LG scored a confident goal. Great run by Evie and a good shot. There was good defensive play by Alice and Emily followed by a strong run by Jess. Three corner kicks by Jess and near miss shot at goal by Kate. Emily and Alice kept balls away and a great save by Maeve. Jess kicked across goal with great shot from Kate. Jess ran at goal with strong shots by Mairead and Kate. Lily closed down LG several times getting it out of our half. A lot of pressure around goal with good stops by Lily and Maeve but they slipped in a goal. Great play between Jess, Evie and Mairead around goal but did not quite go in. Kate made good runs down the side and strong defending from Lily. Great save by Maeve just before half time.

Good start to the second half with a strong attack from Kate with a shot at goal. Great run started with a great pass from Emily to Iris to Jess with a strong shot and goal which was well deserved after so many close chances. Strong play by Alice, Kate and Iris. Hand ball gave us chance with Lily booting it up the pitch. Evie in goal stopped a strong shot. Jess and Emily did great defending but LG were lucky and scored again. Nice save by Evie. Lovely passing between Maeve, Jess and Kate. With Kate taking a shot that was so close. They kept the pressure up and had a few more good shots before they action moved up the pitch and Evie making a great save at close range. Fab save again from Evie after a lot of pressure from LG. Mairead did some good chasing and kept ball down their end allowing some good runs by Kate and Jess. With Jess getting a great second goal! Strong defending by Emily with good tackles. LG scored but The the girls were straight back on it with some nice passing between Maeve, Jess, Mairead and Kate with a few shots at goal. Great tackling from Iris and Emily. Lots of pressure around goal from LG and they scored. Some nice corners from Jess and again Kate came very close to scoring several times. LG came close to scoring but some nice goal keeping from Evie. Strong pressure from Iris, Jess and Kate to get the ball down LG end. The girls played a strong game throughout and unfortunately the final score did not reflect how close the game was but great skill and determination was shown by the whole team.

Written by Alice from BLU U11

As the sun was shining, the team started arriving after a long trip to Chipping Sodbury. Everyone knew it was going to be a tough match as St Nicks had won all but one game. Another factor that didn’t help was the fact that the opposition had a whole new squad on their subs bench. The match started off well with BLU holding strong possession. BLU had some amazing chances with some close missed shots from Jess but the team kept on going. Betsy and Katherine were rock solid in defence making some crunching tackles while Maeve showed safe hands with some extraordinary saves. Then, about halfway through the second half, we broke and Kate made a well-time run for Jess to confidently pass to and Kate out skilled their defenders to score a world-class goal. As the team celebrated, St Nicks swapped their entire team so we knew we were going to have to work hard to hold on. Unfortunately, we gave away a penalty and there was nothing our keeper could do as they fired it into the corner. After a few minutes of high work rate from both sides (with Iris working tirelessly to get the ball back), the halftime whistle blew. After an inspiring speech from Andy, we brought fresh legs on and we were determined to get a goal back. Due to the fact that St Nicks had a whole new team they could bring on, it was a tough second half. Ellie’s tackles were timed to perfection as some great runs by Alice proved to be working. St Nicks were showing that they were unstoppable on the break though and three more goals were scored by them. However, BLU’s kept on fighting with a shot on target from Lamorna hitting the post. Lily showed her pace and skills as she raced back to help the defence with her marking on corners making a real difference. When the full time whistle blew, even though we had lost, everyone felt it had been a thoroughly good game and that St Nicks had tested us and had brought out the best in us. Maeve had also boosted our energy levels at the end of the game by bringing Easter eggs for her birthday. It was another amazing performance from BLU’s against a tough side and we’ll now be moving on to train for our next opponent.

Written by Lamorna from BLU U11.

Our Sunday match started as any other at Canford Park. As the ref blew his whistle, the match started very quickly. Our team applied lots of pressure and harrying from Emilie and Katherine who were forcing lots of mistakes from the other team. We were defending really well with Pippa clearing the ball and we were determined to win. However they scored their first goal from the first bit of pressure they had. Kate then popped up to score a really nice goal from the left. The next shot that we had almost went in and Lamorna was scoring it. It hit the post just as it was about to go in. Ellie did some great pressuring and Maeve bravely blocked a defender from scoring. Lily came on and did lots of running in the middle. It is now half time. We had a quick pep talk and then we started playing again. Maeve saved a wonderful shot from Narla; their stand out player. Narla scored the next goal from a corner and the next goal after that. As we were about half way through the second half, Maeve got injured by being whacked in the face by the opposing team so Kate went in goal and she nearly saved a goal that went in the left hand corner of the goal but it went in. The next exciting thing that happened was that Western Mendip got a penalty. Kate got a hand to touch the ball but it still went in the net. Next, Mairead almost scored. At the last possible moment the goalie saved it. Kate did a nice save and Alice was doing some good tackling. Evie had a chance at scoring but just missed. Evie also managed a really good corner. The last thing that happened was that Kate almost saved a really strong shot but it slipped through her fingers and that was the end of the match.

Match report written by Mairead from BLU U11

A brilliant performance  

Spring sun and blue skies greeted the players and fans for an early kick off at Canford Park.  Recent winning form of the BLUs (or rather the nice weather) meant a big crowd crammed into the Canford Lane terrace ready to cheer their teams on. Inspiring words from the coaches preceded a quick start to the game from the girls. Emilie and Betsy were majestic at the back. Betsy driving forward and Emilie reading the game superbly meant the team never looked like conceding. Kate was untroubled in goal but did what she needed to do well – calm in possession and nice distribution.  The midfield trio of Katherine, Iris and Jess worked well together.  Katherine working hard up and down the left, delivering powerful throw-ins and Iris breaking up play in the middle and feeding Jess and Evie. There was lots of early BLUs pressure but the Portishead team stood firm until Betsy collected the ball deep, skilled past four players and smashed one into the roof of the net. The BLUs were off.  Jess threatened and finally got her reward with the well taken second after a great pass from Betsy. Evie working tirelessly and giving the Portishead centre back a merry time, went close from a corner and Mairead (always in the right place) almost got the third after a lovely sweeping BLUs passing attack.

No complacency from the BLUs as they continued in the same vein kicking towards the Abbey Road end for the second half. A switch in goal with Ellie taking the gloves and Lily and Katherine at the back continued the fantastic defensive work. Both comfortable receiving the ball from Ellie and playing the second pass well and starting most BLU attacks.  Their defensive work was faultless.  Ellie made some great saves coming off her line to keep the Portishead attacks at bay and had a great half in goal.  Iris was everywhere, almost scoring and bravely taking a blast to the face needing quick treatment from the BLUs medical team. Betsy, Evie and Mairead linking well, a nice one-two and Betsy firing home again. Kate, unleashed into the outfield held the ball up well in the forward position and slotted home nicely from another lovely corner from Evie. There was some late Portishead pressure but Ellie stood firm meaning another clean sheet for the BLUs as they march up the table towards a Champions League place.  

Match report written by Jess from BLU U11

In an unusual afternoon fixture we travelled across Bristol to play Bristol Rovers Supporters Club, who were surprisingly able to find nine supporters!!! A kit clash between our famous blue and the blue and white quarters of the opposition meant that we had to play in red and orange bibs, although it may have been more pleasurable for those watching if the other team had worn the bibs.

Although Bristol Rovers had kick off, some great interceptions and passes from the whole team lead to an early and well taken goal from Jess. In an early period that both team shared possession Maeve made several crucial saves to keep the advantage. Iris seemed to be everywhere tackling every opposition player. Evie joined the play and with her first touch doubled our lead, followed by a second goal from Jess before half-time.

At half time a keeper switch was made where Kate went in goal giving Maeve the opportunity to play out on the pitch.

Some outstanding play, showing all of the skills learnt on our Wednesday training sessions, meant that we had most of the possession. Lamorna linked defence and attack well with good running and skill. Jess scored her third goal of the game from a good team move. Evie added her second of the game before Katherine scored the final goal of the game with a powerful run down the left and a great finish. Ellie nearly scored two goals towards the end of the match with strong, powerful shots just failing to beat their keeper. Further opportunities from Maeve and Mairead nearly added to our lead but it was without success. Strong defending from the whole team, with a special mention to Alice, meant that Kate had very little to do in goal for majority of the second half but what she did have to do she did excellently.

The full time whistle went and meant that we had won with each girl fully playing their part and all were very happy at the end. What better way to celebrate a victory than a play in the park!! Let’s hope that this amazing performance is carried forward to our remaining fixtures this season.

Match report written by Pippa from BLU U11 (with apologies to any Rovers supporters for the comments!)

We took the kick off and did some great passing but Weston Mendip managed to get the ball and score an early goal. There was some good passing from Lamorna and Iris which led to a half chance for Jess! Katherine and Pippa were doing some great interceptions and Ellie, Lamorna and Iris had to do some amazing tackles in midfield. On the break, Kate almost got on to Jess’s pass. Then Weston Mendip got the ball back and scored a long range goal. After that Ellie made an awesome pass to Evie which led to a corner!!!

At half time there was a change of goalie from Maeve to Lamorna.

In the first few minutes of the second half we were putting high pressure on Weston Mendip and there was a shot on goal by Jess but it was saved!! Kate almost got us a first but again well saved. When Weston Mendip were on the break Pippa and Kathrine were doing some outstanding challenges!! Lamorna had been making some great saves but could not stop a goal that went into the corner. Maeve came off the bench to make some big tackles! Despite probably being tired Jess still made runs down the left. A hand ball gave us a late penalty but unfortunately the ball just went over the goal! It was a great effort by everyone, well done!!!!

Match report written by Maeve from BLU U11

Bristol Ladies Union played at home Sunday 27th February to Longwell Green. We were lucky to have a dry sunny day after a week of high winds and rain.

BLUs started off strong. Pippa and Lily were in defence and doing a great job.  Lamorna made a nice pass to Jess who then passed to Evie who nearly scored. Next there was a good tackle from Jess who carried the ball forward and nearly scored….. SO CLOSE !!!! Shortly after Jess then had a run down the line and cut in and scored. The score was 1-0 to us. Following some strong tackling from Lamorna we were unlucky to concede as Longwell Green got an equalising goal. From the restart Longwell Green had a clear-cut chance but a nice save from Maeve kept it out. Iris was trying really hard to press up the pitch and closing down their players. Longwell Green had another shot which glided in. BLU had a few corners and lots of runs from Jess and Evie who came close to scoring.  Longwell Green had a clear run on goal, Maeve nearly saved it but it went in. There was lots of pressing from Iris but Longwell Green scored another goal before half time.

At half time there was lots of encouragement from the BLU coaches. Back on the pitch, Jess had a good attempt for a goal but their goalie made a good save. We then made a substitution and Mairead came on for Lamorna.   Mairead did some tackling and good marking of their players. Alice came in defence and did really well. Evie took a corner and nearly got a goal. Longwell Green had an amazing attempt to score but it was wide. Jess was so close with a shot and only just missed. Maeve made some good saves in the second half but there were no more goals for either team. Good match played by everyone. Well done.

Match report written by Evie from BLU U11

BLUs travelled to Emerson Green on a very wet and windy day to play against Longwell Green Tigresses. The weather wasn’t the best but the BLUs were determined to give it their all and all showed determination.

The game started with an early goal to Longwell Green, the BLUs fought back with excellent teamwork from all which led to a very close goal by Jess and Betsy but got saved by the goalie. Kate was up for the challenge in goal and made a smashing save. Ellie showed great confidence getting into space for Betsy to pass. Lily and Iris showed strong tackling in defence to return the ball pass the halfway line and set up for a goal. The weather took a turn for the worse making it difficult to play but the BLUs battled on. Almost needed a snorkel to see the ball! Some excellent footwork by Alice in midfield gave a chance to score. Astrid made a great tackle in defence taking the ball up the field to Jess.

By halftime Longwell Green were ahead, a change of positions in the second half gave some chance for a rest, BLUs showed strong signs of scoring however Longwell Green had other ideas. Alice took up midfield and made an amazing tackle, Betsy passed from the corner towards the goal, Mairead took her chance for a shot but the goalie saved it. Evie was in line to accept the ball and took her shot sadly striking the post. Longwell Green took another shot but Astrid guided the ball towards the corner.

It was a great performance for both teams and BLUs showing so much determination, teamwork throughout. Sadly not taking home the win this time.

Written By Lily from BLU U11

Match report – 30th January 2022 – BLU under 11s, away to Portishead.

BLU went to Portishead to play an away game, it was perfect weather for a match, sunny and not super cold.

When the game started there was great pressing from Lamorna on the right, leading to an early shot which was well saved. Great work from Kate led to Jess shooting narrowly wide. BLU started as the better team, and there was pressure all over the pitch, not to mention all the corners BLU had. However, the goal didn’t come as quickly as hoped, but BLU got there in the end!  A lot was going down the right with Katherine and Lamorna linking, leading to more corners. Kate had a good shot deflected for another corner. Play switched over the left with Jess getting the ball and running at Portishead, who also defended well. Lamorna had a shot to the right, it’s coming we said to ourselves! Jess played a great diagonal ball to Kate, then Kate also came close with a drag back and shot – close again! Betsy did some great passes, which kept us moving forward.  Jess then had a fantastic solo run and shot, which the keeper saved well. Ellie looked positive (not for Covid!) at the back, working well with Katherine to stop the pressing Portishead.  Still 0-0.

Pressure then built from Portishead, who scored from their first corner of the game; a strong shot into the left of the goal. It was against the run of play but well taken.  We all got a bit nervous then but then equalised, straight in from Jess at the corner!  Then suddenly we scored again! Betsy’s shot was stopped by a defender, but sneaks in!  Just before the half time whistle, Portishead break and shoot a strong low shot, which Maeve gathers with confidence.  

Second half starts as the first ended, with a corner to BLU. Suddenly Betsy did a throw in over the defence, which Jess then volleyed into the net. The fans loved it! Alice was looking lively while keeping up the pressure on the left. Portishead were still trying to win, which was great to see, so we had to keep defending and push to our hardest.  Lily at left back was never going to let the attackers past, and kept defending brilliantly. 

In one of the most exciting moments, the Portishead keeper made a triple save with Mairead coming closest to scoring. Lamorna then finds herself clear twice to shoot from distance, the first well saved and the second fizzed to the left. Because we didn’t give up, this led to a final BLU goal, which was scored by Mairead. It was a precise diagonal ball from Betsy through the defence for Mairead to nicely finish. With the game almost over, Portishead then pulled one back with a great passing move leading to a last goal of the match.

It was a great performance for both teams, but we were pleased to take home the win.

Match report written by Ellie from BLU U11

On Sunday 16^th January BLU U11 played at home to Emersons Green. The game started off with an early goal to Emersons Green though after some fierce tackling and defending it wasn’t long till Evie levelled it off with a nice pass from Jess. We soon settled into the game with some good teamwork including strong defending from Pippa and midfield pressure by Betsy. We then had some close shots by Iris and Jess, some brilliant saves by Kate, who really threw herself into it, but another goal closed the first half at 2-1.

We began the second half with a strong start, some powerful long shots on goal by Lamorna and great runs weaving in and out by Kate, though the other team’s defenders proved quite hard to get round. Down at our end we kept the pressure up with confident, strong kicks and clearing by Ellie and Lily. The third goal was scored but we didn’t give up. Katherine made some speedy runs up the wing and helped to get  the ball to Jess who made a close shot. Emersons Green scored again from a rebound from Betsy having made an incredible save.  Overall we played really well as a team, it was a close contest and we have a lot to be proud of.

Match report written by Iris from BLU U11