Crawley Wasps 1-2 Bridgwater United

IT was delight for Bridgwater on the road against Crawley after Daniella Tyson’s second half goal secure all three points for a much depleted squad.

With a number of key players out through injury & illness the United management had to ring the changes to their starting 11 and subs bench.

Manager Adam Murry said: “Today’s priority was to secure three points no matter the challenges against us.

"Crawley presented a challenge we haven’t necessarily dealt with well this season when up against more physical sides who like to dominate in areas, whist we had seven players missing.

It was definitely not our best footballing display but there were still glimpses of how we expect ourselves to move the ball about, so we have to be pleased and continue to work."

Straight from kick off it was obvious to all in attendance it was going to be a competitive game.

Just before the 20th minute mark Jenna Markham continued her goal scoring form of late, with her first opportunity in the game she calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to give Bridgwater a deserved lead.

After half an hour had gone, Burridge stepped up and was a life line for Bridgwater; Howard was off her line whilst United gave possession away cheaply but Burridge managed to clear the ball off the line.

That equaliser came just a minute later with United disorganised in midfield found a gap out wide before finding space and time to finish.

At the break it was all even.

It was evident that both teams wanted to claim the three points in the second half and the game went end to end a a furious rate of knots.

Ten minutes into the second half, Daniella Tyson put Bridgy back into the lead in spectacular fashion.

The young midfielder who has carved her way into the United midfield in recent weeks picked up the ball 25 yards out before firing a lopping strike into the far top right corner of the goal leaving the ‘keeper with no chance.

Crawley pushed for an equaliser with a change in personnel and formation but this allowed Daisy Ackerman to use her pace on the right hand side of the pitch run down the wing and pick out some great crosses into the box but they just failed to land at the outstretched Potts or Hinchcliffe.

Yet again United looked to progress their Under 21 Dual-Career talent based at Bridgwater & Taunton College as Faith Bedford joined the first team squad again whilst Ellie Bell made a thoroughly deserved return to first team action.

Bell solidified United’s midfield and helped provide strength and discipline against the physicality of Wasps whilst Bedford’s pace tormented Crawley and her best chance for a goal towards the end of the game saw an effort sail over the crossbar after all the hard work had been done before to create the chance.

"The result just gives us more confidence going into an historic cup tie on Friday night which the girls are thoroughly looking forward to," Murry added.