SOHC 2, Old Bristolians 4 With a number of regular experienced players unavailable for the first home league game of the season, coach Gus McVey was forced to make some radical changes to the Ladies first XI starting line-up, writes Rachael Down.

A number of the emerging talented youngsters from the club’s thriving academy were summoned to action whilst some not so young talent were coerced out of retirement!

Old Bristolians came into the contest fresh from an 8-0 win the week before and started confidently.

However the home defence was equal to the challenge and they marked tightly and pressed in all areas of the pitch.

At the other end Maisie Pritchard did well down the left, creating several short corner opportunities. From a well-worked routine a fine strike from Anna Kingsley gave SOHC the lead.

The visitors responded in clinical fashion with two goals in quick succession.

SOHC rotated their players and, when short corner routine was played, Kingsley’s strike was initially saved, but she reacted quickly to power the ball home to level things up.

The visitors took advantage of some tiring legs to snatch a third just before the half-time whistle.

The second half saw even more end-to-end play with both sides looking to get at the other’s back line.

Kingsley saw a goal-bound shot rebound off one post onto the other only to trickle over the back line!

Emily Ackland, confident in defence throughout, also made a searing run up field, finding herself in unfamiliar territory and, with only the keeper to beat, unfortunately couldn’t find the power to send the ball over the line.

Late on the visitors added a fourth, but a two goal margin of defeat was harsh on the home side.

SOHC can count themselves unfortunate not to have taken something from what was a gritty performances from some very talented young players. Special mention must be made of Ellie Marock in defence who put in a most mature performance and showed good attitude from first whistle to last.