Bootham Ladies made their second-longest away trip of the season as they travelled to Moulton College to face Southampton Aztec B in their latest NFS Tier 2 league match. After Bootham snatched victory with the final kick of the game in the previous encounter between the sides, the team knew this would be another tough and closely contested fixture.

Coach Chris had his smallest squad of the season available, with Jess Baker, Jess Barnes, Charlotte Broad and Nikki Brown all unavailable for the trip. Elisabeth Craven returned to the squad, meaning Bootham travelled with just seven players, against a Southampton side expected to rotate players throughout the game.

Despite the limited numbers, spirits remained high as Bootham prepared for the challenge, knowing that a strong collective performance would be needed to compete over the full match.

Bootham were represented by: Katie Samson (GK), Suzy Collins, Natascha Eustance, Erin Elliott, Heather Smith, Ellie Whittaker (C) and Elisabeth Craven.

1st Half

Bootham endured a nightmare start, falling 3–0 behind within the first three minutes after a mix of mistakes, deflections and poor defending. Changes were made and calm heads were required, and gradually Bootham began to work their way back into the game.

The comeback started when Eustance ran through the entire Southampton side and coolly finished into the bottom corner. Soon after came the goal of the game: Elliott exchanged passes with Eustance and Smith before calmly slotting the ball home at the second post. Bootham completed the comeback when Elliott’s inch-perfect pass found Eustance inside the D, and she finished with ease.

Just before half-time, Smith delivered a cross that was inches too high for Collins at the second post.

Half Time – Southampton Aztec 3 – 3 Bootham

2nd Half

Bootham started the second half on the front foot, with Smith going close from a free kick. At the other end, Samson was forced into several saves early in the half as Southampton pushed to retake the lead. Eustance also came close when her shot struck a defender inside the D.

The hosts eventually went back in front on a quick break following a Bootham corner. However, Bootham responded immediately and were level again within a minute. Samson found Smith, who turned the last defender and smashed the ball into the corner of the net.

Smith then went close twice in as many minutes as Bootham pushed for the lead. But against the run of play Southampton struck again to move back in front. Their goalkeeper then produced two excellent saves in quick succession, first denying Whittaker and then Smith from close range. As Bootham pushed hard for an equaliser, Southampton sealed the game with another goal in the final minute.

Half Time – Southampton Aztec 6 – 4 Bootham

Link to the latest NFS Tier 2 league table

A disappointed Coach Chris spoke after the game, saying: ‘I can’t be disappointed with my team after that performance, they were all amazing. To come to this fixture against a very good Southampton team with only seven players was always going to be difficult. To stay in the game right until the final few minutes shows the sort of character and desire this group has. We started really badly and were all over the place in the first few minutes, but we slowly got our game going, looked after the ball much better and started to create some promising situations. To come back to 3–3 at half-time showed immense character, and I actually thought we could have even been in front.’

On the Southampton goalkeeper, he pointed out, ‘I’m not complaining that Southampton have done anything wrong, but to play against a goalkeeper who has already made eight Tier 1 starts this season needs looking at. This rule is crazy and I honestly don’t understand how it can happen, it makes a joke of having Tier 1 and Tier 2 teams.’

When asked about his two classy teenagers, he said, ‘Heather and Erin were fantastic. They looked like they’ve been playing together for years. They controlled the game so well, looked after the ball brilliantly, and their passing at times was breathtaking. It’s been a real breakthrough season for both of them and I can’t wait to see how they perform over the remaining fixtures.’

He finished by saying, ‘It’s always a difficult result to take when you lose in the last few minutes. We had our chances in the first half, but in the second half we just couldn’t support the high player and get our noses in front. Next week we travel again to face Southampton Athletic, and then we finish the season with three home games. This travelling has been brutal on the squad and it’s been a tough few weeks to deal with. One more road trip and then we can enjoy the final few home games.’

Match Highlights:

Player of the Match — selected by Coach Chris — was Katie Samson – She made some crucial saves today, especially in the second half when we were really under pressure. Her distribution was also spot on and helped create plenty of opportunities for the outfield players. A top performance, Katie!

A few images from the game: