Portishead 'A' 3 v 7 Ashton Ladies
Ashton Ladies travelled the short distance across Bristol to Portishead Ladies on what will probably be the worst pitch they will play on this season.
Ashton expected a tough match and that’s exactly what they got on a cold day in North Somerset with number 9 striker causing all sorts of issues from the off.
Ashton started to settle into the match and had chances of their own with Teagan Ford and Paige Ponsford having half chances to open the scoring. After 15 minutes of deadlock, Ford opened the scoring with a fine effort from just inside the box from a parry by the goalkeeper after a Paige Ponsford shot, evebtually beating the diving keeper to make it 1-0.
Portishead came back battling and equalised 10 minutes later with the number 9 striker turning on the edge of the box and slotting away past the diving Keira Allan.
Portishead too the lead with another great finish from the number 9 striker who again turned well on the edge of the box scoring a good goal to make is 2-1.
Manager Steve Ponsford freshened things up on the half hour bringing on Edyta Sawon and Edyta was quickly involved pushing forward with pace causing the Portishead back line all sorts of issues. And just 6 minutes later Edyta scored Ashton’s second and the equaliser slotting away low to the keepers right taking the match into half time.
The second half started and seen Ashton continue where they left off the first half with some fine football and putting pressure on the Portishead back line with Josie Almond causing all sorts of problems down the right hand side.
Portishead came back at Ashton and in a bit of a scramble in the box, it appeared the ball rebounded off an Ashton defender, then rebound off the upright and over the line to give Portishead the lead and make it 3-2 to the home side.
Ashton were pushing Portishead for an equaliser and it came from Teagan Ford on the 65th minute with another great effort on the edge of the box beating the Portishead keeper.
​
Edyta Sawon continued causing the Portishead backline issues with her pace and was rewarded with her Second of the match on the 72nd minute again slotting away low to the keepers right hand side and ease the pressure after some nervous play.
​
After a long period of stoppage time for a nasty injury to a Portishead player, Ashton up the gears and were playing through the phases well and Edyta scored her hat trick on the 88th minute after a long ball forward by Gina Needs was collected well by Sawon who slotted away well and to much relief of the Ashton coaching team.
A long ball forward from player of the match Rach Pitts through to Honey Ongley raced on to the ball, and finished well past the keeper to make it 3-6 as Ashton continued to play good football all over the pitch.
Ashton were not finished there and with added time coming to an end, recently re-introduced to the field Mea Porter who was on hand to slot away from close range after a Molly Kingston effort was parried by the keeper into the path of Porter.
What was a fine performance from Steve Ponsford’s team, and probably one of the more tougher matches of the season, this was a great result for the team from BS3 with the latter stages see the team secure a fantastic result. The defensive backline worked hard and defended brilliantly, particularly in the second half.
Ashton Ladies wish a speedy recovery to the Portishead player after sustaining what looked like a nasty injury.
Manager Steve Ponsford has this to say, “Absolutely delighted with todays performance and result”. “Every single player played their part, and made it extremely difficult to choose a player of the match”. “We’ve score 30 goals in four matches, got ourselves to 2nd in the league and I could not be more happier”. "Well done to captain Rach getting player of the match".
Ashton Ladies take on Portishead Reserves at home in the league cup in what is lined up to be the toughest match in some time as Portishead Reserves top the league one table by three points. The match at the Creek and kicks off at 2pm on Sunday 2nd November.
