Bristol Rovers Women's finished the 2021/22 season in style with an emphatic 6-0 win against Downend Flyers in Hanham on Sunday. With a mixture of players returning after their isolation period and some still unwell to play, the 'Gas Girls' found themselves in a slightly better position in comparison to the previous weekend.
The newly crowned Champions were greeted onto the pitch with an impromptu guard of honour by our hosts. An unexpected and classy gesture by the team at Downend Flyers.
The opening exchanges of the match were relatively cagey, with both teams attempting to find their feet on a dry, bobbly pitch. Downend's Goalkeeper was keeping the score at 0-0 with an impressive display, saving attempts from Fielden-Stewart, Curnock and tipping a Libby Bell free-kick onto the bar and over.
After 25 minutes, the deadlock was broken by Laura Curnock who expertly controlled the ball just outside the box, beat her player and chipped the Downend keeper to put the 'Gas Girls' in front.
Approximately 10 minutes later, Fielden-Stewart got on the end of a Libby Bell free-kick to head home her first goal of the match.
On the stroke of half-time, Annys Turner slotted home to make it 3-0 after some exquisite build up play consisting of the front three.
Seven minutes into the second half, Turner got a brace from a corner of all places. Her cross curled into the box and found it's way into the back of the net!
Throughout the second-half, the 'Gas Girls' enjoyed a good spell of possession and looking more comfortable on the ball whilst negotiating the conditions of the pitch. The hosts were also looking to utilise their pace by placing a few troublesome through balls into the final third, dealt with by the Rovers defence.
After a Katie Rawlings challenge, the tenacious midfielder started a sublime counter-attack with the Rover front three. Curnock laid the ball on for Fielden-Stewart to nudge home her second of the match to make 5-0.
Moments later, the 'Gas Girls' top scorer bagged her hat-trick with a ferocious shot into the bottom corner to make it 6-0.
A fantastic performance and the perfect way to finish another successful season for the 'Gas Girls'. The First-Team will now be looking to arrange a few post-season friendlies over the next couple of weeks while behind the scenes Rovers will be starting to plan for the 2022.23 season.
Our Development Team also picked up an important three points against Cirencester Town at Lockleaze on Sunday. Only an own goal was enough to separate the two teams. The girls will now travel to Tuffley Rovers next Sunday (6th March) for another big title battle.
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