Bristol Rovers WFC returned to Yate Town FC and bounced back with confidence from last week’s defeat, hosting Maidenhead United in their first meeting of the season. After a stunning all-round performance, the Gas Girls claimed a well-earned 4-1 victory.
Conditions at Yate were once again far from ideal following heavy rainfall, but the match began at a high tempo with plenty of energy. While George Hunt was tested in the early stages, the majority of possession belonged to Bristol Rovers.
Abbey Hateley was a standout performer in the opening ten minutes, sprinting down the wing with impressive pace and delivering a lovely cross to Chloe Bassett, whose effort narrowly missed the target. Minutes later, Nia Rees tried her luck from distance, but Kody Cornish was equal to it. After another excellent drive down the sideline by Meg Jarvis, Hateleywas soon rewarded for her persistence, firing home a well-deserved opener to give the Gas Girls an early lead.
As the game continued, the visitors managed to create an opportunity of their own, but the effort was fired into the side netting and came to nothing. Rovers soon found a second breakthrough, courtesy of a fine finish from Jarvis. After another impressive run, she calmly swung the ball into the bottom corner to extend the Gas Girls’ lead.
Hateley continued to impress, showing excellent control and skill on the ball as she drove Rovers up the pitch. She looked on course to double her tally after shrugging off an opposing defender, but the whistle was blown and a free kick awarded to the visitors.
While Maidenhead enjoyed a spell of possession, Laura Barrett did well to halt a promising run. As Rovers regained control, Jarvis again looked to add to her tally, breaking into the box before being tackled just as she prepared to shoot, earning a corner for Bassett.
As the match edged closer to the half-time whistle, the Gas Girls showcased excellent combined play, with Hateley and Rovers’ newest signing, Ella Hilliard, linking up well. Following a strong block from Ruby Scahill, Rovers created another chance as Hilliard won a free kick just outside the box. The delivery looked dangerous, but the Maidenhead goalkeeper remained composed to catch the ball and keep Rovers 2–0 ahead at the break.
The second half began with immediate action, as Rees was shown a yellow card before Hunt was forced into making a superb save to preserve Rovers’ advantage.
The Gas Girls continued to create chances, with much of the action taking place in the attacking third. They came close to adding another when Bassett broke through on goal and squared the ball to Jarvis, whose effort narrowly missed the post.
After Hunt comfortably collected another Maidenhead corner, the Gas Girls made their first substitution of the afternoon, with Amelie Gould replacing Bassett. Soon after, Hunt was called into action again, producing another strong save to deny the visitors from close range.
Rovers then made a second change in quick succession, introducing Maisy Collis in place of Rees. Gould immediately made an impact, showing great tenacity as she battled her way forward and went through on goal, but her effort was well saved and parried away by Cornish.
Just two minutes later, the visitors managed to pull a goal back thanks to Chloe Chapman. As play resumed, the referee was again involved, this time showing a yellow card to TJ Gauvain. Following a cleared Maidenhead corner, the ball eventually fell to Jarvis, who struck again to make it 3–1.
Gould once more broke through on goal, but her effort was brilliantly saved, with the Cornish tipping the shot onto the post before it was cleared. While Gould was denied a place on the scoresheet, Jarvis achieved a hat-trick in stoppage time, keeping her composure to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
The final whistle followed shortly after, confirming a deserved 4–1 victory for the Gas Girls.
