Gwalia United 2-2 Bristol Rovers
FA Women’s National League, USW Sports Park, Thursday 29th October
Bristol Rovers Women rescued a late point to claim a 2-2 draw against Gwalia United, thanks to Ruby Scahill’s superb strike in added time against her former club.
Esme Kilburn-Thompson broke the deadlock midway through the first half to put Gwalia ahead, in a game that lacked clear-cut chances. Rovers were level by half-time though, as Anais Trinci found the back of the net with a tidy finish from another set piece.
However, the hosts only needed six minutes to restore their lead after the break, as ex-Gas attacker Daisy Ackerman squared for Kilburn-Thompson to grab her second of the night on the counter.
But Rovers weren’t done there, and just as time seemed to be running out, Scahill struck brilliantly from the edge of the box to find the top corner and give her side a late point on the road.
Gwalia began as the better side, and in fact could’ve taken the lead after a matter of moments as Ackerman forced Morgan Lea into a top save to keep things level.
As both sides continued in search of the opener, the hosts remained the likeliest to go ahead. Gwalia ultimately made their endeavour pay with 22 minutes on the clock, with Kilburn-Thompson getting the decisive touch following a corner that caused issues in the box.
Ackerman looked to combine with Kilburn-Thompson as the pair threatened with their pace in behind, but Rovers stood firm to the hosts’ tidy spells of possession and didn’t let themselves fall further behind.
And despite having to soak up a fair bit of pressure across the half, the Gas found an equaliser before half-time. Making their chances count, Gipsy Viveash delivered a cross from the left of the box, with Libby Davies’ attempted header blocked by a defender before falling nicely for Trinci to swipe it into the bottom left corner, drawing her side level going into the break.
It didn’t take long after the restart for Gwalia to reinstate their advantage, though. Having been the potent pair in the first half, Ackerman latched onto a ball over the top and squared for Kilburn-Thompson for her second of the night.
From there, chances were again scarce as both teams took turns to attack. In a late search for a second leveller, Emily Wilkinson’s throw found its way through to Davies, but the striker’s ball across the face of the goal couldn’t quite find a Gas player in the box.
Just as it seemed the hosts would be taking all three points, Rovers got their goal through Scahill’s powerful strike in injury time. From their first corner of the game, Gwalia’s clearance landed for the midfielder to lash into the top corner, giving her side a point on the road with a goal worthy of being a winner.
Bristol Rovers XI: Lea, Douglas ©, Moises (Gordon 72), Turner, Wilkinson, Scahill, Trinci, Viveash (Dempsey 69), Rees (Costa 69), Mcnama (Temple 79), Davies
Goalscorers: Trinci (42), Scahill (90+3)
Unused subs: Warren, Exley, Tweddle
