West Clubs Women’s League
Sedgemoor Division 1
Burnham-on-Sea 2, Chard 2
BURNHAM Ladies picked their first point of the season with a superb team performance, and with a bit more luck they could have taken all three.
They were boosted by the return of two players who had been out for some time – Nicki Glanville and Ellie Bishop – who both went on to have storming games.
In driving rain the Blues started well and opened the scoring after fine passing and movement.
Sarah Johnson fired a sideline hit across the pitch from right to left, where Chelsea Fisher picked it up and sent it early down the line to Jem Johnson, who crossed perfectly for Kerry Harvey to tap in at the far post.
The impressive Bishop was finding a lot of space down the right and linking well with Harvey, while Amy Edmundson and Sarah Johnson both went close to doubling the Blues’ lead, before they were hit by a sucker-punch from the visitors.
Two well-taken short corner strikes nestled right in the corners of the Burnham goal, giving keeper Glanville no chance and putting Chard ahead.
TOP PERFORMER: Ellie Bishop picked up the player of the match award. Pic: Steve Richardson
However, in her first start back after injury and in a new position, Glanville went on to have a tremendous game and saved Burnham on numerous occasions, with a diving one-handed stop with her stick being the highlight.
Despite being behind at the break, Burnham knew they had the ability to get back into the game, and so it proved as they scored early in the second period.
This time Fisher found Sarah Johnson in the middle of the pitch with a quick ball out of defence, and she in turn moved it on early to Jem Johnson.
She used her pace and skill to drive down the left before firing in a cross that Edmundson instantly controlled and smashed low into the corner of the goal for her first of the season.
Both sides had chances to win it, with Emma Ballard and Tracey Dunn having to save goalbound penalty corner strikes on their respective posts, while Caroline Hunt deserved a goal for her performance in the middle of the pitch.
In the end a draw was a fair result.
Player of the match: Ellie Bishop
Burnham are at home again this coming Saturday (10am start), with White Eagles the visitors to King Alfred Sports Centre.
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