by Tobias Hunt
USW Women’s 2nd battled to a hard-fought 2-0 win over Gloucestershire 2nd at the Sport Park on Wednesday.
Goals from Karin Underwood and Georgina Cooper helped Fern Burrage’s side get revenge for their 5-3 defeat to Gloucestershire back in October.
Both sides found it hard going in the early stages, struggling to find any momentum going forward.
The hosts went close to taking the lead five minutes before the break when Meg Wordingham’s cross was spilled by Gloucestershire goalkeeper Mollie Ribley, with the ball almost ending up in the back of her net.
Right on the stroke of half-time, USW took the lead when right-back Amelia Liddard broke forward and teed up Underwood, the midfielder, who drilled her effort into the net from just outside the box.
USW carried their momentum into the start of the second-half, with midfielder Georgina Cooper shooting just over the bar after breaking through on goal.
She made up for the miss when her side were awarded a free-kick 25 yards out from goal, stepping up and bending the ball in to the top right corner past a despairing Ribley.
The second goal gave USW confidence, and they improved as the game went on. Moments later, Cooper almost grabbed a second goal when was sent through one-on-one with Ribley, but put her effort agonisingly wide.
With 15 minutes left on the clock, USW had an opportunity to put the game to bed when winger Jemma Clarke crossed to the back post where Jess Wordingham was waiting, however she could only steer her effort wide.
Minutes later, Cooper was through again with only the goalkeeper to beat, but Ribley pulled off a good save to keep the scoreline down.
Speaking after the game, Burrage made clear her delight with her team’s performance, saying “To get the game played today, and play in the manner we did, I’m really pleased with the girls.”
USW are next in action when they travel to face UWTSD: Swansea Women’s 1st next Wednesday.