By Cullen Loughnane
USW women’s team head coach Kathryn Morgan says the team’s change in shape was to blame for a disappointing 0-1 defeat to Bristol University.
Coach Morgan saw her team fall behind after five minutes, with the game’s only goal coming from Bristol fresher Lilia Dempsey.
Morgan said: “It was really poor today. It’s a shame because we’ve played a back five in the first few games, but they wanted to play a four and I agreed, which totally backfired.
“I knew it would backfire; I just wanted to give them the opportunity to play what they thought suited them best.”
But Morgan also highlighted a lack of desire.
She added: “Bristol were first to everything, and second to everything. Honestly the better team won.”
Bristol ended USW’s perfect start to the season and now coach Morgan will have to lift her side as they next face Essex University next, a team they have already beaten 3-1.
Meanwhile Bristol manager Bill Meehan heaped praise on USW.
“It was a hard game, and we knew it would be a hard game,” he said.
“USW always set high standards.
“We should have scored more, we had the ascendancy in the game to do so.”
Scorer Dempsey said: “It’s a great feeling, I’ve been really wanting to get onto the scoresheet and I’m happy it was today.
“It’s definitely built my confidence up, I think scoring goals makes you just feel so much better and I’m looking forward to the next game now.”