Gwalia United made it two wins from two in the FA Women’s National League Division One South with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bournemouth Sports at USW Sport Park.
Molly Kehoe’s second-half strike proved decisive in Gwalia’s first home league game of the season, but the three points were anything but straightforward after a subdued opening 45 minutes in which Bournemouth Sports arguably looked the more dangerous side.
Having opened their league campaign with an emphatic 6-0 victory away at Ascot United, Gwalia came into their first home league fixture full of confidence. Bournemouth had also begun their season with three points, defeating Keynsham Town 2-1, and they showed from the outset that they had travelled to USW Sport Park with plenty of belief of their own.
For Gwalia, however, the first half never quite reached the levels they had set for themselves.
Molly Kehoe (14) congratulated by Kylie Nolan and Esme Kilburn-Thompson (11). Photo by Ian Lovell (Crusadin’ Photos)
The hosts looked lethargic and subdued, struggling to establish the intensity and tempo that had characterised their impressive preseason and opening-day victory. Bournemouth were more energetic and purposeful, finding space and asking questions of the Gwalia defence, and could count themselves unfortunate not to have gone into the interval with the lead.
Ana Machado, Liane Folkenstern and Freya Jennings all had opportunities for the visitors, with Gwalia’s defence and goalkeeper Benedicte Haaland required to remain alert. At times, Bournemouth looked the more likely team to break the deadlock, while Gwalia struggled to create any sustained attacking pressure of their own.
One of the positives from the opening period was the performance of Summer Evans, who was making her first home league appearance for Gwalia in the FAWNL. Evans showed composure and quality throughout, providing one of the brighter sparks in a first half where the team as a whole found it difficult to impose themselves.
Whatever was said inside the Gwalia dressing room at half-time clearly had an impact. The hosts returned with a completely different energy and began to look far more like the Gwalia United side supporters have become accustomed to seeing. The tempo increased, challenges became sharper and, crucially, the attacking players began to run at Bournemouth Sports with far greater purpose.
Esme Kilburn-Thompson went close shortly after the restart before Kehoe curled an effort narrowly wide from distance.
The introduction of Bonnie Gready and Kylie Nolan added another dimension to the Gwalia attack. Both brought much-needed pace and urgency to the game, stretching the Bournemouth defence and helping to turn the momentum firmly in the hosts’ favour. Gready in particular was immediately involved, and her fierce strike tested Bournemouth goalkeeper Kayleigh Prout, who could only parry the effort. Kehoe was quickest to react, following up from close range to smash the ball home and finally break the deadlock and send Gwalia ahead.
It was a goal that reflected the improved second-half performance: pressure, aggression and a willingness to attack the loose ball. With the lead secured, Gwalia discovered their confidence, and regained a persona as a team, looking increasingly dangerous. Kehoe went close to adding a second, while Nolan’s pace continued to cause problems as Bournemouth were forced deeper.
The visitors, though, refused to give up and were handed a dramatic opportunity to rescue a point late in the game when Callie Jones was penalised for a foul on Emma Whall inside the Gwalia penalty area.
With the clock deep into stoppage time, Rosie Eden stepped forward to take the resulting penalty. What followed was another important contribution from Benedicte Haaland. The Gwalia goalkeeper guessed correctly, diving the right way and appearing to have the penalty covered. In the end, Eden’s effort missed the target, but Haaland’s composure and positioning ensured she had done everything required of her in what was a huge moment at the end of a tense contest.
The final whistle eventually confirmed all three points for Gwalia.
It was not a performance that will live long in the memory for its quality, particularly during the first half, but the character shown after the interval will be just as important as the result. For Gwalia Player of The Match Summer Evans, meanwhile, it was an encouraging first home league outing, while Gready and Nolan demonstrated just how important their pace and directness can be to Gwalia’s attacking game.
Most importantly, two games have brought two wins, leaving Cori Williams-Mills’ side with maximum points at the beginning of their FAWNL Division One South campaign.
Attention now turns to the League Cup, with Gwalia travelling to Cheltenham Town on Thursday, 27 August, for a 7:45pm kick-off, before returning to league action away at Torquay next weekend.
