Sunday saw us open the new season in a new league. The Southern Regional Women's Football League may have been new this season, but we went to a ground I previously led the old development squad at 2 seasons ago. Preseason had been really positive, and I think we were confident at getting a positive result despite being away from home.

We started the game slow initially, with the visitors creating what was probably the better chances of the game in the early exchanges. Sophie Campbell, starting in goal this weekend after a really good preseason, was called into action early one when we lost possession cheaply on the edge of the box. A little later down the line, the Badshot Lea forward did well to create some space for herself and saw her shot hit the bar!

|Credit: McGuffin Media| Delillis sets up her free kick that lead to the first goal

It took us around 25 minutes to really get a foothold into the game, but we had demonstrated some good passages of play in the early exchanges without creating too many key chances. Eventually we broke the deadlock when we won a freekick around 30 yards out. Kate Delillis, who had been unfortunate over preseason not to get herself on the scoresheet, delivered an excellent ball into the box which was begging to be met by someone. When it looked like Izzy Childs, making her competitive debut, would get on the end of it, the ball seemed to keep travelling as the hosts goalkeeper didn't get a hold of the ball and it bounced into the far corner to give us a lead. This saw the beginning of an entertaining and competitive game as we slowly began to get a bit more relaxed into the game, with the first game nerves beginning to fade.

The second half saw both sides continue in a similar fashion, the game looking relatively even in terms of chances. We continued to make a few good chances over the second half, with Issy Wheatley and Nancy Sanderson going close on a few occasions. We eventually managed to double our lead through Childs after a really good passage of play. Maisie Guymer initially played a great ball down the left side for Issy Wheatley to get to, her ball into the box was well placed at Izzy Childs feet where she worked a yard of space to put the ball into the bottom corner of the goal.

|Credit: McGuffin Media| Wheatley looking to beat the defender

This goal was enough to allow the ladies to build in confidence, but we never truly had a solid hold on the game. If we had gotten ourselves on the scoresheet again, I feel this would have helped solidify the result. Eventually the hosts did break through what had been a really excellent defensive display from the side. We lost possession in our half, where the same girl who had hit the bar previously struck well from around 20 yards out, despite the best efforts of Halford and Campbell, we were unable to keep the ball from hitting the roof of the net.

The equaliser came within the last minutes of added time which was heart shattering to say the least! The hosts won a corner and piled players into the box. A good delivery at the near post saw the captain leap above the rest of the crowd and head in to get a late point for their team.

Whilst initially there was much frustration from players and coaches alike, I feel that with calmer mind and deeper reflection, we can begin to see that it was a positive performance against a hard working, combative Badshot Lea side. It gives us a good foundation to build upon as we progress through the season!

We return to action at the Seal Bay Resort Stadium as we host Wycombe Wanderers, kick off at 2pm. It would be great to have lots of support as we open our home campaign.