“I OWE IT to my teammates for creating these goal-scoring opportunities.”
Such was the ego-free verdict of Anita Tavares, who casually netted eight goals in the Jersey Bulls Women’s 17-0 win on the road at Molesey Athletic on Sunday.
It took the league leaders just 20 seconds to cement their authority on their eighth game of the season. Tavares naturally the player to open the scoring, as she raced to an astonishing first-half feat, which featured seven of the side’s 12 goals at the half-time break.
Emily Le Page bagged a brace and both Taylor Smythe and Danielle Bradshaw also netted in the first half, as Chad Morris’ side sprinted in at the half-time whistle drenched but delighted with their 45 minutes of work.
“It was without doubt the wettest and boggiest pitch we’ve ever played on,” said Morris. “We were wondering whether the ref would call the game off at half time.”
The Bulls entered Sunday’s contest top of the league with seven wins from seven. However, with Meadow Sports just three points back in second place and enjoying a fine season themselves, there was no room for error, particularly in such challenging conditions.
“The message to the girls ahead of the game was clear,” continued Morris, “whether you’re playing at Springfield in front of hundreds of fans on 3G, or here knee deep in the trenches, it’s the same three points available at full-time and you need to just get on with it.”
And get on with it they did, with Tavares’ opening minute goal backed up swiftly by a second from Emily Le Page, before Tavares had added a further three goals before the 20-minute mark.
“To their credit, the girls got stuck in immediately,” said an impressed Morris. “They took the game to Molesey immediately and they got their rewards. To have the game wrapped up so early was excellent.
“But we wanted to make sure we kept those standards high. Just because the points were all but secured doesn’t mean we rest on our laurels and coast through the rest of the game.
“Goal difference could become a deciding factor in this league and, although we don’t necessarily want to be pumping sides 17-0. We had to do what we had to do, be ruthless and secure those all-important extra goals.
“I’m really proud of the girls for that, although the scoreline was so one-sided, we kept our standards high enough to deserve that and showed real grit to push through those conditions.”
The Bulls added a further five goals in the second half through an own goal, one each from Ella Brennand, Leah Morris, Amy Guthrie, Alena Clyde-Smith and one final effort from Tavares.
This mammoth effort has taken the Bulls into a commanding goal difference position. They lead the way with 59 goals scored, while conceding just 7.
24 of those goals have come from their last two games, both away from home and both clean sheets also.
Tavares, whose eight in this game backed up her hat-trick in their previous game, a 7-0 win away at Hersham the previous weekend, now sits on 19 goals from just eight league games this season.
It was an astonishing feat. However, it is not even enough to see her top the league goalscoring tally!
Emily Smith, from Milford & Witley, still commands the division’s scoring bragging rights with 22 – keep your eyes out for the golden boot come the end of the season.
“It has been great to be a part of the Jersey Bulls Women squad on their opening season,” said Tavares. “I feel honoured to have contributed to their success by achieving 19 goals for the team so far.”
The dazzling forward was keen to offer the compliments out to her cohorts though, saying: “I owe it to my teammates for creating those goal-scoring opportunities. The lead-up and people creating those chances are just as important as the goal itself. We have been working hard on attacking final third opportunities, it has been paying off every performance, especially on Sunday.
“It has been great to see so many of my teammates on the scoresheet. I don’t have a total number of goals set for the rest of the season, but to score 40 would be a great accomplishment. I am excited to see what the future holds for this squad.”
The Bulls face just five more league matches this season, four of which are away from home.
Their next clash sees them travel to the Easy As HGV Stadium to face Fleet Town Reserves this Sunday, before a four-week break over the festive period.
Molesey Athletic: Emily Allen, Darcy Blanchard, Emme Blanchard, Lillia Diram, Lily Duthaler, Anya Kirk, Maya Lall, Olivia Lucas, Florence Nell, Isla Rand, Maddie Wort
Jersey Bulls Women: Danielle Bradshaw, Ella Brennand, Emily Le Page, Ana Malta, Leah Morris, Lauren Queree, Aine Ruth, Samantha Silva, Taylor Smythe, Tiffany Sundby, Anita Tavares Substitutes: Alena Clyde-Smith, Amy Guthrie, Coco Leonard
