Sunday April 6, 2008; National Premier League.

Everton Ladies 3 Bristol Academy 0

Everton: D.Hill, B.Easton, R.Unitt, L.Duffy (F. Williams), E.Westwood, L.Johnson, J.Handley, A.Kane, N.Dowie, J.Potter (J.Scott), M.Evans (M.Hinnigan).

Bristol: L.Barnes-Ellis, M.O'Brien, E.Jones, K.Manley, C.Yorston, C.Williams (C.Scanlon), J.Fishlock, G.McCatty, K.Bartlett (M.Brain), G.Harries, S.Curtis (Passerella).

Despite having led the way in the National Premier League for much of the season Bristol Academy arrived at Everton knowing a win was essential if they were to retain any hopes of finishing the campaign in second place. Everton's outstanding form had taken them above Bristol in the table while still holding four games in hand.

The visitors were clearly intent on making things difficult for the home side first and foremost with Steph Curtis an isolated figure in attack in the opening stages. With five players patrolling midfield Bristol ensured that Everton struggled to find any rhythm in the first ten minutes and also showed that they could break quickly on a couple of occasions.

Jess Fishlock provided the games' first moment of quality with a telling ball inside Rachel Unitt for Cheryl Williams to run onto but she could do no more than win a corner which came to nothing.

When Everton gained a corner at the other end the Bristol defence had difficulty in clearing their lines but when they eventually managed to do so Gwennan Harries raced away on a dangerous looking break only to spoil the chance with a wayward pass.

Almost fifteen minutes had elapsed before the first shooting opportunity arrived after another set piece. The ball dropped kindly for Everton's Emily Westwood after a free kick had been sent deep into the Academy box but the centre halves' low drive was a couple of yards wide of the target.

The first sign of fluency from Everton came when Lindsay Johnson made a typically forthright break out of defence before feeding Natasha Dowie wide on the right and her pacy centre forced Marie O'Brien into a dramatic headed clearance over her own crossbar.

Jody Handley whipped in a fine corner which cleared Laura Barnes-Ellis in the Bristol goal and she was grateful to Williams for heading clear from the goalline.

Kerry Manley was then booked somewhat harshly after catching Dowie with a challenge from behind and she would later be joined in the book by Corinne Yorston who could have no complaints after scything Amy Kane down.

Everton continued to threaten from dead ball situations and it took a superb goalline clearance from O'Brien to deny Rachel Unitt from point blank range when the full back met a superb corner by Jo Potter.

Little had been seen of the Bristol attack for some time when the visitors suddenly enjoyed a good spell midway through the half and Curtis was offered chances in quick succession.

Firstly a wonderful first time through ball by Williams, played diagonally from the right wing and perfectly weighted, sent the powerful forward clear of the Everton defence but her cross shot was wide of the far post and then a poor ball by Handley offered Curtis the chance to storm forward but, having left Westwood trailing in her wake, the strikers' fierce drive flashed over the angle.

Everton responded with a good move involving Potter, Unitt and Dowie but when Unitt looked to profit from Dowie's cut back she was just about blocked out by the Bristol defence.

Next it was Potter's turn to get to the byeline and her pull back offered Handley an inviting chance but she scuffed her shot disappointingly wide.

The play then became bogged down in the midfield areas for a prolonged spell as Bristol continued to make life difficult for an Everton side missing the craft of Fara Williams and the energy of Jill Scott, both on the substitutes bench after recent injuries, and it looked as though the first half would end goalless.

With the interval looming, however, Everton did make one of their set pieces count after the foul on Kane by Yorston which brought the second yellow card of the contest.

Potter chipped the free kick into Dowie who showed excellent control and strength, as she did throughout, to hold the ball up inside the box before teeing up Unitt for a shot which arrowed into the bottom corner from just inside the area.

The visitors almost snatched an immediate equaliser as they came forward with Johnson down injured and when the ball fell to Harries she sent in a cracking shot on the turn which drew a spectacular diving save from Danielle Hill who not only kept the ball out but held onto it as well. Top goalkeeping.

Half Time: Everton Ladies 1 Bristol Academy 0

Any real prospect of the visitors forcing their way back into the game basically disappeared shortly after the restart when Dowie went on a run and, having slipped by a couple of defenders, produced a smart finish for a fine solo goal.

With Johnson and Westwood in typically resolute form at the back for Everton it was hard to see how Bristol could overturn a two goal deficit and a long second half looked on the cards for the visitors, especially with Scott and Williams warming up for some action.

The speedy Harries had now swapped places with the robust Curtis through the middle for Bristol but Johnson and Westwood are quick as well as strong and the nippy little forward looked to have her work cut out getting any change from her markers.

After a sweeping move out of defence Potter produced a lovely touch to send Dowie running at the Bristol defence again but this time the forward had to settle for a corner when she might have done better.

Again the quality of Everton's delivery, this time from Handley, caused problems for the Academy defence and when Unitt flicked on at the near post Leanne Duffy, of all people, had a clear chance but her header was too high.

Fishlock, who kept on going to the last whistle, took advantage of some sloppy play by Everton to win possession for her side and then presented Harries with a chance but the low shot was straight at Hill who made the save look easy with more assured handling.

By now Everton's command was increasing and the introduction of Scott and Williams for Potter and Duffy did nothing to alter this trend.

Manley produced an excellent interception from a Dowie centre after Kane had released her striker with a perceptive through ball as Everton threatened to extend their advantage.

Fara Williams then made a complete mess of a free kick which allowed the impressive Fishlock to lead a rapid counter attack but Harries was fractionally short of reaching her low centre in front of goal. Everton were forced into conceding a corner, however, which Hill could only punch out as far as Millie Brain whose first time volley was not far off target.

With twenty minutes remaining Everton did put the game completely to bed. Michelle Evans popped up in the centre to flick on a long ball out of defence and suddenly Jill Scott was running through on goal. Scott tried to lob the advancing keeper but did not get the required height and was lucky to see the ball rebound straight into her path.

Faced with an open goal the England midfielder made no mistake.

Hill's handling was then less than perfect as a free kick from Curtis bounced awkwardly in front of her but the Everton keeper made amends with a brave block as the ball ran loose but there was no way back for the visitors and the game petered out somewhat as Everton cruised to another three points.

Williams produced her one moment of superior class with a superb pass out to Dowie who in turn picked out Handley with her centre but the England forward was not having her best game in front of goal and completely mis-hit her attempted volley.

Not that Everton would have been too worried as they collected another comfortably gathered three points from a would be challenger. This is a side that is still developing and improving and blends power, pace and skill just about ideally.

Bristol Academy have enjoyed a fine season so far but remain some way short of the top two teams at the moment.

Full Time: Everton Ladies 3 Bristol Academy 0

Star Player: Jess Fishlock

This award could have gone to any one of half a dozen Everton players. Johnson and Westwood were outstanding yet again at the heart of their defence, Unitt showed up well in defence and attack, Potter gave an impressive display in the centre of midfield and Dowie gave probably the best performance I have seen from her up front, impressing with her control and movement as well as scoring a fine goal.
It is harder to keep going when you are fighting a losing cause, however, and Fishlock was outstanding in her refusal to quit in the Bristol midfield.
Not the biggest she is as brave as they come, tackles keenly, can run all day, has real quality on the ball when passing or dribbling and will never give in. Excellent.