Winscombe ladies lost narrowly to Taw Valley in a tough encounter.

Winscombe Ladies 1st XI 0

Taw Valley Ladies 1

WITH only their second home game of the season, Winscombe knew they were in for a tough game against a strong Taw Valley side.

Winscombe started well, retaining the ball and putting together some good attacking moves. Unfortunately, they were unable to convert their early opportunities forcing the Taw Valley keeper to make some good saves.

Winscome were led strongly from the back by keeper and player of the match Kate Walker and soaked up the early pressure. The defence of Michelle Isgar, Julie O’Sullivan, Caitlin Flood and Claudia Routhorn-James worked tirelessly and gave the opposition forwards little time on the ball.

After half-time, Winscombe came out with renewed determination. The midfield of Caroline Marsh, Kelly Clarke, Chloe Brown, Leanne Gardner and Hannah Taylor linked well with some lovely one-two hockey.

Unfortunately, Winscombe conceded a scrappy goal midway through the second half to set up a tense final 15 minutes.

Winscombe continued to push hard for an equaliser, with the midfield playing some lovely balls into the corners for the speedy forwards of Hannah Quantick, Gabby Richardson and Sarah Holland to run onto, but could not find the equaliser.

Club member Chloe Brown, who joined Winscombe as a junior over 10 years ago, is sadly leaving to go travelling around New Zealand. All at the club wish her well.

The John Hodge Solicitors’ player of the match was Kate Walker.

Knowle Ladies 0

Winscombe Ladies 3rd XI 5

A FINE performance, featuring many young players, some of whom had come up through the club’s junior section, bodes well for the future.

Winscombe scored two early goals when player of the match Eleanor Thatcher was on hand to deftly slip the ball to Helen Sinclair to net her first of two goals. The second goal was from a set-piece penalty corner taken by Jo Hann and fired home by Emma Whitehead.

The third goal came when midfielder Gill Harvey fed the ball out to Whitehead, who set Byrne off on a penetrating run, finishing with a cross which was neatly dispatched by Sinclair for her brace.

The second half saw Knowle come out fighting, putting the Winscombe defence under some pressure. Keeper Heather Batchelor made some crucial clearances, while Jo Hann, Roisin Nigh, Jo Sawtell and Sarah Kempster stood firm.

Imogen Marsh, Vicky Whitaker and Katie Semple worked well together and

Winscombe’s fourth goal came again from a Byrne cross which was neatly tucked away by Katie Semple. It was fitting that Winscombe’s final goal of the match was scored by the outstanding Byrne herself.

Eleanor Thatcher was the John Hodge Solicitors player of the match.