Winscombe ladies lost to Firebrands, despite a good performance.

Winscombe Ladies 1st XI 1

Firebrands 3rd XI 3

THIS proved a tough match and a disappointing result for Winscombe, in spite of a good performance.

Winscombe started the game strongly, winning a penalty flick in the first five minutes, which was well saved by the Firebrands goalie.

Winscombe quickly regrouped and regained concentration with some solid defending by Julie O’Sullivan, Kat Evans, Charlie Phillips and Michelle Isgar. Goalkeeper Katie Walker made some brilliant saves until Winscombe finally succumbed to the pressure.

Winscombe’s midfield consisted of Kelly Clark, Chloe Brown, Leanne Gardner and Sarah Holland and all worked tirelessly and had some great attacking runs.

Just before the break, the ball was played back out to defender Charlie Phillips, who found Elly Yard in the centre of the D, who flicked the ball straight past the goalie to bring the scores level at half-time.

Winscombe started the second half determined and strong, with lots of movement and running by forwards Gabriella Richardson, Isobel Savage, Hannah Taylor and Yard creating lots of opportunities.

It was unfortunate that Winscombe could not find the back of the net and after a quick break, Firebrands scored to take the lead.

With only a few minutes left, Winsombe continued to fight and work rate was extremely high, but it was Firebrands who found the back of the net to take the win and all three points.

The John Hodge Solicitors joint players of the match were Charlie Phillips and Chloe Brown.

Shepton Mallet 1st XI 6

Winscombe Ladies 2nd XI 1

A FREE-SCORING Shepton Mallet side had scored 63 goals and conceded only six prior to this match proved too strong for the second team.

The first-half began with Shepton breaking through to net twice in quick succession. Winscombe quickly re-grouped and shored up the centre of the pitch with defenders Caroline Marsh and Jo Horwood giving Shepton no way through.

In spite of some great saves from keeper Shaz Bricknell, Shepton scored their third. A long ball out from the Winscombe defence found Georgie Savage, who made a great run into Shepton’s D.

Shepton defended the run well, but Winscombe fought back with the ball falling to Savage on the post, who calmly flicked it over the keeper’s out-stretched glove and into the net.

Winscombe maintained their energy through the remainder of the half, responding well to Shepton’s fast-paced balls and transfers, leaving the score 3-1 at half time.

The second half saw an early Shepton goal which put paid to any comeback ideas.

Shepton mounted many more attacks throughout the match, which were defended well by Jodie Honour and joint player of the match Niamh Hyden.

Savage continued to make numerous breaks, backed up by Hyden, Trudie Lynham, Lucy Tothill and Emma Caney.

The Quilter Cheviot joint players of the match were Shaz Bricknell and Niamh Hyden.

Winscombe Ladies 3rd XI 0

Chippenham 4th XI 1

THIS top of the table clash between unbeaten Chippenham and second-placed Winscombe did not disappoint the spectators.

Both teams matched each other player for player in this game for the full 70 minutes. Defenders Sarah Kempster and Jo Sawtell cleared away any danger and midfielders Heather Hockey, Gill Harvey and Emma Whitehead worked tirelessly to get the ball up to the forwards.

Forwards Hannah Hussey, Shirley Hartshorne, Katie Bowskill and Ella Bryne were unlucky not to convert any of the chances.

Just before half-time, Chippenham wrong-footed the Winscombe defence to score the only goal of the game, just beating keeper Vicky Whittaker.

In the second half, both Whitehead and Hockey managed to win several short corners before a cleverly weighted pass from Bowskill found Shirley Hartshorne bearing down on goal, but her shot required a spectacular save from the Chippenham goalie.

At the other end, the Winscombe defence held strong throughout the match and when called upon, Whittaker pulled off some cracking saves.

The John Hodge Solicitors’ player of the patch was Shirley Hartshorne.

Minehead 2nd XI 8

Winscombe Ladies 4th XI 1

THE fourth team started well and applied early pressure on Minehead, but the more experienced home side came out on top.

Dulcie Glossop, Elener Phillips and Maddie Bawden linked well with Vonnie Rendall, Tia Craig and Hannah Glossop, but were unable to make the most of their opportunities.

Once Minehaed settled down, the more experienced Minehead team passed the ball quickly to their forwards and made the most of their chances. New goalkeeper, Georgia Tulip was unable to keep Minehead at bay.

Both teams had a number of penalty corners, but success came to Minehead with their well-rehearsed routines, despite Becca Budd, Georgina Glossop, Kait Hazzard and Tia Rendall working hard in defence.

Winscombe changed their positions in the second half and Caroline Glossop took a role in midfield to support the attacking midfielders.

The second half saw Winscombe apply more pressure to the Minehead goal and their tenacity eventually paid off. Craig, Hannah Glossop and Rendall linking well to eventually slot the ball home.