Winscombe ladies first team striker Hannah Taylor netted five of her team’s six goals against Somerset Gryphons.

Winscombe Ladies 1st XI 6

Somerset Gryphons 1st XI 1

WINSCOMBE got off to a flying start against the Gryphons when Hannah Taylor scored the first of her five goals from a set routine short corner in the first minute.

Determined not to see a repetition of last’s week defeat when they had taken a similar early lead, Winscombe kept up a high tempo.

Great distribution from Caroline Marsh and strong stick skills in the D by Sarah Holland, won numerous short corners from which Taylor netted goals two and three to complete her hat-trick.

A momentary blip saw Somerset Gryphons catch Winscombe napping to score on the break, but Winscombe were soon back in their stride with some good team build-up from the back and solid play from Caitlin Flood, Michelle Isgar and Leanne Gardner to set up Taylor’s fourth, which she scored from an acute angle.

Winscombe’s strong attacking play continued after the half-time break holding Gryphons to only a couple of short corners all match. On one attacking move, a great pass from Taylor found Clark in a great shooting position at the top of the D, where she slammed the ball into the backboard.

More attacking pressure led to another short corner being awarded. Another well-rehearsed routine presented Taylor with the chance to score her fifth goal to cap an outstanding performance.

After a disappointing loss last week, this was just the team performance Winscombe needed in preparation for the last three games of the season, which will be against some tough opposition.

The John Hodge Solicitors’ player of the match was Hannah Taylor.

Winscombe Ladies 3rd XI 5

Chippenham 4th XI 1

TERRIFIC team play and lots of individual effort, determination and skill saw the thirds turn the tables on third-placed Chippenham to win 5-1.

Chippenham started the match with a back three to man-mark the Winscombe forwards of Emma Caney, Helen Sinclair and Ella Byrne. This tactic backfired as Winscombe’s faster forwards managed to lose their markers and latch onto through balls by midfielders Heather Batchelor, Emma Whitehead and Gail Izzard.

Caney opened the scoring at the 10 minute mark, before Becky Matthews netted her hat-trick in the space of 15 minutes.

Molly Roberts put in a great shift, while Sarah Kempster, Jo Hann, Jo Sawtell and keeper Vicky Whittacker all played well. Winscombe’s confidence was exemplified when one of the newest and youngest members of the team, and player of the match, Katie Bowskill, scored just before the final whistle.

The John Hodge Solicitors’ player of the match was Katie Bowskill.