Ladies celebrate with emphatic victory

Weston Ladies 1sts 7Isca Ladies 3rds 1WESTON entertained Isca for their penultimate game of the season at home, having already secured promotion as champions from Sedgemoor League 1. Weston played excellent hockey from the start and opened the scoring early after a fine passing move finished off well by Lucy Clarke. Weston's midfield moved the ball early and at pace, and the movement of Rosie Bellinger and Lucy Clarke opened up the Isca defence.Charli Crandon got the first of her hat-trick with a shot that gave the keeper no chance and after a fine run by Tina Delaney, Charli Crandon was again on hand to score. Lucy Clarke got her second after great work by Nikki Baker and with the score at 4-0 Weston took their foot of the pedal and allowed Isca back into the game and they took their chance when Lena Dashwood scored from a short corner.After a team talk from coach Mike Legg at half time, the team worked hard to move the ball and not get caught in possession, resulting in many short corners, which Isca defended well. Tina Delaney extended Weston's lead with a well-taken goal after a weaving run. Charli Crandon, playing her last game for Weston as she is off to university, was outstanding as she has been all season and got her reward, completing her hat-trick with a diving shot. Rosie Bellinger got the final goal when she swept the ball past the outstretched keeper.This was an excellent team performance by Weston and the player of the match was jointly awarded to Lucy Clarke and Charli Crandon. This Saturday Weston play their final game of the season at home on Priory to Taunton Civil Service 1pm pushback when they hope to celebrate their promotion with another three points. Supporters welcome to the match and to the Observatory after the game to toast the season.Taunton Vale 5ths 1 Weston Ladies 2nds 3 WESTON finished their season on a high with a well-deserved victory over fellow promotion hopefuls, Taunton Vale 5, emphatically ending their promotion hopes.Weston travelled to Taunton in good spirits after already guaranteeing a slot in Sedgemoor Division 2 for next season, but with a desire to end with a victory and prove they were worthy of playing in the higher league.The team started well with some good one-touch hockey through the middle of the field between Jade Brown, Hayley Blackborow and Abi Smith. Jade Brown quickly capitalised after picking up a cross from Lynne Fryer and slotted the ball past the keeper for her 15th goal of the season. Weston continued to dominate for the remainder of the first half with the majority of the possession in the attacking half. Defence was watertight and whenever Taunton threatened they were met with a strong, well-organised back line. Shirley Cook and Shelly Parkin effectively marked their players out of the game and Jenny Purcell's fierce strike quickly sent the ball back to the front line whenever Taunton played their way into their attacking half.Shortly after half time Taunton scored against the run of play, but Weston refused to be unsettled, fighting back straight from the restart.Good teamwork between the midfield and the two attackers resulted in Weston winning short corners but they were unable to capitalise. They used the width of the pitch with Shelly Parkin frequently bringing the ball down the left, round the back and injecting into the circle. Great initiative from Hayley Blackborow led to the second goal when all players stopped upon hearing a whistle from a different game. Hayley was the first to react when it became clear that play could continue, picking up the ball and driving it into the circle where she rounded the keeper and scored.Taunton were troubled by the decision which Weston took advantage, playing intelligent hockey at pace. Player of the match Claire Westgate was outstanding, she was first to every ball, playing with dogged determination to cut out any attacking play by Taunton and cleverly redistributing the ball to the attack.Lynne Fryer was unlucky when her strike past the keeper hit a post and rebounded back into play to be cleared by Taunton's defence. Jenny Purcell then got Weston's 54th league goal of the season with a strike at a short corner, which was deflected past the keeper at pace.Weston ended the season with 42 points from 18 league games and a plus-30 goal difference, looking forward to taking on new teams in Sedgemoor 2 in the 2009-10 season.Winscombe 3rds 0Somerset Gryphons 2nds 3IT seems that Winscombe are constantly improving with each game they play, and are now playing with more confidence and demonstrating new skills, learnt in training.The inspiring sideline runs by Amelia Bourton, Megan Hyden, Hannah Folkes and Ella Horwood, were met with plenty of excitement by supporters, while Laura Harvey and Becca Young adapted well to their new positions of midfield, making effective linking passes.Plenty of intercepting jab tackles and excellent clearances were made by the Winscombe defence of Debbie Ford, Jodie Honour, Rosin Nigh and debutant Gabby Middle. It was an evenly fought game with both teams sharing possession in a scoreless first half.The Gryphons took the lead halfway through the second half, and as Winscombe tired towards the end, Gryphons scored twice more. Winscombe came off disappointed that the score did not reflect the game, yet pleased with their performance.Player of the match for Winscombe was shared by Hannah Folkes and Laura Harvey.