Winscombe Ladies travelled to Sidmouth and collected all three points on offer.

Sidmouth & Ottery Ladies 0

Winscombe Ladies 1st XI 3

WINSCOMBE returned from Sidmouth with all three points from an excellent performance.

Starting well, they were able to dominate much of the possession. The midfield of Leanne Gardener, Kelly Clarke and Chloe Brown linked well with the forwards and defence to transfer play.

Winscombe were able to break down the Sidmouth defence by stretching play and getting early shots off in the D. Unfortunately, the Sidmouth keeper was up to the challenge and Winscombe struggled to get on the scoresheet.

In the second half, the breakthrough came with a well-worked short corner routine, taking advantage of the fact Sidmouth had been reduced to three players due to the new penalty for the defence breaking early.

Mish Isgar received the ball at the top of the D, slipping it to Sarah Holland who played the ball to Clarke, who found Hannah Taylor free on the post to slot the ball into the back of the net.

Shortly afterwards Winscombe extended their lead when Izzy Savage played the ball out of her own 22 to find captain Gabriella Richardson, who led the counterattack. She fed the ball to Taylor who slipped it back to Richardson in the D to calmly slot the ball home from a tight angle.

Winscombe were on a roll and a quickly-taken long corner by Isgar found Clarke at the top of the D. Her shot was saved by the diving keeper, trapping the ball under her. Taylor was on hand to dislodge the ball and flick it over the keeper into the goal for her second and Winscombe’s third.

Sidmouth were determined to get a goal back, but the visitor’s defence of Michelle Clarke-McCullock, Julie O’Sullivan, Charlie Phillips, Isgar and goalie Kate Walker continued their impressive form and kept another clean sheet, without giving away a single penalty corner.

The John Hodge Solicitors’ player of the match was Charlie Phillips.

Winscombe’s Charlie Phillips in action (Photo: Paul Knight Photography).

Winscombe Ladies 2nd XI 4

Chard Ladies 1st XI 1

THE seconds struggled to find momentum against a determined Chard side and were left feeling frustrated to find the score line still standing at 0-0 at the half-time break.

The hosts were further dismayed when early in the second half Chard managed to work their way into their D and put themselves in front.

Midfielders Caroline Marsh, Niamh Hyden and Imogen Marsh connected well with forwards Ella Byrne, Georgie Savage, Tia Craig and Emma Caney to pressurise the Chard defence and were rewarded with a succession of goals, one from Craig and two from Caney.

Despite this onslaught, Chard brough the best out of keeper Vicky Whittaker, who pulled off an excellent save.

Winscombe extended their lead when Ella Byrne crossed for Caney to deflect the ball across the line.

The Quilter Cheviot player of the match was Niamh Hyden.

Winscombe Ladies 3rd XI 0

Marlborough Ladies 3rd XI 2

THIS was a frustrating match for Winscombe as they were the better team in terms of possession and opportunities in the first-half.

Tia Rendall had an excellent match at right back, setting up Vonnie Rendall and the other midfielders on the offensive. One ball went through to find Helen Sinclair one-on-one with the keeper.

Captain and man of the match Gill Harvey showed great skill and vision in breaking down the Marlborough attacks and supporting the Winscombe forward play, while Elener Phillips had some success on the wing.

In the second half, the match became scrappy with Marlborough pressing well on Winscombe’s 16 hit outs. It was Marlborough who took advantage to score the first of their two goals.

The second followed after a decent spell of forward play in the D by Winscombe, but a turnover in possession was jumped on by Marlborough who counter-attacked to grab all three points.

The Quilter Cheviot player of the match was Gill Harvey.

Winscombe Ladies 4th XI 1

Burnham Ladies 1

Winscombe 4th XI shared the points in an entertain match with Burnham.

They started positively attacking the Burnham goal with Tracey Stokes, Shirley Hartshorne and Hannah Glossop linking well. Attempts on goal were blocked by the Burnham defence, but Katie Semple, Oceanne Shears and Lucy Kindred helped keep the pressure on Burnham.

The newness of the Winscombe team showed at times against a more experienced team and the Burnham attack scored just before half-time.

The second half saw Winscombe regain their composure and Lucy Knapman, Joelee Dewey and Heather Hockey defended well.

A pass from Anya Lawrence saw Hartshorne show fantastic commitment with the opposition keeper and when advantage was played, Glossop managed to slot home the equaliser.

Shaz Bricknall in goal made some excellent saves, helping to clear the ball away to enable Winscombe to hold onto the draw.

The Quilter Cheviot player of the match was Anya Lawrence.