WINSCOMBE Girls finished the season strongly with a gritty team performance against AEK Boco from Bristol.

WINSCOMBE Girls finished the season strongly with a gritty team performance against AEK Boco from Bristol.

Straight from the start they were unlucky not to score in the first minute when Hollie Baker fired wide after a good run. Ten minutes into the game Boco were awarded a penalty after a handball in the box, but was wasted as the ball was blasted high over the bar.

The breakthrough for Winscombe came midway through the first half. Mollie Brownlee won a free kick in an intense midfield battle with a good spell from Niamh Hyden. From the free-kick, Lauren Mears shot from just outside the halfway line that caught out the defence as it flew in the net.

That goal seemed to knock Boco, and shortly after Lauren Mears through ball was well turned in by Kirsy Mears in a tight defensive goal area. Winscombe set about ensuring they did not let the lead slip. With a great defensive display from Emma Wilkinson and Leah Price who kept goal well.

Katie Galbraith's non-stop running up front caused endless problems for a tiring Boco defence and Chloe Elsley chased every ball. Winscombe had three more chances to increase their lead as they pushed forward.

Boco had their best spell in the last 10 minutes and got their just reward when they pulled one back in the last moments of the game. Congratulations go to the whole squad and coach Paul Mears in their first season together in the Bristol League which has been a good run in to the end of the season.