Winscombe Ladies 2nd XI recorded a narrow victory over White Eagles, with just one goal separating the sides.

Winscombe Ladies 2nd XI 1

White Eagles Ladies 2nd XI 0

Winscombe were unsure what to expect from a newly-promoted White Eagles side, who travelled to play Winscombe at home.

Winscombe started well and dominated most of the first-half, with the visitors having to contain sustained attacking play from Winscombe midfielders Hannah Coogan, Emma Caney, Imogen Marsh and Amy Corfield, along with forwards Georgie Savage, Tia Craig and Dulcie Glossop, but were unable to gain any clear strikes on goal.

Eventually some superb interplay between player of the match Marsh and Craig saw Marsh who drive the ball home to put Winscombe in front.

Eagles took full advantage of several quick turnover balls to make some determined attacking runs into the host’s 25, which the Winscombe defensive line of Michelle Clarke-McCulloch, Trixie Osmond, Jo Horwood and Megan Coe had to work hard to contain.

The second half saw White Eagles come out with increased pace and focus in an attempt to break through the well organised Winscombe press. Their determination won them several breakaway chances which Winscombe were forced to scramble to defend.

In spite of several penalty corners being awarded, the visitors were unable to find the back of the net leaving a relieved Winscombe side happy to have kept a clean sheet.

Winscombe’s Imogen Marsh in action against White Eagles.

Knowle Ladies 3rd XI 1

Winscombe Ladies 3rd XI 4

A strong Winscombe team took to the pitch against an under-strength Knowle side and came away with a 4-1 victory to move up to second place in the table.

Throughout the first-half, Winscombe played some spells of text-book hockey, but lacked the consistency. The breakthrough came when a strong attacking move from Sarah Kempster and Emma Whitehead, set up player of the match Helen Sinclair to score the first of her hat-trick.

Winscombe’s second goal came from Tracey Stokes, who took up a high position and was able to meet a Winscombe pass from midfielder Elener Phillips.

The visitors were caught out by a skilful forward run from the talented Knowle centre-forward, who beat several Winscombe defenders and keeper to score their only goal of the match.

There was a sense of relief just before half-time when Maddie Bawden crossed for Sinclair to slot home her second and Winscombe’s third.

In the second half, Tia Rendall played a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Winscombe captain Gill Harvey. Her shot was saved, the rebound found an alert Sinclair to finish off the move with her third goal.

Winscombe Ladies 4th XI 2

White Eagles Ladies 3rd XI 1

Winscombe’s fourth team entertained White Eagles and came away with a narrow 2-1 victory.

Winscombe started strongly with good play by midfielders Sharon Morris, Lucy Knapman and Caroline Glossop, who linked well with Haniya Jarman and Anya Lawrence.

Despite lots of pressure, it was White Eagles who took the lead after a quick attack. The first shot was saved by Shas Bricknell, but the ball was scrambled home to take the lead just before half-time.

White Eagles started the second half strongly, but Amy Cheeseborough, Jo Sawtell, Stephanie Osmont and Libby Scott in her debut match, all showed some excellent skills.

Christina Ford and Ellie Cooke linked well and Winscombe’s shot hit the post. Jarman also narrowly missed the goal. When Hannah Glossop came on in the second half, she made an early impact to win a penalty corner.

Player of the match Morris injected the ball to Caroline Glossop whose hit was saved, only for Morris to pounce and slip it past the keeper.

Knapman won possession numerous times with strong tackles and Winscombe won another penalty corner. Following the same routine, Caroline Glossop’s shot was deflected high, where well-placed Morris score her second goal which secured the win.