Winscombe Ladies were held to a draw in their opening league game of the season.

Firebrands Ladies 3rd XI 1

Winscombe Ladies 1st XI 1

THE first game of the season for Winscombe Ladies saw them travel to Firebrands.

Winscombe settled quickly into the game, showing Firebrands they were match and attacks led by Chloe Brown left Firebrands no escape and resulting in several short corners. Captain Gabby Richardson converted one of these within the first five minutes.

The visitors kept up the pressure on Firebrands, but a lucky break allowed them to equalise. Winscombe’s solid midfield of Sarah Holland, Kelly Clark, Ella Horwood and Leanne Gardner continued to press the D, with Firebrands finding it difficult to clear the ball from their own half.

The second half provided much of the same as Winscombe restarted the match with great pace, with Hannah Taylor, Hannah Bapty and Izzy Savage all having shots well saved.

The defence of Michelle Isgar, Charlie Phillips, Chloe Brown and newcomer Michelle Clarke-McCullough, cleared any Firebrand chances, transferring the ball up the pitch to counter-attack, with several shots being saved by the busy Firebrands keeper.

The John Hodge Solicitors’ player of the mMatch was Michelle Isgar.

Winscombe Ladies 2nd XI 2

Minehead Ladies 2nd XI 1

THE seconds were looking forward to their first league match of the season, following a strong performance in the previous week’s friendly fixture.

Playing hosts to newly-promoted Minehead, Winscombe settled quickly and were soon demonstrating some strong play between midfield and forwards. Tia Craig, Trudie Lynham, Emma Caney and Vonnie Rendall all linking well.

Their hard work paid off when an extended period of pressure within the visitors D, Caney was able to push the ball past the Minehead keeper to put Winscombe in front.

The visitors continued to keep Winscombe on their toes and after several quick turnover balls, were able to equalise.

Caroline and Imogen Marsh, Niamh Hyden, Rachel Wallace and Amelia Bourton maintained their high levels of workrate to squeeze the play into the visitor’s half.

This resulted in Wallace being able to convert one of numerous short corners to secure Winscombe’s well-deserved win.

The Quilter Cheviot player of the match was Imogen Marsh.

Winscombe Ladies 3rd XI 1

Chippenham 4th XI 6

WINSCOMBE and Chippenham were the two teams promoted last season, so Winscombe knew this would be a tough fixture.

Undaunted, a new-look Winscombe side started the match with confidence and some excellent team play. With Winscombe pressing Chippenham back into their own 25, a cross by Jasmine Honour was converted by Ella Byrne to put Winscombe ahead for the only goal of the half.

Shortly into the second half, Chippenham found a new gear and Winscombe’s defence came under pressure when several goals were scored in quick succession. Winscombe keeper Georgia Tulip made some excellent saves, while Georgina Glossop had a strong game in defence, a performance which earned her player of the match, while Elenor Phillips, Maddie Bawden and Tia Rendall also put in good performances.

The Quilter Cheviot player of the match was Georgina Glossop.

White Eagles Ladies 3rd XI 0

Winscombe Ladies IV XI 1

THE first league match of the new season saw the 4th XI welcome several new players to the club and also juniors who had graduated into the senior club.

They started well with a good move up the right with Oceanne Shears helping to drive the ball into the attacking D. Becky Matthews, Hannah Glossop and Katie Semple applied good pressure, but were unable to score.

Shirley Hartshorne and Tracey Stokes stopped the ball from getting into the Winscombe half, while Heather Hockey and captain Caroline Glossop switched play to provide good support to the new players and added strengthen to the defence.

When White Eagles attacked, they were unable to beat Shaz Bricknell in goal and Kait Hazzard and Joely Dewey helped clear the ball away to safety.

Just before half-time, Hannah Glossop managed to slot the ball past the goalie as she took advantage of a strong position near the goal.

The second half followed the pattern of the first, but neither team were able to change the scoreline.

The Quilter Cheviot player of the match was Lucy Kindred.