Winscombe Ladies kept in touch with the league leaders with a draw away at Taw Valley.

Taw Valley Ladies 1st XI 1

Winscombe Ladies 1st XI 1

WINSCOMBE firsts braved the elements to secure a vital point at Taw Valley to keep them within touching distance of the league leaders.

The first 10 minutes saw Winscombe having to defend against strong opposition. Defenders Charlie Phillips, Michelle Isgar, Kelly Clarke and Julie O’Sullivan had their work cut-out, as did goal keeper Kate Walker, who managed to defend a flurry of penalty corners, whose persistence finally gained them a goal.

Early in the second half, a brilliant piece of attacking play from forwards Hannah Taylor, Gabby Richardson and Izzy Savage nearly resulted in the equaliser.

Midfielders Chloe Brown, Kelly Clark and Leanne Gardener opened up the game by distributing play by using their skills to deliver good passes into the D, which created many chances on goal.

A shot by Taylor was stopped by a defender’s foot on the line which resulted in a well-deserved Winscombe penalty flick, which Taylor converted to even the scores.

Shortly after the visitors were down to 10 players when one of their team was shown a green card, which signalled two minutes off the pitch.

Taw took advantage of the power-play situation and managed to create a good shot on goal, which Winscombe defender Phillips cleared off the line.

In spite of winning several more penalty corners, Winscombe were unable to find the backboard and winning goal.

The John Hodge Solicitors player of the match was Kelly Clarke.

Winscombe Ladies 2nd XI 0

Taunton Vale Ladies 3rd XI 1

THE seconds lost a closely-fought battle against Taunton Vale by the only goal of the game.

The hosts settled quickly, with the defensive line of Jo Horwood, Jodie Honor, Caroline Marsh and Amelia Bourton communicating well, while midfielders Imogen Marsh, Ella Horwood and Vonnie Rendall linked well.

Vale were lucky to find a small opening in the Winscombe defence and pounced on the opportunity for a shot, which was quickly blocked by a fine sliding save from keeper Vicky Whittaker, but a Taunton forward managed to snaffle a goal.

Winscombe’s response was to take their game up a level and soon Taunton were struggling to get the ball out of their half as the Winscombe forwards Trudie Lynham, Tia Craig, Georgie Savage, Emma Caney and Harriet Cock mounted wave upon wave of attacking runs.

Rendall was unlucky not to find the back of the net from several well struck shots on goal and Winscombe’s frustration grew as numerous short corners went unconverted.

Eventually, Caroline Marsh drove the ball into Vale’s 25 to strike a tremendous shot into the far corner of the goal. However, to Winscombe’s dismay, the umpire deemed the strike was outside of the D.

Winscombe continued to battle hard, but despite repeated shots on goal could not find the back of the net.

The Quilter Cheviot player of the match was Caroline Marsh.

Winscombe Ladies 3rd XI 0

Wootton Bassett Ladies 2nd XI 9

WINSCOMBE had prepared well for the match, working hard at training and approached this daunting fixture determined to do their best.

Winscombe did not get off to a good start and conceded early in the match and soon the stronger Bassett forwards were in their stride and the home team were 5-0 down at the half-time whistle.

With time to re-group, the Winscombe coach changed formation to consolidate midfield and to account for Winscombe having to play with 10 players due to an injury to Winscombe defender Ella Byrne.

The second half was more balanced and Winscombe did manage to mount several attacks. But Wootton Bassett were relentless and as Winscombe players began to tire, gaps opened up which allowed them to score four more goals, in spite of goalkeeper Georgia Tulip’s outstanding performance.

The Quilter Cheviot player of the match was Georgia Tulip.