Winscombe ladies make winning start on new home pitch

Winscombe Ladies 1st XI 2

Bridgwater Ladies 1st XI 1

Winscombe ladies played their first league match on the new home pitch and were determined for a win, which they achieved.

The home side kept the ball well, moving the whole time throughout the defence, midfield and forwards, which kept Bridgwater at bay.

After 10 minutes Winscombe’s hard work and determination paid off with a penalty corner being awarded. Player of the match Georgie Collett injected an accurate, fast-paced ball to Michelle Isgar, who slipped the ball to captain Kelly Clark. She returned the ball back to Collett, who cracked the ball into the back board to take an early lead.

Clark dictated play in the centre of the pitch and allowed the team to play some outstanding hockey.

Inside Bridgwater’s attacking circle, Collett and Gabby Richardson bore down on the Bridgwater keeper and set up a shot from Kelly Clark. It was Collett, who reacted first to the rebound, with a perfect touch sending the ball past the diving keeper.

Bridgwater reacted positively and came back strongly at Winscombe with some quality attacking play, winning a penalty corner, which they converted, despite being saved by Winscombe keeper Kate Dennis, but the rebound fell to a Bridgwater forward who netted.

There was much more hockey to be played in this closely contested match with Bridgwater eager to equalise. However, the Winscombe defence held strong, to finish the match worthy winners and remain third in the table.

ECVH Ladies 1st XI 3

Winscombe Ladies 2nd XI 1

The seconds travelled to ECVH in Cullompton for what was to be a close encounter – the second league match of the new season.

Early play saw Winscombe mostly in possession of the ball, with strong runs coming from midfielders Hollie Tyson, Georgie Savage, Niamh Hyden and Trixie Osmond, who fed the forwards.

ECVH were adept at powerful turnovers, resulting in transition of play from defence to attack and shots being fired at Winscombe keeper Vicky Whittaker, who, along with other hardworking defenders, Jo Horwood, Amelia Bourton, Laura Harvey and Eleanor Thatcher managed to successfully defend all but the last shot on goal, which put ECVH ahead at the half-time break.

Winscombe adjusted their formation for the second half which resulted in good attacking play once again. Strong runs were made from Hyden whose passes found forward Vicky Burns in the D. Burns’ shots rebounded offering Tia Craig and Maddie Bawden opportunities to take shots at goal. Several short corners were won but unfortunately were not converted.

ECVH attacking pressure resulted in a further two goals, but in the dying minutes of the game, Winscombe scored a consolation goal when an excellent long-ball from Horwood found Burns, who fed the ball to Craig to shoot. The shot was saved but the rebound was met by Emma Caney, who slapped the ball home.

Player of the match was Hollie Tyson.

Winscombe Ladies 3rd XI 4

Old Bristolians VXI 0

Winscombe 3rds kept up their early season form with a dominant display of hockey and convincing win on their new home pitch.

The goals came from captain Gill Harvey who converted a penalty corner, Helen Sinclair, Tracey Stokes and player of the match Lucy Kindred, who was making only her second appearance in the thirds.

Winscombe forwards Shirely Hartshorne, Tia Rendall, Anya Lawrence and Cara Ellis were given numerous chances by their midfielders, but the defence of Old Bristolians meant that shots on goal were limited.

Winscombe took the lead from a short corner which was slipped back to Harvey, who slotted it home to open the scoring.

Old Bristolians attacked down the middle of the pitch which defensive players Jo Hann, Sarah Kempster dealt with and worked out of defence skilfully by Lucy Knapman.

Another attack followed by Elener Phillips which resulted in Winscombe’s second short corner of the match which Stokes struck with force and beat the keeper cleanly putting the home team into a 2-0 lead at half-time.

In the second half, the Winscombe forwards found more aggression in the D, created more chances, with Sinclair netting the third goal.

As Old B’s became more tired, Winscombe midfielders capitalised with a fourth and final goal coming from Kindred.

Bridgwater Ladies 2nd XI 0

Winscombe Ladies 4th XI 0

Winscombe started the match well with good link-up play across the field.

Stephanie Osmant, Jo Sawtell, Flo Wring, Heather Hockey and Nicky Mills moved the ball well from defence to attack, resulting in a shot from Becky Matthews which narrowly missed the goal.

Bridgwater started their onslaught and had it not been for superb defensive play from Julie Mayo, Sawtell, Osmant, Christina Ford and excellent goalkeeping from player of the match Shas Bricknell.

After the break, midfielders Lyndsey Lawrence, Lydia Hodge, Hockey, Mills and Haniya Jarmin made a series of good tackles, but it was Sawtell in defence who shepherded the ball away from goal on numerous occasions.

Bricknell in the Winscombe goal made a number of outstanding saves, while forwards Ellie Cooke, Wring and Ella Hutchinson passed the ball well, with Wring narrowly missing the goal. Winscombe were delighted to hold on for a goalless draw and a share of the points.