Winscombe Ladies hit top form against Old Bristolians, hitting eight goals to the visitors’ one.

Winscombe Ladies 1st XI 8

Old Bristolians Ladies 2nd XI 1

AFTER a week off, Winscombe Ladies dominated against Old Bristolians from the start, running out 8-1 winners.

Despite pressure from Leanne Gardner, Chloe Brown and Hannah Bapty, Winscombe initially found it difficult to break down the opposition’s defence.

A couple of early breakaways gave defenders Michelle Isgar, Michelle McCulloch-Clark and Julie O’Sullivan the opportunity to show their skills. Goalie Kate Walker was also called upon to make a couple of timely saves.

Winscombe opened the scoring when Charlie Philips won a short corner. A slick routine involving a slip to Gabriella Richardson, who passed it to newly-appointed captain Kelly Clark, who calmly netted.

This allowed Winscombe to relax and a second goal shortly followed from Hannah Taylor. A third goal resulted when Izzy Savage was quickest to react by slotting home the rebound from her first shot. Taylor followed up with Winscombe’s fourth goal for a 4-0 lead at half time.

After the break, Winscombe continued to stay in the Old B’s half, and it wasn’t long before Taylor completed a well deserved hat-trick. A counter attack left Winscombe exposed and Old B’s scored from a penalty flick.

Winscombe hit back to score their sixth goal, when Sarah Holland outwitted their defence. Debut girl Emily Townsend, scored goals seven and eight with amazing runs from midfield.

The John Hodge Solicitors’ joint players of the match were Hannah Taylor and Michelle Isgar.

Taw Valley Ladies 2nd XI 2

Winscombe Ladies 2nd XI 3

THE seconds were confident of coming away with three points from this away fixture at Taw Valley.

However, the hosts took advantage of a defensive error to go 1-0 up after five minutes. Winscombe soon equalised when a shot hit a Taw Valley foot on the goal-line, resulting in a penalty flick being awarded, which was slotted home by Trudie Lynham.

Winscombe’s relief was short-lived when they conceded penalty corner, which was converted by Taw to put them back in front at the half-time whistle.

After the break, the visitors were awarded a series of short corners resulting in countless shots on goal. After a prolonged goalmouth scuffle, Emma Caney netted the equaliser.

Winscombe were now playing with renewed focus with midfielders Niamh Hyden, Caroline Marsh and Ella Horwood working tirelessly to breakdown Taw’s attacking runs and distribute the ball up the pitch.

Some fine flowing play followed from Tia Craig and Vonnie Rendall, who linked well to work the ball into the D where Lynham nutmegged the Taw keeper to snatch the win.

The Quilter Cheviot player of the match was Ella Horwood.

West Wilts Ladies 2nd XI 9

Winscombe Ladies 3rd XI 2

WINSCOMBE thirds travelled to Warminster to meet the team at the top of the table and were well beaten 9-2.

It wasn’t long before the strong West Wilts forwards got into their stride and the goals started to rattle in. Winscombe defended valiantly, but the lethal fire-power of the opposition proved too much, in spite of several excellent saves by goalie Georgia Tulip.

At 7-0 down at half-time you might have expected Winscombe to completely capitulate, but not at all – Winscombe rallied to play some of their best team hockey of the season so far.

Tia Rendall and Jo Hann worked tirelessly in defence, while player of the match Rachel Wallace quickly closed down any attempted shots and set up attacks through the midfield of Maddie Bawden, Emma Whitehead and Jazz Honour.

One such attack found Gail Izzard with her back to goal in the D, who side-stepped her marker to score Winscombe’s first goal. West Wilts attacks were limited in the second half, but Winscombe were punished twice.

Winscombe’s second goal came from a sublime seven-pass move started by Georgina Glossop and involving Honour, captain and midfielder Gill Harvey, Dulcie Glossop and Maddie Bawden, who finished off the move.

The Quilter Cheviot player of the match was Rachel Wallace.

Winscombe Ladies 4th XI 0

White Eagles Ladies 2nd XI 2

THE fourth team faced tough opposition against league leaders White Eagles 2nds, but despite a good display, lost 2-0.

Player of the match Jo Sawtell kept White Eagles at bay for a while, but a good pass into the Winscombe D was deflected into the goal and put the visitors 1-0 up.

Heather Hockey helped steer Lucy Knapman and Joelee Dewy to repel the attacking moves, but a quick break by White Eagles and strong determination saw them score a second goal.

After the restart, Becky Matthews, Tracey Stokes and Hannah Glossop worked well to win a penalty corner, but they were unable to covert this into a goal.

The second half started well, with Caroline Glossop, Lucy Kindred and Anya Lawrence linking in midfield to push White Eagles wide, while Cara Ellis played her debut match and is a welcome addition to the team.

Oceanne Shears and Katie Semple continued to make strong runs up the wings and into the D and Winscombe were unlucky not to capitalise on their opportunities.

The Quilter Cheviot player of the match was Jo Sawtell.