Winscombe Ladies 1st XI played two games at the weekend, winning one and losing one.

Clifton Ladies 3rd XI 4

Winscombe Ladies 1st XI 2

Winscombe travelled to play a strong Clifton side and after a slow start, quickly gained composure and settled into play in their second match of the weekend.

The midfield created good early opportunities for forwards Hannah Bapty, Hannah Taylor, Gabriella Richardson and Izzy Savage, who tested the Clifton defence, and allowed Emily Townsend to slip one in the back of the net.

Clifton however, were quick on the break, and this allowed them to score two before half-time.

Winscombe’s midfield worked hard to turn over possession, great pressure came from Emily Townsend, Kelly Clarke, Chloe Brown and Leanne Gardner.

Winscombe started the second half well and early interceptions by the defence allowed them to break quickly and create chances. Charlie Philips, Julie O’Sullivan, Michelle Isgar and Michelle Clarke-McCulloch worked tirelessly to keep the Clifton attack out of the D.

But unfortunately, Clifton’s skilful forwards managed to score another one. Winscombe kept their heads and a great goal came from Hannah Taylor, closely followed by another goal from Clifton, making the final score 4-2.

The John Hodge Solicitors’ player of the match was Chloe Brown.

Taunton Vale Ladies 2nd XI 2

Winscombe Ladies 1st XI 3

Winscombe enjoyed a narrow victory in the first of two away matches.

Good play from the midfield of Kelly Clark, Emily Townsend, Gabby Richardson and Chloe Brown, saw possession quickly won back and Winscombe started to press the home defence.

The defence made up of Michelle Clarke-McCullough, Mish Isgar, JuJu O’Sullivan and Charlie Phillips, who offered support to the midfield.

Winscombe’s perseverance and patience eventually paid off, when a ball found Townsend just inside the 25, who took the ball into the D and picked her spot, chipping the keeper and opening the scoring.

The lead didn’t last long, when a quick break from Taunton found a high forward on the penalty spot, who equalised all within the space of a few seconds.

Undeterred by the goal, Winscombe forwards Leanne Gardner, Izzy Savage and Hannah Taylor carried on hassling the Taunton Vale defence and were unlucky not to score again before half-time.

After the break, Winscombe kept possession and Harriet Cock was able to get a shot away which was saved by the Taunton goalie, but only as far as Clarke, who slammed her strike into the backboard making the score 2-1.

After a tussle in the Winscombe D, where a goal was nearly conceded, keeper Kate Walker made a strong clearance, O’Sullivan followed up and found Hannah Taylor on the attacking 25, who kept her composure to score a one-on-one with the keeper.

Just minutes before the final whistle, a short corner was conceded and Taunton Vale slipped in on the far post to finish the game off 3-2.

The John Hodge Solicitors’ player of the match was Emily Townsend.

Winscombe Ladies 2nd XI 2

Taunton Civil Service Ladies 2

The seconds were denied victory by a late goal from Taunton Civil Service.

Both teams worked hard to retain possession, but it was Taunton who opened the scoring, finding a chink in the Winscombe defensive line to take an early lead.

Some fine passing play from midfielders Imogen Marsh, Tia Craig, Molly Roberts and Georgie Savage, were well supported by the defensive back line of Jodie Honor, Jo Horwood, Niamh Hyden and Caroline Marsh.

Winscombe’s discipline and work rate paid off when a free hit just inside the Taunton 25 was quickly taken by Caroline Marsh, who drove the ball through the Taunton defence to bring the scores level.

Winscombe continued to pressurise the Taunton defence with some excellent flowing play from Savage and Craig to forwards Emma Caney and Vonnie Rendall and were rewarded when Imogen Marsh connected to put the hosts in front.

Winscombe maintained their lead until five minutes before the end, when Taunton were awarded a series of short corners. Winscombe defended these well, with keeper Vicky Whittaker keeping a cool head, but Taunton’s determination paid off when they were able to pounce on a deflected ball to bring the scores level.

The Quilter Cheviot player of the match was Georgie Savage

Marlborough Ladies 2nd XI 5

Winscombe Ladies 3rd XI 0

With no substitutes, Winscombe knew this would be a tough match, but came out fighting.

A short corner against Winscombe in the first five minutes set the pace for the rest of the game. A staunch defence of Jo Hann, Tia Rendall and Rachel Wallace cleared a multitude of shots, but one slipped past and started the scoring.

The midfield of Elener Phillips, Maddie Bawden and Dulcie Glossop tracked back well, but another goal from Malborough made it 2-0. However, captain Gill Harvey made some fine tackles to keep the score line at half-time to 3-0.

Some brilliant saves from goalkeeper Georgina Tulip meant that Winscombe went on the attack. A strong ball out of defence was narrowly missed by forward Helen Sinclair, who worked tirelessly.

Forward Chloe Sinclair gave the Marlborough defence a run for their money and was unlucky not to score. Jazz Honour played some fine hockey to give Winscombe several chances, which they were unlucky not to convert.

Two more goals from Marlborough slipped past the Winscombe defence. However, no goals were scored from Marlborough’s short corners.

The Quilter Cheviot player of the match was Rachel Wallace.