Somerset County Women’s League division one: Paulton Rovers Ladies Reserves 0, Wellington Wildcats Ladies 4
Two goals in each half enabled Wildcats to extend their winning run to four games with a comfortable victory at Paulton Reserves yesterday (Sunday).
Wildcats’ player-of-the-day, sponsored by Mundy Veneer Ltd, was Tenika Goss who is pictured with assistant manager Geoff Hamlyn.
It was also Wildcats’ third successive clean sheet.
The visitors were quickly into their rhythm, utilising wide players Jess Regan and Chloe Payne at every opportunity while Ebony Sellick and Leah Morrell both tested the keeper early on.
The breakthrough came on ten minutes, Sellick using her pace to beat the keeper to an excellent through ball from Tenika Goss before poking home from just inside the area.
Wildcats would have expected to push on, but their passing wasn’t as fluent as it needed to be and were a little slow to the ball and Paulton sensed an equaliser.
They forced a series of corners, but Wildcats’ defence dealt with this well, Emily Ayers heading clear on a couple of occasions.
Morrell finally increased Wildcats’ tally with a brave finish under a heavy challenge with the Paulton defender.
Wildcats were slow out of the blocks in the second half and, although Paulton were unable to find a way back into the game, they did have their only shot of the game during this period – a long-range effort over the head of the Wildcats keeper, but wide of the target.
As the early second half pressure eased, Wildcats regained control and Grayson Kennard, excelling in the space left by the narrow Paulton defence, coolly lifted the ball over the home keeper after being set clear by a beautiful Charlotte Ayers pass.
A fourth almost followed immediately but the Paulton keeper made an outstanding save from Sellick, who had controlled an Imogen Edmondston-Low a pass, before swivelling and unleashing a beautiful effort, which was heading into the top corner before the home keeper intervened.
Another fine save from the keeper kept out an Edmonston-Low drive, but she was unable to keep out Kennard’s second, who smashed home following a loose back pass from the home team.
Wildcats captain Grace Winter was cautioned late on for a mis-timed tackle, while Kennard hit straight at the keeper with a hat-trick beckoning.
Wildcats’ player-of-the-day, sponsored by Mundy Veneer Ltd, was Tenika Goss.
Team: Bianca Hamlyn, Bryony Sellick, Emily Ayers, Tenika Goss, Grace Winter, Jess Regan, Georgia Purdy, Charlotte Ayers, Chloe Payne, Leah Morrell, Ebony Sellick. Substitutes: Keeley Coates, Imogen Edmondston-Low, Grayson Kennard, Christina Seaborne (all used).
Wildcats welcome Portishead Ladies Reserves to the Playing Field this Sunday in a match sponsored by Reg and Jenny Oxby.
Kick-off is at 2pm and support for the ladies will be welcome.
Photos courtesy of Oliver Edmondston-Low.
