Somerset County Women’s League Cup: Bishops Lydeard Reserves 5, Wellington 2

Our Ladies faced the next challenge in this season’s League Cup run as they travelled to Division One side Bishops Lydeard Reserves.

With the Tangerines overcoming the Bishops Lydeard Development team twice this season in the league, it was evident both sides had a point to prove going into this game.

Spectators did not have to wait long for the first bit of action as the opening goal of the afternoon came from a pinpoint Bishops Lydeard through ball within the first five minutes.

But this would not demoralise Wellington as Tash Hole finished off a perfectly weighted ball from one of our two players-of-the-match, Leah Morrell, equalising by the 11th minute.

As the 20-minute mark approached, both teams showed potential to score, but it was Bishops Lydeard who were more clinical as the hosts claimed their second and third goals.

With the score 3-1 at the halfway mark, Wellington pushed to keep themselves in the game with the other player-of-the-match and captain, Zoe Armitage, leading from the centre of the park.

However, this opened them up at the back and Lydeard were able to get their fourth.

Again, Wellington’s heads did not drop and they kept fighting Two minutes after the restart, Jess Regan delivered a floating corner and found the feet of player-manager Nyima Touray, who poked home her first goal of the season.

Two goals down and with 30 minutes left on the clock, Wellington were able to get back-to-back chances, with one looping attempt being cleared off the line by the diving Lydeard keeper.

This attempt pushed Wellington to keep fighting but they were again left open at the back and this allowed the hosts to get a fifth, ending our Ladies’ run in the competition.

The Tangerines’ valiant underdog effort proved how resilient and motivated the squad have become this season, and how they welcome any challenge.

This unfortunate cup exit now gives Wellington the chance to focus all of their energy on their title fight in Division Two, as they face Wells City on April 24th in what will potentially be a title-deciding match with just two games left of the 2021-22 season.