Somerset County Women’s League: Wellington Wildcats Ladies 1, Wincanton Ladies 0
Despite their bottom-of-the-table position, Wincanton have been in good form of late having won three of their previous four games, so Wildcats knew they wouldn’t have things their own way at the Playing Field.
However they almost had the perfect start when Ebony Sellick was put through by Robyn Stockman, but she was unable to make the desired connection and the ball went narrowly wide.
Wildcats had the majority of possession, but found it difficult to get width in their play with Wincanton pressing well in the central channels.
Debutant Leah Morrell looked lively when she came on and but for an unfavourable bounce could have opened her Wildcats account. At the other end, the Wildcats impressive back four ensured stand-in keeper Sheldon Hancock was untroubled as the half ended all square.
Playing down the slope in the second half, Wildcats pressed hard from the off and found plenty of room on the left flank for both Ella Hartley and Captain Grace Winter to exploit, but Wincanton defended the balls into the box well.
As time ticked on, the game became more open and Hancock was called into action to clear a couple of times before Wildcats finally broke the deadlock in the 76th minute, Ebony Sellick hitting the back of the net following some individual brilliance by Emily Ayers.
Sellick had a second effort pushed on to the bar by the Wincanton keeper, while Stockman and Hartley also saw efforts cleared.
Wildcats were relieved to hear the final whistle and can now look forward to a showdown with second-placed Sydenham (see below).
Wildcats player-of-the-day: Bryony Sellick.
Team: Sheldon Hancock, Bryony Sellick, Naomi Southcott, Tenika Goss, Grace Winter (Capt.), Robyn Stockman, Emily Ayers, Zoe Armitage, Ella Hartley, Heidi Stucki, Ebony Sellick. Subs: Leah Morrell, Charlotte Mills (used); Ringla Tance, Amber Perry, Amber Finucane-Fenn (not used).
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Wildcats play their final league game of the season at home to Sydenham Rangers Ladies on Sunday, March 5th – kick-off 2pm.
Wildcats will win the league if they avoid defeat while Sydenham must win their game in hand and also defeat Wildcats to take the title on goal difference.
