Somerset County Women’s League division one: Portishead Ladies Reserves 6, Wellington Wildcats 0
Three goals in each half were enough to earn Portishead victory over Wildcats.
Heavy traffic on the M5 meant a number of Wildcats players did not arrive until after the scheduled 2pm start which certainly didn’t help their preparations and it was no surprise that their defence was under heavy pressure from the off.
However, through excellent work by full backs Grace Winter and Bryony Sellick they were able to withstand this early pressure.
Following a spell of Wildcats pressure, it was Portishead took the lead on 29 minutes. Having won the ball back deep in their own half, they played a long ball out of defence which their striker latched on to and dispatched well.
The second goal was somewhat fortuitous – a foul on Ebony Sellick went unnoticed, while the striker appeared to handle the rebound from the Wildcats keeper before slotting into an empty net.
A sucker punch third goal on the stroke of half-time left Wildcats with a mountain to climb in the second half.
As last week, Wildcats came out after half-time with their heads up and were quickly into their attacking stride but found it difficult to break down the strong Portishead defence.
Portishead were limited to counter attacking, which they did well, scoring twice in quick succession midway through the second half. A sixth goal came shortly before the end and Wildcats were left to return to a very wet Wellington empty handed.
Portishead certainly deserved their victory; however, Wildcats know if a couple of decisions and the run of the ball had gone their way, the scoreline could and probably should have been closer.
More hard work on the training field this week as they look to bounce back from a couple of defeats when they entertain Paulton Rovers Ladies Reserves for what will be their first home game of the season on Sunday – kick off 2pm, all support will be most welcome.
Player-of-the-Day: Bryony Sellick
Team: Bianca Hamlyn, Grace Winter (c), Naomi Southcott, Tenika Goss, Bryony Sellick, Imogen Edmondston-Low, Emily Ayers, Georgia Purdy, Robyn Stockman, Heidi Stucki, Ebony Sellick. Subs: Chloe Payne, Megan Lang, Leah Morrell (all used).
