Somerset County Women’s League: Wellington Wildcats Ladies 0, Banwell Ladies 4
Having been beaten by Banwell earlier in the season, Wildcats knew they would be in for a tough afternoon and so it proved.
Player-of-the-match for our Wildcats was Bianca Hamlyn who is pictured, left, being congratulated by captain Grace Winter.
Their cause wasn’t helped by the kick-off being delayed, initially by 30 minutes due to Banwell being stuck in traffic and then a further 15 minutes as they only had nine players.
Wildcats edged the first 15 minutes, especially through Robyn Stockman on the right wing, without ever testing the Banwell keeper.
The league leaders began to take a hold of the game but found Wildcats goalkeeper Bianca Hamlyn in excellent form as she made a string of outstanding saves.
She was finally been beaten on 29 minutes after the Banwell striker beat the offside line to slot home.
Wildcats then conceded three goals in quick succession as Banwell took the game from them with their excellent passing play, although Wildcats had dropped their performance levels during this period. Half-time 4-0 to the visitors.
If Wildcats were below par in the first half, from minute one to minute 45 in the second they were superb.
Despite not troubling the Banwell keeper, they battled for every ball with purpose and used the width of the Playing Field pitch to create some half-chances of their own.
Ebony Sellick ‘ran her socks off’ chasing down every ball, while Georgia Purdy and Emily Ayers worked tirelessly in the middle of the park. The defensive quartet ensured shots on goal were kept to a minimum and, when they were breached, Hamlyn made two more outstanding saves for a clean sheet in the second half.
Special mention must go Amber Finucane-Fenn and Amber Perry who, despite not having had many minutes this season, performed excellently covering for the unwell Bryony Sellick at right back. Hamlyn was deservedly Wildcats’ player-of-the-day.
Despite the loss, this was only Wildcats’ second home defeat since forming their senior team 18 months ago and, with their outstanding commitment in the second half, there was still many positives to take from the game.
Team: Bianca Hamlyn, Amber Finucane-Fenn, Naomi Southcott, Tenika Goss, Grace Winter (capt), Robyn Stockman, Emily Ayers, Georgia Purdy, Ella Hartley, Heidi Stucki, Ebony Sellick. Subs: Amber Perry, Imogen Edmondston-Low, Chloe Payne, Megan Lang (all used).
Next up is a trip to play Sydenham Rangers on Sunday, kick-off 2pm
