Somerset County Women’s League: Paulton Rovers Ladies Reserves 2, Wellington Wildcats Ladies 1
Wildcats made the long trip to Paulton yesterday (Sunday, November 12th) and were less than a minute away from securing a well-deserved point.
They were slow to start and had goalkeeper Bianca Hamlyn to thank on several occasions as she saved well, but also rushed out well to clear any danger.
Wildcats began to assert themselves, initially through Anna Flory, who was excellent throughout and then the midfield duo of Emily Ayers and Georgia Purdy and it was Purdy who created the first real chance for Wildcats.
A speculative high ball into the box was left to bounce by the Paulton defence and with Leah Morrell poised to head home, she was pushed to the ground and, much to the astonishment of the Wildcats supporters, the referee decided against a penalty.
With Wildcats in the ascendancy, Morrell saw another effort go narrowly wide, and Heidi Stucki and Robyn Stockman combined well on the right before Ebony Sellick opened the scoring.
Her pace was a constant threat all afternoon and she raced on to a through ball and managed to hold off the attempted tackles before slotting the ball home. Half-time 0-1.
Wildcats were slow to start after the break, leaving Paulton to have several chances at goal and it was no surprise when they took full advantage of a miskick to slot a goal into the bottom corner of the net and level the scores in the 49th minute.
Wildcats then had a spell of pressure and crosses from both wings saw Morrell and Sellick challenging the opposition keeper.
Sellick was unlucky not to restore Wildcats lead as her shot from a narrow angle was inches wide of both the left upright and Morrell following in.
With both sides increasing the pressure, most of the remaining play was in midfield where Purdy and Ayers played hopeful through balls to the Wildcats attackers who were met with a strong Paulton defence.
Likewise, the Wildcats keeper and defensive unit were quick to make challenges to prevent any shots from being made.
With the 90 minutes up, it was into added time where a moment’s lapse in concentration gave the Paulton attacker an extra second of time on the ball and she slotted it into the top left of the goal on the 94th minute to seal victory.
Wildcats’ player-of-the-day: Ebony Sellick.
Team: Bianca Hamlyn, Bryony Sellick, Naomi Southcott, Anna Flory, Grace Winter (Capt), Robyn Stockman, Emily Ayers, Georgia Purdy, Leah Morrell, Heidi Stucki, Ebony Sellick. Subs: Imogen Edmondston-Low, Chloe Payne (used), Fiona Macdonald (not used).
Wildcats play the first of three successive home games as they entertain Wells City at the Playing Field on Sunday, kick-off 2pm.
The clubhouse will be open throughout and, as always, the team welcome your support.
