Somerset County Women’s League division one: Wildcats Ladies 0, Portishead Ladies Reserves 2

Having lost heavily in the reverse fixture the ever-improving Wildcats were looking put in a good performance against a team just one place above them in the league table.

Playing up the slope in the first half, Wildcats defended well with skipper Grace Winter putting in numerous tackles from the left back position to stop any threat.

With no luck down that side, Portishead opted to try the opposite side but found Bryony Sellick in equally good form on the right.

The quick Portishead forwards tried to exploit the space behind the Wildcats defence with regular through balls, but these were swiftly swept up by Wildcats keeper Bianca Hamlyn.

On the attack, Wildcats played a tight passing game in midfield through Georgia Purdy and Emily Ayers and, when they were able, they sought to play the ball wide to Robyn Stockman on the right and Imogen Edmondston-Low on the left, but found the Portishead defence to be in top form.

Wildcats’ only real chances in the first half came from long range efforts from Tenika Goss and Purdy, both of which were comfortably dealt with by the Portishead keeper.

After the break, Wildcats aimed to get the ball to strike duo Ebony Sellick and Leah Morrell at the earliest opportunity, but they could not find the breakthrough.

Portishead took the lead in the 66th minute – a well-timed run beat the offside trap and the striker controlled the ball well before unleashing a powerful drive past a full-length Hamlyn dive into the bottom corner of the net.

Wildcats almost levelled immediately when Ebony Sellick found herself on the left wing. She played an excellent ball across the six-yard box  but Wildcats were unable to get the touch it needed to hit the back of the net.

With Wildcats pressing for a deserved equaliser, they seemed to switch off a little and conceded a second after failing to clear a corner.

Naomi Southcott and Imogen Edmonston-Low, both of whom had their best games in a Wildcats shirt, were just pipped for player—of-the-match by Grace Winter, who not only defended superbly but is also becoming a threat going forward.

Team: Bianca Hamlyn, Grace Winter (cpt), Tenika Goss, Naomi Southcott, Bryony Sellick, Robyn Stockman, Emily Ayers, Georgia Purdy, Imogen Edmondston-low, Leah Morrell, Ebony Sellick. Substitutes: Chloe Payne, Danielle Bond (used); Fiona Macdonald (not used).

Wildcats have no game this Sunday but are home at Ilminster Town Ladies Reserves the following week, February 18th.