Somerset County Women’s League – Chairman’s Cup: Burnham United Ladies 1, Wellington Wildcats Ladies 2 (after extra-time)
This tie was a match-up between last season’s Division Two (North) winners Burnham United and Division Two (South) winners Wellington Wildcats and it was Wildcats who progressed to the quarter finals of the competition with a comfortable, if not convincing, victory.
Despite the scoreline, Wildcats controlled the game throughout but struggled to make a real impact in the final third and their cause not helped by some unusual offside calls.
Wildcats finally made the breakthrough midway through the first half when Ebony Sellick picked herself up off the floor to smash home a penalty after being brought down in the box.
The lead was shortlived, however, as Burnham equalised almost immediately with a well struck volley after Wildcats had switched off at a corner.
This sprang Wildcats back into life and they finished the half strongly with some good link play from their dynamic midfield duo of Georgia Purdy and Emily Ayers while Keeley Coates saw a shot cleared off the line as Robyn Stockman was just about to sweep home.
With the wind at their backs in the second half, Wildcats were able to dominate possession for significant periods and spent the majority of time camped in the Burnham half.
At one point they had five successive corners, but never really tested the home keeper, their best effort coming from Purdy who rose highest to head narrowly over the bar. At the other end, Wildcats’ superb defence were on hand to clear when required.
Sellick hit the crossbar in the first period of extra-time, but that was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock before the turnaround.
The second period saw Wildcats press for a deserved winner and it came with seven minutes to go. The ball was played wide to Imogen Edmonston-Low, who played in a first-time cross for Sellick to slot home.
Coates almost added a third, but her well struck shot, was met by an excellent save from the Burnham keeper.
Every Wildcat player deserves credit for their superb performance in testing conditions while player-of-the-day was Georgia Purdy.
Team: Bianca Hamlyn, Bryony Sellick, Naomi Southcott, Tenika Goss, Grace Winter (cpt), Imogen Edmondston-Low, Georgia Purdy, Emily Ayers, Robyn Stockman, Keeley Coates, Ebony Sellick. Substitute: Danielle Bond (used).
Wildcats will assess injuries to a number of players but hope to have a full squad available this Sunday when their play their quarter-final tie at home to Wincanton Town Ladies.
Kick-off at the Playing Field is at 2pm – all support welcome and the clubhouse will be open.
