Somerset County Women’s League: Bishops Lydeard Ladies Reserves 1, Wellington Wildcats 5
Wildcats maintained their 100% start to the season with an excellent, albeit hard fought, win over Bishops Lydeard on Sunday.
Lydeard were quickest to adapt to the extremely windy conditions and started the game brightly, causing Wildcats some early problems.
This, coupled with Wildcats struggling to string more than a couple of passes together, led to Lydeard taking the lead after 20 minutes. They broke the offside trap to race clear and score.
Wildcats worked tirelessly to get themselves back in the game, which they did shortly before half time, Robyn Stockman striking an excellent effort over the goalkeeper from the corner of the 18 yard box after they finally found their passing rhythm.
Wildcats effectively sealed the tie within six minutes of the second half.
Jess Regan scored her first goal for the club from a tight angle after some good quick passing in midfield created space on the right touchline.
Georgia Purdy then made it three when she scored from distance following some neat inter passing between defence and midfield.
With the rain adding to the wind, which was behind Wildcats’ backs, they continued to push Lydeard deep in their half, making it very difficult for them to get back in the game.
Any time they did break through, the defensive quartet of Wildcats were on hand to tidy up.
Purdy picked up a yellow card for kicking the ball away, while a Lydeard player also collected a yellow card after a poor tackle in midfield.
Emily Ayers scored directly from the resulting free-kick with a beautifully struck effort from 25 yards.
Keeley Coates wrapped up the scoring on 75 minutes with the pick of the afternoon’s goals; Bianca Hamlyn fed into Ebony Sellick who played a perfectly weighted first time pass to Coates. She in turn played a one-two with Regan, controlling the return pass perfectly with her right foot, before turning her defender and smashing home with her left.
This was Wildcats’ third victory over Lydeard in three attempts and they hope to take their current form into October when they meet the top two in the division in the first two weeks.
Wildcats players-of-the-day, sponsored by Mundy Veneer Ltd, were Georgia Purdy and Ebony Sellick, both of whom ran non-stop from start to finish.
Team: Biance Hamlyn, Grayson Kennard, Emily Ayers, Tenika Goss, Grace Winter, Imogen Edmondston-Low, Georgia Purdy, Charlotte Ayers, Robyn Stockman, Leah Morrell, Ebony Sellick. Substitutes: Chloe Payne, Jess Regan, Christina Seaborne, Bryony Sellick, Keeley Coates (all used).
On Sunday, Wildcats entertain Pen Mill Ladies who also boast a 100% record. Kick-off at the Playing Field is at 2pm and all support will be welcome.
PHOTO: John Sellick presents the joint player of the match award to Georgia Purdy and Ebony Sellick. (Georgia Purdy was presented with no-alcohol Prosecco).
