Somerset County Women’s League Cup: Wellington Wildcats Ladies 2, Frome Town Women 2 (Wildcats win 4-3 on penalties)

Our Wildcats Ladies progressed into the cup quarter-finals with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Frome at Wellington School yesterday (Sunday, February 2nd).

Georgia Purdy was player-of-the-match and she is pictured with Head of Wildcats, John Sellick.

Wildcats started sharply and took the lead in the seventh minute; Imogen Edmondston-Low tapping home from close range after Ebony Sellick’s header from Emily Ayers excellent corner was only half cleared by Frome.

Frome rallied but found Wildcats defence in top form with both Ayers and Tenika Goss making good clearing headers.

At the other end, Leah Morrell and Robyn Stockman both had good efforts claimed at the second attempt by the away keeper.

On 17 minutes, Wildcats were dealt a blow when keeper Bianca Hamlyn took an accidental boot to the head when making a save and had to be carried from the field. Grayson Kennard stepped up to take the gloves.

With Wildcats needing to adapt to the new line-up, Frome saw this as a chance to level, which they duly did with a speculative effort from long range.

Frome continued to press, and Kennard was called into action to clear from a corner with Goss also making a last-ditch clearance to keep the scores level.

After absorbing the pressure, Wildcats bounced back superbly. Milly Howe had shot blocked by a sliding defender before, on the stroke of half-time, they regained the lead. A long throw into the box from Sellick was only partially cleared by Frome and Charlotte Ayers was on hand to smash home from the edge of the area.

Wildcats came out for the second half and battled for every ball as they looked to maintain their lead.

Georgia Purdy, exceptional in the middle of the park, won every aerial challenge – and there were many – and, at the back, captain Grace Winter made several excellent tackles as the hosts did all they could to prevent any shots on goal.

Purdy and Ayers were dominating the midfield and were able to thread the ball to their wide players who got past their defenders with ease, but balls into the box were met by the very able Frome central defenders.

Arguably against the run of play, Frome equalised with a well-controlled touch and finish from their striker. Having passed all necessary checks, Hamlyn returned to the field on 75 minutes.

In the remaining minutes, Wildcats pushed for a winner and looked the team most likely to score, Keeley Coates going closest.

But, with just three minutes, remaining it was Frome who almost broke Wildcats’ hearts, striking the crossbar from the edge of the area after breaking through the defence.

There was still time for Wildcats to win in normal time with Sellick racing on to a long goal kick,

With credit to both sides, all ten penalties taken were on target with the Frome keeper saving one kick and Hamlyn superbly saving the second and fifth as Wildcats progressed into the last eight.

A notable mention goes to Kennard who kept goal excellently for over an hour, but Wildcats player-of-the-match, sponsored by Talk to Piers Mortgage Advice, was Georgia Purdy.

The Wildcats are thankful to Piers Colegate, who also sponsored the game, and would also like to express sincere thanks to Wellington School for accommodating the fixture at short notice

Team: Bianca Hamlyn, Grayson Kennard, Emily Ayers, Tenika Goss, Grace Winter, Imogen Edmondston-Low, Georgia Purdy, Charlotte Ayers, Robyn Stockman, Leah Morrell, Ebony Sellick. Substitutes: Milly Howe, Keeley Coates, Chloe Payne, Christina Seaborne (all used).

This Sunday, Wildcats are back in league action when the make a trip to play Portishead Ladies Reserves.