Somerset County Women’s League division one: Wellington Wildcats Ladies 4, Bath City Ladies Development 1
Our Wildcats Ladies climbed to second place in the table with a superb comeback win over Bath City Development, maintaining their perfect home record after a dominant and disciplined second-half performance.
Player of the match Bianca Hamlyn is pictured with Steve Crudge (coach).
The opening 45 minutes, however, were anything but straightforward. With a month since their last competitive outing, Wildcats struggled to find rhythm as Bath applied early pressure.
Goalkeeper Bianca Hamlyn, who would later be named player of the match, stood firm with two excellent saves from driven efforts.
She then produced a brilliant reaction stop to tip a rising shot on to the bar. The rebound fell invitingly to a Bath striker, only for her to steer her effort wide of an open goal — a huge let-off for the hosts and a pivotal moment in the game.
Bath eventually made their pressure count in the 40th minute. Wildcats had multiple opportunities to clear the danger, but after a mazy Bath run the ball was eventually pulled back to the edge of the six-yard box for a composed finish into the corner, giving the visitors a half-time lead.
The break proved transformative. Wildcats emerged with renewed purpose, sharper movement, and — crucially — carried out every instruction to a tee.
Just two minutes into the second half, their persistence paid off. Tash Hole cut inside and struck a speculative effort which trickled into the post before rebounding into the path of the Bath keeper and over the line to make it 1–1.
From there, Wildcats were electric. The midfield pairing of Charlotte Ayers and Milly Howe took control, dictating play and feeding the attacking unit with confidence.
The back four of Imogen Edmondston-Low, Grace Winter, Emily Ayers, and Grayson Kennard tightened up superbly, offering composure and control. Their platform allowed the attack to flourish — and it became the Leah Morrell show.
In the 49th minute, she raced on to a through ball and finished calmly to put Wildcats ahead. She repeated the feat on the hour, again showing pace and precision, before completing her hat-trick in the 71st minute with another clinical breakaway finish.
With Wildcats fully in command, Hole, Keeley Coates, Danielle Bond, and Robyn Stockman saw far more of the ball, creating chance after chance and stretching Bath relentlessly. Late in the game Wildcats introduced Georgia Purdy as she manages her return to fitness.
A rusty first half turned into a near-faultless second, capped by outstanding performances throughout the pitch. A deserved win — and Wildcats rise proudly to second place.
Wildcats would like to thank Mark Owen of Fox Electrical for sponsoring the game
Team: Bianca Hamlyn, Grayson Kennard, Emily Ayers, Grace Winter, Imogen Edmondston-Low, Robyn Stockman, Milly Howe, Charlotte Ayers, Leah Morrell, Keeley Coates, Tash Hole: Substitutes: Danielle Bond, Georgia Purdy (both used).
On Sunday, Wildcats take a break from league action as they visit Frome Town ladies in the quarter final of the league cup. They will be looking to reach the semis for the second successive season.
