WELLINGTON Wildcats extended their winning run with an excellent 2-1 home success over Portishead Ladies Reserves in Division One of the Somerset Women’s Football League in front of more than 100 spectators.

The game was only 23 seconds old when Wildcats took the lead, Ebony Sellick beating the keeper from close range after the keeper could only parry Leah Morrell’s initial shot from a Robyn Stockman cross.

Portishead came back fighting and only an excellent save by Wildcats keeper Bianca Hamlyn kept them out. Hamlyn was called into action minutes later, producing another fine save on the edge of the box.

This double save spurred Wildcats on and as they pressed forward. Chloe Payne forced a block from a defender, while the keeper saved well with her feet from Sellick. Georgia Purdy also saw a shot go narrowly wide .

Wildcats extended their lead on 33 minutes when Morrell latched onto a goal kick from Hamlyn, racing clear of two defenders to smash home. Tenika Goss also headed just over the bar as Wildcats pushed for a third goal.

Playing up the slope in the second half, Wildcats knew they would be in for a tough 45 minutes and so it proved. Portishead halved the deficit within eight minutes of the restart; a neat one-two in the centre led to their striker beating the offside trap to slot past Hamlyn off the upright.

This was the first goal Wildcats had conceded in over 300 minutes of football, which is a credit to their excellent defensive unit and goalkeeper.

With Portishead pushing for an equaliser they left themselves exposed at the back, but Wildcats were unable to capitalise on a couple of good chances they had.The Portishead keeper also made a couple of good blocks at the feet ofStockman and Sellick. Goss also went close again from an excellent Emily Ayers corner, while Keeley Coates forced a fine save from the Portishead keeper.

Hamlyn made another excellent save from close range, with both striker and goalkeeper unaware the offside flag had been raised

Wildcats were defending deeper and deeper as they absorbed a series of attacks from Portishead with both Bryony Sellick and Grace Winter making perfectly timed challenges, while Charlotte Ayers also made a great clearance from a threatening corner.

As the clock ticked into injury time Ebony Sellick had the ball in the back of the net, but after a long discussion between referee and linesman, the goal was ruled out for offside.There was no further attempt on either goal as Wildcats held out for a hard fought, but thoroughly deserved victory.

Wildcats player of the day, sponsored by Mundy Veneer Ltd, was goalkeeper Bianca Hamlyn. Wildcats would also like to thank match sponsors Reg and Jenny Oxby.