WELLINGTON Wildcats gained a 4-0 home success against Paulton Rovers Ladies - scoring twice in each half - in Division One of the Somerset Women’s Football League.
It enabled Wildcats to extend their winning run to four games. This was also Wildcats’ third successive clean sheet.
Wildcats were quickly into their rhythm utilising wide players Jess Regan and Chloe Payne at every opportunity while Ebony Sellick and Leah Morrell both tested the keeper early on.
The breakthrough came on ten minutes, Sellick, using her pace to beat the keeper to an excellent through ball from Tenika Goss, before poking home from just inside the area.
Wildcats would have expected to push on, but their passing was not as fluent as it needed to be and were a little slow to the ball and Paulton sensed an equaliser.They forced a series of corners, but Wildcats defence dealt with this well, Emily Ayers heading clear on a couple of occasions. Morrell finally increased Wildcats’ tally with a brave finish under a heavy challenge with the Paulton defender.
Wildcats were slow out of the blocks in the second half and although Paulton were unable to find a way back into the game they did have their only shot of the game during this period; a long range effort over the head of Wildcats keeper, but wide of the target.
As the early second half pressure eased, Wildcats regained control and Grayson Kennard, excelling in the space left by the narrow Paulton defence, coolly lifted the ball over the home keeper after being set clear by a beautiful Charlotte Ayers pass.
A fourth almost followed immediately but the Paulton keeper made an outstanding save from Sellick, who had controlled an Imogen Edmondston-Low a pass, before swivelling and unleashing a beautiful effort, which was heading into the top corner, but the home keeper intervened. Another fine save from the keeper kept out an Edmonston-Low drive, but she was unable to keep out Kennards’ second, who smashed home following a loose back pass from the home team.
Wildcats captain Grace Winter was cautioned late on for a mis-timed tackle, while Kennard hit straight at the keeper with a hat-trick beckoning.
Wildcats’ player of the day, sponsored by Mundy Veneer Ltd, was Tenika Goss
Wildcats: Bianca Hamlyn, Bryony Sellick, Emily Ayers, Tenika Goss, Grace Winter, Jess Regan, Georgia Purdy, Charlotte Ayers, Chloe Payne, Leah Morrell, Ebony Sellick. Subs (all used): Keeley Coates, Imogen Edmondston-Low, Grayson Kennard, Christina Seaborne
Wildcats welcome Portishead Ladies Reserves to the Playing Field this Sunday (November 10) in a match sponsored by Reg & Jenny Oxby. Kick-Off 2pm. Support for the ladies will be welcome.