Somerset County Women’s League: Odd Down Women 6, Wellington Wildcats Ladies 1
Wellington AFC’s Wildcats Ladies made the long trip to Odd Down on Sunday, seeking to build on their victory the previous week, but unfortunately ended up going down to a 6-1 defeat after a battling display.
The starting 11 was rejigged following three players pulling out in the morning due to injury and illness, so the remaining 13-strong squad had to adapt to remain competitive.
Odd Down started brightly, retaining possession, spreading the play and probing down the flanks.
Wildcats managed to hold their shape and deal with the threat with keeper Jas making one exceptional reaction save, tipping the ball over for a corner.
Emilia, Nieve and Milly were creating some good counter play but were unable to hit the target.
A counter attack on 22 minutes saw a through ball release the Odd Down striker who beat the keeper’s attempted interception to open the scoring.
Wildcats nearly levelled from the restart with Emilia firing a shot and producing an excellent save.
A change was forced on 28 minutes with Jess, making her first full start, suffering a fierce impact with an awkward fall which required off-field treatment, Isla stepping into the centre with captain Emily.
On 31 minutes, to the surprise of the players, Odd Down were awarded a penalty after keeper Jas won a ball, seemingly making no contact with a player, and the kick was dispatched to double the lead.
The next 14 minutes to half-time saw the Wildcats play their best football of the afternoon.
Lola, sat in midfield, helped control the game, Leah on the left, Robyn on the right with Nieve and Milly through the middle, and Emilia up top caused all sorts of problems.
Emilia hit the post, then another shot moments later saw a second terrific save.
On 39 minutes, Millie saw her effort rattle off the crossbar and an Emilia effort had the same result. Nieve then saw her shot on 44 minutes also hit the bar and another Emilia shot went narrowly wide to see the Wildcats desperately unlucky to be 2-0 down at the break.
Wildcats went out in the second half with a plan but were put on the backfoot almost immediately with an injury to Nieve.
Having adjusted the team with available players, saw Odd Down take the initiative as a spell of six minutes saw them score three times and kill the game off as a contest.
The introduction of player-manager Georgia, although not at 100%, helped restore the equilibrium and find balance within the team.
The mix of experienced heads Emily and Georgia, working with Jess, Immy, Lola, Isla and Taiya, all U18s, worked well and no further clearcut chances were created until on 77 minutes, a corner saw a free Odd Down player in the box to finish.
Wildcats still had their own ambitions and playing for pride, saw Robyn on the right work exceptionally hard and a ball put through to Milly saw her effort beat the keeper – a fantastic goal worthy of her afternoon’s work.
Leah, Nieve and Emilia were also a threat but the game ended with the team being disappointed, knowing for long patches in the game they were equal to the opposition, offering positives all over the pitch while knowing areas where they can all work on.
Player of the match went to Lola – for the third game running she took on her role with improved confidence, going into 50/50s and coming out on top time and again, using her physicality and then intelligence to distribute the correct pass to transition into an attack.
On Sunday, the Wildcats travel to play Nailsea United Women.
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