Berkeley Division 3

Wotton-under-Edge Ladies 2nds 5 Avonmouth 0

WOTTON were keen to stamp their authority on their second position in the league and set off from the first pushback with the bit firmly between their teeth.

The wind made it difficult to hear and perhaps contributed to some slightly bunched up play, but Wotton had soon stepped into their stride, creating a short corner opportunity.

A perfect injection gave defender Natalie Groome on top D the chance to thwack a precision-perfect ball right on to the backboard to put Wotton a goal up.

A goal attempt by Tarragon Newcombe was stopped by a defender’s leg and a penalty flick was awarded. Groome stepped up to take her first-ever penalty flick, neatly slotting the ball between the goalie’s legs. Wotton stayed on their toes and in command of the game, creating an opportunity for Sharron Bates to drive the ball across from the right side of the D, perfectly anticipating Lucy Culpepper’s move into open space so that she could drive the ball in to take the score at half time to 3-0.

Feeling fairly secure, Wotton nonetheless came out wanting more goals, which they duly scored.

Sharron Bates made a great pass down the right to Ali Dixon who hammered the ball across the D to Culpepper’s stick.

The goal-bound ball bounced from one defender’s legs to another and in to the goal.

Avonmouth had several attempts of their own at goal, thanks to several breaks from their two fast forwards.

Wotton’s goalie Alicia Johnson Garside worked hard with her defensive team, Katherine Edwards, Rhiannon Holt, and Nathalie Groome, saving at least three fast and hard shots on goal and dispersing some near-goal scrambles with a commanding performance.

The last goal came as the result of a great run up the right side by Tarragon Newcombe, who perfectly timed her pass across the ‘D’ to a waiting Culpepper on the left to make it five.