Sedgemoor Division 2
Bridgwater ladies 2nds 3, Taunton Vale 5ths 0

BRIDGWATER began their home match against local rivals Taunton Vale in a spirited fashion.

Vale attacked quickly from the push-back, but their advances were soon cut out by Rachel Higgs and Niamh Dillon in defence.

Player of the match Julie Reed connected well with Dillon and Kate Ward on the right to send the ball up to Jess Shobbrook on the wing, but Vale’s experienced defence were thwarting most attacks.

Connecting balls to Miche Rushe in the centre of the pitch allowed play to open up on the left, with Clare Wilson pressing hard up the wing and into the D.

Wilson’s persistence along the baseline finally paid off, as she found Rose Baker just in front of the goal to knock it into the left corner for 1-0.

Bridgwater didn’t rest easy, and picked up the pace to play some great hockey, moving the ball superbly.

Continued attacking play down the left side from Wilson found Karen Chilcott in the D, but with Chilcott’s shot narrowly missing, it was youngster Shobbrook who was in the right place at the right time, deflecting the ball in for her debut goal for the club, and a two-goal half-time lead.

Coming back after half time, Bridgwater played some great tactical hockey.

Bridget Hedeaux, now at centre forward, gave the Vale defence something to think about, and Shobbrook continued to battle hard on the right with the support of Reed and Ward.

Vale made a few breaks in play, but with Katie Morris intercepting much of their attack, and Higgs and Dillon tackling hard to get the ball back up to the Bridgwater forwards, keeper Sue Durkin had very little to do.

Bridgwater’s final goal came from the team maintaining the intensity across the whole pitch, Baker picking up the ball at the top of the D, and passing through to Chilcott who calmly slotted the ball home for 3-0.

Player of the match: Julie Reed.

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BRIDGWATER 1sts, beaten 2-0 at Taunton Vale 2nds last weekend, go to Taw Valley in the Central Division this Saturday.

The 2nds look to build on their Vale win at home to Minehead 2nds.