Shaftesbury Ladies 0

Weymouth Women 5

Howard 21’ Sibley 41’ Wilson P 45+3’ Beasley 54’ Johnson 71’

Dorset Women’s League (07/11/21)

Report: James Spring

Debutants shine as Terras return to league action in style

After a six week break, Weymouth finally returned to Dorset league action with a trip to winless Shaftesbury on Sunday.

The Terras included three debutants in their starting line-up. Young goalkeeper Issy Heybourne made her debut between the sticks replacing the injured Kate Osment, after impressing in the Development Team.

Also, new signings Dani Ackerman and Kristina Manktelow made their debuts in the midfield.

Ackerman came very close to making an immediate impact, as less than 2 minutes into the contest she intercepted a goal kick, and attempted to chip it over the keeper, but the shot drifted narrowly wide of the mark.

Shortly afterwards Ackerman was in the thick of it again as she beat two defenders before pulling it back for Becca De Havilland on the edge of the D. She hit it first time but it was just over the crossbar.

Shakira Howard dragged an effort wide of the mark before player-manager Tasha Sibley hit the post when clean through on goal, but on 21 minutes the pressure from Weymouth finally told.

Lily Beasley turned the full-back and whipped a cross into the box. Howard was able to get enough of a toe to the ball to lob it over the goalkeeper, and it dropped into the far corner to give Weymouth a lead which their early dominance had merited.

Beasley came close to doubling the lead after half an hour but her shot from a tight angle was well stopped by the home goalkeeper.

Debutant Kristina Manktelow was causing plenty of trouble down the wing. On 35 minutes she looked set for a debut goal as she rounded the goalkeeper, but instead of shooting she tried to roll it across the box for Howard to tap in, but she couldn’t quite reach it and the danger was cleared.

Shaftesbury then had their first opportunity of the game as the Weymouth backline was caught out. The striker was through one on one, but goalkeeper Issy Heybourne was quickly off her line to close down the angle, and the striker was forced to hit it early and fired wide of the mark. A let-off for the Terras.

Dani Ackerman was then denied a debut goal by the offside flag after tapping home Howard’s ball across the six yard box.

Charlie Wilson stung the goalkeeper’s palms with a free kick and De Havilland tried her luck from range but was wide of the mark, before the lead was doubled on 41 minutes by the gaffer.

Kayleigh Whitling poked a ball through the middle of the home defence which Sibley ran onto, and this time she rolled it into the bottom right corner to put her side in control.

And it got even better for Weymouth 3 minutes into injury time when Charlie Wilson was tripped inside the box and the referee pointed the spot. The skipper did the honours from the spot herself – slotting it into the bottom left corner to give Weymouth a 3-0 lead at the break.

Weymouth didn’t let up at the start of the second half, and on 54 minutes they had their fourth, as Wilson turned provider – playing a brilliant ball through to Beasley who rounded the goalkeeper and slotted home from a tight angle.

Weymouth continued to control proceedings with some neat passing football, although they had to wait until the 71st minute for their fifth of the afternoon.

Naomi Johnson was on hand to nod home Lily Beasley’s cross from close range as Weymouth took advantage of a tiring Shaftesbury defence.

The final quarter of an hour turned a little bit scrappy. Weymouth also began to tire from their lack of game time of late. Some passes went astray and Shaftesbury had a couple of chances. They had one effort cleared off the line and they struck the crossbar with a free kick in injury time, but even with the game in the bag the defence worked hard and put their bodies on the line to keep the clean sheet.

Weymouth will probably feel they should have had more goals given the chances they created, but they couldn’t have asked for more from the day. A clean sheet, 3 points on the board, 5 different goal scorers and 3 excellent debuts.