Sticker AFC Women 2
Butterly 47’ Marks P 53’
Weymouth Women 5
Screen 17’ 21’ 35’ Paul 79’ Webb 90+4’
Weymouth’s women made a 280 mile round trip down to Cornwall on Sunday, and it was a happy drive home as Emily Screen’s first half hat-trick helped them to make it two wins out of two to start the season. It’s the first time the Terras women have started a season with back-to-back wins since reforming 5 years ago.
The Terras would have to cope without the experience of Sarah Davis who completed the Thames Bridge Trek on the Saturday, and they were also without Laura Luxton, and Tegan Standen who is still recovering from illness – leaving them rather short on defensive options.
Sticker made a bright start to the game and saw a shot blocked inside the box on 4 minutes, with appeals for handball being waived away.
Webb had Weymouth’s first chance on 9 minutes but she couldn’t connect properly with Screen’s cross. Sticker counter-attacked and their striker dragged a shot wide from the edge of the box, before Heybourne held onto a stinging free kick a couple of minutes later.
Potter was on hand to make a trademark last ditch tackle – taking a knock for her troubles, but she was able to continue.
Wilson fired wide from an acute angle after Screen intercepted a clearance on the quarter hour mark, but Weymouth would only have to wait another couple of minutes to open the scoring.
Redding showed terrific composure to dribble around a couple of challenges on the edge of the box before laying it off for Screen who fired hard and low into the bottom corner to open the scoring.
Just 4 minutes later, Screen was at it again. Webb found Billing in space on the wing and she sent a devilish first time cross into the box which Screen met with a powerful header into the bottom corner to double the lead.
On 35 minutes, Screen completed a remarkable first half hattrick as she latched onto Wilson’s ball through the middle, ran through on goal, and dinked it over the advancing goalkeeper.
Weymouth were in full flow and were carving Sticker open at will. Webb fired inches wide of the post after being teed up by Screen, Thornicroft had a shot well held by the goalkeeper, Paul fired wide after turning a defender inside-out, and Screen nearly scored an audacious fourth but her overhead
kick was held by the keeper, as Weymouth went into the break 3 to the good.
Whatever was said in the home dressing room at half time had the desired effect, as Sticker emerged for the second half revitalised.
Just 2 minutes after the restart, Butterly prodded home from close range after Heybourne was unable to hold onto a shot from range.
Thornicroft came close to restoring the 3 goal cushion a couple of minutes later but she rolled her shot narrowly wide of the post.
Two minutes later, Webb had the ball in the net but was denied by an offside flag.
Sticker took full advantage – racing up the other end and being awarded what looked a rather soft penalty after Potter was adjudged to have committed a foul. Marks converted from the spot to set up a nervy second half.
Suddenly it was all Sticker. Heybourne held onto an awkward swerving shot from long range, and she held another shot on 58 minutes as Sticker piled on the pressure.
On 63 minutes Sticker headed a corner over the bar, and 2 minutes later they fired over from another corner, as Weymouth weathered the storm.
The game would then become a little disjointed with stoppages for players on both sides to receive
treatment, and this allowed Weymouth to re-group, and in the final 20 minutes they began to regain control of the game.
On 79 minutes, Weymouth added a fourth to give themselves some breathing space, and it was a special moment for young Scarlet Paul who netted her first goal in senior women’s football. Billing’s cross was kept alive by Webb who did well to pull it back from the byline to Paul who fired a powerful shot into the roof of the net.
Paul nearly had a second as the game ticked into added time as she forced an excellent save from the goalkeeper before Webb fired the rebound over.
Webb would get the goal that her performance deserved a minute later though, as she fired home Billing’s pull-back to seal a fantastic away win for the Terras.
It was the proverbial game of two halves with Weymouth having to show both sides of their game, but they passed this test with flying colours, and will look to make it 3 from 3 when they travel to North Devon to face Bideford next.
Weymouth’s development team started their season with an 8-0 loss to Bournemouth Manor in a difficult opening game. They travel to Bridport reserves next.
Terras starting XI: Heybourne, Potter, Paul, Screen, Webb, Clark, Redding, Wilson, Billing, Roberts, Fowler.
Substitutes: Holmes, Thornicroft
