Ridgeway Ladies FC v Weymouth Women 1st

Recap

Ridgeway 0

Weymouth 5
Screen 49′ 64′ Own Goal 69′ Roberts 73′ Wilson P 90′

South West Women’s League East Division (28/01/24)

A five star second half performance saw Weymouth complete the double over their near neighbours Ridgeway, and also make it back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

Looking to kick on from an impressive performance in the cup at Sherborne last time out, the Terras made a bright start, and they had the games first chance 7 minutes in when Roberts teed up Webb whose shot was palmed behind for a corner. Screen then had her effort saved from the resulting corner, before Ridgeway had their first shot on 13 minutes, but it was well held by Heybourne.

Ellia Webb then saw a shot blocked by a defender before Screen’s follow up effort flew narrowly wide of the post.

Weymouth continued to have the lion’s share of the play. After Redding was fouled in the corner, Wilson’s free kick was fired over the bar by Davis, and shortly afterwards Redding saw a curling shot superbly tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper.

The home goal was leading a very charmed life. Next up Lucy Roberts was denied by the keeper from a free kick, and then on 38 minutes, Standen was denied by the keeper at the near post, as Ridgeway held on to go into half time level pegging.

Within a minute of the restart, Emily Screen struck the crossbar with a dipping strike from range, but on 49 minutes she made the long awaited breakthrough. Redding received it wide, cut inside and rode a couple of challenges before teeing up Screen on the edge of the box who fired into the bottom corner for 1-0.

Weymouth didn’t let up having made the breakthrough. Redding had a shot palmed onto the post on 53 minutes, and then she was again denied by the inspired home goalkeeper on 58 minutes, but it felt like a matter of time before a second goal arrived, and it duly came on 64 minutes with Screen heading home Thornicroft’s corner.

Five minutes later, Weymouth added another. Lucy Roberts was proving to be Ridgeway’s tormenter-in-chief down the left wing, and her trickery proved too much for their defence to handle as she beat the full back and sent a devilish low cross into the 6 yard box which a home defender turned into her own goal.

Roberts was then on the scoresheet herself on 73 minutes, as her free kick proved too hot for the goalkeeper to handle.

Weymouth continued to push for more goals in the closing minutes. Sophie Perry had a couple of efforts saved, whilst at the other end, Issy Heybourne showed she was still alert as she held onto an awkward dipping shot from range.

The Terras were able to add the cherry on top of the cake in the last minute when Lucy Roberts was fouled in the box and the referee awarded a penalty. Skipper Charlie Wilson confidently rolled the ball home to cap an emphatic victory for her side and a dominant performance.

The victory keeps the Terras 6th in the league, and moves them 8 points clear of bottom side Ridgeway, and 5 clear of second bottom Shaftesbury. They’re now just a point behind 5th placed Purton.

They’ll be looking to make it 3 league wins in a row when they welcome 7th placed Frome Town to the BLS next Sunday.

There was also a positive result for the Development team who extended their unbeaten run to 4 matches thanks to a 1-1 draw with second in the table Longfleet Lionesses. Zara Hunt equalised for the Terras after Longlfeet had taken an early lead.

The Development team sit 6th in the Dorset league, and they host 5th placed Dorchester Town next Sunday.

Terras starting XI: Heybourne, Potter, Standen, Screen, Redding, Wilson, Billing, Roberts, Webb, Fowler, Davis. Subs – Ellis, Clark, Thornicroft, Perry

Terras player of the match – Emily Screen

Development Team player of the match – Sofia O’Connell