Weymouth Women 1st v Purton

Wilson 45+4′ Redding 82′

Purton 3
1′ 40′ 53′

South West Regional Women’s League East Division (10/12/23)

Goals from Charlie Wilson and Annie Redding were not enough to prevent the Terras from slipping to a third straight loss in the league, as Purton took all 3 points back to Wiltshire.

The Terras suffered a double blow in the build up to the match, losing both Tegan Standen and Emily Screen to illness. They were however, able to welcome Zara Hunt and Daniella Randall back into the squad, whilst Chloe Lepage and Laura Luxton stepped up from the development team.

Unfortunately Weymouth got off to the worst possible start and fell behind inside the first 30 seconds. A Passing move from the visitors resulted in their striker being left completely unmarked in the box and having a whole goal to aim at and she slotted home.

Purton almost doubled their lead within a few minutes when a corner struck the post and there was then a shot blocked on the line. Weymouth then counter-attacked and Ellia Webb was sent through on goal, but she couldn’t get a shot away before a covering defender got back to make a tackle and clear the danger.

Weymouth had their first real effort on goal in the 7th minute when Gracie Billing managed to get a toe to Charlie Wilson’s free kick, but she couldn’t get any direction on it and it went behind for a goal kick.

Purton then had a strike from some 40 yards which only just fell wide of the mark, before Annie Redding struck the woodwork for Weymouth on 16 minutes after good work down the wing from Thornicroft. The ball hit the post and bounced back out for Hunt on the edge of the box, but her first time shot was wide of the mark.

Webb then headed a Wilson free kick wide, before Kate Chard made a sharp save low to her right from a Purton effort from the edge of the box.

The game settled down for 10 minutes before Purton doubled their lead, and the goal really came out of nothing. The Terras will be disappointed at the ease with which Purton split the defence and the striker had a simple finish.

That goal temporarily dampened the spirit of the home crowd, but with the last kick of the first half, the Terras got themselves back into the game. Annie Redding was fouled around 25 yards out, and skipper Charlie Wilson – making her 50th appearance for the club, struck a powerful shot which was too hot for the goalkeeper to handle, and halved the deficit.

Another Wilson free kick caused problems at the start of the second half. This time the goalkeeper fumbled the shot and a couple of follow up shots were blocked by some desperate Purton defending before Webb scuffed a shot wide.

Having weathered a mini-storm, Purton restored their 2 goal cuhion on 53 minutes. The striker was allowed far too much time and space to pick her spot in the middle of the goal.

Weymouth continued to huff and puff. Sapsford shot wide from the edge of the box, whilst at the other end the visitors came very close to adding a 4th when a long range dipping shot grazed the crossbar.

Purton were defending well and the hosts struggled to fashion any real chances, but with 8 minutes remaining, they were thrown a lifeline. Charlie Wilson picked out Annie Redding on the edge of the box with a cross-field pass. Redding took one touch to control the ball and then coolly fired across goal into the far corner to give Weymouth some hope.

Weymouth threw bodies forwards in the dying minutes, but they just couldn’t force one last chance. Dogged Purton defending ensured the visitors saw out the remaining minutes and made the long journey back to Swindon with the points in the bag.

Another frustrating afternoon for Weymouth, who once again lost by the odd goal, and will feel they could’ve got something out of the game. They paid dearly for their slow start to this game.

They’ll be desperate to get some points on the board next week when they travel to north Dorset to face Shaftesbury, in what has now become a bit of a relegation 6 pointer. The Terras sit 7th in the table on 5 points, 1 point behind Shaftesbury who have a couple of games in hand.

Terras starting XI: Chard, Potter, Davis, Ellis, Fowler, Redding, Thornicroft, Wilson, Billing, Lepage, Webb. Subs: Randall, Hunt, Sapsford, Luxton, Heybourne.

Player of the match: Annie Redding