MENDIP LADIES 2nds 2 TEAM BATH BUCCS 4ths 1
On an unseasonably hot day, Mendip Ladies Seconds turned out against Bath Buccs knowing that it was going to be a tough match, with several core players unavailable from the squad.
Buccs started strongly, attacking Mendip’s goal from the whistle. Mendip weathered this initial storm and pushed the ball out to the right side where Eva Holliwell, playing in midfield for the first time this season, was able to pick the ball up and run the line to the Buccs’ circle, where she cracked a cross into Connie Glover who swept the ball past the goalkeeper.
A determined Buccs team came back, but Mendip keeper, Carrie Tiley, made a good save one-on-one with a Buccs attacker to foil the attempt on goal. Soon after, the ball was passed out to winger Phoebe Dunsmore, who turned, using her blistering pace defeated several defenders to get the ball into the circle. The Buccs defence were alert to the danger and cut out the through-ball.
They took the ball right up the pitch where they were awarded a penalty corner from a stick tackle in the circle. The first strike was defended well but the rebound was pushed to the right of the goal to an unmarked player, who scored right on the half time whistle.
The second half was difficult for both teams with the sun burning down. Dunsmore, in her last game before going to university, continued to set up several good passes into the circle but the Buccs defence was strong.
Eventually, Mendip earned a penalty corner. Connie Glover pushed the ball out to Sarah Whittaker who adjusted her position to hit the ball towards goal. The initial shot was stopped but Whittaker and Sally Stanford worked a one-two to pass the ball through a couple of defenders to score.
Buccs came close to a last-minute equaliser, but came up just short, leaving the final score at 2-1 win to Mendip. The well-deserved Player of the Match was awarded to Phoebe Dunsmore. This Saturday, Mendip begin their Wessex Division One campaign at home to Yeovil and Sherborne (10:30am).
Mendip Ladies’ First Team completed their pre-season program with a hard-fought win away to City of Bath at Lansdown, 3-2. The goals came from Charlene Taylor (2) and Megan Carey. This Saturday, Mendip begin their 2019-20 campaign in East Division with a home fixture against Knowle.
Mendip Ladies’ Third team had the pre-season friendly postponed as Team Bath Buccs were unable to raise a fifth side.
A young Mendip Men’s A side earned a valuable point in West Central 2 with a draw at Gryphons. The Mendip goal came from George Smith, who beat the Gryphon’s keeper at the second time of asking, with the Player of the Match award going to goalkeeper Toby Green. On Saturday, 28th September, they face Bristol and West at Chew Valley Leisure Centre (12 noon).
Eva Holliwell & Carrie Tiley