Town Edged Out In New Year Thriller!
The team welcomed Bridgwater to the New Cuthbury for their first match of 2023 after a month of cancelled fixtures. A wet and windy morning was in store but enthusiasm would not be not dampened.
As starts go, this one would prove a treat for those that like their football end to end with plenty of attacking intent. The game was only three minutes old before Emilie pressured the defensive mistake to then rifle the first goal of the new year (1-0). The visitors showed their hand early, looking to pass through midfield and shoot from central positions, within a minute of the first goal they earned themselves a free kick just outside the box. A well struck kick cleared the reach of Esme in goal, dipping under the crossbar for the leveller (1-1). Wimborne regained the lead within 90 seconds, slick build up play with Emilie feeding Liv who was upended inside the penalty area for a spot kick, Megan stepped up to smash home (2-1). Pause for breath!! The game settled slightly from the electric start but the brand of football remained with the home side looking to create in the wide areas, Emilie in particular causing problems for the visiting team. From her good work Olivia saw her shot well saved prior to Megan rattling the crossbar from 15 yards out. As good as Town had started the match, the visiting team looked sharp and were asking plenty of question of the home defence. A brilliant run from deep and quality strike gave parity to the scoreline (2-2). The football remained relentless, both teams striking the post before the girls fell behind, a good cross that found its way into the goal off of an unlucky defender when trying to clear (2-3). Izzy looked to have the final say of the half, although her shot drifted the wrong side of the post. HT 2-3 An even start to the second period but the girls faced a two goal deficit with only four minutes in, the away side again finding space on the edge of the area and another well struck effort (2-4). The team re-grouped, got on the front foot and looked to turn the match around. Emilie struck the post again, shot narrowly wide and crossed for Izzy who fired over before the pressure finally told, Emilia and Liv giving Megan the chance to swivel and finish superbly (3-4). The team were well on top and an equaliser seemed a matter of time before the Achilles heel struck again, space being afforded on the edge of the box again and another quality finish (3-5). The two goal deficit again, with time running out gave the team too much to salvage this time but to their credit they never stopped pushing and in the final play of the match Meg earned a second penalty. She picked herself up to score from the rebound after a good save for her third of the game. The final whistle followed to bring proceedings to an end.
FT: WTFC 4 Bridgwater 5
Summary: A brilliant game and the girls can count themselves unlucky to take nothing in the way of points from the match. It takes two teams to produce a really good match and Bridgwater played very well but from a Wimborne Town perspective, a point each would maybe have been a fairer outcome. Congrats to Emilia on her debut for the team, a solid display.
POM: Emilie (fantastic wing play creating chance after chance for the team and a well taken goal).
