DESPITE a much-improved all-round display, Wellington Wildcats went down 3-1 away to highflyers Cheddar in the first division of the Somerset Women’s Football League.

Cheddar struck first on 15 minutes after a high ball was launched out of the Cheddar defence into the Wildcats half. Wildcats were unable to deal with the dropping ball, allowing Cheddar to capitalise with a sublime finish which went in off the upright.

Rather than letting heads drop, Wildcats responded superbly, taking control of possession and dominating the next 20 minutes. That pressure was deservedly rewarded when Milly Howe drove powerfully home from the edge of the box to level the scores, capping a sustained spell of attacking play.

Wildcats continued to push, and Leah Morrell thought she had completed the turnaround with a fine finish, only for the flag to deny her for offside.

Deep into first-half injury time, Cheddar regained the lead with another composed finish, leaving Wildcats trailing 2–1 at the break.

With the pitch deteriorating rapidly, the second half was always going to be a tough, scrappy affair. Wildcats’ Player of the Day, Georgia Purdy, was excellent, acting as the key link between defence and attack and helping the visitors create more chances than Cheddar.

Keeley Coates came agonisingly close when her effort slipped under the goalkeeper, who just managed to scramble back before the ball crossed the line. Even closer still, Robyn Stockman’s long-range strike hit the upright, bounced across the line and cannoned off the opposite post before being cleared.

As Wildcats pushed forward in search of an equaliser, the decisive moment came on 77 minutes when Cheddar broke on the counter from a Wildcats corner to make it 3–1. Team: Bianca Hamlyn, Grace Winter, Tenika Goss, Emily Ayers, Grayson Kennard, Milly Howe, Georgia Purdy, Charlotte Ayers, Robyn Stockman, Keely Coates, Leah Morrell. Sub (used): Erin C.