WELLINGTON Wildcats' season in Division One of the Somerset Women’s Football League against Ilminster Town Reserves got under way with no fewer than seven debutants in a reshaped squad for the new season at the Rec on a very hot Sunday afternoon.

Despite an encouraging display against a good side, Wildcats went down to a 2-0 defeat.

Led by stand-in captain for the day Clare Mellish, playing her first game, Wildcats started up the hill and the first 15 minutes was a close battle with neither team creating a meaningful chance.

A lot of play found its way down the slope to left back Taiya L, who under pressure cleared her lines and look composed to find an outlet to winger Robyn Stockman, who supported in defence and was always looking for the chance to counter attack.

On 20 minute a Stockman 20-yard effort went narrowly wide and the Wildcats started to find some rhythm. Milly H, Lola H and newcomer Ellie Goldsack managed to find a swift passing move and set up an opportunity for striker Leah Morrell showing their intent.

On the right, player manager Georgia Purdy dealt with any threat, and playing just her second game, Orlaith C on the right wing was full of energy and effort, driving the team up the hill. Newcomers Isabella Goldsack and Charlotte P were introduced to keep up the intensity but that was as close as the Wildcats came in the first half.

Ilminster grew into the game and a counter attack saw them hit the post as a warning sign. Centre back Mellish read the game and dealt with a couple of tricky counters with precision. On the 35 minute mark, a smart move found the Ilminster striker through 1 on 1 with another debutant, goalkeeper Jasmine S who made a sharp save to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity. Ilminster then won a corner and the Wildcats were slow to react to the second ball allowing an uncontested chance in the six yard box to see Ilminster open the scoring.

Wildcats to their credit regalvanised and fought out the rest of the half to go in at the break down 1-0.

The second half was played in similar fashion to the first. Keeper Jasmine S made her second 1 on 1 save after 50 minutes, putting everything on the line to bravely thwart their number 8. An injury to Taiya L shortly after, forced a rejig in personnel and despite probing from the midfield and wingers, that clear opportunity never came.

Having just one sub to rotate in the heat, it was impressive to see a young group commit to playing for each other as a unit and never giving up against the opposition rotating fresh legs. Leah M gave everything sat in front of the defence on her first senior game and Wildcats pushed for the equaliser that never came.

Ilminster won another corner on 83 minutes and for the second time found an uncontested ball to score their second and seal the game.

Despite the 2-0 loss, the foundations are there with an engaged group of players to work together and come back stronger for their next game. Player of the match - sponsored by Mundy Veneer, went to captain Clare Mellish – sponsored by Roots and Sole for an excellent defensive debut taking everything in her stride.