WELLINGTON Wildcats are out of the Somerset Women’s Football League’s KO Cup after suffering an agonising penalty shootout loss away to Portishead A.

At one stage Wellington were 4-1 up at half time but Portishead staged a tremendous fightback to level the score at 5-5, the home side’s equaliser coming in the 88th minute. However, Portishead converted their opening three penalties whereas Wellington failed with their first three spot-kicks.

But Wildcats can look back on a match in which they played their hearts out despite going into the game with just injured player-manager Georgia as their only substitute. They went on to play their best football of the season with Emilia S being their star goalscorer, netting four times on her debut - and having just turned 16. Neive netted Wildcats’ other goal.

The Player of the Match (sponsored by Mundy Vaneer) was a two-horse race. Lola played her finest 90 minutes in a Wildcats shirt and played with composure and maturity beyond her years.

But Emilia’s contribution in her first game was outstanding and she got the nod for an exceptional clinical display.

Wildcats would also like to thank Anchor Services who have sponsored their new VX3 kit.

Meanwhile, Wildcats will be back in action in the first division of the Somerset League when they play at home to Paulton Rovers Ladies League on Sunday, with a 2p.m. kick-off.

Both sides have yet to get off the mark this season. Wildcats have lost their first three matches while Paulton have been beaten in their opening four games.

Ilminster Town Ladies and Frome Town are joint leaders of the division with ten points from four matches.

Fixtures: Bath City Development v Pen Mill, Frome Town v Banwell, Nailsea United v Cheddar, Odd Down v Ilminster Town Reserves, Wellington Wildcats v Paulton Rovers Reserves.