ON A frosty morning, a mixed squad from Wellington Wildcats U12s and U13s took on a similar squad from Exeter City’s Academy.

Playing on the Court Felds 3G pitch, the Wildcats got a good, needed run out after the Xmas break.

The girls started lively and went ahead within five minutes when Bella W passed to Hetty H and she managed to scramble the ball in through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Wildcats kept up their domination for the early part of the first half but then Exeter Academy started to showcase their ability and had a good spell of possession. During that period the Exeter side went in front after a great strike found the top corner of the goal and a cleared corner was speculatively thumped back into the box where it cannoned in off a Wildcats’ defender.

At the start of the second half the Wildcats asserted their dominance again and fashioned a number of chances but just couldn’t find the finish. Then, on the counterattack, a strong shot from the Exeter striker squirmed into the bottom corner when goalkeeper Remi S saved the initial shot but couldn’t quite keep it out, 1-3 Exeter Academy.

Then the breakthrough came; a long kick from Remi was cleverly flicked on by Bella for Amelia S to chase down and calmly slot home. After a brave save at the feet of the striker, Wildcats took control and from the resulting long kick, Amelia again latched onto the ball and as before dispatched the ball into the net.

With five minutes left Wildcats recovered the ball in midfield where Millie G calmly played the ball for her midfield partner Mary H to run onto before blazing the ball into the net to seal a splendid 4-3 victory.

The Player of the Match as chosen by the Exeter Academy players went to Peyton A.