WELLINGTON Wildcats went down 3-2 away to Nailsea United Ladies in their latest match in Division One of the Somerset Women’s Football League.

Wildcats were forced into several changes to their starting line up; captain Grace Winter and Bryony Sellick were unavailable while Georgia Purdy was only fit enough for the bench, which meant they were able to give debuts to former junior Wildcats Abbie Sweet and Chelsey McDonald.

Wildcats started the game slowly, falling behind after three minutes before they settled into the game and created a couple of half-chances of their own. Nailsea grabbed a second goal after fifteen minutes; an unfortunate ricochet from Bianca Hamlyn’s clearance fell into the path of a Nailsea forward who calmly slotted home.

Wildcats stepped up a gear and Milly Howe and Leah Morrell went close to halving the deficit, while a fine cross from Grayson Kennard went agonisingly across the six-yard box without a Wildcats player following in. In the centre of the park, both Charlotte Ayers, captaining the side in the absence Winter, and Milly Howe won a number of 50/50 challenges, the latter threading a fine ball through to Ebony Sellick to run onto. However the Nailsea keeper was quick off her line to make an excellent save at the feet of Sellick, injuring herself in the process. With the half drawing to a close Nailsea extended their lead with an excellent flowing move from their own half.

Wildcats, playing up the significant slope, dominated for large parts of the second half without really testing the home defence. They were happy to start their attacks from their own half; Robyn Stockman, in the unaccustomed left back position and Tenika Goss combined well a couple of times to set both Morrell and Sellick clear, but Nailsea were very good at pushing them wide and defending the wide channels.

At the other end Emily Ayers made a number of fine interceptions as Nailsea attempted to thread the ball through, while Hamlyn raced out to clear any danger when Nailsea did manage to break through. Christina Seaborne, having her best game in a Wildcats shirt, Howe and Georgia Purdy combined well on the right on a couple of occasions, opening up the Nailsea defence and it was through this combination that Wildcats pulled a goal back.

Abbie Sweet followed up a cross come shot from Georgia Purdy and was on hand to coolly slot home after the keeper had spilled the initial effort. Sweet added a second shortly after; an excellent finish across the goalkeeper and in off the far upright after using her pace to race clear of the defence and latch on to a through ball from Sellick. Wildcats continued to push and forced a corner in the final minute, but despite an excellent cross from Emily Ayers, Wildcats could not quite get the important touch and goal their second half performance deserved.

Wildcats Player of the day, sponsored by Mundy Veneer Ltd, was Milly Howe.

Team: Bianca Hamlyn, Grayson Kennard, Emily Ayers, Tenika Goss, Robyn Stockman, Imogen Edmondston-Low, Charlotte Ayers (Capt.), Milly Howe, Leah Morrell, Keeley Coates, Ebony Sellick. Subs (all used). Christina Seaborne, Georgia Purdy, Abbie Sweet, Chelsey McDonald.

With three games still to play, Wildcats are fifth in the table with every chance of finishing the season one place higher.