WELLINGTON Wildcats Ladies produced one of their finest performances of the season to edge out unbeaten Portishead Ladies Reserves 1–0 at the Carly Press Ground. The result marked Wildcats’ third consecutive home victory and lifted them to second in the Somerset County Women’s League Division One table.

Roared on by a vocal home crowd, Wildcats started brightly, dictating play and pressing high up the pitch. Their early dominance restricted Portishead to a single first-half effort, while the hosts created several good chances.

The breakthrough arrived after a superb passage of play, ending with a clever one-two between Wildcats Player of the Match Robyn Stockman and Georgia Purdy. Purdy’s initial strike was brilliantly saved by Portishead’s own player of the match, ‘keeper Katelyn Darbon, but the rebound ricocheted back to Purdy, who scored a deserved opener.

As well as attacking effectively through the centre, Wildcats also made excellent use of the strength and pace of Milly Howe and Stockman in the wide channels, stretching play and pulling open the Portishead midfield and defence.

Wellington continued to control the tempo, with Leah Morrell twice denied by fine saves and a third effort edging agonisingly wide of the post. Much of the attacking creativity stemmed from Charlotte Ayers and Purdy, who linked well with Tash Hole and later Keeley Coates, their quick passing and close control repeatedly carving open the visitors’ back line.

Ayers was commanding in midfield, breaking up play and keeping the visiting captain quiet, while Grayson Kennard impressed at right back — strong in the tackle and confident going forward. Howe, deployed in an unfamiliar left-midfield role, adapted superbly to provide width, energy, and defensive cover.

After the break, Portishead enjoyed more possession, but Wildcats’ back line stood firm. Emily Ayers and Tenika Goss were outstanding in central defence, alongside captain Grace Winter who showed real composure under pressure.