West Clubs Women’s League
Sedgemoor Division 1
Winscombe 2nds 6, Burnham-on-Sea 1

TORRENTIAL rain made playing conditions at the start of this match on the Mendips very difficult.

Winscombe came out hard from the first whistle, but Burnham kept calm in defence, with Emma Ballard taking control of the centre and Ali Evely and Sarah Johnson covering the flanks.

Goalkeeper Nicki Glanville was on form, too, but the relentless home attack meant they soon went 1-0 up.

Burnham then took the game to their opponents, with impressive work up the left wing from Kerry Harvey.

This led to a well-worked equaliser, as Amy Edmundson drove for the base line before sending in a cross-shot, which Harvey tapped in.

The rest of the half saw the ball yo-yo between the teams with Burnham’s Carly Bush, Caroline Hunt, Ellie Bishop and Lou Peace working hard to help the defence and push balls through to the forward line.

Burnham were unable to consolidate, however, and Winscombe re-took the lead shortly before half time.

Improved weather conditions for the second half allowed the game to open up, though it looked for a long time like a draw might be on the cards.

Unfortunately, a ball to the head for the influential Ballard shook the Burnham resolve, as she had to leave the pitch.

A quick rearrange of personnel unsettled Burnham and Winscombe scored a couple of goals in quick succession, and after another injury unsettled the visitors, the home side added another two in the last 10 minutes to add gloss to the final scoreline.

With nothing to lose for the last minutes Lucas, Johnson, Bush and Bishop all tried to find the forwards in space, but Burnham were unable to find a consolation goal.

Player of the match: Sarah Johnson

This coming Saturday, Burnham host Mid Somerset at King Alfred School at 10am.