PORLOCK Ladies, with only a bare 12 players available, put up a battling display before losing 8-1 at home to Ashton in Division Two of the Somerset Women’s Football League.

Porlock started brightly, pushing high and trying to use the strength of the midfield to their advantage. Despite this, Ashton showed early dominance, playing straight through the middle and using their quick wingers to send messy (and extremely muddy!) balls forward. Hannah did brilliantly in goal, especially considering the pitch was more like a slip-and-slide than a football field.

With Ashton already 3-0 up, changes were made, including Chloe coming on at left wing. She made an instant impact, scoring early on. Aimee also had some strong attempts, including one shot that frustratingly clipped the top of the crossbar and then the next followed skimming the post.

But Ashton responded quickly, adding two more goals before the break, one being an own goal as it deflected off the shin pad of a defender.

With Porlock 5-1 down at the interval, more tactical changes were made in midfield and up top, and Porlock began creating some promising chances. The defence tightened up and worked hard to stop Ashton’s attacks despite them now going three at the back and overloading the final third.

Unfortunately, Hannah faced several sticky, muddy situations in goal, with Ashton capitalising on rebounds and slotting in three more goals. Porlock still pushed forward with Chloe nearly getting a second as it just went wide. Despite the growing gap, Porlock fought right to the end, even as Ashton rotated fresh young legs onto the pitch.

In the final minute, with the score at 8–1, manager Christina sent every Porlock player into the box for a last-chance corner. Just as a rebound fell kindly, the whistle blew to end the game. Porlock Players of the Match: Chloe and Aimee.