Winscombe IV 2

Minehead Ladies II returned to winning ways away at Winscombe on Saturday with a 4-1 win in their final league game before the Christmas break.

A close-fought match saw them go behind twice before ensuring victory with a fourth goal right at the end.

With end-to-end play from the outset, Winscombe took the lead but Minehead equalised when defender Sophie Osler drove the ball down the right and crossed into the D for Jodie Wallace to score with a reverse stick shot.

Much of the play was now in Winscombe’s circle, with midfielders Mel White and Fenella Bennett constantly driving the ball into the D and Georgia Perkins, Wendy Daughtrey and Helena Reynolds working to create chances.

But it was Winscombe who went ahead again, scoring on the break with a fine shot from the edge of the D.

With Briony Smith and Amelia Swallow marking well and adding support to the attack, Minehead continued the onslaught and Bennett’s through ball to White led to their second equaliser just before half-time, as she beat the keeper with a well-placed strike.

Winscombe held firm in the second half, and Minehead’s defence had their work cut out keeping them at bay.

Keeper Ell Kaye made some crucial saves and Jess Koppa and Osler harried, tackled and cleared strongly too, while Ruth Fitzmaurice’s hit-outs were consistently effective at feeding the Minehead attack.

Minehead went into the lead for the first time when a great clearance from Koppa found White, whose pass set up Perkins to shoot and then convert the rebound off the keeper’s pads.

Tension was high as Minehead sensed this game could still go either way, but they put the result out of Winscombe’s reach just before the final whistle as Osler’s neat flick-on up the left wing to Wallace was forwarded to Perkins, who scored her second and Minehead’s fourth.

The P J Hobbs Racing player of the match was Sophie Osler.

Minehead Ladies II: Ell Kaye, Sophie Osler, Ruth Fitzmaurice, Jess Koppa, Briony Smith, Fenella Bennett, Mel White, Amelia Swallow, Jodie Wallace, Helena Reynolds, Georgia Perkins, Wendy Daughtrey.