12/3/16: The Mendip Ladies 1st team had an early start to travel down to Bournemouth on Saturday to face the team at the top of the league. Winning the toss Mendip started brightly and had an early attack down the right. Bournemouth responded and on their first attack they penetrated the defensive circle and with a miss hit sent a bouncing ball past the Mendip keeper. Mendip put this unfortunate start of the game out of their minds and continued to pressure down the right with Jess Harding joining up well with Jess Smith and Ella Sage. Ella continued to test the Bournemouth defence with her speed and powerful play. The first half was a well contested match, with both teams having a share of the possession and shot on goal. April Callow and Georgie Kelly on the left continued to send searching balls for Charlene Vranch, Kay Downey and Ella Sage. Just before half time Ella closed a defender down winning the ball and with a 2 v 1 with the keeper Downey slotted the ball home to equalise the game. After the half time break, the game continued in the same manner with both teams exchanging possession. Bournemouth tried to utilise the speed of their right wing to break behind the Mendip defence but the defensive duo of April Callow and Cherilyn Carey ensured she was unsuccessful. Mendip were unlucky to concede the second goal, as the umpire missed a foot outside of the D, and the offending player drove in and sent a well struck ball into the goal. Unfortunately Mendip conceded again within minutes as the ball was lifted over the diving Mendip keeper Oenone Bodmin-Harris. Mendip reacted with strong defending and linking play through the team and after a good phase of play on the right Jess Smith earned her team a short corner. After a great first time shot from Cherilyn Carey, Hayley Bullock scored Mendip’s 2nd goal beating the goalie and defenders to the ball. The last ten minutes Bournemouth’s youth and fitness pushed Mendip deep into their defensive areas and there was little opportunity to find that third goal for the draw. Oenone Bodmin-Harris was voted player of the match for her excellent goal saving, notably her dive in the first half.
Next week Mendip have two matches, on Saturday Wotton Bassett travel to Norton Hill (1.30pm) and on Sunday there is a rearranged match against Devizes also at Norton Hill (12.00pm)
April Callow
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