East Division

BOURNEMOUTH SECONDS 0 WEYMOUTH 0

WEYMOUTH travelled away to Bournemouth to face a side on the rise, following the return to action of several key players.

The Seasiders were also boosted for this clash with Wendy Butcher back from maternity leave and Lyndsey Melhuish taking part in her first game since recovering from a knee injury.

Weymouth were delighted to have these two back as they create excellent attacking play and are strong in defence.

The game started fast with both sides playing with good pace and creativity in the centre.

Most of the play was in the middle of the park in the opening exchanges with the Weymouth defence standing strong to keep the Bournemouth attacks at bay.

The hosts were also strong at the back but Weymouth soon started making in-roads by using skipper Emily Austin’s pace down the right to generate width and create space in the middle.

This created chances for Lara Blundell and Emily Sauven but neither could be converted into goals after excellent saves from the Bournemouth keeper.

Weymouth’s stopper made several brilliant saves too and even when she was beaten on one occasion, there was Melhuish, right on cue, to save the ball off the goal-line.

After the break, the Seasiders started strongly and had several good plays in the midfield, with Casey Foot and Anneka Rogers spreading the ball wide and creating attacking movements with support from Chloe Van Crugten and Emily Austin.

The defensive players were also outstanding for the visitors with Butcher and Melhuish enjoying fantastic games on their return, and Sophie Foot being her usual strong self.

Also, Jo Brazier, playing her first game in defence, was superb in keeping the strong Bourne-mouth wingers pinned back.

Weymouth broke away on many occasions and had several short corners in the last 10 minutes but they still could not find a breakthrough with Casey Foot shooting agonisingly wide.

In the end, the match finished 0-0, which was a fair result considering the excellent play from both sides.

Weymouth: Emily Austin, Anneka Rogers, Sophie Foot, Casey Foot, Emily Sauven, Caitlin Dive, Lara Blundell, Lilly Young, Wendy Butcher, Lyndsey Melhuish, Laura, Chloe Van Crugten, Jo Brazier.

Channel Division Two

WEYMOUTH SECONDS 5 BOURNEMOUTH FIFTHS 2

RETURNING from a lengthy Christmas break, Weymouth Seconds quickly got back in the groove at home to Bournemouth Fifths.

Chloe Carter-Miles put the Seasiders into an early lead following a fine through pass from Anna Dencher before strong defensive play kept the lead intact.

The back four of Jo Ray, Claire Harding, Alex Hearn and Gill Ogg forced Bournemouth to work extremely hard and, with midfielders Luce Byrne and Dervla Ireland both excellent in possession, it was only a matter of time before the second goal arrived.

The Bournemouth keeper made some fines saves but there was nothing she could do to stop Carter-Miles adding her second before the break.

In the second half, Weymouth started well, continuing to keep possession in the attacking half.

The visitors tried to disrupt play but subsequent injuries to their team-mates saw their tempo falter.

Sensing this, the hosts took full advantage with Claire Thom-asson and Ray driving the ball to the opposing goal with skipper Leify Hendrikz finishing to add to the score line.

Weymouth pursued more goals and much to Bournemouth’s despair the fourth came from one of their own, as a defender unfortunately deflected the ball into her own net.

A couple of mistakes from the home side then let the visitors pull two goals back before Carter-Miles completed her hat-trick to wrap up the result in the closing minutes.

Weymouth Seconds: Alex Hearn, Chloe Carter-Miles, Anna Neish, Dervla Ireland, Gina Huntley, Anna Dencher, Claire Harding, Gill Ogg, Carolyn Schofield, Liefy Hendrikz, Claire Thomasson, Jo Ray, Luce Bryne.

Player of the Match: Gina Huntley

RESULTS

East Division: Bournemouth II 0 Weymouth 0, Swanage & Wareham 1 Mendip 0, Team Bath Buccaneers III 0 Frome 5, West Wilts 1 Yeovil & Sherborne II 2, Wimborne Wayfarers 1 Salisbury II 3.

Channel Division Two: Poole 0 Salisbury IV 3, Salisbury V 1 Gillingham II 5, Swanage & Wareham III 2 Yeovil & Sherborne IV 1, Weymouth II 5 Bournemouth V 2.

FIXTURES

Today, East Division: Frome v Wimborne Wayfarers, Mendip v Yeovil & Sherborne II, Salisbury II v Swanage & Wareham, West Wilts v Bournemouth II, Weymouth v Team Bath Buccaneers III.

Channel Division Two: Bournemouth V v Swanage & Wareham III, Salisbury IV v Salisbury V, Swanage & Wareham II v Weymouth II, Yeovil & Sherborne IV v Poole.