WEYMOUTH LADIES 2

MARINE ACADEMY PLYMOUTH 1

WEYMOUTH Ladies recorded arguably the best ever win in their history by defeating South West Premier Division title favourites Marine Academy Plymouth at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

The Terras went into the encounter in good form, having drawn their last two games against two more promotion hopefuls in Keynsham and Larkhall, but still no one gave them a chance of defeating the division’s in-form side.

With a strong wind at their backs in the opening period the hosts knew they needed to make the advantage count but with Marine having one of the most stubborn defences in the league finding a way through was easier said than done.

Philippa Holden, Rosie Sharpe and Emma Acott all threatened before the visitors’ rearguard finally faltered on the half-hour.

Sophie Ramsbottom, who had another great game on the right side, picked out Holden and when her effort was palmed out by the Plymouth keeper there was Acott to tuck home the rebound.

The Terras thoroughly deserved their lead and immediately went in search of a second only to suffer a huge setback moments later when Marine levelled by bundling in a corner.

Weymouth could have easily panicked then but instead they stuck to their task and went desperately close to regaining the lead when Stacey Bray sent a shot just wide of a post on the cusp of half-time.

Ten minutes into the second half, the Terras were then forced to replace Holden and Acott with Zoe Acutt and debutant Harriet Freeman due to injury but it did not upset their rhythm despite the visitors now enjoying more of the possession.

Jess Turk, Samantha Johnson, Georgia Rogers, Ellen Tilsed and Ramsbot-tom all defended like Trojans to hold back the pressure, which eventually relented when Bray thumped a shot into the top corner from 25 yards on 65 minutes to stun Marine and put the Terras back in front.

That strike gave Weymouth huge belief and with Sharpe and Amy Douch stamping their authority on the midfield battle the home side were able to see out the rest of the game to wrap three well-earned points.