BOURNEMOUTH V 1

WEYMOUTH LADIES II 6

WEYMOUTH II extended their stay at the top of Channel Division Two with a 6-1 victory over title rivals Bournemouth V.

The visitors started the game slowly but grew into the opening exchanges through shots from Alice Furness and Ellen Dewey.

It was the hosts who took the lead following a long ball up field which triggered a misplaced pass in the Weymouth defence which let Bournemouth in for a sloppy lead.

The goal appeared to spark Weymouth into life with the team increasing their work rate. Susie Stone was instrumental with her speed of thought and tenacity, which contributed to an equaliser through Ellen Dewey who scored with a sweet reverse stick strike.

Shortly before half-time the visitors took the lead, when Annalise Dive drove forward from central midfield, exchanging passes with Jo Ray who fed in towards Dewey who had her effort saved by the Bournemouth keeper, before Dive reacted fasted to smash home the rebound to give Weymouth the lead at the break.

Weymouth took to the pitch in the second half full of confidence, and this resulted in them winning a short corner in the first minute which Jenna Brunell clinically dispatched.

The visitors were now in full flow, with midfielder Stone picking up the ball outside the 25-yard line and unleashing a thunderbolt reverse stick strike into the bottom corner to extend the lead to 4-1.

Bournemouth admirably kept up the fight, maintaining a high-pressing game and forcing five penalty corners, but marshalled by the experience of Berni Cane, Weymouth managed to hold firm.

But Weymouth’s attacking threat was too much and saw Brunell score, before Bee Forder set up strike partner Bennett to make it six for the league leaders.

The closing stages saw another piece of good news, as skipper Claire Harding made her return from injury and looked lively as she looked to build up her match sharpness.

Weymouth now sit 8 points clear at the top of Channel Division Two and know just one more win will secure the league title.

Player of the match: Ellen Dewey