WOOTTON BASSETT LADIES 3 WEYMOUTH LADIES 0

LEAGUE newcomers Wootton Bassett used the element of surprise to their advantage with a clinical display of finishing helping them to a 3-0 win.

Weymouth travelled to Wiltshire not knowing what to expect as they prepared to take on a side new to the West Women's League East Division this season.

Despite missing a few first-team regulars, Weymouth fielded a strong side and were confident after a good win the week before.

But the hosts started well and took the visitors by surprise, courtesy of a number of attacks early on.

This resulted in a goal for the home side. Keeper Laura Osbourne got a pad to the shot but it wasn’t enough to stop the ball going in.

Wootton Bassett’s forwards took their chances with aplomb and they scored their second to make it 2-0.

Weymouth heads didn’t go down and they started linking passes together and creating chances.

Natalie Halford was marked tightly but showed her quality with some good runs, while Lara Blundell and Chloe Van Crugten worked hard up front to get on the end of passes from the midfield.

Van Crugten saw a couple of efforts saved by the keeper, who also dealt with a few penalty corners.

Gina Huntley, stepping up from the seconds, had a good game and didn’t look out of place.

Captain Wendy Butcher, an injury victim just before the break, showed her strength in defence and prevented the hosts adding to their tally.

Weymouth were the better side in the second half and were unlucky not to score – they also felt they could have been awarded a penalty flick.

Player of the match Jo Brazier was superb at right-back and new players Claire Colbourne and Kim Young slotted in well.

Weymouth were awarded a number of penalty corners in the second half but were kept out by a resolute defence and keeper.

Bassett got another goal late on to seal the win.