Support is fast growing for a Women's Super League club now playing its matches in Dorchester. Joanna Davis finds out more.

THE fastest growing sport among girls in the UK is now being demonstrated at the highest level right here in Dorset.

This is because Women's Super League team Yeovil Town Ladies FC have opted to play their home games this season at Dorchester Town FC's The Avenue Stadium.

The stadium - known as the Clayson Stadium for the Yeovil games - recorded its highest turn-out this season in all soccer matches for the Yeovil Ladies' first home game of the season against Arsenal.

A record 1,101 fans turned out to see the home side's 0-7 defeat, wowed by the talents of the Gunners' Jordan Nobbs, Kim Little and European championship winner Vivianne Miedema of the Netherlands.

Last season Yeovil played their games at different locations across Somerset, so to have a permanent home base just across the border in Dorchester is great news for the club, left-back Megan Alexander said.

Megan, a former England under-17 international, was voted player of the match at the Arsenal game. This season sees the team going full-time professional for the first time.

Megan said the support from the Dorchester crowd so far has been 'amazing'.

"It was amazing to have that many people there. When you look up and see the number of people there in the crowd it makes all the difference and we need that as much as possible this season.

"Women's football is on the up and there are some really good matches to watch, I'm pleased that people are getting into it."

While Yeovil face a tough battle to avoid relegation this season, fans can look forward to catching some of the giants of the women's football game playing in Dorchester.

On November 25 Manchester City will visit and fans will be able to see England women's captain Steph Houghton and her fellow Lionesses midfielder Jill Scott, striker Nikita Parris and goalkeeper Karen Bardsley.

But first Yeovil Ladies, also known as the Glovers, will take on Bristol City in a crunch home game tomorrow. The team are still looking for their first point of the season.

Megan said: "The game against Bristol is massive and we feel like we have a point to prove and we will need as much support as possible on the day, it will be good to get a result and show people what the side can do."

Megan, who has made her home in Bridgwater, said she thinks there's a huge amount of interest in women's football in this area.

"I think the interest in women's football in this area is big. Many people from Dorchester have come to support us and there are fans coming from all over. They want to come and see us and see Women's Super League in this area. I'm so proud to be part of it.

"I think it is growing and growing and I feel like this is the start of a special journey."

Justine Mosley, county development manager at the Dorset FA, said there has been a 'huge' growth in the number of girls and women playing football in Dorset. From 2016 to 2018 there was a 45 per cent increase in the number of girls' teams playing in the Dorset Girls League (currently 42). And in the same period there was a 43 per increase in the number of girls playing in that league - now 451.

Justine said: "It's a great opportunity for the teams to be able to see Women's Super League in this area as we haven't had that before.

"Seeing women's football at the highest level gives youngsters something to aspire to."

In the women's game in Dorset there was a 100 per cent increase between 2016 and 2018 in the number of women's teams playing in the Dorset Women's League - currently 18. And in the same period there was a 61 per cent increase in women playing in the Dorset Women's League - currently 324.

Justine said the Dorset FA backs the SSE Wildcats initiative, which is designed to inspire girls aged between five and 11 to get involved in the sport. Local clubs provide girls with regular opportunities to play football and take part in sessions created exclusively for girls.

Justine said she expects local girls to be inspired to get into football after watching Yeovil Ladies.

"I think Yeovil seem to be doing a good job in making women's football accessible.

"Even though they're a club from over the border it's great that they're playing their matches in Dorchester.

"There's a really nice atmosphere there and I'm not surprised they had such a big turn-out for the first home game."

  • Yeovil Town Ladies FC will play Bristol City Women tomorrow at the Clayson Stadium, Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester at 3pm. Tickets are available online for £5 for adults or £2.50 for children at yeoviltownladies.com

Hero worship

Megan Alexander says it's 'a privilege' to play at the highest level in the WSL.

She got into football as a youngster watching her dad play the sport. As a child her heroes were Everton players Duncan Ferguson, Rachel Unitt and Fara Williams.

She hopes the club's policy to set aside time for the fans and players to interact inspires youngsters the same way it did with her.

She said: "Interacting with the fans is such an important part of what we do. I always remember when I was younger and got to meet my heroes it meant so much to me. Doing all of that is a big part of what the club does."