PORLOCK LADIES 4 WATCHET TOWN LADIES 0

ON Remembrance Sunday both teams and supporters stood in silence before their derby match to remember those whose lives were lost in both world wars and subsequent conflicts. Great Uncle Fred, Great Uncle Tom........lest we forget.

And as we silently gave thanks for the gift of life, we can also give thanks for the opportunities we now have as women to play football. After all, it was just over 100 years ago that the FA voted to ban women’s football on the grounds of unsuitability.

That ban wasn’t rescinded until 1970, and a few years later the ‘Watchet Wombles’ were formed, with my neighbour Barbara among those first players. Well, there is nothing soft and cuddly about the newly re-formed Watchet ladies team, who Porlock played on Sunday in Division Three South of the Somerset Women’s Football League.

Other than a couple of long range efforts from Jess and Izzy, it was Watchet who were the dominant side for the first 20 minutes, putting our defence under sustained pressure. Gradually Porlock settled down and spent more time in the Watchet half, with Georgia capitalising to score the first after a Watchet goal kick.

Our second came when our goalie Hannah got good distance on her goal kick, and with a flick on from Aimee, Sarah ran through and got an early strike away to make it 2-0.

Straight after half time we scored another two2 quick goals, both as the result of long goal kicks from Hannah and our forwards putting pressure on Watchet’s defence. Firstly Jess scored, and then Aimee who initially hit the post before tapping in the rebound. P

orlock played their better football in the second half, with numerous opportunities created and some composed passing. Watchet also had their chances, but were off target and were also thwarted by our hard working defence, now with Laura in goal, seeing it through to another clean sheet.

The final score was 4-0 to the home Porlock side, with all our team deserving credit. Our manager Chris did well to ensure that all 15 players got game time and even with the change in personnel we all knew our roles and there was no disruption to the team. Credit must go to Watchet’s goalie who had to go off injured in the second half, but showed great sportsmanship in the first half. Player of the match went to Izzy who was solid in defence.

The result enabled Porlock to stay second in the table, only three points behind the leaders Staplegrove, both sides having played the same number of games.

Watchet have no match this coming weekend while Porlock play away to Wellington Ladies who are second from bottom.

CS