Paulton Rovers Ladies Reserves (0) 1 Bath City Women (1) 1 – Sunday 19 February 2023 – Farrington Gurney Memorial Hall – Somerset County WFL Div 1
Match Report by Mark Stillman.
A goalkeeping howler from Sophie Campbell prevented City collecting all three points away at Paulton.
The number one allowed Amy Seymour’s low drive from 25 yards to fly through her legs with 17 minutes remaining to earn a deserved point for the hosts at Farrington Memorial Rec.
Tanea Wright had given Matt Abreu’s side a first half lead and they looked set to hold on as a strong defensive display frustrated the home side.
But Seymour’s stroke of luck changed matters in City’s first away match of 2023.
In a cagey opening, City broke the deadlock on 13 minutes.
Amy Hucker’s throw was collected by Annie Hervey, who managed to thread it through to Wright, allowing her to comfortably side-foot across Emily Quinn from six yards to break the deadlock.
Hervey’s shot was easily gathered by Quinn before Campbell was called upon just before the break, denying Freya Smith with her feet before smart reactions saw her prevent Seymour on the rebound.
Paulton grew with confidence and enjoyed more territory but were often stopped by a solid Romans backline with centre-backs Summer-Lily Robinson and Harleigh Curtis protecting Campbell superbly.
But they were powerless when Rovers won the ball from a short goal kick and Seymour’s speculative effort was misjudged by Campbell who watched in horror as it bounced home.
The keeper redeemed herself by holding Tianna Allen’s drive from distance before the home side squandered a glorious chance to win it as Smith spooned over from 10 yards after City failed to clear Alice Ford’s free-kick.
The point sees City remain in second but seven adrift of leaders Pen Mill having played a game more.
City’s Line-Up: Campbell; Hucker, Robinson, Curtis, Owen; Taylor, Whale; Evans, Hervey, Fensome; Wright. Subs used: Diegutis, Cranfield, Golding, Giles. Sub not used: Hartnett.
Scorers: City – Wright (13); Paulton – Seymour (73)
City Bookings: Hucker (79)
Referee: C Beckett