Bath City Women 1st (1) 3 Stockwood Wanderers Women (3) 4 – Sunday 8 September 2024 – Regen Arable South West Regional WFL Division 1 North – Twerton Park
Match Report by Mark Stillman
Katie Whitmarsh netted a memorable hat-trick for 10-player Stockwood Wanderers in an astonishing season opener at Twerton Park.
The attacker, who only scored five last season, was lethal in front of goal, outdoing Tara Taylor’s fine double for the Romans.
Stockwood lost Lauren Phillips to a knee injury and were reduced to 10 players on 77 minutes when substitute Erin Vowles was dismissed.
But having been on the back foot in the second half they managed to steal all three points thanks to Whitmarsh’s intervention.
The visitors were gifted an early opener when Sadie Farley was dispossessed by Toni Blenkinsopp in the box, leading to Phillips tapping home.
The Romans levelled two minutes later as Adella Clark and Maddy Brown combined for Taylor, who brilliantly curled past Ava Vowles.
Whitmarsh opened her account with a stunning finish from 30 yards, bending past the helpless Farley.
Phillips was forced off after a lengthy delay but it didn’t deter the hosts who retook the lead on 29 minutes.
Summer Hemmings’ mistake was capitalised by Whitmarsh who smashed home low from distance under Farley.
Erin Watkins thought she pulled one back after the break, but her toe-poke following Ava Vowles’ error was cleared from Lola Bassett, with appeals it had crossed the line.
City were awarded a penalty when Ash Harris tumbled over and Koz Thorner-Atkinson comfortably dispatched.
Erin Vowles was sent off for lashing out at Libby Goater on 77 minutes and City took immediate advantage with Taylor expertly firing into the top corner from outside the penalty area.
However, within 15 seconds of the restart Whitmarsh broke past Abby Gray and stroked home to complete a memorable treble and remarkable three points for the Bristol-based side.
Att: 72
City’s Line-Up: Farley; Hemmings, Gray, Fry; Watkins, Spratt, Pearce, Taylor; Thorner-Atkinson; Clarke, Brown. Subs used: Lafferty, Goater, Trivett, Rennie, Harris.
Scorers: City – Taylor (8, 79), Thorner-Atkinson (pen 69); Stockwood – (L Phillips (6), Whitmarsh (19, 29, 79)
City Bookings: Pearce (32)
Referee: Dan Hunt