Bishops Lydeard Ladies Reserves (1) 1 Bath City Women (1) 2 – Sunday 20 November 2022 – Somerset County WFL Division 1 – Darby Way
Match Report by Mark Stillman
Summer-Lily Robinson enjoyed a dream debut for Bath City Women, claiming a goal and an assist in a morale-boosting win against Bishops Lydeard Ladies Reserves.
The midfielder opened the scoring for Matt Abreu’s depleted side on 39 minutes before it was quickly extinguished by Natasha Lovell.
Robinson’s corner created the second as her near post delivery was unintentionally deflected home by Lydeard’s Jess Erdos, also making her first appearance, which proved the decider.
Sophie Campbell’s bravery in goal helped clinch a return to winning ways for City to keep them in fourth.
Campbell should have been tested on 27 minutes when Izzy Todechini raced clear but pulled wide.
It proved a costly miss as City took the lead 12 minutes later. Robinson found space on the edge of the box and her lofted effort was out of goalkeeper Sarah Waygood’s reach to make it 1-0.
Lydeard swiftly levelled when Jaye Howlett’s free-kick wasn’t fully cleared and Lovell was perfectly placed to side-foot home from eight yards.
After the break, Annie Hervey charged down Waygood’s clearance which ricocheted for Emily Bristow, but she could only find the outside of the post from an acute angle. Hervey was denied on the line on 55 minutes when the home defence got in a muddle, and they were in similar strife from the resulting corner.
Robinson’s delivery evaded Esme Fensome but was inadvertently sliced into her own net by Erdos at the near post to leave Waygood helpless.
Campbell was the busier of the two keepers afterwards as she denied Alex Husson with her feet and courageously prevented Emily Crook and Tilli Davidson a way through in quick succession.
Ali Diegutis skied over from Robinson’s corner which would have clinched the win, before Campbell was nearly left red-faced when Husson’s effort slipped under her body before she recovered and pounced on the loose ball inches before it crossed the line.
The City players breathed a sigh of relief at full-time as their determination to overcome a tricky side was rewarded.
City’s Line-Up: Campbell, Evans, Fensome, Robinson, Diegutis, Owen, Taylor (c), Whale, Hervey, Bristow, Wright. Subs used: Davis, Golding. Sub not used: Harnett.
Scorers: City – Robinson (39), OG (56); Lydeard – Lovell (43)
Referee: J Jarad