SOME 1,101 supporters flocked to Dorchester Town’s ground to see the first premier division women’s football match to be played in Dorset.

Football fans turned up in their droves to watch Yeovil Town Ladies take on Arsenal in the first Women’s Super League (WSL) match to be contested since Yeovil announced they would play all their home games at the Avenue stadium this season.

Despite losing 0-7, the home side received warm support from the crowd, with people paying £5 a ticket to enjoy the silky skills of Arsenal - the team currently sitting top of the WSL.

Among the goals were a spectacular second goal from England international Jordan Nobbs and a strike from Scotland international Kim Little. Vivienne Miedema, a European championship winner from the Netherlands, also got on the score sheet.

The 1,101-strong crowd dwarfed the average 400-strong crowd at Dorchester Town’s Saturday fixtures.

Dorchester Town chairman Matt Lucas said: “WSL in Dorchester is good for Dorchester and the surrounding area.

“Bearing in mind that it was a midweek game where usually the crowds would be a little bit less, it was really encouraging to see such a large crowd on a Wednesday evening.

“I must say how lovely it was to see how many families attended, to see the number of children and the younger generation there.

“I really enjoyed watching Jordan Nobbs play for Arsenal. To see international players of that ilk playing on Dorchester’s 3G pitch is fantastic.

“Everyone seems to want to see the women’s game and I think the WSL is an excellent standard. It’s good news for supporters and fans who like to watch football.”

Fan Bob Tibble, 74, a Weymouth FC supporter who has a season ticket for all the WSL matches in Dorchester this season, said: “The turn-out did surprise me especially as mid-week evening games are usually less well attended than weekend games.

“It’s very good to see what is premiership football in this area. We haven’t got the population for a men’s premiership football club so to have this locally is fantastic.

“We saw the Arsenal quality and it was spectacular to watch.

“I’d like to see even more Weymouth and Dorchester football fans coming to see it, if they knew how good the standard was they would come and watch it.”

Yeovil Town Ladies FC chairman Steve Allinson said the club is embracing an ‘untapped market’ in Dorset.

“As a club we really like playing in Dorchester.

“I wasn’t surprised by the turn-out - because we know that we are playing elite women’s football and we are the only women’s elite football club south of Bristol and the only opportunity for people to see top sides like Arsenal.

“I hope it’s getting through to the people of Dorchester that there’s something special there for people to watch.”

Yeovil Town Ladies’ next match in Dorchester is against Bristol City Women on Sunday, October 21 at 3pm.

They will also take on big guns Manchester City Women and reigning champions Chelsea Women later in the season.