WEYMOUTH WOMEN 6

REDLANDS REBELS 1

WEYMOUTH Women ran riot against Redlands Rebels in the first-ever meeting between the two sides as the Terras earned a 6-1 victory in the Dorset Women’s League.

Shakira Howard scored four times for the second successive game, backed up by Lily Beasley and Lucy Roberts goals.

In a lightning-fast start, former Redlands player Beasley opened the scoring within 20 seconds when she broke down the wing from kick-off and slammed home at the near post to give Weymouth a dream start.

Two minutes later and Howard opened her account, bypassing the opposition’s defence to reach a Tasha Sibley through-ball and calmly lobbing the helpless Rebels goalkeeper.

The Terras maintained their pressure and shortly afterwards, ex-Rebel Charlie Wilson harried the Redlands midfield into cheaply giving away possession, but her attempt from distance went narrowly over the bar.

Weymouth’s defensive quartet of Ashleigh Taylor, Emma Potter, Becca de Havilland and Cimon Barnard-Irons each took it in turns to break down a Redlands attack, Potter making an excellent last-ditch sliding tackle as Redlands looked destined to score.

Georgia Richards in the Terras’ goal stood firm on the rare occasions the defence was breached, as the Rebels desperately looked to get a foothold into the game.

Roberts and Howard continued to cause issues down the left-hand side and Howard added a second when she scored a beautiful curling effort from out near the corner flag to give Weymouth a 3-0 lead going into half-time.

In the second-half, it was Roberts’ turn to come back to haunt her former club when she added a fourth on 57 minutes. Beating her marker with a nutmeg, she matched Howard’s earlier effort by putting a curling strike of her own past the goalkeeper.

Weymouth did not let up and continued to press the opposition; Beth Barnard-Irons going close to scoring her first in a Terras shirt but shooting wide.

With five minutes remaining, Howard scored her hat-trick as Weymouth hit five without reply.

However, in the 89th minute Redlands were controversially awarded a penalty while waiting for corner to be taken and Georgia Rogers made no mistake from the spot to give the Rebels a late consolation.

Undeterred, the Terras hit back instantly as the in-form Howard equalled her tally for the previous fixture against Bridport when her lobbed effort sent Weymouth into derby day dreamland and into second place.

Weymouth are next in action at Broadstone Ladies tomorrow (2pm).

Terras: Richards, Taylor, Potter, de Havilland, C Barnard-Irons, Wilson, Sibley, B Barnard-Irons, Beasley, Howard, Roberts. Subs on: Wootton, Hoare, Whelton-Legg, Lusty.

Attendance: 115

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