A DISAPPOINTING final score didn’t reflect the balance of the game, as an improving West Wilts side failed to overcome mediocre opposition due to the outstanding form of the visitors’ goalkeeper.

Despite retaining 75 per cent of the possession in the first half, West Wilts could not convert it into a score, with the team lacking in natural strikers.

Hannah Manship and Zoe Symes both stood out in midfield, with neat, controlled moves leaving the homedefence flat-footed.

Emma Papworth and Lucy Diggins gave able support, but somehow the final shot was always parried away, An otherwise untroubled visiting defence was caught out as Hazel Liederman scrambled a ball home to give North Wilts a surprise 1-0 lead at half time.

In the second half, as the rain hammered down, West Wilts tried to find the net, and with Lydia Tinsley and Tina Towler covering plenty of ground.

Suzi Agate and Emma Papworth both went close, and Manship had three shots saved.

As frustration began to set in, North Wilts made a break, and Nicole Dhillon squeezed home in at the far post. Again, West Wilts surged downfield and their persistence was finally rewarded when a precise cross from Agate was slammed home by Papworth.

North Wilts finally seemed to wake up at this point, forcing Lucy Nash into several fine saves, with Claire Dent and Alison Bunce reliably defending against a series of short corners. Unfortunately, North Wilts found the goal once more, following a confused reaction to an umpiring decision and West Wilts found themselves 3-1 down with 10 minutes to go.

Admirably, their heads did not drop, and several more unsuccessful attacks were launched, before Tanya Jackson pushed up from the sweeper position to pick up a long corner and fire in a well-judged cross for Lucy Diggins to tap in at the far post.

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