Yeovil Town Women began 2024 in emphatic fashion as they beat Portishead Reserves 6-1 at Somerton on Sunday. A win which saw the Glovers climb to the top of the table included a hat-trick for Abbie Carslake as well as goals from Becky Miles, Niamh Nicholls and Chloe Davenport.
Following a three week break, Paul Knight made one change to the team who overcame Ilminster Reserves, as Davenport came in for Holly Coles.
After a cagey opening twenty minutes, in which Yeovil dominated possession and Nicholls struck the post, Miles opened the scoring. The midfielder drove at the Portishead defence and curled the ball to the left of the goalkeeper to give Yeovil the lead.
Eight minutes later Yeovil doubled their lead, as Zoe Ball fed Carslake who, from the edge of the box, rifled it into the top corner for 2-0.
Despite having numerous chances during the rest of the halfYeovil went in at the break two goals to the good.
Portishead started the second half the stronger and halved the deficit in the 56th minute, as Keiana Jones converted her free-kick following a harsh handball call.
Yeovil did not have to wait long before their two goal cushion was restored, as on minute 65 Davenport finished cooly after Miles’ ball across the box.
Moments later Nicholls got herself on the scoresheet, as she netted her 17th goal of the season courtesy of an audacious lob over the Portishead goalkeeper to make it 4-1.
Yeovil’s goalscoring flurry swiftly continued as in the 70thminute Carslake saw her long-range strike find the net for her second of the match to put Yeovil out of sight.
Carslake was not finished there, as she completed her hat-trick with another long-range effort in the final stages to ensure a 6-1 victory for Yeovil and her 7th goal of the season.
This victory made it ten wins out of ten for Yeovil Town Women after a three week break and saw them climb to the summit of the Somerset County Division 1.
The player of the match was awarded to Abbie Carslake after her hat-trick from midfield, which consisted of three long-range efforts.
