CIRENCESTER LADIES 4 NAILSEA UTD LADIES 4

NAILSEA Ladies travelled up the M5 to face top-of-the-table Cirencester without four first-team regulars.

United pressed the ball from the kick-off and it was through the persistence of Char Savage that the first chance fell to the away side but Stables was unable to convert.

The home attack were beginning to look increasingly dangerous and took the lead when a cross caught the wind and sailed into the net.

United, playing against the wind, started to get the ball down this point and the ever-willing Stables was getting in among the home defence.

However, the sucker-punch came when the away defence attempted to clear their lines, only for the ball to deflect off Tomlin's head and into the path of the Cirencester number nine to score.

Nailsea pulled one back when a move that started with good tracking and tackling from Adams ended up with Savage releasing Stables, who calmly stroked the ball past the home custodian.

United suffered a setback when, in the seventh minute of injury time, the ball was cleared as far as a Cirencester midfielder who lumped the ball back in the air and managed to lob Davis in goal.

After the break, United began to exert more pressure and play the game in their opponents' half. Hamilton made two vital clearances off the line and Kelly also intervened when it looked likely that the home side would score.

The home team scored the next goal when a corner was not defended properly but United did not give up and, after a penalty appeal was turned down, Stables scampered through to volley into the back of the net.

Savage then got the right side of her marker to finish emphatically and make it 4-3 with a few minutes remaining.

The home side were clearly rattled and gave away numerous fouls and free-kicks.

Davis was again called upon to stop her side going another goal behind and Smith and Badcock were working hard to chase down their opposite numbers.

In the 96th minute, Stables was fouled and Cath Tomlin stepped up to rifle an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner.

Player of the match was Hamilton.