Bretforton Ladies 1, Devizes 2

BRETFORTON opened up the scoring in the first 15 minutes with a perfectly executed short corner pushed out by Dannie Cox and struck in by Jane Wheeler.

Deb Slatter kept her own goalkeeper on her toes when she tried to stop a shot only to see it head for her own net.

Player of the match Liz Murray-White enjoyed a storming game at right back from where she produced a number of excellent runs into the Devizes half, while also linking up well with Lisa Workman on the right side of midfield.

Bretforton led until the last minute of the first half when an unfortunate short corner was conceded and the Wiltshire side took full advantage.

Gilly Wright was unlucky not to score after the restart when the Devizes goalkeeper just managed to get a foot to the ball. Sophie Corbett was also unlucky with a shot from a short corner that was disallowed for being too high.

Devizes then took the lead after picking up a loose pass in midfield the ball was crossed for an easy shot into the net.

The match ball was sponsored by NFU Mutual.

Shipton Oliffe 2, Bretforton II 2

A MATCH that was filled with frustration and lost chances saw a skilful and determined Bretforton come up against youthful and fit opponents.

The first half saw Bretforton hold the majority of the possession and player of the match Ceri Barber shone in midfield with some strong resolute play and fine passing to Julie Hall and Sarah Bragg.

However, Shipton's defence stood firm and, midway through the first half, they made one of their few ventures into the visiting defensive area where a mistake in the D led to a short corner that was duly converted.

Bretforton continued attacking down both wings with Sue Shepherd and Kate Williams influential but still the goals refused to come.

A change at half-time brought youngster Natasha Ingles into attack but the pace remained sedate despite more attacks from the visitors.

Confusion in the goalmouth when the umpire allowed the game to continue enabled Ingles to push an easy ball over the line to equalise.

Bretforton continued their push with centre back Marion Icke playing particularly strong but Shipton scored on the break.

The visitors were determined to avoid a defeat after all their hard work, and that they did in the last minute when Ingles netted her second after a cross from Shirley Aubrey.

The match ball was sponsored by Jacqueline Sweeney.

Bretforton are at home on Saturday to East Glos II.

Bourton 2, Blockley Ladies 2

KINGHAM Hill School was the venue for a match between two local rivals that proved to be keenly contested.

Blockley started strongly but were unable to penetrate the Bourton defence and it was the Rissington Road side who seized the initiative and took an early lead.

Blockley equalised through Kerry Jackson just before half-time only for Bourton to regain the lead.

Captain Jo Peachey rallied the Blockley team and, from perhaps the best passing move of the match, Hayley Whitehouse made it 2-2 when she neatly pushed the ball round the Bourton goalkeeper to earn a share of the spoils.

Blockley Ladies 3, Cirencester II 1

BLOCKLEY immediately pressurised the Cirencester defence and went ahead when Kerry Jackson powerfully slotted home after the umpire had played a great advantage.

Jackson then tapped in a second after Fiona Drinkwater's effort had rebounded off a post.

It was 3-1 at half-time when the same player again found the net.

Perhaps feeling that they had a comfortable lead, a lapse in the defence allowed Cirencester to pull a goal back, but Blockley once again regained their composure to record well-earned victory.