A 21st minute strike from Natasha Knapman was
enough to secure victory for Yeovil Town Ladies over Millwall Lionesses, in
front of a club record attendance of 722 in their first fixture at Huish Park
in over two years.
The Lady Glovers started the brightest, forcing a succession
of corners in the opening five minutes before Nicola Cousins headed over
following a cross from Corinne Yorston.
On 19 minutes, it looked as though Yeovil had taken the lead
when Sarah Wiltshire reacted quickest after Annie Heatherson’s powerful drive
cannoned back off the post to turn the ball home, but she was adjudged to have
been in an offside position.
Two minutes later, the Lady Glovers finally made the
breakthrough when Knapman headed home Wiltshire’s cross from the left hand
side.
Yeovil came close to doubling their lead on 36 minutes when
Heatherson powered a header against the post, which bounced clear to safety.
On the stroke of half-time, Wiltshire had a shot from the
edge of the area that hit the crossbar and bounced over as the Lady Glovers
continued to exert their dominance.
Yeovil started the second half as they finished the first,
as Stephanie Williams had a free-kick saved by Millwall keeper Sarah Quantrill
- after Wiltshire was felled by Naomi Cole.
On 59 minutes, Fliss Gibbons looked well placed to score an
equaliser for the Lionesses - only to be denied by a late saving tackle from
Lady Glovers’ skipper Natalie Haigh.
In the final ten minutes of the game, Heatherson blasted
over and Wiltshire was denied by Quantrill as Yeovil returned to winning ways
to move within six points of second placed Reading Women in the FA Women’s
Super League Two.
