WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Dursley come off the rails

Downend Flyers Women Reserves 3

Dursley Town Ladies 1

DURSLEY'S excellent run of form came to a sudden halt as lowly Downend loaded their side with first-team players to win a scrappy encounter.

Struggling for personnel, the Flyers postponed their final South West Premier game of the season - three divisions up - in order to fulfill this fixture instead.

And while the Bristol side had lost 19 games out of 19 at that level, they made things unexpectedly difficult for in-form Dursley, who had won their last four.

The hosts could have been several goals clear at the break as they hit the woodwork, blazed a clear opportunity over, and spurned other good chances.

However, the breakthrough arrived in the first minute of the second half as Town played themselves into trouble from the kick-off and were punished.

The visitors upped their game a little in response, but Charlotte Warren slid the ball wide and then shot over, both when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Chanelle Uzzell's long-range drive also went too high before Downend broke away to score a second goal against the run of play with 15 minutes to go.

Zoe Gabb halved the deficit from the penalty spot eight minutes from time, but Downend promptly went down the other end and added their third.

Dursley: V Thomas; E Allen, C Gabb, S Drew, G Macey; V Mansell, S Lawrence, M Watson, C Uzzell; Z Gabb, C Warren. Rolling substitutes: J Gillingham, S Hill, N Paterson.

Goals: Z Gabb pen (82).