Match Report | WCWFC 2-0 Portishead Town Ladies
City end pre-season with a win thanks to goals from new signings Lowri Walker and Olivia Stubbs
Photo by Shots By Maya Rose
Worcester City Women ended their pre-season preparations ahead of the opening day of the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands season by welcoming North Somerset side, Portishead Town Ladies to Sixways.
It was the first chance the fans got to see their heroes play since City secured a 5th place finish away at Lincoln United on the final day of the last campaign.
Sunday's encounter also gave the supporters the opportunity to see all four new recruits in action as Lowri Walker, Olivia Stubbs, Karly Norman and Maja Szymkowiak all made their Sixways debuts.
The opening stages at Sixways in the hot conditions started out sluggish with both sides not creating any openings.
Shortly after the 20 minute mark, Worcester had their first effort of the game after Connie Matthews cross fell all the way to the edge of the box where Evie Billingsley’s shot just whistled past the post.
Jess Fassnidge tried her luck from distance, but it was straight down the throat of the Portishead goalkeeper.
City looked to step it up a notch following the hydration break and shortly after, Lowri Walker had her first attempt at Sixways for her new club as she drifted into space, but couldn’t get the power on her shot to trouble the goalkeeper.
Minutes later, Olivia Stubbs was the latest recruit to have an effort after she was played through on goal, but her effort with the keeper to beat unfortunately went over the bar.
Just before the break, Walker had a dig from distance, with her effort just going over the bar.
Into the second half and Worcester began to turn the screw on their 5th tier opponents with Matthews having an effort, however she just dragged her shot wide of the post.
Billingsley had an effort from the edge of the box that was tipped over by the goalkeeper, and from the immediate corner, Karly Norman found herself at the back stick and her close range effort hit the post.
Just before the hour mark Walker slotted the ball into the bottom right hand corner to give City a deserved lead.
Moments later, game changer Kaye Haggett put in a delicious cross into the box where Noah Edwards was there, but her effort hit off the post.
A few minutes later, Haggett turned and had a shot from the edge of the area, but the goalkeeper was equal to her effort.
Haggett was causing all types of problems for the Portishead defence, this time her cross bounces off the defender and falls to Stubbs, whose effort was saved.
Haggett was constantly causing all types of problems for the Portishead defence, this time her cross bounces off the defender and falls to Stubbs, whose effort was saved.
City almost doubled their lead twice in as many moments when Edwards shot was somehow saved at close range and then a Trialist A’s effort was saved well by the goalkeeper's feet.
A few minutes later City did double their lead when Matthews corner was guided home by Olivia Stubbs to put the game away for the hosts.
With a few minutes remaining, Charlotte Poole cut inside from the right and had an effort, but it was dealt with between the defender and the goalkeeper.
In stoppage time, Trialist A almost found the bottom left hand corner, however her shot just went wide of the post and then Poole almost added a third after some outstanding wing play, but the keeper pulled off another good save.
Next Up for City is the opening game of the 2026/2027 season on Sunday, 16th August at 3pm, as they travel to the Castle Vale Stadium to take on Leafield Athletic in FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands action.
Please keep an eye on socials for further updates regarding this fixture including ticket information. Thank you all for your fantastic support.
