Grace Clifford scored a hat-trick as Weston HC ladies made a spectacular start to the second half of their season with a 5-1 win against Nailsea on Saturday.

Weston’s first goal came from Jo Withers, who slipped the ball from close range through the Bernie Forge legs.

Weston’s second came after Phoebe Hughes passed the ball from the halfway line up to the D for Grace Clifford to pick up, dribble round Forge and calmly slot into the goal.

Weston were awarded a few short corners in the first half and from one of them came Clifford’s second goal of the game.

The ball rebounded from Withers shot for Clifford to flick up into the net.

The second-half started with a wake up call for Weston as Nailsea attacked quickly and scored within the first few minutes through Jen Roach.

Instead of heads dropping, the ladies switched on again, with Aimee Grimes, Verity Pern and Amy Green attacking well and all unlucky not be on the score sheet as Forge made some great saves for Nailsea.

Nailsea’s attacks for the rest of the half were kept back by some great defensive work from Shelly Parkins, Rute Serra, Bailey Farrow, Eva Ferdinando and Millie Royce who switched the play and passed round the back well throughout.

On the few times that Nailsea did break through the defence, goalkeeper Lucy Smale was there to stop any more goals from the opposition.

Weston’s fourth came from a quick counter attack, Serra took the ball and passed through the middle to Aga Maciejyzck who smacked the ball up the pitch to find Clare Dale on the right of the D, who crossed it in for Redrow Player of the Match Clifford to reverse into the goal and complete her hat-trick.

Weston’s final goal came from a well worked short corner which saw Bidwell push out and receive the ball back on the near post to slot past Forge to score her first goal and seal a convincing win.

Weston Ladies return to action this Saturday at old Bristolians this Saturday at 2:30pm, while Nailsea host Knowle at Gordano School at 9:30am.