Yeovil Town kept themselves three points clear at the top of the WSL 2 table with a 2-0 win at promotion rivals, Durham.

Strikers get the job done

After a really tight affair for almost an hour at New Ferrens Park, it was the visitors who broke through courtesy of forward Atlanta Primus. The ball broke for Kelly Snook in the middle of the park and she played a delightful floated ball through to put Primus in the clear. Although there was a suspicion of offside, play went on and Primus coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to give the Glovers the lead.

Then with around 20 minutes to go, the league's top scorer, Sarah Wiltshire ensured Yeovil would be making the long trip home with the points in the bag. A long kick forward from the goalkeeper was headed on by Annie Heatherson for Wilitshire, who was in behind the defence. She simply lifted the bouncing ball over the on rushing Helen Alderson to make nine goals in the league for the season. 

Wildcats struggle in the final third 

Andy Tate's Durham side have managed a steady goal threat this season, but they seemed to lack any real final third threat in this one. Any chances of scoring were not helped however, as top scorer Natalie Gutteridge had to go off with an injury after just 25 minutes.

The closest they came to a goal in the first half was through efforts from distance, with the best opening arriving Rachel Lee's way just past the half hour mark. It was steady build-up from Durham and Lee decided to let fly with her right foot from nearly 30 yards, and it took a flying save to the left from Yeovil 'keeper Charlotte Haynes to deny her.

Unfortunately for Durham, the other main chances for them in the game arrived late in the match while 2-0 down. They were decent ones in the last quarter of an hour, though. Sarah McFadden cut in from the right onto her left foot but could only put it over from close range with the goal opening up.

Then with just seven minutes left Durham got their best chance. A free-kick from the right found it's way all the way over to the left byline where Jordan Atkinson pulled one back across only for substitute Sarah Eadon to glance just wide from six yards out.

Leaders always a threat

In reflection Yeovil probably had less chances overall than their hosts, but they were getting more clear-cut opportunities and were making the Durham 'keeper work more than their own. A great example of this came just five minutes in as the ball broke for Ellis Hillman on the right side of the box and she hit one well across goal, but Alderson pulled off a fine save high to her left.

Then in the second half, 10 minutes after Primus's opener, the same player was put clear through down the middle again. But this time she went for the other corner low and Alderson made a great save low to her left, one handed. 

Also like Durham, Michelle Yeowell's team had their moments from distance, with influential central midfielder Snook dropping a right foot volley from 25 yards just wide of the left post early in the second half. The two goals from their forwards would be good enough for Yeovil, though.

What's next?

WSL 2 leaders Yeovil continue their title bid away to Oxford United on Thursday June 30th, while Durham's next outing is not untill July 10th, where they'll take on Aston Villa in another home game.

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About the author
Jamie Joslyn
20 year old sports journalism at Sunderland University, huge Sunderland fan