It was announced yesterday that Yeovil Town will be without WSL top goalscorer Sarah Wiltshire for the rest of the season as she’s expecting her first child in February.

Goal machine

Although starting her career in the capital moving from Arsenal, where Wiltshire progressed through the youth ranks, to Watford the Welsh international found a happy home in Somerset after moving to Yeovil in the 2014 season. Her mazy runs and goal scoring exploits soon prompted a move to Manchester City but after failing to make an impact in Nick Cushing’s team, Wiltshire opted for a move back to the West Country.

The Lady Glovers had a strong 2015 campaign but ultimately fell short of promotion after failing to keep pace with the top two (Reading and Doncaster). Jamie Sherwood’s team was clearly one destined for great things, and have only gone from strength to strength this season, with Wiltshire talismanic as ever.

Town currently sit at the summit of WSL 2, two points clear of second-placed Bristol City and six clear of Everton in third – although the Blue Girls have two games in hand. Wiltshire’s goals have not just helped Yeovil win matches but leave them with a handsome goal difference too, the Glovers having netted a total of 30 goals so far this season.

Wiltshire has been terrorising WSL 2 teams all year. (Credit: Julian Herbert/Getty)
Wiltshire has been terrorising WSL 2 teams all year. (Credit: Julian Herbert/Getty)

With 12 to her name in 2016, Wiltshire is not just the leading goal scorer for her club but the leading goalscorer across both WSL divisions. The dynamic no.7 will miss Yeovil’s last six games and will surely be lapped by Durham’s Natalie Gutteridge, Man City’s Jane Ross and Oxford’s Ini Umotong, who are all hot on her tail and tied at ten goals apiece. Although she seemed a shoe-in for the Golden Boot, Wiltshire will happily see that accolade go to someone else as she cheers her team on from the sidelines.

Team effort

With Yeovil locked in a three-way tie for two promotion spots, Sherwood will look to his experienced squad to up their game to balance out Wiltshire’s absence. Although Wiltshire opened the scoring in her last game with a trademark lob over Durham 'keeper Helen Alderson, it was Helen Bleazard who had a greater impact on the match, adding Yeovil’s second before setting up Annie Heatherson for a late two-minute brace.

With five goals between them this year the onus will be on Nadia Lawrence, Atlanta Primus and Natasha Knapman to step-up and deliver the goods when on the pitch. 

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About the author
Sophie Lawson
Neutral football fan travelling around Europe, covering matches and bothering footballers for interviews