ROSS Juniors Women bounced back from their Women’s FA Cup exit at Gloucester City with a hard-fought 1-0 home league win over Worcester City Lionesses on Sunday.

The hosts started brightly and were rewarded after just 12 minutes, when Abbie Fuszard switched play wide to Meg Boardman, whose pass down the line released Lauren Creed who struck early and caught the Worcester keeper off guard for a 1-0 lead.

Ten minutes later, Ross (sponsored by The Hope and Anchor, 21 Wellbeing, HP Scaffolding and Pronto’s Pizza Kebab) nearly doubled their advantage when Darcy Baker played a clever ball around the corner to Millie Malsom, whose powerful effort forced an excellent save from the Worcester keeper.

After half-time, a dangerous corner from Boardman was met by Keira Brain whose header was cleared off the line.

And moments later, a goalmouth scramble saw another Juniors effort somehow blocked on the line.

Worcester then hit back, but despite late pressure, couldn’t find a breakthrough, as Ross held on for a well-earned three points to go fourth in the Mid West Counties League, with games in hand on those above.

Ross Ladies also welcomed Belmont at home and won 4-2 to sit top of the Herefordshire Women’s League after four wins from four.

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 16th minute with a cracking effort from Anna Craig that gave the goalie no chance.

And it was then 2-0 after a goalmouth scramble on 26 minutes that saw Summer Richardson Wall stab the ball home.

Belmont then fired a warning, striking the bar just before the break, before upping the tempo in the second period and scoring with two good strikes to make it 2-2.

But Ross (sponsored by Ross Health @ Fitness, Scaffolding 2000 and Kings Accountancy) then had two moments of quality, Danie Ward scoring twice in the 77th and 86th minutes with clinical strikes to secure the points.

Ross Juniors Women visit Kidderminster Athletic Ladies on Sunday (October 5), while Ross Ladies are away to Hereford Lads Club Ladies.