QPR Women (2) – Enfield Town Ladies (1)

FA Women’s National League Division One (South East)

Team: Francis-Pownall, Petit, Searle (Wardlaw), Lewin, Grieve, Maloney, Pope, Hennessy, Curr (Davies), Moore, Hall

On a very cold night at the Powerday Stadium, the R’s met Enfield Town in what was QPR’s first league fixture since the end of September.

It was the visitors who provided the first dangerous attack of the evening. Mya Francis-Pownall advanced to clear the threat and from the follow-up the R’s keeper made a great save.

After six minutes, Ellie Searle burst down the left-wing, put in a superb cross, which the visiting keeper could only parry and with Mel Hall well-placed, the ball ended up in the net via Enfield defender, Rochel Kosky.

Rangers soon doubled their lead following a superb build-up. Laura Hennessy set-up Mel Hall who then directed her shot into the bottom corner.

Tactically, QPR sat deep for much of the remainder of the first-half, soaking up intermittent pressure from the visitors.

Katie O’Leary shot over the bar, a Mollie Kmita effort clipped the post and a Rangers defender was well-placed to clear the ball off the line.  Half-time: 2-0.

Into the second-half, and Mel Hall lined up her shot, but didn’t get enough power behind it.

The visitors pulled a goal back around the hour mark when a low cross into the box was smacked into the net by Katie O’Leary.

On 80 minutes, Steve Quashie introduced Eshe Davies and four minutes later, Ellen Wardlaw came on after Ellie Searle was forced off.

As Enfield continued to look for an equaliser, a free kick from the edge of the box lacked power and finished wide of the post.

The home defence continued to frustrate the visitors, but Rangers went on to secure the three points.

Steve Russell