FA Women’s National League Division One (South East)
Team: McLean, Petit, Jordinson, Grieve, Lewin, Searle, Blodgett, Hennessy, Moore, Edwards, Hall
Subs: White, Maloney, Akerman, Kumaning, Curr
London Seaward FC came into being after Leyton Orient had suddenly cut ties with their Women’s side in April 2021.
In time for the commencement of the 2021/22 season, they took up residence at the Wadham Lodge Sports Groud, the home of Walthamstow FC.
I met up with Sammy at Hanger Lane Station and we arrived at the ground in good time.
The young referee wasn’t named in the match programme, but I was told that apart from being revered for her officiating, she had also appeared in various television adverts. I was also informed that the home side included a Maltese international.
In the early stages, neither side were creating any goalscoringopportunities of note. At the back, the R’s captain, Vicky Grieve, was making some superb full-on challenges.
The home side were awarded a penalty after 32 minutes. Abbey Dell stepped up, and Katie McLean, diving to her right, made a very good save.
The away side fashioned a couple of long-range opportunist efforts. Vicky Grieve’s attempt appeared to clip the crossbar,and the other one was very close to sneaking in as it dipped.
Following a swift counter-attack, London Seaward had a big shout for handball in the penalty area, but the referee decided to award a corner.
Rangers took the lead just before half-time after the ball had been played out to Kasha Petit. The Rangers right wing-back advanced to the bye-line where she squared the ball to Demi Edwards, who then fired her shot into the bottom corner. Half-time: 1-0.
Into the second-half and the R’s continued to work hard on what was a very heavy pitch.
Ellie Searle got herself into a good position, but being slightly off-balance, she shot wide of the target.
At the other end, an audacious 30-yard effort flew just over the crossbar.
Steve Quashie took off Katie McLean and brought on Lucie White. Sue Kumaning had been brought on earlier.
The R’s No.14 went on a run through the middle to get herself into a good position to pull the trigger and, after steadying herself, she fired just wide of the upright.
It remained 1-0 at the final whistle, in what was a hard-fought performance on, what I mentioned above, a very heavy playing surface.
It was good to see Dave Llewellyn at the game and I must compliment London Seaward on a superb match programme.
Steve Russell