FA Women’s National League Division One (South East)
Team: McLean, Petit, Searle, Jordinson, Grieve, Maloney, Akerman, Hennessy, Edwards, Moore, Hall
Subs: White, Kumaning, Curr, Nygaard-Parsons
I was informed at the turnstile that there would be no match programmes available because the printer was broken!
The first goalscoring opportunity of the afternoon fell to Mel Hall. After being put clean though, the R’s No.11 shot over the crossbar.
Following a good pass out to the right-wing, the Hawks player squared the ball from the bye-line, which brought an excellent save from Katie McLean.
Rangers took an early lead when Demi Edwards’ shot from fully 25-yards flew beyond Zara Wickert’s reach and into the back of the net.
The home side were relying on a couple of long-range efforts, but neither of them troubled the Rangers keeper.
Good work from right wing-back Kasha Petit resulted in the ball going behind but the corner came to nothing.
The Hawks won a free kick in a central position 25-yards out. The shot on goal that followed evaded the Rangers wall, but it ended up comfortably in Katie McLean’s gloves.
On 36 minutes, Lily Bruno set up a team mate, but her attempt hit the side-netting.
A minute or so later, a Rangers effort glanced off the crossbar. Half-time: 1-0.
Harlow won a free kick on the edge of the box five minutes into the second-half. McLean parried the initial shot and she then made an outstanding save from the follow-up and the ball was cleared to safety.
Kasha Petit did well to set up Brogan Moore, but her attempt flew over the crossbar.
Ellie Searle went on a superb run which somehow got her to the bye-line. Demi Edwards, in a good position, pulled the trigger and the Hawks keeper made a very good save to deny the R’s a second goal.
Steve Quashie made a couple of changes when he brought on Sue Kumaning and Emilia Nygaard-Parsons respectively.
Some excellent defending from Vicky Grieve after she had superbly won the ball in a dangerous position. She then proceeded to move it away before clearing the ball to safety.
Demi Edwards won the ball against the odds and before she could make her attempt on goal, she was wrestled to the ground. Despite the protests for a penalty the referee just waved play on!
Lucie White took over in goal and also introduced was Alice Curr.
The home side created a good goalscoring opportunity following a long ball into the box, but the shot was off-target and cleared the crossbar.
Lucie White advanced to meet a potential one-on-one and the effort, ended up passing the post.
In an attempt to run down the clock, two R’s players successfully doubled up near the corner flag in order to keep possession of the ball This resulted in a frustrated Hawks player getting shown a yellow card.
A hard-fought win for Steve Quashie and his team, who now sit just five points behind fourth-placed Actonians Ladies, with five games in hand.
Next up is a home game against Cambridge City on 13th February.
Steve Russell