FA Women’s National League Division One (South East)
Team: McLean, Redhead-Ling, Petit, Blodgett, Jordinson, Maloney, Kumaning, Hennessy, Edwards, Moore, Hall
It was the visitors who provided the first goalscoringopportunity at Rectory Park when Emma Jenkins shot wide.
And then against the run of play, another sortie down the left-flank resulted in a low effort being well-saved at the near post.
Whilst at the other end, Mel Hall curled the ball goalwards but the United keeper was able to make a comfortable save.
Brogan Moore gave the R’s a deserved lead with a close-range flick following Laura Hennessy’s cross.
Despite being under pressure from two opponents, some brilliant play from Demi Edwards enabled her to keep winning the ball.
The ball was cleared off the line following a U’s corner which resulted in a rummage in the box and leading to Cambridge being awarded a penalty. Laura Baker stepped up and planted the ball to Katie McLean’s right.
Rangers came close to re-taking the lead just before half-time, but Mel Hall couldn’t quite fully-connect with a good ball squared into the box and it finished all-square at the break.
Steve Quashie introduced Emilia Nygaard-Parsons at the expense of Merle Redhead-Ling for the commencement of the second-half.
Into the opening minutes, and after being put through,Nygaard-Parsons aimed her shot low from the edge of the box, but it didn’t trouble the keeper.
Following a cross from the right-wing, Katie McLean made an outstanding point-blank save to deny the visitors.
Rangers scored a second goal after Laura Hennessy had superbly set up Brogan Moore, who then slotted the ball wide of Lauren Webb.
But the U’s equalised less than a minute later. Ruth Fox picked her spot after a swift breakaway.
Then Brogan Moore’s lofted effort bounced off the crossbar.Lucie White replaced Katie McLean in the Rangers goal.
Sue Kumaning was booked, which provoked strong protests from her team mates. Then, the QPR captain was sent off after being shown a second yellow!
It then got even worse when Rangers temporarily went down to nine players after Brogan Moore was shown an orange card seemingly for descent!
After receiving a great ball, Mel Hall was brought down, and the culprit not surprisingly, was booked. Danielle Maloney’s free kick went just wide.
The visitors had a golden opportunity to take the lead, but the effort was somehow screwed wide of the upright.
A minute later, Emilia Nygaard-Parsons shot just wide of the far post.
Rangers scored a dramatic winner at the death when Jo Blodgett pulled the trigger and the ball entered the net via the underside of the bar!
Cue wild celebrations on and off the pitch, which included Lucie White running the full length of the pitch to join her team mates!
Well done everyone.
Steve Russell