FA Women’s National League Division One (South East)
Team: McLean, Lewin, Jordinson, Bishop, Curr, Searle, Hennessy, Blodgett, Stanley, Pope, Petit
Subs: Carolan, Akerman, Cutler, Moore, Webster
Attendance: 1,231
As the fans began to take their seats it emerged that it was Hayley Peacock’s Birthday and she was congratulated accordingly on the pitch.
The first goalscoring opportunity fell to Grace Stanley. Seizing upon a loose ball, the R’s No.9 shot just wide.
However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring on 11 minutes. The ball was squared into the box from the bye-line and Ellie Dorey provided the finish.
Worse to follow a couple of minutes later when Ellie Dorey nabbed her second goal of the afternoon.
Ellie Dorey’s hat-trick soon followed. Unmarked in the box, she volleyed the ball into the back of the net.
Rangers pulled a goal back after Ellie Searle had bombed down the left-flank. She then put over a great cross, which Kasha Petit superbly headed beyond Faye Baker.
The away side went further ahead after Becki Bath was harshly adjudged to have been brought down in the box. Emma Plewa stepped up and although Katie McLean got a hand to the ball, she couldn’t keep it out.
Rangers were awarded a free kick following a handball outside the box. Erin Pope then forced Faye Baker into pushing the ball behind for a corner.
After the Dons had broken away, Katie McLean did well to stop an effort from just outside the penalty area. Lauren Jordinson then had to stretch to make enough contact on the ball to stop the follow-up. The final attempt ended up wide of the target.
A heavy challenge on Erin Pope left her requiring some attention. Half-time: 1-4.
Into the second-half and it was a good start for the R’s as they soon created a couple of decent chances. Firstly, Lauren Jordinson had an effort blocked and then Grace Stanley’s shot was deflected for a corner.
On 54 minutes, Erin Pope made way for Brogan Moore.
Ellie Searle shot wide from outside the box and then her cross was back-heeled by Grace Stanley, but the Dons keeper managed to hold on to the ball.
Katie Akerman replaced Jo Blodgett around the hour mark.
Much to the consternation of the home fans, Rangers were denied a blatant penalty following a handball in the box!
Three changes were made on 69 minutes which saw the introduction of Ailish Carolan, Frankie Webster and Milly Cutler at the expense of Gabby Bishop, Alice Curr and Grace Stanley respectively.
QPR pulled a goal back after 75 minutes. Following good work by Kasha Petit, Laura Hennessy’s shot looped into the top corner.
Closing down an opponent from behind, Lauren Jordinson superbly knocked the ball back to Katie McLean after just getting enough contact on the ball!
Another good Rangers move concluded with Ellie Searle firing the ball just inches past the far post.
Rosie Russell was very fortunate when the ball ricocheted off of an R’s player and ended up flying over the crossbar!
After five added minutes the Rangers players were applauded off the pitch.
Steve Russell