FA Women’s National League Division One (South East)
Team: Francis-Pownall, Curr, McCrea, Akerman, Blodgett, Lewin, Nygaard-Parsons, Hennessy, Webster, Hill, Searle
Seven players had moved on during the close-season and the new additions to the squad were; Emily Hill, Jess Harris, Renai McCrea, Nicole Melling and Zoe Cohen.
For the opening league game of the season, two of these players, Renai McCree and Emily Hill, were included in the starting line-up.
The first goal attempt of the evening came after the R’s had lost possession. Chesham then broke away from midfield and this resulted in Mya Francis-Pownall making a great save with her feet.
But it was the home side who took the lead around the half-hour mark when Emilia Nygaard-Parsons turned in the box before picking her spot from close-range.
Frankie Webster later doubled the R’s lead when, through sheer perseverance, she got into a good position to slot the ball home.
Just before the break, an audacious 30-yard punt was tipped over the crossbar. Shortly after and following a free kick, Emily Hill’s back-header just evaded the upright. Half-time: 2-0.
Into the second-half and following a corner, the ball was knocked back to Georgie Lewin and the R’s No.6 fired her shot goalwards.
Another Rangers attempt soon followed when Emilia Nygaard-Parsons pulled the trigger and the ball ended up going behind for a corner.
Steve Quashie made two changes around the hour-mark, which saw the introduction of Grace Stanley and Lauren Jordinson at the expense of Frankie Webster and Katie Akerman respectively.
Grace Stanley took advantage of a poor back-pass and the R’s No.14 then ran into the box but taking the ball too wide, it went out for a goal-kick.
At the other end, Natalia Makowska was put through on goal and really should have scored, but she had aimed her shot directly at the R’s keeper.
Kasha Petit collected the ball on the left-wing before cutting in and her shot ended up wide of the post.
As the match entered its final stages, Lauren Jordinson headed over the crossbar.
Also brought on in the second-half were; Kasha Petit, Izzy Owen and Grace Shephard.
Next up for Steve Quashie’s side is a National League Cup tie at the AJN Stadium on Sunday to face Keynsham Town.
Steve Russell