FAWNL League Cup
Team: Francis-Pownall, McCrea, Blodgett, Jordinson, Harris, Owen, Nygaard-Parsons, Hennessy, Stanley, Akerman, Searle
Subs: Curr, Lewin, Owen, Webster, Petit
After knocking out Keynsham Town, Rangers’ next League Cup opponents were South-West region side, Moneyfields.
At a breezy Powerday Stadium, it was the R’s who created the first goalscoring opportunity of the afternoon after Emilia Nygaard-Parsons had broken away.
Her shot was deflected behind and from the resulting corner, Lauren Jordinson headed over the bar.
Then, Grace Stanley, in a widish position, forced a very good save from the Moneyfields keeper.
The next Rangers attempt on goal followed a deep free kick into the box, which resulted in Jo Blodgett’s effort being saved.
Moneyfields’ first chance of the afternoon came following a long ball to their No.18. After getting close to the bye-line,she pulled the trigger and Mya Francis-Pownall superbly kept it out with her legs.
Grace Stanley gave the R’s the lead after winning a 50/50 challenge. The Rangers striker went on to tap the ball wide of the keeper. The players then left the field for a refreshment break.
A well-positioned Mya Francis-Pownall did well to just get her finger-tips to a dangerous ball launched into the box.
The Rangers keeper then superbly kept out a 30-yard lob at goal. After diving backwards, she knocked the ball onto the bar and it went over for a corner.
Mya Francis-Pownall then made a very brave save at the feet of their No.18. Half-time: 1-0.
Into the second-half, and after their No.9 had got through, a Rangers defender made a diving block and the ball went out for a corner.
QPR doubled their lead from Ellie Searle’s precise finish, butsoon after the away side pulled a goal back.
At this stage, Moneyfields were having the best of it and it was no surprise when they equalised.
That said, Rangers had a good opportunity to re-take the lead after Emilia Nygaard-Parsons had done well to win the ball on the left-flank. She then passed to Grace Stanley whose shot ended up wide of the target. The players then took a water break.
The away side had an effort finishing just wide of the goal. This was followed by the R’s keeper making a brave save which left her in need of some attention.
The tie then moved into extra-time.
After Moneyfields had broken away, Francis-Pownall made another excellent stop with her legs.
At the other end, Frankie Webster knocked the ball into the box to set-up Grace Stanley, but the R’s striker couldn’t quite finish. It remained all-square at the break.
Into the final period of extra-time, and Grace Stanley forced a very good save from the Moneyfields keeper. She then gave QPR the lead.
After drifting wide of the keeper, she slotted the ball home,but Kau’inohea Taylor went on to score a dramatic equaliser.
Moneyfields went through to the next round following a successful 5-3 penalty shoot-out.
This was to be Lauren Jordinson’s final game for the R’s. I would like to wish her all the very best for the future.
Steve Russell