FA Women’s National League Division One (South East)
Team: Francis-Pownall, Curr, McCrea, Owen, Blodgett, Hill, Nygaard-Parsons, Harris, Stanley, Petit, Webster
Subs: Shephard, Cutler, Fatri, Louvier, Cohen
We arrived in good time at Cambridge City’s latest temporary home, the New Croft Stadium in Haverhill.
On a very blustery afternoon, the Indy R’s flag was secured behind one of the goals.
Rangers were soon creating goalscoring opportunities. Grace Stanley’s close-range shot at the near-post was well saved and the ball went behind for a corner.
Then, Frankie Webster was put through and, facing Nina Meollo one-on-one, the City keeper made the save.
Whilst at the other end, Emily Hill produced some excellent defending when she successfully took the ball out of the box to safety.
For the R’s, Kasha Petit after getting herself forward, her lob ended up just over the crossbar.
Rangers almost took the lead when, after setting herself up in a good position, Grace Stanley’s shot came off the keeper’s body. And then soon after, the City keeper made another save from the R’s striker.
Grace Stanley got the goal she deserved in rather fortunate circumstances. Her strike initially hit a defender in the face and the ball then continued into the net via the upright.
The R’s No.9 almost nabbed a second goal when, getting one-on-one with Nina Meollo, the City keeper did well to stop the ball with her legs.
Just before the break, a cross from the left-flank was headed down by Frankie Webster, and, once again, Nina Meollo was able to make another good save. Half-time: 1-0.
Into the second-half and it was the Lilywhites who created a good goalscoring opportunity, but, after breaking upfield, the City No.11 shot directly at Mya Francis-Pownall.
Rangers doubled their lead after Grace Stanley slotted the ball wide of the City keeper.
However, Becca Stephenson pulled a goal back for the Lilywhites.
Nina Meollo continued to stop Rangers increasing their lead on a number of occasions.
That said, the R’s had to see out the final stages on the back-foot and Mya Francis-Pownall’s flying save denied the home side an equaliser.
A new facility for Cambridge City at Sawston is currently underway, which I understand may take at least another 12 months or so to complete.
Steve Russell