FA Women’s National League Division One (South-East)
Team: Francis-Pownall, Hennessy, McCrea, Carolan, Blodgett, Lewin, Cohen, Harris, Webster, Ward-Chambers, Nygaard-Parsons
On a Tuesday evening in monsoon conditions at the Bedfont Sports Club, it was the home side who went close to taking the lead when the Actonians No.9 shot into the side-netting.
They then fashioned another goalscoring opportunity, when the ball was headed over the crossbar following a deep free kick.
Laura Hennessy just evaded the target for the R’s on 15 minutes, but it was Actonians who went in front three minutes later.
After Tori St. Clair’s corner had fallen to Dominika Netschova on the edge of the box, she then fired the ball into the top corner.
Little threat of an equaliser at this stage, but the R’s were providing some very good interplay in very greasy conditions.
On 38 minutes, after colliding with an opponent, Frankie Webster had to be helped off and Ellie Searle replaced her.
The away side picked up their game and Georgie Lewin’s strike flew just wide of the upright. Half-time: 0-1.
Five minutes into the second-half and Tori St. Clair, in acres of space, slotted the ball into the bottom corner as the R’s players stood, appealing for offside.
Steve Quashie then introduced Emily Hill and Grace Stanley at the expense of Ailish Carolan and Emilia Nygaard-Parsons respectively.
The final changes were made after 64 minutes, which saw Izzy Owen and Kasha Petit coming on for Zoe Cohen and Jessica Harris.
Four minutes later, the hosts scored a third goal after Meila D’Santos’ long punt had dipped and bounced off the crossbar. Roschelles Shakes was well placed to finish from close range.
Shakes added another, and at four-down, Rangers pulled a goal back in the 86th minute, when Courtnay Ward-Chambers’ effort received a slight deflection before entering the net.
The R’s reduced the deficit further a couple of minutes later when, amidst a number of players, Laura Hennessy managed to finish from close range following a corner.
Just before the final whistle, Emily Hill headed the ball wide of the target.
Steve Quashie’s side then took on Ashford Town five days later at the Powerday Stadium.
Steve Russell