FAWNL League Cup
Team: Wiggins, Hennessy, Searle, Blodgett, Lewin, Curr, Munroe, Sampson, Hoile, Stanley, McCrea
Subs: Melling, Owen, Goddard, Kennedy, Ward-ChambersAttendance: 179
Last Wednesday evening saw the first home appearance for QPR FC Women at the SkyEx Community Stadium.
Following a fairly even opening 15 minutes, Grace Stanley broke away a minute later, and her strike at goal was parried behind by Rose Kite. The resulting corner was delayed whilst Paige Hoile received some attention.
At the other end, the visitors’ produced their first attempt at goal after a breakaway down the right. The shot ended up in Chrissie Wiggins’ gloves.
For the R’s, following an excellent run with some good ball control by Paige Hoile, the No.14 laid it off to Alana Munroe, whose attempt then went for a corner.
After around 23 minutes, the Dons almost took the lead when Georgia Clifford’s shot hit the crossbar.
Then, a couple of minutes later following a corner, the ball was back-heeled in the box and Hannah Mackenzie’s effort came off the upright.
This was a productive spell for the visitors and after 36 minutes, Ellie Dorey’s low strike was comfortably held by the R’s keeper.
Chrissie Wiggins went on to save further attempts from Emily Donovan and Ashlee Hincks. Half-time: 0-0.
Stevie Kennedy replaced Paige Hoile for the re-start.
The Rangers keeper was quick off the mark to smother the ball on the edge of the box.
And then, when Ellie Dorey belted the ball from over 25 yards, Chrissie Wiggins’ flying save superbly kept it out.
On 56 minutes, Courtnay Ward-Chambers came on for Ellie Searle, which was followed six minutes later by the introduction of Izzy Owen at the expense of Alice Curr.
Chrissie Wiggins produced the save of the match when Ella Newman’s long-range strike dipped and the R’s keeper somehow threw herself backwards to palm the ball behind!
Earlier, Grace Stanley had made way for Ashleigh Goddard.
The Rangers keeper made an excellent save when she dived to her left to keep out a powerful drive.
A Dons player was inches away with her diving header following a cross from the right.
The referee booked Ellie Dorey for a foul on Georgie Lewin. The R’s captain then made a superb interception in the box. After taking possession, she laid the ball off to a team mate.
With about a minute remaining, and following a good Rangers move, the ball was played into the box, but Izzy Owen was challenged just before she could pull the trigger.
The referee’s whistle called a temporary halt to proceedings, and it was into extra time.
With all the outfield players already used, substitute goalkeeper Nicole Melling replaced Chloe Sampson.
A corner followed Jo Blodgett’s free kick, which resulted in Izzy Owen shooting just wide of the target.
She then did really well, when, whilst under pressure, Izzy Owen went on a great run before forcing a corner.
On 104 minutes, Nicole Melling set-up Alana Munroe, who was blatantly tripped in the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Courtnay Ward-Chambers stepped up and belted the ball into the back of the net.
The final period of extra time, saw the visitors firing a shot over the bar.
Despite the pressure in the closing stages, the Rangers players battled for every ball, and forced a number of throw-ins, right up to the final whistle.
The R’s then went on to face Real Bedford at Loftus Road.
Steve Russell
