FA Women’s National League Division One (South-East)
Team: Wiggins, Miaki, Hennessy, Searle, Brooks, Blodgett, Lewin, Ward-Chambers, Hill, Stanley, Dzyadyk
Subs: Melling, McCrea, Carter, Munro, Sampson
On a very windy, overcast afternoon at the SkyEx Community Stadium, and played on a heavy pitch, the R’s took on Chatham Town.
Courtnay Ward-Chambers couldn’t quite fully connect with a ball played in from the right and the result was a goal-kick.
It was the away side who took the lead after 15 minutes following a ball floated over from the right-wing, where Amelia Woodgate was able to pick her spot.
Whilst at the other end, after Grace Stanley had taken the ball down, the Rangers striker’s attempt was smothered by the Chats keeper.
The R’s equalised a few minutes later following Laura Hennessy’s free kick. After a bit of a scramble in the box, Billie Brooks was on hand to bury the ball into the roof of the net.
Excellent work by Grace Stanley along the bye-line resulted in the R’s striker setting up Annie Dzyadyk, whose effort was put behind.
Megan Maslak was fortunate to get away without a caution after clearly clipping Courtnay Ward-Chambers as she went past her!
Jo Blodgett, looked up, and fired the ball goalwards from around 25-yards, but Simone Elligon was able to successfully hang on to it. Half-time: 1-1.
A few minutes after the interval, Courtnay Ward-Chambers was fouled on the edge of the box. Grace Stanley’s free kick ended up going behind for a corner.
Seven minutes in, and Annie Dzyadyk’s chip forced Simone Elligan to dive backwards to superbly knock the ball onto the crossbar, before turning and smothering it.
Ms Anderson booked Megan Maslak after blatantly fouling Ellie Searle as she attempted to head upfield.
For the Chats, Otesha Charles’ header cleared the bar from a corner.
Alana Munro replaced Billie Brooks after 68 minutes.
A cross over from the left found Ellie Jeffkins, who then took a swing at the ball, but failed to connect.
Chatham took the lead after 75 minutes when a long-range attempt flew into the net.
Danny Harrigan’s next change saw the introduction of Renai McCrea at the expense of Courtnay Ward-Chambers after 85 minutes.
The R’s substitute then almost connected with Grace Stanley’s cross at the far post.
A minute or so later, Rangers got the equaliser they deserved. Emily Hill was on hand to finish from a corner.
The away side almost scored a dramatic winner in the closing stages when the ball somehow came off Otesha Charles before hitting the upright.
Play was temporarily halted to enable Laura Hennessy to receive some attention.
It finished all-square, and as we headed home, it began to rain.
The R’s then travelled to McMullen Park to face high-flying Real Bedford.
Steve Russell