FA Women’s National League One (South-East)
Team: Clarke, Doyle, Searle, Lewin, Hill, Mehmet, Brooks, Gotch, Stanley, Ali, Orchard
Subs: Blodgett, Dzyadyk, Munro, Owen, Leach, Wellesley-Davies, Makowska
It was a welcome return to the Powerday Stadium, or should I say the Oliver Connell & Son Community Stadium, the home of Hanwell Town. Also welcome, were the padded seats in the new stand.
On eight minutes, Kenny Clarke punched out Ellie Bishop’s powerful cross, and the follow-up was then cleared.
After the R’s had lost possession, Holly Kennard curled her attempt into the keeper’s gloves.
At the other end, Grace Stanley did well to win a corner through sheer perseverance.
On 18 minutes, Libby Doyle let fly following a corner.
I must mention the variation of Kenny Clarke’s distribution, something not always witnessed elsewhere!
With our keeper down in need of some attention, the players took a drinks break.
A few minutes before the interval, Freya Symonds’ shot hit the side-netting, and Emily Hill was shown a yellow card following a late challenge on Millie Daviss. Half-time: 0-0.
The visitors started the second-half the stronger of the two sides, and with Kenny Clarke away from her line, Georgie Lewin got into a good position to head the ball away to safety.
Mr Fondie booked Jaime Gotch for jumping up in front of Holly Mears as she proceeded to kick the ball upfield.
Olivia Cook’s deflected strike forced a flying save from the Rangers keeper.
The Canaries opened the scoring around the hour-mark following Olivia Cook’s cross into the box, which then struck Jaime Gotch’s arm. Freya Symonds stepped up and planted the ball in the bottom corner.
Danny Harrigan made his first change before Rangers kicked-off, when Georgie Lewin made way for Annie Dzyadyk, and nine minutes later Jess Leach came on for Melis Mehmet.
Grace Stanley was the next player to be cautioned, which was followed on 75 minutes by Lauren Hailes for the Canaries.
The visitors doubled their lead on 78 minutes, when captain, Grace Riglar, made her way into the box to set-up an umarked Issy Moore.
At this point, three further changes were made, which saw the introduction of Izzy Owen, Natalia Makowska and Lilly Wellesley-Davies, at the expense of Fran Ali, Ellie Searle and Fern Orchard respectively.
Norwich went close to adding a third from a corner, when Grace Riglar’s powerful header flashed just wide of the post.
Substitute Ellie Smith was booked on 86 minutes, which was followed a few minutes later by Natalia Makowska for the R’s.
Danny Harrigan’s side then travelled to Chatham a week later.
Steve Russell