FA Women’s National League One (South-East)
Team: Smith, Lewin, Searle, Wellesley-Davies, Hill, Gotch, Dzyadyk, Mehmet, Leach, Ali, Adebowale-Arimoro
Subs: Sampson, Blodgett, Owen, Brooks, Orchard, D’Santos, Munro
Attendance: 2,307
Included in the Luton starting line-up were two former R’s players, goalkeeper, Nicole Melling, and winger, Natalia Makowska.
With fans still taking their seats in the Lower Loft and the West Paddock, Jess Leach won the R’s first corner after three minutes.
This was followed a minute or so later when Annie Dzyadyk forced another one.
Following a foul on Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro, the resulting free kick was poked wide by Emily Hill.
Annie Dzyadyk won her side’s fourth corner after 16 minutes, which led to Luton’s Chloe Tambula in need of some attention.
The home side’s first attempt on target came in the 20th minute and was provided by Ellie Searle.
And just seconds later, Annie Dzyadyk’s low strike flashed just past the far post.
At the other end, Natalia Makowska’s shot from the edge of the box, flew over the crossbar.
Just before the half-hour mark, Annie Dzyadyk’s cross/shot ended up going for a corner.
Four minutes later, and after the R’s winger had burst through the middle, her attempt on goal was held by the keeper.
Shortly after, Mia Smith bravely grabbed the ball at the feet of Natalia Makowska.
Good work by Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro, when she tracked back to win the ball before laying it off to Ellie Searle, who then flew down the wing to send over a dangerous cross into the box. Half-time: 0-0.
Danielle Richards, who had played for the R’s between 1997 and 2010, was welcomed back during the interval.
Three minutes into the second-half, and Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro’s shot closely evaded the target.
Ellie Searle won another corner on 50 minutes. As Jess Leach proceeded to take it, Mr Amber halted play because of an infringement in the box.
The next Rangers corner came soon after, and this one led to the opening goal. The referee had spotted that Elizabeth Mulvaney had handled Emily Hill’s shot and pointed to the spot.
After Jess Leach’s initial attempt was saved, she was well-placed to follow up and put it away.
As Rangers looked to increase their lead, Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro’s header from Annie Dzyadyk’s cross, was blocked.
Danny Harrigan made his first change after 58 minutes when Fern Orchard replaced Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro.
The home side deservedly doubled their lead a couple of minutes later following good work by Georgie Lewin. The Rangers defender went on to set up Jess Leach, who then poked the ball home.
However, Luton pulled a goal back three minutes later, after Lisa Milliken’s attempt went over Mia Smith and into the net.
Following a corner on 74 minutes, Nicole Melling saved Jess Leach’s side-footed shot.
After a good run by Ellie Searle three minutes later, the Rangers full-back’s cross found Jess Leach, who then fired the ball over the bar.
Lilly Wellesley-Davies was booked on 81 minutes following her challenge on Natalia Makowska near the corner flag. The former QPR winger was eventually helped off, and Summer Gayle was brought on to replace her.
From the resulting free kick, Taylor O’Leary headed in the equaliser.
The final change was made in the 87th minute when Meila D’Santos was introduced at the expense of Jess Leach.
Approaching added time, and Emily Hill’s opportunist lob from a good thirty-odd yards was grabbed by the Luton keeper.
In the 92nd minute, Annie Dzyadyk let fly from 20 yards, which Nicole Melling superbly finger-tipped onto the crossbar.
Then, as Annie Dzyadyk, Nicole Melling and a defender all went for the ball, the Hatters keeper was left grounded and in need of some attention.
Mr Amber blew the final whistle after ten and a half minutes.
Danny Harrigan’s side then travelled to the MEL Group Stadium to face AFC Sudbury.
Steve Russell