Women’s National League One (South-East)
Team: Crierie, Cooper, Wellesley-Davies, Lewin, Searle, D’Santos, Dzyadyk, Ali, Stanley, Hill, Amerena
Subs: Smith, Sampson, Owen, Breen, Lalani, Orchard, Leach
After meeting up with Sammy, we headed on to Hammersmith to take the Thames path up to Craven Cottage.
Not only were Fulham top of the league, they were on a 39-match unbeaten run.
Rangers fans turned out in good numbers and not surprisingly were in good voice throughout the game.
The first goal attempt of the evening was provided by Kayleigh Stead, whose strike hit the side-netting.
A minute later, Grace Stanley cut-in and her shot was cleanly grabbed by Frankie Gibbs.
Whilst at the other end shortly after, Ellie Olds’ drive flashed just past the upright.
Then, after around 16 minutes, Ellie Olds’ angled chip clipped the crossbar before going behind for a corner.
This was followed by Anna Grey’s dangerous cross being tipped behind.
For the R’s, there was a big appeal for handball in the box, but Pei Kew wasn’t interested!
But it was the Whites who were having the best of it, and Kayleigh Stead, in space, missed the target from a good position.
Following a corner on 34 minutes, Hannah Mackenzie headed wide of the post.
As the rain began to pick up again, Ellie Olds’ header from Lily Stevens’ free kick, evaded the target.
Five minutes or so from the interval, Caitlin Crierie did well to get down and grab Anna Grey’s close-range attempt.
After one added minute, Pei Kew blew the half-time whistle.
Into the second-half, and an angled cross/shot from the hosts was well held at the near post.
For the R’s, another appeal for a penalty was denied after a blatant infringement on Grace Stanley!
And attempts from Fran Ali and Lauren Amerena both ended up just wide of the goal.
Danny Harrigan made two changes on the hour-mark, which saw the introduction of Jess Leach and Fern Orchard at the expense of Grace Stanley and Meila D’Santos respectively.
Fulham took the lead on 69 minutes, when Anna Grey squeezed the ball in from an acute angle.
Annie Dzyadyk made way for Hanna Lalani after 78 minutes, and this was followed five minutes later when Grace Breen and Izzy Owen replaced Jess Cooper and Fran Ali respectively.
Rangers were reduced to ten players when substitute Fern Orchard was sadly stretchered off!
Into the eight added minutes, and following a ball in from the left, Caitlin Crierie made an outstanding point-blank save from Leila Lister.
Despite the defeat, I was proud of the way the players battled throughout, against a very strong Fulham side.
Lastly, my best wishes go to Fern Orchard on her recovery from what appeared to be a serious knee injury.
Steve Russell