FA Women’s National League One (South-East)
Team: Crierie, Sampson, Lewin, Wellesley-Davies, Searle, Hill, Lalani, Owen, Dzyadyk, Leach, Amerena
Subs: Smith, Breen, Cooper, D’Santos, Ali, Stanley
The match was switched to Rectory Meadow, the home of Hanworth Villa FC.
With the sun poking through the clouds, most of the play in the opening 15 minutes was predominately in the Rangers half.
The first shot on target was provided by Molly Coupar, but it lacked power, and Caitlin Crierie was able to make a comfortable save.
The R’s first corner was taken by Ellie Searle around the 20-minute mark. From which, Lauren Webb punched the ball behind at the near post.
The next one came soon after and resulted in the ball being stopped twice, which led to another corner.
It had taken a while for Rangers to grow into the game, and after 30-odd minutes, Hana Lalani’s strike from 20-yards, whizzed just past the top corner of the goal.
That said, the visitors went close to taking the lead, after Mia Richards’ free kick from just outside the box initially came off the wall, and the follow-up closely evaded the upright.
Rangers took the lead just before the interval after Emily Hill had let fly from over 35 yards. Lauren Webb appeared to get a hand to the ball before it descended off the crossbar, and Jess Leach was well-placed to finish. Half-time: 1-0.
Into the second half, and a great cross was aimed towards Lauren Amerena in front of the far post, but the Rangers forward couldn’t quite reach the ball.
The home side doubled their lead in the 54th minute, when Jess Leach superbly curled the ball inside the far post.
At this point, Jess Cooper came on for Chloe Sampson.
Lauren Amerena was fouled as her 25-yard shot flashed past the upright. This left her grounded, and in need of some attention. The players then headed towards the dugouts for a team talk and some refreshment.
The next change saw Grace Stanley replace Hana Lalani on 62 minutes.
Lauren Rouse pulled a goal back for the U’s five minutes later following a defensive error.
And shortly after that, Jess Leach made way for Meila D’Santos and on 74 minutes Fran Ali was introduced at the expense of Izzy Owen.
As Grace Stanley tried to set up Meila D’Santos, the QPR substitute couldn’t fully connect with the ball.
With both fans and players appealing for a penalty, Ali Matour awarded a corner!
As the R’s went in search of that decisive third goal, a long ball to Annie Dzyadyk, resulted in the Rangers winger firing just wide of the target.
Then, Ellie Searle got the ball to Lauren Amerena, and from just inside the box, she forced a flying save from the Cambridge keeper.
Grace Stanley scored the R’s third goal in stoppage time.
After the final whistle was blown, we exited the ground appropriately to the sound of ‘Hi Ho Silver Lining’. Well done to whoever did that.
Steve Russell