FA Women’s National League Division One (South-East)
Team: Crierie, Carn, Wellesley-Davies, Searle, Lewin, Hill, Owen, Dzyadyk, Jackman, Leach, Amerena
Subs: Smith, Breen, Lee-Walsh, El-Bergui, Bass, Reid, Stanley
Final game of the season, and on a very warm afternoon at Loftus Road, Ellie Searle was presented with a framed shirt to mark her 100 appearances for the R’s. Well done Ellie.
In goal for AFC Sudbury, was lifelong R’s fan, Matilda Cox.
Four minutes in and after two or three attempts at goal, including a block, Matilda Cox successfully snatched hold of the ball.
Then a few minutes later, good work by Aaliyah Jackman got her to the bye-line and her cross towards Emily Hill in the six-yard box, resulted in the keeper getting down and grabbing the ball.
With the hosts still well on top, a 20-yard drive came off the back-netting, and five minutes later Aaliyah Jackman’s strike curled away at the last moment.
The pressure continued with a Jess Leach effort hitting the crossbar, and shots from Lauren Amerena and Emily Hill were both saved.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 26th minute. Following good work by Annie Dzyadyk on the left-flank. Jess Leach was well-placed to finish from close range.
Rangers almost doubled their lead shortly after. A great run by Aaliyah Jackman led to Lauren Amerena letting fly on the volley and Matilda Cox making the save.
On 28 minutes, Jess Allen equalised for the Suds against the run of play.
Annie Dzyadyk had the ball in the net on the half-hour mark, but it was ruled out for offside.
Amy-Leigh Abrehart really should have given the visitors the lead a minute later, but her attempt went wide of the post.
At the other end, a move involving Izzy Owen and Aaliyah Jackman resulted in Jess Leach firing just wide of the target. The half-time whistle was blown after two-and-a-half minutes.
After taking good control, Ellie Searle knocked the ball to Lauren Amerena, whose cross/shot finished just wide of the top corner.
On 55 minutes, Amy-Leigh Abrehart chipped the ball narrowly wide of the goal.
Three changes were made a minute or so later when Grace Stanley, Lexi Reid and Deja Bass were introduced at the expense of Lily Wellesley-Davies, Aaliyah Jackman and Lauren Amerena respectively.
And within minutes, a swift breakaway concluded with Lexi Reid’s shot being deflected behind.
Following a Rangers corner, the ball fell to Jess Allen who then bombed upfield with two R’s players in hot pursuit. Homing in on goal, her lob ended up just wide of the target.
Sudbury were awarded a penalty in the 64th minute. Amy-Leigh Abrehart stepped up and placed the ball low, into the bottom corner.
Emily Hill went close to an equaliser, when her header on 68 minutes ended-up just wide.
Izzy Owen made way for Ava Lee-Walsh in the 74th minute, and the final change was made five minutes later when Aya El Bergui replaced Annie Dzyadyk.
On 81 minutes, Lexi Reid’s cross from the bye-line was knocked just wide by Jess Leach.
Aya El Bergui had a couple of opportunities in the closing stages and after nearly seven added minutes, Aidan Jones blew the final whistle.
The R’s finished the season in sixth place, with eight wins, seven draws and seven defeats.
Fulham finished top, after twenty wins and two draws.
Whilst at the bottom, Chesham United and AFC Sudbury were relegated.
Steve Russell