FA Women’s National League Division One (South-East)
Team: Crierie, Owen, Breen, Carn, Searle, Hill, Lee-Walsh, Jackman, Dzyadyk, Leach, Amerena
Subs: Smith, Sampson, Ray, Sibbick, Bass, Stanley
On a warm and sunny afternoon at the Oliver Connell & Son Community Stadium, a young R’s side faced Chatham Town.
No team sheets were available, and Karl Milgate’s re-shuffled side included a senior debut for Ava Lee-Walsh and Izzy Owen filling in at right-back.
Rangers’ first attempt arrived as early as the 2nd minute when Annie Dzyadyk let fly, and the ball went for a corner.
Then, Aaliyah Jackman went on a good run down the right-flank, beating a defender before getting her cross in.
On 17 minutes, Lottie Sharp watched her attempt come off the upright.
At the other end a minute later, as Jess Leach and Annie Dzyadyk both went for Aaliyah Jackman’s cross, former R’s coach/keeper Abby Baravik, grabbed the ball.
Izzy Owen did well near the corner flag, when she got into a good position to turn away from Lottie Sharp, before successfully laying off the ball.
The hosts took the lead in the 29th minute, when Jess Leach beautifully curled the ball into the top corner.
As the R’s continued to have the best of it. After Halle Carn had won the ball, Lauren Amerena’s low strike came off the inside of the post.
And then soon after, Aaliyah Jackman’s shot was well saved.
In the 43rd minute, Annie Dzyadyk’s perseverance got her into a one-on-one with the keeper, but at the last moment the ball ended up going behind for a corner.
Mr Gulham blew the half-time whistle after two added minutes.
Following a fairly even opening to the second-half, Ellie Jeffkins’ freekick was flicked onto the top of the net.
The visitors’ equaliser arrived in the 66th minute from Lottie Sharp’s 25-yard strike.
On 72 minutes, a long punt upfield led to the Chats keeper clearly handling the ball outside the box! And the best Mr Gulham could do was to show Abby Baravik a yellow card!
Jess Leach then stepped up, and after her free kick came off the wall, Emily Hill did the rest at the near post.
A few minutes later, Lauren Amerena made way for Deja Bass.
The R’s substitute made an instant impact when she burst through only to be upended by the keeper 25-yards or so out. This was followed by the Chats No.16 being cautioned.
Halle Carn made a superb tackle to avert Chatham a goalscoring opportunity.
Despite Jess Leach having her hair pulled and being grounded, the referee awarded a free kick to the visitors on 82 minutes!
From which, Ciara Hynes fired the ball beyond Caitlin Crierie.
For the R’s, Deja Bass took off down the left, before cutting in, and her shot then ricocheted off the keeper.
The final change came on 87 minutes when Grace Stanley replaced Jess Leach.
After Annie Dzyadyk was fouled in the centre-circle, Chatham counter-attacked, which could well have led to them nabbing the winner! But Caitin Crierie’s brave save at the feet of an opponent denied them.
The final whistle was blown after five-and-a-half added minutes.
Awful refereeing throughout. The Chats should have had two players sent off, and the free kick awarded for their second goal was given the wrong way!
Hopefully Mr Gulham won’t officiate another Rangers game in the future,
Steve Russell