FA Women’s National League Division One (South-East)
Team: Eligon, Barrett, Searle, Younger, Johnson, Owen, Donovan, Albuery, Amerena, Leach, Bell
Subs: Crierie, Sampson, Hill, West, Dzyadyk, Carn
Following a good pre-season, which included wins over Torquay, Brentford and Lewes, a draw against Hashtag United and with just one defeat, it was a return to the SkyEx Community Stadium to begin a new league campaign.
The Stadium had previously hosted QPR FC Women during the 2024/25 season.
Into the early stages, and Lauren Amerena did well tracking back to take the ball away from Andie Dickens.
Play was halted after Luton’s Ruby Heselden had taken a shot in the face. The physio then came on, and the players took a drinks break.
On nine minutes, Lauren Amerena knocked the ball to Nicole Barrett, who proceeded to the bye-line and her cross/shot was punched away by Nicole Melling at the near-post.
Rangers’ first corner was won by Lauren Amerena, but it came to nothing.
Mr Wong booked Luton’s Emily Wilson following an infringement.
The hosts spent over 20 minutes in the Luton half, such was their dominance.
The Hatters first attempt on goal was provided by Shianne Swarres, but her shot was aimed directly at the R’s keeper.
Just after the half-hour mark, Izzy Owen went down in need of some attention after taking the ball full in the face.
Rangers took the lead after 37 minutes when Jess Leach curled her shot over the keeper following Lauren Amerena’s assist.
Mr Wong blew the half-time whistle after six added minutes.
The R’s almost doubled their lead a couple of minutes after the interval when the ball was kicked off the line before going for a corner.
The first change was then made, which saw Emily Hill coming on for Izzy Owen.
Luton briefly picked up their game and a ball into the Rangers half was met by Simone Eligon forty yards out, who then cleared it to safety.
Chloe Logie slid into the R’s keeper, who did well to grab hold of the ball.
On 62 minutes, Karl Watson introduced Annie Dzyadyk and Halle Carn at the expense of Taylor Bell and Jess Leach respectively.
Rangers pretty much controlled the game, and there was a big shout for a penalty following a possible handball in the box, but Mr Wong wasn’t interested!
In the 88th minute, Lauren Amerena made way for Deja Bass, who took her place on the left-wing.
Although that second goal didn’t come, it was a comfortable victory for the R’s.
Rangers then travelled to the Bedfont Sports Club, the home of Actonians.
Steve Russell