FA Women’s National League Plate – Round One
Team: Eligon, Barrett, Searle, Younger, Johnson, Carn, Donovan, Dzyadyk, Bell, Leach, Amerena
Subs: McLoughlin, Lewin, Sampson, Owen, Bass, Bird
With the arrival of the team sheets, I was informed that Southampton’s Poppy Walton is the daughter of former R’s player, Simon Walton.
Jess Leach opened the scoring with a goal that Chris Kemp timed at just 12 seconds. Collecting a ball through from the left, the R’s striker then tucked it neatly away.
After Taylor Bell had passed to Nicole Barrett, the R’s defender then returned the favour and the resulting shot was comfortably saved.
It was no surprise when Rangers doubled their lead on 17 minutes. Following an excellent ball to Annie Dzyadyk in the box, the R’s winger’s cross was headed home by Jazz Younger.
Then, Annie Dzyadyk took the ball to a wider position before shooting at the keeper.
Following the home side’s early domination, the Saints had been growing into the game. And following a free kick, their No.34’s attempt came to nothing.
However, the pendulum swung back the other way. It became 3-0 on 42 minutes when Taylor Bell, who, after evading a couple of challenges, went one-on-one with the keeper before placing her shot. Half-time: 3-0.
For the start of the second-half, Ross Bennett brought on Abby Bird to replace Ellie Searle.
An early Southampton corner wasn’t cleared from the goal-line, but Simone Eligon was on hand to get down and grab the ball.
Following a superb cross from the right, and from an awkward bounce, Jess Leach managed to put the ball just wide of the target.
Rangers went close once again after an excellent backward header got to Nicole Barrett, who then stormed forward before firing just wide of the upright.
As the home side looked to increase their lead, Annie Dzyadyk’s strike was stopped by the keeper and the ball went behind for a corner, but it left Jess Phillips grounded.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to continue, and the substitute keeper was brought on.
Rangers went on to score from that resulting corner, courtesy of Jazz Younger.
The visitors really should have pulled a goal back when their No.34 somehow put the ball wide of the target.
Two changes were made around the hour-mark when Deja Bass and Georgie Lewin were introduced at the expense of Annie Dzyadyk and Renee Johnson respectively.
This was followed a few minutes later when Izzy Owen came on for Lauren Amerena. As this change was taking place, Mr Poole asked for the floodlights to be switched on.
On 75 minutes, Jess Leach scored her second of the afternoon, when she smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
Rangers switched goalkeepers a minute or so later when Simone Eligon made way for Holly McLoughlin.
Jess Leach completed her hat-trick in the 87th minute in superb fashion, with a turn and a lob over the keeper.
Abigail Richardson had a good opportunity to get on the score sheet, but her attempt went wide of the target.
Steve Russell