Woking FC Women 1 Woodley United Ladies 1 (0-3 on pens)
Sunday 2nd April 2023
Southern Region Women’s Football League Chairman’s Cup Semi Final

One of the rare away days I didn’t have to worry about the fun and games that go hand in hand with public transport travel in this country, as Andy Wicks, Woodley’s club photographer, match day programme editor and creator of match graphics, offered to give me a lift to the game. Stupidly, I’d paid rather too much attention to the weather forecast saying it would be sunny and warmer, where, in reality, it was cloudy and with a wind blowing into your face that cut right through you! One day I’ll learn!

Met up with a couple of knowledgeable long standing Woking fans and had a very enjoyable chat with them before the game and also managed to catch up with some of the wonderful people connected with Woodley. That’s one part (of many!) I’ve really enjoyed at most games so far on my journey this season. The officials decided to be fashionably late to proceedings which should have given us an inkling into what was to come, but eventually we did get to kick off in front of a decent sized and increasingly vociferous crowd.

The opening fifteen minutes were a very cagey affair, neither team giving an inch to the other and chances were few and far between but with Woking just about edging the early exchanges. You could see these were two well matched teams from the off and chances would come at a premium. The best chances in the first twenty minutes both fell to Woodley.

First Charley Evans made a good run down the right, cut in and played a teasing ball towards the far post which was just too long for May Hamblin and next, Evans linked up well with Maddie Sawyer who squared it across the box to Sophie Measham. She controlled well and got a shot away which was blocked by Sian Hardaker, with the loose ball falling to Hamblin but Roz Markham in the Woking goal had anticipated well and did enough to snuff out the danger.

Woking countered with Megan Vincer and Grace Price combining well down the left before finding Trudy Bryan-Kerr, whose shot was saved well by Sophie Cheadle in the visitors goal. At the other end May Hamblin raced onto a ball over the top but shot tamely straight at Markham. Woking were almost gifted a goal when Michelle Quinn didn’t get enough on a back pass which left Vincer free and one on one with Cheadle but the Woodley keeper made an excellent save to deny the Woking forward.

Minutes later Maddie Sawyer threaded a lovely ball through the home defence for Bonnie Messitt to run onto but Jas Vanvooren recovered to block her off and send the ball loose. This was chased down by Mollie Steadman but once again Markham was out quickly and saved well at the edge of the area. Woking then played some lovely one touch football through the centre of the park with Price and Bryan-Kerr picking it up near the penalty area, eventually finding Vincer in space only to see her shot drift wide of the far post.

On 41 minutes Woodley won a free kick wide on the left. Ellen Surtees lobbed in a teasing right footed cross which was met at the far post by Michelle Quinn but her header looped onto the top of the crossbar and Woking managed to clear.

Woodley started slowly started to push Woking back in the later stages of the first half but the hosts defended well to take the game into half time goalless. A good end to end half with both sides evenly matched but with neither particularly looking like scoring.
H-T: Woking FC 0 Woodley United 0

The second half started in a similar vein with both sides battling hard for space and time but neither getting it. Woking had the first real chance of the half when, from another flowing move from back to front, the ball found it’s way to Nichola Marr who hit a shot from distance which looked to be going over Cheadle but the Woodley keeper managed to get fingertips to the ball and tip it over the bar.

Woodley were coming to grips with the game and a great through ball from Messitt found Hamblin behind the defence but she was forced to go it alone and shot straight at Markham under pressure. Back came Woking and Vincer once again found herself with space on the edge of the area after being played in by Bryan-Kerr only to be denied by another fine save from Cheadle.In this end to end exchange, Holly Wilkins and Hamblin combined well down the left with the latter forcing a good save from Markham, parried the ball away and Charley Evans just couldn’t reach the rebound.

Woodley were now forcing the pace and, in the 75 minute, Hamblin once more latched on to a ball over the top and raced towards goal, Markham came rushing out and blocked Hamblin’s shot outside the box with her hands and was shown the red card by the referee. From the resulting free kick Gemma Sims curled the ball around the wall and into the net past the stranded substitute keeper. 0-1

Their lead only lasted four minutes as Woking threw caution to the wind, pushing forward to find an equaliser. Woodley gave away a silly free kick 30 yards out in a central position which Sheena Nichol sent past Cheadle and into the net. It appeared to take a slight deflection from the wall which made it loop up over the stranded keeper but a great hit all the same! 1-1

Woodley spent the remainder of the hour long second half, due to several injuries and players cramping up, trying to make the most of the numerical advantage but Woking held firm. Woodley’s best chance came following a mazy run from Charley Evans and her diagonal ball into the box just evaded both Hamblin and Sawyer at the far post. So the tie was to be decided on penalties.
F-T: Woking FC 1 Woodley United 1

The penalties went like this, Woodley scored (Measham), Woking missed (saved by Cheadle low to her left), Woodley scored (Hamblin), Woking missed (Cheadle save), Woodley scored (Gemma Sims) and finally Woking missed (over the bar).

A decent cup tie with two well matched teams playing out an entertaining match. Woodley were slow to get going but came into the game in the second half. Sophie Cheadle made some good saves both during the game and the penalties and would be my player of the match but there were also quality displays from Gemma Sims and Charley Evans.

Woking look a very good side who will only get better. The captain Trudy Bryan-Kerr was class and central to most of their play but the player who I thought had a really good game was Jas Vanvooren. She was everywhere and defensively played very well. I enjoyed my visit and everyone at Woking is really friendly. I’ll definitely be back at some point next season to catch up with how they’re getting on.

Final word is about the officials and regular readers will know I really don’t like to criticise as they do a very difficult job but when you can’t even get the basic decisions correct it’s frustrating. You know they’ve had a bad day and something isn’t right when both sets of supporters are shaking their heads at most of the decisions given.

Woodley now move into the final where they’ll play the all conquering Abingdon United side.

Abbey Rangers Ladies 1 Eversley & California Reserves 1 (8-9 on pens)
Wednesday 5th April 2023
Combined Counties Womens Cup Quarter Final

A bonus game for me and a rare excursion in midweek. I’d been planning on the trip via the train after work but local football photographer Andrew Batt decided he was going to attend as well so I managed to grab a lift (I might have swayed his decision by mentioning the game once or twice!). We arrived around 7pm which gave plenty of time for a catch up with some of the wonderful people I’ve been lucky enough to get to know at Abbey over the season and, as I’d had nothing to eat, time to devour another Dirty Burger (this time with added sausages). Maybe I’ll have to have a chat with the lovely ladies who do such an excellent job running their cafe, to talk about creating a Tractor Burger for their menu next season! Unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to touch base with the Eversley contingent but will hopefully rectify that next season.

This looked to be a fascinating match-up. Abbey from four leagues higher in the pyramid playing a team who have swept aside virtually everyone they’ve played against in TVCWFL Division 3 South this season. Rangers finishing in mid table over the short SRWFL Division One South season which ended in February so may be short of match practice although they did spring a surprise in the previous round, taking the scalp of FAWNL side Maidenhead United. Eversley have had a cracking season, top of the league, winning 12 of their 15 league games with only one loss and scoring 71 goals along the way. Their league is still ongoing so would the extra match fitness make a difference?

The pitch looked in perfect condition which is testament to the ground staff at Addlestone Moor with the weather we’ve had thrown at us over the course of the season! A good turnout for the game too, maybe the lure of football under floodlights and a cup quarter final was enough for people to brave the damp conditions. As you can see from the picture below, a good number in the stand and on the dugout side with more scattered around the pitch and many at the clubhouse end (nothing to do with the bar being there I’m sure!).

So the game kicked off with an energetic Eversley side taking the initiative. They pressed the hosts, not giving them any space and stopped them getting any early rhythm going. Rangers had a couple of warnings of the pace of the visitors front line especially the lively Lilly Varney and it was Varney who opened the scoring in the 8th minute. She latched on to a ball over the Abbey defence, ran into the area and coolly stroked the ball across Natalie Jones in the Rangers goal and into the bottom corner. 0-1

Slowly Abbey started to get a foothold in the fiercely contested midfield battle and started pushing the visitors back. On 15 minutes, nice play down the right and a good cross from Lauren Timbrell was headed away but only to Megan McGarvey who hit a sweet, side footed shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area. 1-1

The rest of the first half was still a keenly fought affair in midfield with chances coming at a premium. Rangers had a half chance from a corner but the shot was scuffed allowing Suzana Traguedes to gather safely. Eversley always looked dangerous with their pacy front three but neither side were able to create a clear chance.

H-T: Abbey Rangers 1 Eversley & California Reserves 1

The second half began with Abbey looking to have found some extra impetus during the break, starting very much on the front foot. Ella McClennan was switched from defence to a central midfield role and she had the first chance of the half, a dipping shot from distance which just went over the bar. Minutes later a nice through ball from McClennan picked out the run of Timbrell. She cut the ball back for Issy Saunders on the edge of the area and looked poised to shoot but instead played it to McGarvey whose effort whistled just wide of the post.

On the hour mark Eversley went up a gear and started to put the hosts defence under increasing pressure, finding space down the wings and utilising the pace and direct running of Varney. Another excellent ball through looked to have released Varney but she was thwarted by some superb covering defending from Georgina Mudd, who just managed to nick the ball off Varney’s toe as she was bearing down on goal.

Varney again found space moments later, this time down the left wing, she cut inside and fired a shot from the corner of the area but found Jones equal to it, pulling off a diving save to her left.

At the other end Lauren Timbrell twice had to deal with chest high passes in the area and pulled the ball down superbly, reminiscent of the stunning goal she scored against Rushmoor, but on both occasions the ball just wouldn’t drop for her and the excellent Eversley defensive unit managed to crowd her out and clear before she had a chance to shoot.

The see-saw nature of the game continued as Eversley pushed forward again, once more instigated by Varney. She got the ball out wide and swung in a dangerous cross which was well defended by the Abbey defence but Varney managed to pick up the loose ball and send it goalwards only to see it hit the top of the crossbar and bounce away to safety.

Lauren Timbrell made another good run from a ball out wide by McClennan and cut the ball back towards the penalty spot from the byline only to see it go between the two Rangers players running into the area and cleared by the visitors defence.

Both sides were throwing everything at their opponents to try to find that elusive winning goal and Eversley had the next chance, Varney made another excellent run down the left and played the ball into Megan Averill on the edge of the box who managed to get a shot away but Mudd just managed to get a foot in and the deflected ball looped harmlessly wide.

There was time for one final chance for the hosts when Beth Easterman picked up a loose ball and tried a speculative shot which was initially fumbled by Traguedes but she recovered well and managed to dive on the loose ball. Shortly after the referee blew his whistle for full time and the tie was to be decided on penalties.

F-T: Abbey Rangers 1 Eversley & California Reserves 1

The first eight penalties from each side were scored, some more emphatically than others, and it was Suzana Traguedes who made the breakthrough for Eversley saving Rangers ninth. This left Ciara Joliffe to hammer the ball into the roof of the net to spark scenes of delight from her team-mates and win the penalty shootout 9-8 for her team.

There were excellent performances all over the park from Eversley, the whole defence were superb, very organised and restricted their opponents to half chances and efforts from long distance. Megan Averill also had a good game but this was an all round team performance with everyone playing their part that won it for them. If I had to pick a player of the match though, it would have to be the all action Lilly May Varney who gave the Abbey defence so many headaches throughout.

It looked a slightly jaded performance from the hosts but Ella McClennan did impress with another quality performance. They played their part in this game but will probably be a little disappointed they couldn’t find a way through the solid Eversley defence. Maybe they suffered from a lack of match practice coming into this game but you can’t take anything away from the desire shown by the Boars who deserved the win. An entertaining game and good luck to Eversley in the semi finals!

Dulwich Hamlet Women 1 Ebbsfleet United Women 3
Sunday 9th April 2023
London & South East Regional Women’s League – Premier Division

Another iconic ground to tick off and a beautiful sunny and warm Spring day to choose to do it. Travel, although complicated due to engineering works, all went swimmingly so I arrived at Denmark Hill just after 12.15pm. I’d chosen to go via Denmark Hill as there’s a pub there I used to visit quite regularly in the 80s, then it was called the Phoenix & Firkin (who remembers that chain?) and now just called The Phoenix. A real trip down memory lane for me as it had hardly changed at all inside forty years on.

After a swift pint in there I headed off towards Champion Hill and my first visit to Dulwich Hamlet, a 32nd new ground for me this season and my 29th women’s match in 22/23. I’d heard plenty about Dulwich over the years but never had the chance to visit. All I’d heard about it being a friendly place with a chilled out vibe was borne out over the course of the day. I’d bought my ticket online (£4.30), picked up the excellent printed programme on entry for £2 and was greeted by three members of Hamlet staff who were fantastic. We chatted at length about my visit, where I’d been, and how Dulwich and Ebbsfleet were getting on amongst other things. Thanks to them for taking the time to make me feel so welcome.

My next stop was the large bar in the main stand and like everything within the ground, payment is pretty much card only. It was £5 for a decent enough cider but they also had a fair choice of beers etc that would cater for most tastes. A quick lap of the ground took me past a cabin selling Dulwich merchandise and onto the food, a Greek food outlet selling some delicious wraps and large portions of chips all for a reasonable price.

The ground started filling up with supporters as the kick off neared. This promised to be a fascinating game with Dulwich being unbeaten in eight games and Ebbsfleet top of the league, unbeaten in eleven games. I’d been talking to a couple of Ebbsfleet supporters earlier I was interested to find out the 16 year old twins, Amelia & Madison Woodgate, that I’d seen and been impressed with at Margate earlier in the season, were now lining up for Ebbsfleet. The officials lead out the two teams with the excited mascots of the day having their pictures taken with the Hamlet team.

So the game kicked off and Ebbsfleet immediately looked to be a team on a mission. They dominated the early stages playing some nice one touch football and took the lead with a stunner in just the 6th minute. Meg Wood picked the ball up in space and fired a beauty into the top corner past Saskia Reeves-Priestly. 0-1

Ebbsfleet went on the hunt for more and a lovely ball through the Dulwich defence found Teni Charles running onto it but she was marshalled well by Beth Hartigan and wasn’t allowed the space to get a shot away. Hamlet had their first chance when a great through ball was picked up by Mia Lockett but she was covered well by Ellie Perkins.

A good move down the left flank by Ebbsfleet was headed on by Amelia Woodgate into the path of Wood but she dragged her shot wide. Minutes later Logan O’Shea played a lovely diagonal ball into the box but it was just inches away from Amelia Woodgate with her sister, Madison, just unable to turn it in at the far post.

Dulwich started to get a foothold in the game with Madi Parsonson and Erin Corrigan linking up well down the left and Lockett looking lively up front.

Meg Wood was again in the centre of the action minutes later, playing a wonderful ball with the outside of the foot through to O’Shea in space who controlled and shot but Reeves-Priestly was equal to it, saving well low to her left. Some nice interplay between Parsonson and Corrigan again led to the latter playing a lovely ball through for Lockett to run onto but she was flagged for offside in what looked a tight call from the official.

Ebbsfleet fashioned the next chance, a nice one touch move involving Dan Carlton and Logan O’Shea which landed at the feet of Wood but she blazed her shot over the bar. Back came Dulwich and, after good pressing from Hartigan, Rea Gall found herself free inside the area and forced a great save from Courtney Shanly which led to a scramble in the area which was eventually cleared. Hamlet battled well and managed to win the ball back, found Lockett just outside the area and her bullet shot rebounded off the crossbar and away.

A good ball down the left from Carlton found Amy Russ in space, she squared it into the box for O’Shea and her shot was well blocked by the legs of Reeves-Priestly. The last action of a breathless first half came to Dulwich when a good run from Sophie Manzi took her clear of the defence and she forced a cracking point blank save from Shanly.
H-T: Dulwich Hamlet 0 Ebbsfleet United 1

Dulwich came flying out of the blocks in the second half, pinning the visitors back in the early stages. Parsonson and Manzi both finding space down the right and sweeping dangerous crosses into the box but the Ebbsfleet defence stood strong.

In the 57th minute Ebbsfleet doubled their lead in unusual circumstances. A free kick from the left from Casey Iron was launched into the six yard box where Reeves-Priestly came out to punch the ball but instead of clearing, the ball skewed off towards the goal and an almighty scramble ensued. The ball ended up in the net with Meg Wood running away claiming the goal but it looked to me as if a defender may have got the last touch trying to clear. 0-2

Dulwich weren’t fazed by going two down and first, Lockett was inches away from converting a driven cross from the left and next, some lovely footwork from Manzi played in Lockett again but her shot was blocked away for a corner.

In the 68th minute, a clinical finish from Ebbsfleet put the game out of reach. A beautiful defence splitting ball from Amy Russ gave Amelia Woodgate the chance to run in on goal, she beat the defender for pace before hitting a stunning shot across Reeves-Priestly and into the roof of the net. 0-3

Moments later the two linked up again with Woodgate this time electing to try an audacious lob from 40 yards out which just didn’t dip enough and went over the bar much to the relief of the back-pedalling Reeves-Priestly. Dulwich battled on gamely and came so close to pulling one back when a fantastic effort from the lively Lily Price rattled the crossbar and Manzi could only head the rebound into the grateful arms of Shanly.

In the 80th minute, Lily Price did manage to grab a lifeline for Dulwich, rifling home a shot from 25 yards which gave Shanly no chance. 1-3

Hamlet never gave up and kept pushing for the remainder of the game, with the best opportunity a free kick from Rosie Stone which went too close to the keeper. Ebbsfleet managed to keep the hosts at bay to take three valuable points in their quest for the championship.
F-T: Dulwich Hamlet 1 Ebbsfleet United 3
Att: 308

Stand out players for me today, from Dulwich, Manzi, Parsonson, Corrigan, Lockett and later in the game Price. On the Ebbsfleet side, Wood and Carlton played very well in midfield, Amy Russ had a good game leading the line, and I was delighted to see Amelia Woodgate scoring with a goal very similar to one I saw her grab at Margate back in November. Both sides put on a great show and this was a fantastic advertisement for women’s football in front of a decent sized crowd enjoying the sunshine. Good luck to both sides in their remaining games and to Ebbsfleet for their title run-in.

S4K Ladies 2 Beaconsfield Town Ladies 8
Sunday 16th April 2023
Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League Division Two

You’re going to have to bear with me on this one, it could take a while! First off, this wasn’t the game I’d planned on watching, I’d meticulously planned on going to the Lewes v Blackburn Rovers game in the Barclay’s Championship today but had a major “Doh!” moment when I realised on the morning of the game that the kick-off time was 12pm rather than 2pm, meaning that via public transport I had no chance of making it in time. A quick scan of the fixtures later and I was happy to see S4K were at home which gave me a chance to catch up with this fantastic club for the first time since November.

The game started like nothing I’d experienced during the whole of this project so far. Beaconsfield started brightly, very brightly indeed, and were ahead after just 12 seconds. A ball played through by Leah Martin flicked off the head of a S4K defender falling perfectly for Lucy Casey to run onto and plant the past Jo Anderson in the S4k goal. 0-1

Just over a minute later it was two, Elsbeth Hyde latched onto another ball through the defence and fired home. 0-2

S4K’s nightmare start continued and after 4 minutes they found themselves three goals behind. Another ball played through the static back line was dispatched into the bottom left corner of the net by Nicola Attrell. 0-3

At this point, Hyde was causing all sorts of problems down the right wing, finding a lot of space behind the defence and putting in some quality crosses with Beaconsfield looking likely to score on every attack.

Minutes later Leah Martin made some space for herself and tried to lift one over Anderson but it also just cleared the crossbar. Finally S4K came into the game, a free kick was won on the left wing which Natalie White swung in towards the near post where it came off keeper Nicola Hoyle’s shin and deflected away for a corner. White fired the corner towards the far post which Hoyle claimed and then dropped but managed to recover before S4K could react.

Back came Beaconsfield looking to put the game to bed early on, Elle Scott hit a good shot on the turn but Anderson was equal to it. S4K then pushed on and had a decent spell of pressure. First after some good work down the right by Megan Cox the ball was played into the path of Grace Belstone but she had the ball nicked off her toe by some great covering from Hannah Hester. Moments later Natalie White played a delightful ball through the visitors defence for Amy Lambden to run onto but again Hester covered the situation well.

Next Beaconsfield made a quick break down the right flank where Scott pulled a lovely ball into the area finding Casey who volleyed home to make it four. 0-4

Just before half time Beaconsfield made it five with a beautifully constructed goal. Some lovely one touch football in the centre of the park culminated in a ball down the left wing where Casey beat the defender and sent the ball into the area where it was touched home by Scott at the near post. 0-5
H-T: S4K 0 Beaconsfield Town 5

S4K started the second half on the front foot winning two early corners which caused a few problems in the visitors defence but they managed to clear. Beaconsfield were certainly not sitting back and fashioned another good chance when Grainne McNally received the ball on the edge of the area but she put her effort over the bar. A sixth wasn’t long in coming though, a ball cut back into the area by Casey was met by Joanna Liddell sliding in who just got enough on it to take it past Anderson. 0-6

The visitors increased their lead again soon after following a fantastic ball through the home defence by Martin which Casey ran onto and she finished in fine style. 0-7

S4K continued to battle on with substitute and manager Michelle Melia brought down on the edge of the area. Natalie White’s free kick beat the wall but flew just over the bar. Back came Beaconsfield and from a corner Liddell found herself unmarked and powered home her header. 0-8

The never say die attitude from S4K had to be admired as they continued to push forward looking to get on the scoresheet. A ball over the top beat the offside trap with Charisse Tregear running onto the ball. She struck it beautifully only to see the ball cannon off the bar and rebound away to safety. From a corner Claudia Periquito managed to get a header in which just cleared the bar.

S4K finally managed to get on the scoresheet when the referee spotted a handball in the area and pointed to the spot. Grace Belstone stepped up and struck it well low into the left hand corner beating Hoyle who guessed the right way but just couldn’t reach it. 1-8

Beaconsfield still weren’t finished and forced a superb double save from Anderson in the S4K goal. First she got down quickly to a shot to her right from the ever dangerous Casey, before blocking the follow up well at her near post.

S4K had the final say with the best goal of the match. Megan Cox made a fantastic run down the right and from the edge of the area launched a rocket into the top right hand corner of the net. A stunning finish. 2-8.
F-T: S4K 2 Beaconsfield Town 8

A thoroughly deserved win for the visitors, they seemed to be a yard faster all over the pitch for large portions of the game and their finishing was clinical on the day. S4K started very slowly but improved a lot in the second half. They gave themselves a mountain to climb going three behind so early on but kept on going while their visitors seemed to have a knack of scoring just as the hosts were getting on top. Beaconsfield are a good side though with Casey, Scott, Hester and Martin all impressing in this game.

Hopefully I’ll be back to catch both sides again next year. Good luck to both teams in their remaining games this season.

Maidenhead United Women 2 Selsey Women 0
Sunday 23rd April 2023
FA Women’s National League Division One South West

Didn’t feel too good today but still made a ninth visit to watch Maidenhead United Women, making them my most watched team of this season, in a game where a win would confirm they would retain their status in this division for 23/24. A win here would also rid them of a longstanding and unwanted record, they hadn’t won a game at York Road since December 2021. Meanwhile, their visitors, Selsey, were sitting quite comfortably in mid-table on 22 points.

After some early morning showers, the ladies had the chance to play in a little springtime sunshine. The mascots for the day were from the Barnes Girls FC Under 12s who were put through their paces with a training drill from a couple of Maidenhead players and also joined the teams as they walked out for kick-off. Hopefully they all enjoyed their day out at York Road.

The game started with Selsey coming out of the blocks much faster than the Magpies and fashioned an early chance, Skye Bacon was put through down the left flank and ran into the area where Gemma Bloor closed her down and pushed her wide but couldn’t stop her getting a shot away that Gemma Harvey got quickly down to.

Maidenhead’s first attack came following a lovely flowing move in midfield with Sarah Thompson, Eva-Leanne Thomas and Imogen Fisher all linking well, Fisher played a ball for Aleasha Lunn to chase but Georgia Luckhurst-McCord managed to block her off with both ending up on the floor in the area. There were claims Luckhurst-McCord had handled while on the floor but the referee waved them away.

Aleasha Lunn was involved again when she hit an inswinging corner from the left which Nicole Robinson in the Selsey goal did well to claw away from underneath the bar and her defence managed to clear the ball. Maidenhead were now on top and won a free kick 25 yards out on the left side of the area in the 13th minute. Natalie Cowell struck the free kick well, steering it past the wall and, with Imogen Thomas jumping out of the way, the ball neat Nicole Robinson and nestled in the bottom right hand corner of the net. 1-0

A lovely move down the left with Lunn and Vicky Carvill combining well, the latter tried to thread a delicate ball through the defence for Cowell but it was just too far ahead of her and Robinson claimed the ball. Selsey hit back with a great run down the left by Gemma Staple, she took the ball to the byline and cut it back for Luckhurst-McCord to stab goalwards under pressure from Bloor and Harvey was in the right position to save.

The Magpies won a free kick mid way in the Selsey half on 27 minutes. Sarah Thompson took aim and thundered a shot from fully 40 yards which cannoned off the crossbar and down onto the line where Imogen Fisher was following up, beating team mate Carvill to the header and doubling the hosts lead. 2-0

Selsey came straight back, Rhiannon Hambleton found herself in space in the area, hitting a sweetly struck effort which was blocked superbly by Amy Saunders. More nice link up play between Carvill and Fisher found the ever willing Lunn running down the wing, she took it to the byline and tried to cut it back for Cowell but Emma Blakely had anticipated and covered well.

The last five to ten minutes Selsey had a good spell of pressure but couldn’t force an opening, the Maidenhead defence standing solid. A deserved lead for the hosts at the break from two well taken free kicks but Selsey showed they could still be a threat in the second half.
H-T:Maidenhead United 2 Selsey 0

The second half started as the first finished with Selsey pushing Maidenhead back and playing a higher pressing game. They had the first chance when, from a free kick, Natasha Wild took aim from a similar distance to Thompson’s in the first half, which beat everyone bar the diving Gemma Harvey who got down to tip it around the post.

The Magpies responded and a nice ball from Saunders found Kajal Malhotra running onto it, she played a ball into Colwell who turned the defender on the edge of the area and was send tumbling. Cowell took the set piece but hit it straight into the wall, Bethan Poole hoisted it back into the area where Thompson challenged Robinson forcing her to spill the ball but nobody from the team in black & white could take advantage and it was cleared.

For the rest of the game Selsey poured forward looking to get back into the game but Maidenhead were defending resolutely. They thought they’d pulled one back when, from a Hambleton corner, Molly Jones hit a good shot from the edge of the area only to see Bethan Poole block on the line. Still they lay siege to the Magpies goal and Harvey pulley off a superb block from a point blank shot following a decent cross into the area that the hosts struggled to clear.

Still the visitors pushed on and only a stunning diving block from Malhotra stopped Bacon getting on the scoresheet. The final chance for either side came on a break from a clearance which Maidenhead substitute Amelie Mayani ran onto and hit a dipping shot from 25 yards out which just skimmed the top of the crossbar.
F-T: Maidenhead United 2 Selsey 0

An entertaining game which could easily have gone either way. The hosts will be delighted with the result and with the performance which, despite it being a backs to the wall effort for a long spell in the second half, looked solid, defending well and always looking dangerous on the break. Selsey look a good side with Skye Bacon being the pick of their players for me.

Vicky Carvill picked up the Mascot chosen player of the match award for a typical all action performance. For my pick, it could have been anyone in the defensive line with all having good games and making vital contributions at times plus Sarah Thompson with her assist! Thought Eva-Leanne Thomas put in a battling performance winning the ball back on many occasions, Aleasha Lunn had an excellent game especially in the first half and it was lovely to see Simone O’Brien back on the pitch after a long absence through injury. Kajal Malhotra would be my pick though, excellent defensively and tireless running up and down the right flank.

So onto the final game with the threat of relegation out of the way and a morale boosting win to finally put an end to the York Road winless sequence, Maidenhead can look forward to a pressure free game against Larkhall at the 1878 Stadium in Burnham.
Good luck to Selsey in their season finale against AFC Bournemouth and all the best for next season!

Woking FC Women 2 Abingdon United Women 2 (4-3 on pens)
Sunday 30th April 2023
Southern Region Women’s Football League Chairman’s Cup Final

With the postponement of the Maidenhead United Women v Larkhill Athletic Women due to the visitors being unable to field a team, it left me able to attend a SRWFL finals day double header at Rivermoor, the home of Reading City. The first of these being a clash between the SRWFL Premier Champions Abingdon United, and the fast improving Woking FC Women from SRWFL Division One South playing in the final as Woodley couldn’t field a team. I’d seen both in action in cup games previously this season so was looking forward to catching up with both teams and also with Woking fan Dave Hawley, who I’d had the pleasure of meeting at the semi final.

It was also good to meet Patrick Higgins and James Prickett at the game. Patrick writes match reports from all levels of women’s football for the Women’s Soccer Scene website and magazine, and James is another in the long line of very talented photographers I’ve been fortunate to meet on my travels this season. Really good to meet and chat to you both and keep up the good work providing excellent coverage for the women’s game!

The game kicked off with Abingdon on the front foot. An early foray into the Woking half came when a lovely ball down the left by Beth Hawtin picked out Amy Pipe’s run but Lily Davis managed to get in a well timed challenge to clear before Pipe could get the ball into the danger area. Minutes later Abingdon took the lead, a corner was flicked on at the near post and half cleared by Davis but fell to Nell Boxall who managed to hook the ball into the net. 0-1

Abingdon were now in full flight with Hawtin again involved, she picked up a loose ball just outside the left hand side of the area, cut inside the defender and rifled a shot goalwards only to see Morgan Palmer save well. From the resulting corner the ball was headed clear, falling straight to Rosie McCabe who hit a shot from 25 yards which went narrowly wide.

Left back Amy Pipe was proving to be a willing runner down the flank and it was more excellent play from her which led to United’s second goal. She beat Laura Mitchell for pace and squared the ball to Lauren May who made no mistake from 10 yards. 0-2.

Abingdon poured forward looking to kill the game off before half time with the impressive Molly Lygo and Rosie McCabe looking dangerous, Lygo particularly, in a free role where she gave the Woking defence many problems picking up her movement off the ball. Woking were trying to hold on but did have a good chance on the break when a lovely one-two between Trudy Bryan-Kerr and Kaitlin Howard gave the latter a shooting chance which was parried away well by Sophie Kirby, the rebound falling to Meghan Vincer who fired over the bar.

Back came Abingdon, Lygo found space down the right and fizzed a ball across the six yard box which somehow evaded everyone. Moments later Lygo again took the ball to the byline and cut it back into the path of Lauren May but she couldn’t get a clean contact on the shot under pressure and could only manage to lift the ball over the bar.

The final action in a dominant half for the Premier champions saw Pipe fire wide with a shot from distance and, a good one touch passing move involving McCabe and Lindsay Pinker, found May again in the area but her effort went agonisingly wide.
H-T: Woking FC 0 Abingdon United 2

Woking started the second period showing much more attacking purpose. Kaitlin Howard made a great run down the right and sent a decent cross into the box, unfortunately just behind the onrushing Bryan-Kerr and was cleared by the Yellows defence. Moments later Howard had another half chance and managed to get a shot away which was well saved by Kirby.

Woking got their reward for an enterprising start to the second half when a lovely inswinging corner from Laura Mitchell found Kaitlin Howard all alone in the six yard box and she made no mistake, heading home past Kirby. 1-2

The Cards continued to push Abingdon back and the introduction of pace from the bench with Ellie Body, Leah Robertson and Rebecca Tiney causing all sorts of problems for the makeshift Abingdon back line. Abingdon did have a break, Lygo once more pulling the ball back into the area to substitute Hannah Cox but she couldn’t get a clean touch and the ball went harmlessly wide.

Back came Woking, Leah Robertson managed to nick the ball away and make a powerful run into the area, her shot was well parried away by Kirby who just managed to smother the loose ball before Body could reach it. Next Rebecca Tiney pounced on a loose ball and sent a shot goalwards only to see Kirby get down quickly and block well with the ball spinning wide of the post. Tiney had another half chance moments later which Kirby again managed to block low to her left.

Abingdon then broke quickly and won a corner which was swung in by Lygo, finding the head of Iva Georgievsak, who could only watch as the ball smashed against the post and rebounded to safety.

In the dying moments Woking got the reward for their second half attacking endeavours. Leah Robertson hit a shot from the right across Kirby and a mixture of the keeper and the post kept the ball out only for Tiney to pick up the rebound and lift the ball in to level the scores and send the game to penalties. 2-2
F-T: Woking FC 2 Abingdon United 2

In the penalty shoot out, one penalty was saved by each of the goalkeepers, Morgan Palmer for Woking and Sophie Kirby for Abingdon. With the score at 4-3 to Woking the final penalty from Abingdon was fired over the bar sparking scenes of jubilation from the players, officials and the fans of Woking. An excellent game between two very good sides, well officiated, a quintessential game of two halves and a thoroughly enthralling final!

Congratulations to Woking on their success and a stunning comeback in the final and also congratulations to Abingdon United for the fantastic season they’ve had. No doubt I’ll be catching up with both again next season!

Eastleigh FC Women 0 Ascot United Women 2
Sunday 30th April 2023
Southern Region Women’s Football League – League Cup Final

Game Two of the SRWFL Finals Day saw a clash between two divisional rivals with Premier League runners-up Ascot United taking on middle of the table Eastleigh, who finished the season strongly. Between the two games I had plenty of time for a double assault on the food at Scours Lane. I had the superb 6oz steak burger with bacon and cheese for £6 and a hot dog with onions for £4. The burger is a new entry into my top five for the season!

Onto the game and Eastleigh started brightly, probing to try to find a way to unlock the Yellas defence with Sophia Keenan looking dangerous down the right flank in the early stages. They won a free kick mid way inside the Ascot half after 5 minutes, taken by Sarah Bradshaw and she decided to try to catch Lucie White in the Ascot goal unawares with a long range effort, which went harmlessly over the crossbar.

Ascot forced a chance of their own minutes later when Phillippa Holden ran onto a headed through ball and managed to get a shot on target but Leah Etheridge in the Eastleigh goal managed to just get something on it, enough to take it past the post. From the corner claims for a handball in the box were waved away by the referee and Eastleigh managed to clear.

Ascot were now on top and putting Eastleigh under increasing pressure. A quick break and Tiff Skinner thought she was through on goal only to have the ball taken off her foot by a superb piece of covering by the blues Chelsea Bates. Eastleigh hit back and following a great run and cut back down the left by Mizuki Ikeda, Grace Laidlaw had a shooting chance but put her effort wide.

Eastleigh had a decent little spell where they played some lovely one touch passing moves but couldn’t find an opening. The closest they came was a header over by Keenan from a Catherine Browning cross. Ascot had a big chance late on when a Sarah Davern free kick crashed off the crossbar and Holden was twice thwarted by excellent goalkeeping from Etheridge, the second low down to her right.
H-T: Eastleigh FC 0 Ascot United 0

The second half started with another Eastleigh chance, a ball was slipped through to Ikeda running down the right who forced a great save from White. Ascot were by now getting on top, Hayley Cruikshank ran onto a through ball but rolled her shot just wide and next Nicole Brown hit a powerful effort but again Etheridge was equal to it, getting down quickly to her left and tipping the ball behind.

A Hannah Bennett corner was headed over by Connor before Bennett turned well in the area and fired a shot goalwards but it was straight at Etheridge. In the 86th minute the deadlock was finally broken. Brown latched on to a Laura Spark ball over the top, ran into the area and made no mistake giving Etheridge no chance. 0-1

Eastleigh tried to hit straight back with Sophia Keenan finding space but once again the impressive White in the Yellas goal managed to save. Deep, and I mean deep into injury time, Ascot won a free kick midway in the Eastleigh half. Hannah Bennett launched the ball into the box where it beat everyone and went straight into the net despite a frantic effort to try to hack the ball clear. 0-2

The second goal came in the 11th minute of added time, most added for a nasty injury sustained by Sarah Davern, and soon after the referee finally blew the whistle for full time leading to celebrations from the Ascot players and fans.
F-T: Eastleigh FC 0 Ascot United 2

The official SRWFL player of the match Lucie White and it’s hard to disagree with that, she pulled off many very good saves and kept her side in the game at times. Otherwise for Ascot, Hannah Bennett looked a very good player and was influential throughout the game and Nicole Brown did what Nicole Brown always does, scores important goals. On the Eastleigh side Mizuki Ikeda looked a very skillful player and Chelsea Bates made a couple of fantastic interceptions covering in defence.

It was a good day for goalkeepers in both matches and young Leah Etheridge also made several important saves in an impressive display for Eastleigh. Yes, she was disappointed with the second goal but that happens to all goalkeepers (I should know!) and if she puts that behind her and focuses on the positives, she will have a very bright future between the sticks.

Congratulations to Ascot on winning the silverware and commiserations to Eastleigh who gave it everything but just came up short. I’m sure I’ll be seeing plenty of both teams again next season!