Wycombe Wanderers Women v London Benfica Ladies
It’s always a pleasure to have a day out at the 1878 stadium in Burnham and having the opportunity to catch up with a few great people I’ve got to know over the past couple of years. This is one of my easier journeys, train to Reading, Elizabeth Line to Burnham and an half an hour trek to the ground. The food there is always good and this was to be no exception, a large hot dog devoured very quickly in their bar area!
Wycombe started as favourites for this playing in the tier above their opponents but London Benfica did have a fabulous season in 23/24, winning the title by a point from Brentford and only losing one game all season. They were also a bit of an unknown quantity for me as this would be the first time I’d have the opportunity to see them play.
London started well and their pacy attack and good ball skills caused the hosts a few problems early on. They did score in the 7th minute, after putting Wycombe under pressure and pinning them into their own box, unable to find space for a shot until a clever little ball into the right side of the box was finished nicely across keeper Molly Scott. 0-1
Wycombe responded and had a good shout for a penalty Latifa Mammeri had her shirt pulled, the referee played the advantage as she advanced into a shooting position, with the keeper saving well low to her left.
The home side restored parity in the 25th minute, after winning the ball back midway in their opponents half, Sarah Zaoui threaded a lovely ball through the back line to pick out Emani Kassem’s run, she beat the advancing keeper to the ball, skipped past and side footed into the empty net. 1-1
By this time the hosts had taken control of the game and on 37 minutes took the lead. A nice ball down the right flank found Kassem in space; she took the ball to the byline before cutting it back to Shannon Read who fired home. 2-1
H-T: Wycombe Wanders 2 London Benfica 1
The second half began with Wycombe again on the front foot and with Kassem again causing problems, this time crashing the ball against the woodwork from just inside the area.
London Benfica were now trying to use their pace to break through the Wycombe backline, only to be well marshalled by the impressive centre back partnership of captain Bobby Lynch and Milanna Cadore.
In the 66th minute Harriott Bray picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area after the visitors failed to clear and curled a beauty into the top right corner. 3-1
Wycombe were now totally in control and pushed on trying to add to their score. Kassem again latched onto a through ball but could only drag her shot wide. London did force a chance when they finally managed to beat the offside trap, their number 18 raced down the left flank, cut inside the defender and hit an angled shot across the keeper which Scott saved well diving to her left.
In the 75th minute another nice move in midfield and an exquisite first time pass through the defence from Read found the run from Alex-Marie Bond who finished well from just inside the box. 4-1
A couple of minutes later the visitors again managed to beat the offside trap where the winger ran to the byline before pulling it back where it was smashed home. 4-2
In the 80th minute Wycombe rounded off the scoring when a lovely ball through from Mia Parkin picked out the run of Read and she stroked the ball across the keeper and into the far left corner of the net. 5-2
F-T: Wycombe Wanderers 5 London Benfica 2
A good performance from the Chairgirls who took a while to get into their stride but once there dominated the game for long periods. The pace and ball skills of Emani Kassem caused the visitors problems all game and Shannon Read finished the game with a brace and an assist so not a bad day’s work from her. Strangely, the last time I saw Shannon play was for Wycombe Reserves at S4K in 2022 and she scored twice that day too! A lucky omen???
London Benfica look a talented, technically very good side with real pace going forward. The only thing I’d say is they may be a little lightweight as they were getting brushed off the ball a little too easily at times.
I wish both teams all the best for the coming season and I’m sure you’ll be seeing my face a few more times at the 1878 Stadium as Wycombe are one of my core local teams to follow this season.
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