ASHFORD TOWN LADIES EDGE HOME IN LOCAL DERBY
Following Ashford Town (Middlesex)’s promotion to Step 4 of the Women’s Football Pyramid, Middlesex have 3 clubs currently competing in the National League Division One South East. They are Actonians, Ashford Town and Queens Park Rangers. Your roving team attended a battle for league points, between the latter two clubs, played on the wet evening of Wednesday, 15th March, at the Robert Parker Stadium.
A competitive and interesting match was largely dominated by the respective defences and was won by a solitary goal, scored in the 70th minute.
The opening encounters were confined to midfield. The first shot on goal came from the Tangerines’ Aimee Durn in the 12th minute and was safely gathered by Katie McLean in the QPR goal.
Then the ball was laid off by QPR’s Kasha Petit to Alice Curr, whose shot was held by Sophie Shults.
Ashley Cheatley’s run on the left for Ashford was halted by Lauren Jordinson’s well timed tackle.
Laura Hennessy made a dangerous run for QPR but her final ball, across the goalmouth, failed to attract a touch. Then Ellie Searle’s shot was narrowly wide.
Katie McLean saved Aimee Durn’s drive from the edge of the box.
Alissa Down’s shot for Ashford went across the goal and wide of the far post.
Sophie Shults made a good save from Ellie Searle, who was through on goal.
Katie McLean saved a well struck low shot from Aimee Durn.
Alissa collected a through pass and hit a shot on the turn, which Katie took high up.
Half time score: Ashford Town (Middlesex) 0 Queens Park Rangers 0
Ashley Cheatley burst through from the right but fired wide.
Lizzie O’Callaghan then squared for Ashley, whose shot was blocked.
Aimee Durn tested Katie McLean from around 25 yards.
Sophie Shults took Laura Hennessy’s angled shot high up.
Alissa Down’s dangerous corner produced a melee in the QPR penalty area, which finished with Millie Constantine clearing the bar with her shot.
The decisive goal was scored in the 70th minute by Aimee Durn, who completed a good move by driving the ball sweetly into the roof of the net.
The Tangerines were now making some good openings. Aimee Durn headed a free-kick by Alissa Down over the bar. Then another free kick by Alissa, from wide on the left, was punched away by Katie McLean.
Ellie Searle prevented the Tangerines from increasing their lead. Aimee Durn chipped the ball over Katie McLean but Ellie raced back and hooked the ball for a corner before it could cross the goal-line. Ellie then stopped a header, from the resulting corner kick, on the line.
A drive by Ashley Cheatley was deflected for a corner. Alissa’s kick was punched away and Lavana Neufville fired past the post.
QPR pressed for an equaliser in added time. A shot from Grace Stanley was deflected past the post and Erin Pope worked into a good position but was intercepted.
In the closing seconds, Katie McLean made a good save from Ashford substitute, Samantha Wynne’s shot towards the bottom corner of the goal.
Final score: Ashford Town (Middlesex) 0 Queens Park Rangers 0
This result gives Ashford Town 23 points from their 15 matches. They currently occupy 4th place in the league table. Actonians are in 6th place with 19 points from 12 matches and QPR are 7th with 15 points, also from 12 games.
Attendance: 75
TEAM LINE UPS:
Ashford Town (Middlesex): Sophie Shults, Anya Kinnane, Aimee Durn, Kayleigh Currivan, Alissa Down (capt), Jade Johnson, Ashley Cheatley, Millie Constantine (Samantha Wynne 75 mins), Lizzie O’Callaghan (Laura Huse 65), Ellen Clarabut (Lavana Neufville 65) and Mara Deluca.
Unused substitutes: Eman Kassem and Hannah Duncan.
Queens Park Rangers: Katie McLean, Alice Curr, Ellie Searle, Gabby Bishop, Lauren Jordinson, Georgina Lewin, Joanna Blodgett (capt), Laura Hennessy (Katie Akerman 74 mins), Kasha Petit (Melanie Hall 74), Erin Pope (Brogan Moore 64) and Frankie Webster (Grace Stanley 58).
Referee: Jon Ashworth-Sears Assistant Referees: Sam Gregory and Fernando Costache.
We thank Chris & Jim for braving the wet weather to cover this game, as ever they selected their favourite shots from the match. Chris has also very kindly provided a full album of imagery.