QUEENS PARK RANGERS GIRLS WIN HIGH SCORING U14 CUP FINAL
The finals of the Middlesex FA Under 12, Under 14 and Under 16 Girls’ Cups were staged on Saturday, 4th May at Rectory Park. We reintroduced our own girls’ cup competitions in season 2021-22 following the growth of the girls’ game, to replace the Capital Girls’ Cups, which involved teams from several county FAs.
Our second match of the day was the Harold Horskins Under 14 final between Queens Park Rangers Women and Ruislip Rangers Girls Clarets.
Before the kick off, the teams and match officials were introduced to our Guest of Honour Middlesex FA Councillor, Ray Stickley, who is particularly active on the County Youth Cups Sub-Committee.
Queens Park Rangers were the holders of this cup, having comfortably beaten St Albans City 6-1 in last season’s final at Rectory Park.
30 teams entered this season’s competition, the same number as last season.
Queens Park Rangers Women were formed in 2001 and play in the Middlesex Youth Football League. Ruislip Rangers Girls were formed in 1969 and play in the Hertfordshire Girls Football Partnership League.
QPR reached this season’s final in convincing fashion, scoring 39 goals and conceding just 2 in their 4 matches. They beat Pitshanger Girls Red 16-0 at home in round 1, Enfield Town Ladies Youth Blues 13-0 away in round 2, Harefield United Youth Girls 4-0 away in the quarter-final and Watford Ladies Youth Warriors 6-2 in the semi-final.
Ruislip Rangers Girls Clarets received a bye in round 1 and then comfortably won their subsequent 3 matches. They beat Brook House Youth Rubies 10-1 at home in round 2, Acton Ealing Whistlers Youth U13 Girls 13-0 at home in the quarter-finals and Hinton & Finchley Revolution Haringey Girls 6-1 away in the semi-final.
Matches in this competition are played over 35 minutes in each half, with rolling substitutions.
QPR took an early lead but Ruislip Rangers equalised from the penalty spot. QPR then dominated and were 4-1 ahead at the interval. At this stage it was mainly the excellence of Ruislip goalkeeper, Shola Jones which limited the QPR score to just 4. The second half was an entirely different story. After a quarter of an hour’s play in the half, Ruislip scored twice within a minute to make the score 4-3. QPR added a 5th goal to their tally but Ruislip scored in the closing stages, to again reduce their deficit to a single goal.
QPR took the early initiative. A burst along the wing by Jasmine Bailey was halted by a timely interception. A low shot from Angie Bramble was saved by keeper, Shola Jones.
Carlotta Debor put them ahead in the 8th minute, with a shot on the turn, following Ayah Chebila’s corner.
Skipper, Evie Carter’s long freekick into the Ruislip penalty area was repelled at the cost of a corner.
Jasmine Bailey made another run up the wing and fed Angie Bramble, who was dispossessed.
Jessica Hennessey’s penetrative run and pass set up Angie again but she was crowded out by weight of defensive numbers.
Ruislip Rangers equalised in the 16th minute. Rachel Noakes was brought down in the penalty box, following a corner and Bailey Randall converted from the spot.
Jasmine Bailey went on another run, leaving several Ruislip defenders in her wake. Her low angled shot was saved by goalkeeper, Shola Jones.
Jasmine set up QPR’s second goal in the 18th minute. Her cross was converted by Angie Bramble.
Carlotta Debor took the ball through the Ruislip defence and had two consecutive shots parried by Shola Jones, who finally grabbed the ball.
Angie Bramble scored her side’s third goal with a glancing header from a corner in the 25th minute.
Shola Jones saved at Angie’s feet to prevent her adding to her goal tally, following a penetrating run.
However, Angie completed her hattrick just before the interval, with a drive from around 25 yards.
Half time score: Queens Park Rangers Women 4 Ruislip Rangers Girls 1
Ruislip Rangers had two chances early in the half. Bailey Randall broke through the middle of the QPR defence but shot too high. Then Sienna Bowry’s cross just evaded Sundus Naqvi in the 6 yard box.
A long range freekick by Evie Carter was comfortably taken by Shola Jones.
In the 16th minute of the half, Leona Kwentua took the ball through and placed it past the keeper for Ruislip’s second goal.
Within a minute, Leona penetrated the QPR defence again and squared the ball for Bailey Randall to net and make the score 4-3.
Grace Dwyer had an opportunity to equalise, following a good run but she shot narrowly wide.
Jasmine Bailey restored QPR’s lead back to 2 goals in the 25th minute of the half, with a high shot from around 35 yards.
Ruislip kept up the pressure on QPR. A great ball inside a QPR defender released Grace Dwyer, who fired just past the far post. Leona set up Grace again but she shot narrowly wide once more.
QPR keeper, Holly McLoughlin made a good save from Sundus Naqvi’s 30 yard high shot.
Grace Dwyer headed home for Ruislip, in the last minute of normal time.
Both teams had chances in the time added on, but no further goals were scored.
Bailey Randell headed wide from Ava Jensen’s corner.
Angie Bramble fired wide following a long freekick down the middle.
A header back to her keeper by a QPR defender saved an awkward situation, following a freekick into the box by Ava Jensen.
Final score: Queens Park Rangers Women 5 Ruislip Rangers Girls 4
Referee, Elsie Grover-Jones had a very good match and dealt calmly with some difficult situations. She should be pleased with her performance and on the evidence of this match should make good progress. She was well supported by her colleagues.
Guest of Honour, Ray Stickley presented the Cup and the individual mementoes after the match. He chose QPR striker, Angie Bramble as Player of the Match. Angie was also presented with the match ball, in recognition of her hattrick.
TEAM LINE-UPS
Queens Park Rangers Women: Holly McLoughlin, Livia Radziwonowska, Isabella Prosperi, Carlotta Debor, Angie Bramble, Ayer Chebila, Jasmine Bailey, Gabriela Majewska, Evie Carter (capt), Jessica Hennessy and Tallulah Desouza,
Rolling substitutes: Bronwyn Hardy, Lauren Dwyer, Ines Bailey and Taylor Doherty.
Manager: Paul Golah; Coaches: John Cadden and Gwen Foster.
Ruislip Rangers Girls Clarets: Shola Jones, Niamh Kearney, Helena Jaremek, Rachel Noakes, Sienna Bowry, Ava Jensen, Chloe Pottle (capt), Amy Taylor, Grace Dwyer, Bailey Randall and Sundus Naqvi.
Rolling substitutes: Neve Capon, Holly Garrish, Leona Kwentua, Olivia Cummings and Sophie Owen.
Manager: Lee Pottle; Coaches: Paul Taylor, Ryan Capon and Matt Fox.
Referee: Elsie Grover-Jones Assistant Referees: Isabella Wong and Caitlin Cummings Fourth Official: Milanna Cadore.
Attendance: 156
Photography: Chris Benn