Women's Fixtures

Hampshire FA [1] – Berks & Bucks FA [1] 29th January 2008

Berks & Bucks travelled Hartley Witney FC to take on Hampshire, one of the favourites for the league title. The home side having played 2 matches scoring 16 goals and conceding only 2.

 Although the home side, made up largely of Portsmouth Ladies players had most of the procession, it was the visitors who had the first good chance after 17 minutes to open the scoring. Good work by Lauren Goodier set Zoe Lance free down the left and her pin point cross was met beautifully by debutant Kate Norman to slot home from 10 yards.

 The first real chance the home side came after 24 minutes when a strong run and shot by Fiona McMillan went just wide of the post. Another player making her debut was keeper Kristen Dorsch, and whilst the defence although under pressure were coping well with the numerous raids from the home side, Kristen dealt well with the few balls that came through to her.

 As half time was drawing on, Hampshire again mounted another attack, which resulted in winning a corner. It was from this, and in added time that the ball was slotted home in a crowded area to give the home side the goal that in fairness there play had deserved.

 The second half was more of the same, but all the Berks & Bucks players led as usual by Suen Odeniyi although having to work extremely hard, coped reasonably well with the home sides attacks.

 In fact it was the visitors who had the more clear cut chances on goal, with the home side for most of the time having to try long range shots to get past a stubborn defence. After 58 minutes Lauren Goodier had a chance but snatched her shot which went wide. Within 2 minutes another great chance saw her just outside the area winning a challenge, seeing the keeper racing back into position her shot looked goal bound until a great save from Rachel Simkin prevented a goal being scored. On 67 minutes Hampshire thought they were going to add a second when a great shot by Nadine Welland was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Kristen Dorsch.

The game continued with both sides putting on a good performance for the crowd. The last minutes of the game saw the home side desperate to score the winning goal and with 5 minutes remaining hit the post, with the rebound falling to Cath Andrews to knock clear.

 The game ended, as it had begun with the home side mounting an attack and the visitors all showing great resolve and determination to end the match deservedly 1 goal apiece.

 Team:

Kristen Dorsch, Cath Andrews, Zoe Lance, Seun Odeniyi, Libby Suchley, Katie Milton,  Shantell Woodward, Kimberley McGlenn, , Freya Coombe, Lauren Goodier. Kate Norman.

 Sub: 57 minutes - Sue Oakley On for Libby Suchley.