Womens Representative Team - Match reports
Team for Sussex game showing off their new kit with sponsor Jeff Davie of Eagle Press, Milton Park, Abingdon. Printers to The Berks & Bucks FA.
Womens Representative Team match reports
Wednesday, 09 May 2007.
Latest News...............Match report on final league game against Kent FA.
HOME COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP
Tuesday 8th May 2007
Kent FA 3-2 Berks & Bucks FA
A depleted squad travelled to South East London to play their final league match in their first year of competitive football. Injuries and unavailability left manager Lisa Welling with the bare 11 from the originally named squad of 18. Deanne Tomkins was called in to give the front line some much needed experience as Sue Oakley was lost after sustaining an injury at the week-end. Gemma Rudman was asked to marshal the defence rather than her normal role in midfield.
The game, played at Thamesmead Town FC started well for the visitors, forcing no less than 5 corners within the opening 17 minutes, the home side had much to thank keeper Donna Harris for keeping the score line blank. Lauren Goodier was the first to test Harris after 5 minutes, seeing her great shot tipped over bar for the first of the corners. Although with several players out of position, Berks & Bucks were playing some good football, and further chances for Heather McDonnell and Kimberley McClenn went close to opening the scoring.
Mid way through the half the home side began to make their own openings, with Jade McDermott looking dangerous down the left, but 17 year old Tonni Petts was having her normal strong game for Berks & Bucks. It was McDermott on 29 minutes who opened the scoring for Kent, a through ball found her running down Tonni Petts and a misunderstanding between Petts and keeper Katie McGloin allowed McDermott to slot into an open goal. Both teams were battling the strong cross wind, but the football on show was of a high standard.
The second half started much as the first, Berks & Bucks going close on two occasions in the opening minutes. Freya Coombe picked the ball up midway in the Kent half, and after beating 2 defenders could not manage to get her shot on target, seeing it go just wide. Deanne Tomkins then saw her long range effort go just inches over the bar with the home keeper beaten.
On 64 minutes the visitors got their rewards, Lauren Goodier using her speed to beat the appeals for offside and to beat the advancing keeper. However it only took Kent 2 minutes to regain their advantage with Laura East putting them 2-1 ahead.
Goodier got her second, which was a fair reward for all her hard work up front, when beating the home defence quite easily and on the second attempt beat Harris to record her and the teams second goal. Both teams then went flat out for the win, and both sides had opportunities. Berks & Bucks were unable to refresh their players, as Lisa Welling had to name herself as substitute along with injured Drew Spenser.
With only 2 minutes remaining it was McDermott again who put Kent in front, following another good run lobbing the advancing McGloin. Berks & Bucks came back strongly to try to get the draw that their efforts deserved, and in the closing seconds Tomkins had a strong run but her final effort went just wide. The final whistle came to give Kent their second league win; leaving Berks & Bucks with some good performances but with one win over Surrey.
Great strides have been made in this, the first season in a league, and it gives a strong base to build on in the future. With some very good young players, as well as some experience in the side further advancement next season is sure to be made. Great credit should be given to ALL players who have participated this season.
Team:
Katie McGloin, Toni Petts, Natalie Robinson, Kimberley McClenn, Gemma Rudman, Shantell Woodward, Leanne Burns, Heather McDonnell,Freya Coombe, Lauren Goodier, Deanne Tomkins.
Subs: [Not used] Lisa Welling, Drew Spencer.
Home Counties League – Ladies Division
Berks & Bucks FA 0 – 1 London FA
Played at Olney Town FC
In a game of few goal scoring chances it was clear from an early stage that only one goal could possible take the points.
Both teams opened up most of the play in midfield. Despite the draw of International matches on TV, a good crowd enjoyed good but not spectacular performances from both sides.
Leanne Burns was first to try her luck on goad after 6 minutes, seeing her shot go just the wrong side of the bar. London managed the first corner after 11 minutes but this as easily dealt with by the home defence. Berks & Bucks then suffered an early blow when Sue Malcolm was substituted, being replaced by Heather McDonnell.
The only opening that the visitors had was when Lottie Birdsall finished off a good run with a shot that went just past post.
Half Time 0-0
The second half presented more of the same; both defences were in control with no one managing to boss the midfield. The only goal of the game came after 65 minutes when it was Birsdall again who found an opening and scored with a long range effort.
B&B tried all they could to get the equaliser which most people agreed they deserved, but it was not to be. Chances’ being very few for either side, the game was a good advert for Ladies football, and the home team should not be too downhearted, they were slightly down on strength to injuries, but all the players gave of their all, and with most of the team still young, it is hoped that the team will over the next couple of seasons become a force in representative football.
The final match of the competition is away to Kent on Tuesday 8th May 2007 at a venue tbc.
Team:
Katie McGloin, Rebecca Todd, Toni Petts, Leanne Lewis, Seun Odinyi (Capt), Natalie Robinson, Shantell Woodward, Gemma Rudman, Leanne Burns, Lauren Goodier, Kimberley McGlenn.
Subs – All Used Alex Salter, Heather McDonnell, Leanne Lewis
Surrey FA 2 – 5 Berks & Bucks FA
Played at Horley Town FC - Home Counties League – Ladies Division
A depleted squad travelled to Horley, near Gatwick, for the third league match of the season to play Surrey FA. However a Shantell Woodward hat-trick set Berks & Bucks up for a great 5-2 victory to record their first points of the season. With the late arrival, due to traffic of keeper Sam Holloway, Kimberley McClenn took over the keeper’s jersey for the first half.
B&B opened up in lively mood and in the opening minute Heather McDonnell went close from 25 yards. On 5 minutes a strong run by Sue Oakley opened up the home defence for Shantell to open her account. It was soon 2-0 when Sue Oakley coolly lobbed the Surrey keeper.
The visitors were well in control and were dealing with the occasional threat from the home side, and on 18 minutes Shantell Woodward scored her second goal from a 20 yard free kick. On a rare attack, Surrey forced a corner that was defended well by Cath Andrews and Toni Petts. Surrey began to gain a little more control and under pressure Gemma Rudman was forced to concede a corner, from which Kimberley McClenn made a fine save.
The strong running of Su Oakley was causing the home defence problems, and she had a fine shot go just inches wide of the post with the keeper well beaten.
Half Time 0-3
The second half opened with Surrey putting their visitors under a great deal of pressure, and it was no surprise after 52 minutes that Clare Rogers opened the scoring for the home side with a crisp shot passed the newly arrived Sam Hollaway.
The game was mostly played out in midfield for the major part of the second half, but B&B scored their fourth when Kimberley McClenn finished off a fine move between Shantell Woodward and substitute Lauren Goodier, who had just come on to replace Gemma Rudman.
Natalie Robinson capitalised on some sloppy defending to score B&Bs 5th on 80 minutes; an in the closing minute a long range effort by Kerry Knott pulled one back for the home side to make the final score line 5-2 to Berks & Bucks. A great all round team effort with a number of players being unavailable for the game.
Team: Kimberley McClenn, Cath Andrews, Toni Petts, Natalie Robinson, Heather McDonnell, Libby Suchley, Leanne Burns, Shantell Woodward, Gemma Rudman, Sue Oakley, Di. Killey. Subs; Lauren Goodier, Sam Holloway.
Middlesex CFA 4 – 1 Berks & Bucks FA
Played at Uxbridge FC
Home Counties League – Ladies Division
For their second ever competitive league match, B&B travelled to West Drayton hoping to build on their impressive debut in October. Four players were missing from the original squad, 3 of them through injury.
The game started brightly, and both teams were able to play some attractive football. Middlesex came very close to opening the scoring after only 3 minutes when a shot from Amy Murphy went just wide of the post. In their next attack, Berks & Bucks could have opened their account after some good work from Lucy Thompson saw Heather McDonnell just failing to reach a terrific cross.
The pace Amy Murphy was causing problems for the visitors, but Toni Petts worked tirelessly to keep her in check. On 25 minutes the home side opened the scoring, it was no surprise that the goal scorer was Amy Murphy who for once managed to get the better of the visiting defenders who were expecting an off side decision.
On 31 minutes the score became 2-0, Sam Holloway was unable to collect a cross, and from the scramble that followed the ball was trundled into the net. Despite the score Berks & Bucks were not being outplayed and the whole team were performing well; the defence was being marshalled by Suen Odeniyi, who was playing her last game for the B&B for a few months as she is off to America. Heather McDonnell & Sue Oakley were always a threat, and the younger players, Leanne Burns, Natalie Robinson and Toni Petts were showing that they have great potential.
The home side made it 3-0 soon after the re-start when Clare Stevens slotted home a rebound shot to give the home side a flattering lead. Sue Oakley did get the ball in the net on 60 minutes, but was adjudged to have kicked the ball out of keeper’s hand. However, the visitors were awarded a penalty 4 minutes later when the hard running Sue Oakley was fouled. Heather McDonnell slotted home to make the score 3-1.
Berks & Bucks mounted considerable pressure, but were unable to beat the home defence. A corner from substitute Kimberley McClenn should have been converted for a goal, but somehow was scrambled away. With only 4 minutes remaining the home side made the final score 4-1 when Emma Kayser ran on to a through ball.
Another defeat, but the signs are very promising, all the teams within the Home Counties League have been playing together for a while, and it will take a few more games for the confidence to build within the Berks & Bucks squad.
Their next match, on 15th December away to Surrey CFA will be another chance to gain their first points in the competition. If they continue to play with the enthusiasm and skill they have already shown, that elusive first win cannot be too far away.
Team: Sam Holloway, Cath Andrews, Toni Petts, Seun Odeniyi, Libby Sutchley, Gemma Redman, Leanne Burns, Lucy Thompson, Sue Oakley, Heather McConnell, Natalie Robinson.
Subs Used: Lauren Goodier, Kimberley McClenn, Josette Pearman. Subs not used; Shantell Woodward, Lucia Masella
FIRST LEAGUE MATCH
Wednesday 25th October 2006 saw the Berks & Bucks FA take another step in the development of Women's football with their very first competitive League match against Sussex FA in the Home Counties Ladies Competition.
Heavy traffic on the M25 meant a delay of almost 1 hour - the game kicking off at 8.20pm.
The away team took advantage of their reputation in the league, having been crowned champions since the league was formed 2 seasons ago with an early goal two minutes into the game. The two Sussex strikers came into action after sloppy clearances from the defence gifted them the early advantage.
Although Sussex took the game to the home side in the first twenty minutes, two free kicks were conceded by the visitors just outside the goal area but no home player could get onto the end of either and the travelling keeper made light work of very little penetration from the home side.
At the other end Sussex, passing the ball well and keeping possession for long periods took advantage once again and pushed the Berks & Bucks defenders into making mistakes and conceding corners. B&B did manage to keep the score line at 1-0 with some good clearing but failed to keep possession whilst Sussex finding it easier to pick up high ball clearances than the home team.
Fifteen minutes into the 1st half and Berks & Bucks had settled into the game and began playing the ball around, the one thing missing was the final ball into the area and the goal they needed to equalise. Twenty minutes in and a great ball was played down the right wing and the Kimberley McGlenn travelled well until she was hustled off the ball in an easy attempt to win back possession prior to the vital cross into the box.
At the other end Sussex were still looking to double their lead, a great strike outside the box by their Friday Camaclang - if it wasn’t for the hands of the Berks & Bucks keeper Sam Holloway who managed to get her body in front and pick up the ball .
Although B&B worked hard to penetrate the Sussex defence it looked impossible that they were going to get the score level before half time - with seven minutes to go to the break a defensive error gave Sussex possession just wide of the area to make the half time score it 2-0.
Second Half
The home team came out strongest in the 2nd half with Sussex looking a little tired after their strong first half, Jen Ray found herself in acres of space seconds into the restart but her effort was scooped up by the Sussex goal keeper.
On 50 minutes and the travelling team conceded a free kick outside their area, Shantell Woodward delivered a great ball for substitute Su Oakley to flick it into the back of the net. Berks and Bucks had now regained some lost composure and where back in the game, 2-1
Josette Pearmine, saw her effort fall to the keeper but the confidence was growing and the home side were putting the pressure back onto Sussex - a fairly even second half with only 15 minutes gone.
Sussex also had their chances but failed to put them away, a corner was played to the edge of the box and went wide of the left upright. Twenty minutes in and Gemma Rudman was upended as she broke into the oppositions half but as the home side hesitated for the whistle Sussex broke, their number 7 picked up the ball and was allowed to travel a long way up the right wing before laying a crisp pass to her team mate, number 9 who split two home defenders down the middle and past the keeper for 3-1.
Sussex once again gained control of the match and the previous goal scorer, Tammy Waine worked hard to get past 2 defending players to pressure the keeper who just managed to get her finger tips to it for a corner.
Thirty five minutes in and a Shantell Woodward free kick was easily collected by the Sussex keeper, huge efforts to get a goal back were made from Sue Oakley who had come on as a substitute to no avail - Sue managed to take the ball all the way to the by-line but her cross was met by the keeper.
However a frantic last few minutes resulted when substitute Freya Coombe scored with a looping shot over the keeper with only 4 minutes of normal time remaining. The home side mounted a great deal of pressure on the Sussex goal, but the third goal was not forthcoming
Berks and Bucks final efforts to equalise were unrewarded with the visitors hanging onto their reputation.
WOMENS REPRESENTATIVE TEAM MATCH REPORTS
09 May 2007