Ladies 1st Team Step Up Their Title Challenge

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Result: Old Actonians 2: Carshalton Athletic 0

With just 3 league games to go and two of them being against title rivals Carshalton Athletic this was a massive game. As our normal home ground now has reverted to cricket we played at an alternative ground in Chiswick instead.

The game started a little tentatively, both sets of players sizing each other up, both seemingly expecting a tough game against opposition who both had just one league loss to their name so far.

We slowly started to assert ourselves on the game however and had a lot of joy down our left with Sharon Odofin and Lafe' Uche' making some storming runs up the pitch. Most of the 1st half seemed to be us trying to attack and the visitors mainly trying to bat us away. Chances were few and far between at either end however, though Naomi Swift had less to do than her counterpart. Not long before half time however, Rosie Stone whipped in a corner that was only half cleared to Nat Randall. She didn't have much time to set herself and got off a looping shot towards goal that seemed to hang in the air. The keeper got her hands to it but could only palm it out straight to Emma Mulhern who chested it down and stuck it in the back of the net from close range. 1-0. HT.

In the 2nd half the battle continued with the home side still largely in control. Perhaps the turning point came when the Carshalton no 7 got frustrated with something and got herself booked. Some unwise actions and words following this promptly earned her a 2nd yellow for dissent and
received her marching orders to reduce her team to 10.

This seemed to spur Carshalton into action and they had their best spell of the match, but there was no clear chances created still and Swift had a fairly quiet afternoon in goal.

We kept looking for the 2nd goal and some great play saw Carla Williams put through on goal but her touch was a tad heavy and the keeper came out and collected.

But then, the highlight of the match came when Uche' raced up the left wing, cut inside her defender and let fly with a stunning shot from near the side line that flew into the top corner with no chance for the keeper! What a goal! 2-0.

The rest of the game was seen out strongly for a very good win and so it was the homeside who seized the advantage in the close looking title race. Next week we're at home (2pm at Kings House Sports Ground, Chiswick) to London Corinthians who are also chasing the top spot and it should be another exciting game! Opposition pom: Carla Williams

Match Report: Linda Fox

April 23, 2015