Page 14 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.31 2022-23

Woking FC Women 2 Abingdon Utd 2
(Woking won 4-2 on penalties)
In the opening game of the Southern Region
League cup finals day, Woking took full advantage
of an unexpected opportunity to lift the
Chairman's Cup by beating Premier League
champions Abingdon United on penalties after a
2-2 draw.
Reinstated in the competition after their
semi final conquerors Woodley United withdrew,
Woking met the challenge of facing the
outstanding team from a higher division with
great spirit and heart.
Things could scarcely have started worse for
the Cards as United took a second minute lead
when a loose ball in their area was finished off by
Nell Boxall with an instinctive first time effort
which looped wide of Morgan Palmer for the Niamh Martin clears under pressure from Amy Pipe
opener. The Woking keeper was very busy in the (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
opening quarter of the contest, making several
brave and decisive saves as crosses rained into her area.
Abingdon added a second through Lauren May and it seemed that the Premier Division
champions were well on course for a ‘double'. However there were already signs that Woking,
especially through skipper Kaitlin Howard, had the ability to fully test the United defence.
Abingdon keeper Sophie Kirby made a fine save to deny Howard before the break and was
soon the busier keeper on the restart as Woking gradually turned up the pressure. The match
had turned almost completely with Woking winning their challenges and creating more and
more dangerous situations. Kirby was injured making one of a series of saves which would
ultimately win her the Player of the Match award but was beaten by an excellent Howard
header to halve the deficit with 25 minutes left.
Eventually Kirby was unable to continue with Hannah Cox taking over the gloves. As time
ticked down it seemed that United had done enough to hold off a spirited Cards effort but a
late goalmouth scramble saw Rebecca Tiney in the right place to drive in a close range equaliser.
Both Palmer and Cox made an excellent penalty save in the shootout but ultimately it was
the Surrey side who took the honours by four successful conversions to three to spark scenes
of great celebration for a fantastic win against the odds. Abingdon United were presented with
their runners-up medals but also with the League Champions shield and medals to remind of
an excellent campaign.
Woking FC Women: Morgan Palmer, Sophie Burgess, Lily Davis, Niamh Martin, Laura
Mitchell, Sian Hardaker, Efro Theocharous, Sheena Nichol, Trudy Bryan-Kerr, Megan
Vincer, Kaitlin Howard. Subs: Kate Davies, Leah Robertson, Sarah Ellie Boddy, Rebecca
Tiney, Gracie Price.
Abingdon Utd: Sophie Kirby, Megan Crawford, Amy Pipe, Lindsay Pinker, Jessica Austin,
Beth Hawtin, Rosie McCabe, Nell Boxall, Lauren May, Beth Chapman, Molly Lygo. Subs:
Hannah Cox, Shanice Wright, Iva Georgievsak,
Ruby Herring.
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