Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.33 2022-23

Actonians Ladies Res 1 Tooting Bec 0
Actonians Reserves completed a stellar season by clinching the John Greenacre
Memorial Trophy to add to the Greater London League Premier Division title won at
their first attempt a few weeks ago.
Their opponents in the showpiece match of Finals Day were Division One South
Tooting Bec who gave a fine performance only to lose out to a 94th minute goal.
Actonians showed all the skill and confidence of champions in a dominant first
half display, peppering the Tooting Bec goal with shots, crosses and headers. With an
excellent display goalkeeping by Deborah Tasker and some last ditch defending and
brave blocks, Bec managed to get to half time level. The second half was a different story
as the Division One team grew in confidence, gained control of the game to far greater
degree and pressurised the higher ranked opposition for long periods.
Jennifer Laidlaw forced the first Tasker save on 12 minutes, tipping over a long
range effort. Corners by Rosie Hay caused problems throughout and from one Sian
Bradley made a fine goalline clearance. Laidlaw saw another effort tipped onto the bar
and then Tasker and her defenders made a double block and save right on the line.
Tricky winger Natasha Cree was the next to force a save on 35 minutes as the Tooting
Bec goal was under constant pressure.
The Division One side returned with far more aggression after the break and had
their first real sight of goal on 50 minutes but the shot was wide, Encouraged by this,
Bec had more of the ball and pushed Actonians back. Their big moment seemed to have
come on 76 minutes when Bec appeaered to have been awarded a penalty only for the
decision to be changed after consultation.
Actonians were always capable of a moment of quality. A corner routine saw
Shadia Edwards-Dashti meet a near post delivery with a powerful header inches over
on 80 minutes whilst Tasker and her defenders made an amazing triple save and
goalline blocks on 85 minutes.
However, just when it seemed that penalties would be needed to settle the outcome
Fiona Moloney found the key to finally unlock the Bec defence. Cutting in from the left,
the Actonians forward curled a left foot finish beyond Tasker for a very late decider,
Another successful Greater London League Finals day was completed in glorious
weather with good attendances and a considerable sum donated to charities from gate
receipts.
Actonians Ladies Res: Elisa Dogor, Shadia Edwards-Dashti, Chelsea Orridge-
Golding, Jodie Regan, Charlotte Callear, Kate Stevens, Rosie Hay, Jennifer Laidlaw,
Fiona Moloney, Natasha Cree, Katy Hanscomb. Subs: Ines Goycoolea Cabezon,
Kayleigh Peters, Charlotte Healey, Aurelia Peterson-Rajalingam, Tayla MacPherson.
Tooting Bec: Deborah Tasker, Chloe Holding, Hana Mikova, Louise Winfield, Zoe
Burden, Sian Bradley, Jennifer Schmidt, Amanda Reimer, Bryony Bancroft, Charlotte
Stiff, Eleanor White. Subs: Emma White, Dominika Babiova, Sarah Stevens, Olivia
Griffiths, Keira Barker.

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