Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene 2020-21 Issue 3

Long Crendon 5 Kingsclere 1
Long Crendon maintained the perfect start to
their Thames Valley Counties League Division
Two campaign with a 5-1 home win over
Kingsclere, their sixth win in a row.
A prolific first half saw all the scoring,
with the Hampshire visitors giving a
determined second half display to keep the
home attack at bay but Long Crendon were
never in danger of losing their 100 per cent
record.
The hosts opened the scoring with a fine
finish by Katie Thorp, chasing down a through
pass to loft a shot home from a tight angle on six
minutes. Kingsclere keeper Hannah Bennett
was injured making a save and was replaced by
Hannah Sibley before Long Crendon added a Ellie Northcott is held off in pursuit of Lucy Why
second on 28 minutes. Skipper Nicole Jacobs did (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
well to reach and convert a cross from the left after
an initial corner was cleared.
The lively home attackers were soon seeking out more chances. Thorp reacted
quickly to fire home a loose ball for the third on 32 minutes then, after good defending
seemed to have denied the hosts, Samantha Bignall returned a clearance first time from
25 yards to add a spectacular fourth on 36 minutes.
Another fine run and finish, this time by Michelle Bailey, on 45 minutes gave
Long Crendon a five-goal cushion but Kingsclere finished a difficult half on a high when
Carly Duckett scored from a corner to reduce the deficit.
Playing down the slope, the hosts might have expected to add to their lead after
the break but Kingsclere came out with renewed defensive steel, chasing down every
attacking run and getting in good blocks and tackles. Even when Ellie Northcott beat the
defence, Sibley was out quickly to block, then did well to turn away a Thorp shot for a
corner.
Despite much pressure and some near misses, Long Crendon were unable to add
to their first half tally. Kingsclere, whilst never really threatening further goals against a
strong defensive unit, had given a good second half display.
Long Crendon, in only their second season after the truncated 2019-20 debut
campaign, looked a well drilled, highly motivated team with clever, strong running
forwards who will be chasing honours in the remaining two-thirds of their Division Two
fixtures.
Long Crendon: Lysh Clarke, Kazia Coleman, Kim Bagnall, Nicole Jacobs, Emma
Leith, Danielle Cotton, Billie Regan, Ellie Northcott, Katie Thorp, Michelle Bailey,
Natalie Le Manquais. Subs: Samantha Bignall, Olivia Hall, Emma Helmer, Natalie
Phillips.
Kingsclere: Hannah Bennett, Lucy Why, Louise Offer, Charlotte Tanner, Laura
Fishlock, Louise Crouch, Charlotte Mansfield, Amy Lovelock, Jenna Thain, Carly
Duckett, Sophie Bone. Subs: Dani Smithers,
Hannah Sibley, Courtney Hance.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk Issue no. 3 - 29 October 2020