Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.6 2021/22

Abingdon United’s comeback win

Brentford 2 Abingdon Utd 5
Abingdon United overcame a two-goal deficit to
reach the Third Qualifying Round of the Vitality
Women's FA Cup, running out 5-2 away winners
over Brentford with a fine attacking display.
The Southern Region Premier Division
visitors had been well contained by their London and
South-East Regional League Division One North
hosts who protected their early advantage with great
resolve until the last minute of the first half. United
dominated the second half adding goals at regular
intervals to seal their progress.
Brentford could not have wished for a better
start than a third minute Rebekah Edwards close
range opener and when Abingdon keeper Sophie Lauren May is denied by a smothering save from
Kirby was penalised for catching a back pass Axelle Emily Boycott (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
Courlander drove home the resulting free kick to
double the lead in the 10th minute. United, despite these setbacks, had already shown plenty
of attacking intent and continued to press forward.
Brentford keeper Emily Boycott made a fine blocking save on 20 minutes with Nell
Boxall landing a follow up lob on the roof of the net. Abbie Smith sent a shot into the side
netting from a tight angle on 36 minutes and Lauren May was also close to pulling a goal
back for the visitors.
Smith and May combined superbly for Abingdon's 45th minute goal, a right wing
Smith cross being well controlled and a lofted shot from 15 yards placed in the top right
corner by May.
United drew level on 52 minutes through Lindsay Pinker's low shot and took the lead
when Beth Hawtin turned in a loose ball at the far post after a Boycott save four minutes later.
The Bees continued to battle hard to keep the contest open but the Abingdon defence
was solid and the introduction of Kiera Isaac had given the attack extra edge. It was Isaac
who added the fourth on 77 minutes. running at pace through the home defence before
finishing neatly.
Brentford's Sophie Troth went close to reducing the arrears with Kirby out quickly to
save at her feet on 80 minutes but the U's had the last word when a fine Molly Lygo run and
cross set up Boxall for another well taken finish on 85 minutes.
Brentford, promoted this season to Regional Division One level, battled well against
well established and unbeaten Regional Premier opponents but the pace and variety of
United's attacking potential was difficult to contain.
Brentford: Emily Boycott, Nadia Peters, Regan Graver, Amber Langston-Lloyd, Chloe
Webb, Mollie Holmes, Laura Miller, Sophie Troth, Rebekah Edwards, Ellen Wardlaw,
Axelle Courlander. Subs: Stacey Bishopp, Nicole Godlab, Luna Dalton, Jessica Stickley,
Jodie Reid, Shannon Read, Kaitlyn Spencer-Dempsey.
Abingdon Utd: Sophie Kirby, Charlie Deeley, Beth Hawtin, Amy Chivers, Sahara
Osborne-Ricketts, Maisie Hastings, Abbie Smith, Lindsay Pinker, Lauren May, Nell Boxall,
Molly Lygo. Subs: Kiera Isaac, Beth Chapman,
Hannah Cox.

news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk Issue no. 6 - 7 October 2021