Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.25 2021-22

Ascot take the title

Ascot Utd Res 8 Ruislip Rangers 0
Ascot United Reserves clinched the Thames
Valley Counties Division Three East title in
style with a dominant 8-0 home win over
second placed Ruislip Rangers.
Leading by just a single Freya Johnson
goal at the break, the league leaders turned on
the style in the second half to ensure their
sixteenth straight league win and take top place
with two games to spare.
In fact, the Yellawomen had dominated
almost from the first whistle. Excellent
goalkeeping by Amy Gibson, a missed penalty
and numerous near misses had kept the teams
level for almost half an hour.
When the opener came it was worth the
wait for the home support. Johnson hit a 20- Courtney Gibbons is pressed by Charlotte Buckingham
(www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
yard cross shot on the run which flew high into
the net.
After the break, the well drilled and strong Ascot attack reaped their rewards,
Darcey Young forced home a corner at the far post within two minutes then Courtney
Gibbons added two more in quick succession just before the hour, both good close range
finishes past the advancing Gibson.
Ruislip had stuck to their task well in the face of waves of Ascot pressure and had
constructed their own attacks on occasion but the home defence was very determined
not to concede. Olivia McAndrew twice had shots saved by Carla O'Brien but most of the
action took place at the other end of the pitch.
Amy Cogdon added the fifth on 73 minutes and then an unfortunate own goal two
minutes later came after a fine Ascot move down the right.
The seventh goal rivalled the opener for goal of the match, another fine hit this
time from Lou Pullen, Johnson notched her second of the game to round off a prolific
afternoon, the team's 83rd league goal in the sixteen matches played … with just 8
conceded !
The final whistle allowed celebrations to begin with the visitors sportingly
acknowledging the champions with a guard of honour and the sizeable attendance at the
Racecourse ground applauding a fine performance and season.
Ascot Utd Res: Cara O’Brien, Hannah Swallow, Sophie Slimm, Kat Webb, Jess
Lindley, Darcey Young, Courtney Gibbons, Amy Linge, Lou Pullen, Clodagh Farrell,
Freya Johnson. Subs: Amy Cogdon, Jess Dixon.
Ruislip Rangers: Amy Gibson, Charlotte Buckingham, Sophie Higham, Catherine
Stephens, Nicola Frasier, Priya Chahal, Ellen Atkinson, Krystal Follett, Victoria
Blakebrough, Olivia McAndrew, Kirsty Young. Subs: Kiki Milsom, Rachel Lamb,
Lauren O’Connor, Aurela Gashi.

news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk Issue no. 25 - 10 March 2022