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

‘Copter Women fly high

Basingstoke Town 1 Fleetlands Women 6
Fleetlands narrowed the gap at the top of
Hampshire County League Division Three by
beating leaders Basingstoke Town by six
goals to one away from home.
A clinical display notched three in
each half including a hat-trick for Sarah
Butterworth against a Basingstoke side who
previously had a 100 per cent league record.
The hosts got off to the best possible
start by scoring with their first attack through
Katie Randell, but amazingly the visitors
replied with three of their own before the
quarter hour had passed in a frantic opening. Robyn Kelly under pressure from Sarah Butterworth
Kiera Phelps equalised, then Butterworth (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
scored directly from a corner to give
Fleetlands an eleventh minute lead and added a third from close range.
In truth, Basingstoke attacked with good purpose for much of the rest of the
half but were met by a resolute defence where every player made vital interceptions.
Most of the Basingstoke shots were from distance and were safely held by Jade Kibell.
Basingstoke needed to get a goal back on the restart and they applied excellent
pressure on the Fleetlands goal but Kibell made a string of fine saves, especially in a
pair one on one situations with Chelsea Pennock as the home team started to create
clearer chances,
It was the ‘Copter Women's skipper Chloe Dark who added to their lead with a
superb effort on the hour. Picking the ball up on the left edge of the area, Dark cut back
inside a defender before lashing a fierce shot past April-Rose Chariton.
Butterworth added a fifth with a solo breakaway run and calm finish for her
hat-trick with fifteen minutes to go. Basingstoke continued to battle hard for some
consolation to reward their efforts in difficult conditions but to no avail.
Instead, Barr added a sixth from another well played counter attack on 87
minutes and only a brave save by Charlton prevented a seventh in the final minute.
Basingstoke had beaten Fleetlands only three weeks ago in the reverse fixture
so the extent of the turnaround was really surprising. They still have the upper hand
despite this defeat however, being two points ahead of Fleetlands with a game in hand
and five matches to play.
Basingstoke Town: April-Rose Charlton, Emma Broughton, Hannah Cook, Carla
Mullan, Michelle Beverley, Ayala Truelove, Beth Lowe, Katie Randell, Dorothy
Lillian Usher, Chelsea Pennock, Robyn Kelly. Subs: Katie Harding, Tamara Kelly.
Fleetlands Women: Jade Kibell, Tilley Cousins, Tilly Barr, Breana Seach, Kiera
Phelps, Chloe Dark, Millie McNamara, Hayley Foreman, Sarah Butterworth, Megan
McLeod, Emam Davis. Subs: Rosie O’Beirne,
Lauren Gerrish, Charlotte Wieczorek.

news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk Issue no. 22 - 17 February 2022