Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.22 2022-23

Abbey Rangers 1 AFC Stoneham 0
Abbey Rangers continued their improving
Southern Region League Division One South
form with a hard earned victory over AFC
Stoneham, their fourth win in the last five
league matches.
Stoneham arrived with five league wins
out of six chasing leaders Badshot Lea with
games in hand but were frustrated ny the
hosts and fell to Issy Saunders' second half
goal.
The opening twenty five minutes were
dominated by defences with Stoneham having
the greater share of the ball going forward but
unable to break through the home defence. A Chloe Marshall under pressure from Ellie Fawcus-Smith
(www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
dangerous free kick was punched clear under
pressure by keeper Natalie Jones on 18 minutes but goalmouth action was at a premium.
On 43 minutes, the visitors very nearly took the lead when Jones turned a close
range volley over the bar with a strong hand, a fine save to keep the scores level at the
break.
Abbey stepped up their attacking intent on the restart and put together some good
moves down both wings. Megan McGarvey on the right was very active with some
accurate crosses and set pieces putting pressure on the Stoneham defence.
Saunders made the breakthrough for Abbey, following up on an initial save by
Hollie Keefe from a long range shot to turn the ball home on 62 minutes.
There was still plenty of time for Stoneham to hit back and the visitors certainly
exerted prolonged periods on pressure on the Abbey goal. The home defence was
resolute, challenging for every ball and clearing their lines at every opportunity.
Stoneham skipper Abbie Awdas went close with a couple of free kicks awarded on the
edge of the area and the ball bobbled around in front of Jones' goal several times without
a purple shirt being able to find a finish.
An intense finale to a good contest saw Abbey relieve the pressure with some good
breakaway attacks and take all three points to lift them three places into third. With five
of the seven teams in the division currently covered by a single point, Stoneham still have
games in hand on all their rivals to challenge for top spot in a very competitive league.
Abbey Rangers: Natalie Jones, Izzy Gleiwitz, Mel Anders, Ella MacLellan, Ellie
Fawcus-Smith, Lucie Hill, Issy Saunders, Megan McGarvey, Lauren Timbrell, Jess
Tripp, Rebecca Burtenshaw. Sub: Bethany Anders.
AFC Stoneham: Hollie Keefe, Sophie Hawkes, Nicola Curtis, Bethany Tuck, Lauren
Harper, Emily Dancer, Chloe Marshall, Abbie Awdas, Susani Lucas, Charlotte
Gatehouse, Madison Payne. Subs: Chloe Melton, Jenna Sutton, Maia Grannum,
Rebecca Moody, Emma Fowles.

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