Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.19 2022-23

Leatherhead 0 Denham Utd 2
Denham United jumped two places in the London
& South East Regional League Division One
North table with a fine 2-0 away win at
Leatherhead.
A quickfire double strike late in the first half
gave the visitors an advantage which they
preserved superbly in the face of strong Tanners
pressure for much of the second half.
Leatherhead started the match strongly,
creating some dangerous situations especially
down the right side where Ava Davenport found
space and time to cross several times. Denham
were always dangerous on the counter attack
however and Jessica Gyamfi-Osew went close
with a lobbed effort which dropped just wide on Phoebe Smith under pressure from Cassie Brown
14 minutes. (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
The hosts nearly took the lead through Ella
Moxley but Denham keeper Zara Butt was out quickly to block the shot on 25 minutes.
Despite good build up play, Leatherhead's final ball and shooting from distance were
often less than threatening and Denham had the edge in both aspects of play.
Amie Hewitt was very active in midfield for Denham and delivered dangerous set
pieces, one of which led to the opening goal on 36 minutes. An inviting free kick from the
left was met with a neat finish by Lauren Cox. The visitors grew in confidence and a fine
passing move set Jenny Nagle free to loft an excellent finish beyond the advancing Chloe
Donellan on 41 minutes.
Faced with a big task on the restart, Leatherhead set about penning Denham back
with determination. Getting the ball forward early, several times the attackers were
through on goal but nearly always a Denham defender got in a crucial block or clearance.
Alicia Christie was the closest to getting a goal back, forcing a fine save from the
advancing Butt on 61 minutes with a follow up shot flying high and wide.
Denham were still threatening on the counter and Donellan was forced into good
save to deny Hewitt and Cox as the match entered the final ten minutes, Leatherhead
never stopped their high intensity efforts to win the ball early in midfield and get crosses
in but such was the resolve of skipper Rachel Keightley and every Denham defender to
preserve their clean sheet that every Tanner attack ended in frustration.
Denham thus moved level on points with Leatherhead in mid-table after a very
impressive display in a match of high tempo from both sets of players.
Leatherhead: Chloe Donellan, Affrika Alberts, Tanya Dady, Leia Sherrin, Ava
Davenport, Amelia Brien, Kacie-May Harlow, Alicia Christie, Eva Keen, Ella Bale, Ella
Moxley. Subs: Jaime Paige, Lucy Hearn, Ocean Garmen, Meghan Button, Cassie Brown.
Denham Utd: Zara Butt, Ella Greenwood, Megan Kennedy, Annie Hewitt, Rachel
Keightley, Jessica Gyamfi-Osew, Ella King, Lauren Cox, Jenny Nagle, Becki Currivan,
Jo Torr. Subs: Chloe Smith, Phoebe Smith,
Amna Butt.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk