Page 31 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.1 2022-23

Portsmouth 2 Watford 0
Football resumed after paying its respects to the late Queen Elizabeth on a damp mild evening at
Westleigh Park as Portsmouth took on visitors Watford in a FAWNL Southern Premier Division
encounter. Pompey started superbly, fully deserving a two-goal interval lead but also had to dig
in for much of the second half to secure the win against strong Watford pressure.
A much changed Portsmouth line up from last season were quickly into a rhythm, passing
crisply and repeatedly winning the ball back with decisive play. The opening goal on ten minutes
was a beautifully timed run by Dani Lane at the far post to meet a left wing cross and power a
header beyond Georgie Ferguson's dive.
Another newcomer to the team added the second on 20 minutes. Nicole Barrett cleverly
made space to fire in a low shot from the edge of the area which Ferguson got a hand to but the
ball went in via a post.
Watford started to react as the half reached a close, Gemma Davison seeing more of the ball
in dangerous areas and it took a fine save from Hannah Haughton on 43 minutes to preserve
Pompey's two goal lead. Helen Ward escaped the defence to close in on goal but Haughton was
out quickly to block her low shot.
Watford continued to press after the break with Haughton denying former Pompey player
Jade Bradley and sub Flo Fyfe going close with a shot from a tight angle but in general the home
defence was well disciplined strong in the tackle. In fact, it was Watford keeper Ferguson who was
forced into several good saves as Pompey were quick on the counter and accurate with quickly
taken shots from distance.
After an entertaining contest, fast paced and of good quality between two unbeaten teams
it was the hosts, with a fine all round performance, who rose to second place in the table behind
early Southern Division leaders Oxford United.
Portsmouth: Hannah Haughton, Nicole Barrett, Jazz Younger, Danielle Rowe, Rosie
McDonnell, Dani Lane, Ava Rowbotham, Annie Rolf, Tierney Scott, Emma Jones, Sophie Quirk.
Subs: Ella Wild, Izzy Collins, Taylor MacDonald, Leanne Bell, Mae Goulden.
Watford: Georgie Ferguson, Emily Wallace, Anne Meiwald, Annie-Lee Rossiter, Gemma
Davison, Helen Ward, Andria Georgiou, Megan Chandler, Poppy Wilson, Allison Murphy, Jade
Bradley. Subs: Nicola Gibson, Adekite Fatuga-Dada, Melis Mehmet, Flo Fyfe, Kalani Peart.
Report by Patrick Higgins

Gloucestershire League
The early exchanges suggest that Division One could turn out to be a closely fought one this
season, with two draws and two odd-goal wins in the four matches played. Cheltenham
Saracens sit as opening day leaders following their 2-1 success away to Dursley Town, with
Kelly Adams and Lauren Wyatt scoring their goals. Meanwhile, Beth Clatworthy netted the goal
during the first half for Bristol & West in their win against Tuffley Rovers. Bishop's Cleeve
staged a second half fightback to earn a 2-2 draw against Bristol Rovers Development,
Annabel Jones and Saffron O'Brien scoring to earn them a share of the spoils after a Helena Costa
brace had put Rovers two ahead at half time. Things were also tight at Gloucester City where
the home side scored through Chloe Golding and Beth Smith in their 2-2 draw with Bitton,
whose scorers were Edie Hopton and Anna Munday.
AEK Boco Res took the opening day honours in Division Two, thanks to a 6-3 win away
to Longlevens. Shania Powell led the scoring with a hat-trick, Shelby Lacey weighed in with a
brace and Hattie Whiteford was also on target, with Lauren Mills hitting a hat-trick in reply.
Gemma Riley (2) and Daniella Eden accounted for the goals as Cheltenham Civil Service ran
out 3-0 winners at Downend Flyers Res. Anna Toporkiewicz, Sarah Rayworth and an own goal
helped Cirencester Town to a 3-1 victory over Whitchurch & Bristol, Jessica Taylor
replying, meanwhile Issey Cannon hit a hat-trick as Red Falcon Club defeated Bradley Stoke
3-1, Hannah Powell scoring a consolation for the visitors. Miranda Smith netted the only goal of
the game as Gloucester City Development won their local derby against City of Gloucester.
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