Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.3 2012-22

Fast-start Woking edge Cup derby

Woking Ladies 2 Abbey Rangers 1
Two early goals were just enough to see Woking
through to the Second Qualifying Round of the
Vitality Women's FA Cup at the expense of local
rivals Abbey Rangers after an exciting match in
the best traditions of the competition.
Both teams compete in the Southern
Region League Division One with Woking having
been promoted from the Thames Valley Counties
League and the contest was very even
throughout. Abbey pulled a goal back before the
break and had several chances to draw level but
the hosts prevailed.
Jo Harfield-Brown may well have scored
the first goal in the 2021-22 competition with a
composed finish after breaking clear of the Farrah-Lily Yewings under pressure from Gemma Luke
Abbey defence in the first attack of the game.
(www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
Woking looked dangerous with every move in the
opening stages and doubled their lead with a very similar finish, this time from Kaitlyn
Howard on 15 minutes.
Abbey keeper Carla Hobbs was very busy, moving quickly off her line to sweep up
through passes and gradually her team played their way into the match, creating their first
real chances just after the half hour, Isobel Saunders and Gemma Martin having shots just
over the bar.
Hobbs made a fine save from Howard who had again got clear on 41 minutes and
Abbey reduced the deficit right on half time when Saunders chased down and blocked an
attempted clearance which rebounded into the net.
Encouraged by this, Abbey started the second half well. Woking keeper Teri Harfield-
Brown made a fine save to deny Saunders on 55 minutes and Melissa Anders went close with
a header from the resulting corner.
Both teams pushed hard for the crucial fourth goal of the match, Woking forcing
several corners and brought the best out of Hobbs with powerful shots from distance. At the
other end, Abbey worked a number of fine openings with good passing moves to release wide
players. The clearest chance fell to Martin on 85 minutes but her effort from ten yards flew
wide of the Woking net.
The hosts saw out time very effectively to seal their progress after a well contested
match at the Kingfield home of Woking FC. Both teams lived up to the setting and the
enthusiastic support given throughout.
Woking Ladies: Teri Harfield-Brown, Kate Davies, Jade Barclay, Megan Vincer, Ellie
Butterwick, Trudy Bryan-Kerr, Sian Hardaker, Kaitlyn Howard, Gemma Luke, Jo
Harfield-Brown, Hester Benham. Subs: Louise Withers, Sophie Burgess, Ella Smith, Mia
Dempsey, Shelley Hankins.
Abbey Rangers: Carla Hobbs, Farrah-Lilly Yewings, Georgina Mudd, Shannon Byrne,
Melissa Anders, Steph Sale, Rebecca Burtenshaw, Bethany Easterman, Lauren Timbrell,
Isobel Saunders, Gemma Martin. Subs: Bethany
Anders, Heather Heade.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk Issue no. 3 - 16 September 2021