Page 11 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.27 2022-23

Woking 1 Woodley Utd 1
(Woodley won 3-0 on penalties)
Southern Region League Division One North
champions Woodley United progressed to the Final
of the Chairman's Cup via a penalty shootout win
over Woking after a very well contested 1-1 draw at
Woking College.
Playing their first match in over a month,
Woodley were pushed all the way by a very strong
Woking performance and were indebted to some
excellent work by keeper Sophie Cheadle to keep
them from falling behind and then adding two
penalty saves in the shoot out.
In front of a large crowd, the hosts started well,
pressing Woodley back in the early minutes but the
visitors gradually played their way into the match
which was largely even in the first quarter. Cheadle
made her first intervention on 23 minutes, moving Michelle Quinn is taken on by Rebecca Tiney
quickly to her left to save from Trudy Bryan-Kerr's (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
shot.
Megan Vincer was sent clear by a defensive error but Cheadle was out quickly to block
the shot on 29 minutes. Woodley had created some danger to Roz Markham's goal via well
flighted crosses and it was an Ellen Surtees free kick that the visitors nearly took the lead not
long before the break. Michelle Quinn rose highest to send in a header which bounced to safety
off the bar but the scoreline remained blank at the break.
Cheadle again came to Woodley's rescue with an acrobatic leap and strong hand to tip
over a goalbound shot soon after the restart. May Hamblin forced a good save by Markham
with a driven cross and the same two players were involved in a crucial moment in the tie on
74 minutes.
The Woking keeper handled outside her area under pressure from a through pass and
was shown a red card, Gemma Sims stepped up to measure the free kick over the wall giving
substitute keeper Maya Newsam no chance.
If that free kick was good, Woking's equaliser from another free kick was even better.
Sheena Nichol was around 30 yards from goal in a central position and drove a powerful shot
beyond Cheadle's dive and in off the underside of the bar to draw the hosts level.
Woking made light of their numerical disadvantage and gave as good as they got right till
the final whistle to force a penalty decision. Woodley converted three spot kicks very cleanly
whilst Cheadle saved the first two Woking efforts and then the third flew over the bar to end a
brave Cards effort. Both sides deserved the warm applause of their supporters for a very good
match but it it will be Woodley aiming for a league and cup 'double' at the end of the month.
Woking: Roz Markham, Sophie Burgess, Sian Hardaker, Trudy Bryan-Kerr, Lily Davis,
Sheena Nichol, Megan Vincer, Gracie Price, Niamh Martin, Efro Theocharous, Jas
Vanvooren. Subs: Ellie Boddy, Rebecca Tiney, Maya Newsam, Nichola Marr, Leah
Robertson.
Woodley Utd: Sophie Cheadle, Charley Evans, Holly Wilkins, Katie Hudson, Gemma Sims,
Michelle Quinn, Maddie Sawyer, Ellen Surtees, Mollie Steadman, May Hamblin, Sophie
Measham. Subs: Bonnie Messitt, Clara Stringer,
Steph Slann.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk