ACTONIANS LADIES WIN AN ALL-MIDDLESEX FA CUP TIE
Six Middlesex FA affiliated clubs were scheduled to play in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup on Sunday last, 23rd October. Our roving team visited the all-Middlesex match at Rectory Park, between Actonians Ladies and Ashford Town (Middlesex).
Actonians made a good start and went ahead in the 6th minute. They continued to have the better of the exchanges and took a firm hold on the match with 2 more goals, just before the interval. Ashford Town fought back and reduced the deficit after 13 minutes of the second half. Actonians restored their 3 goal advantage 8 minutes later, to finish comfortable winners.
The visitors had an opening in the 5th minute but Ashley Cheatley dragged her shot wide.
Actonians went ahead in the 6th minute, through Natsumi Kanno’s speculative long range shot, which bounced awkwardly past the despairing keeper, before finding the corner of the net.
Lavana Neufville’s header from an Ashford corner was wide and then Actonians goalkeeper, Amy Butler made a good save from Ashley Cheatley.
Meila D’Santos collected Chimiro Ebine’s pass and hit a long-range shot, which cleared the Ashford crossbar. Sophie Shults was then forced to save at close range from Akane Miyoshi, after a defensive error.
Maria Ledezma-Viso’s low cross, following a good Actonians’ move produced a corner. Sophie Shults saved Meila D’Santos’ header from the corner kick.
Actonians were now looking very dangerous and were stretching the Ashford defence. A through pass by Dominika Netschova proved just too strong for Chimiro Ebine. Akane Miyoshi and Meila D’Santos both had good shots saved.
Meila D’Santos put Actonians two goals ahead, direct from a corner kick, in the 45th minute.
In added time, Maria Ledezma-Viso scored Actonians’ third goal with a screamer into the top corner of the net.
Score at half time: Actonians 3 Ashford Town (Middlesex) 0
Ashford Town immediately exerted considerable pressure in an attempt to reduce the deficit and forced several corners. Half time substitute, Kayleigh Currivan brought a good save from Amy Butler. Alissa Down also went close but her shot was deflected for a corner.
Lavana Neufville netted from close range for Ashford in the 58th minute.
Eight minutes later, Meila D’Santos re-established Actonians three goal lead and regained the initiative for them, when she netted in a melee following a corner kick.
Sophie Shults was brought into the subsequent action several times. She blocked a header from Meila and saved a drive from Natsumi Kanno.
Roschelle Shakes tried a shot from long range but missed the target. She then brought a low save from Sophie, after a probing run by Natsumi. Sophie made a brilliant save from Dominika Netschova and then pushed Natsumi’s drive over her crossbar.
Roschelle hit a long freekick through a crowd of players and just past the post. She then took another freekick which Sophie saved.
Final Score: Actonians 4 Ashford Town (Middlesex) 1
Referee Sam Gregory controlled the proceeding admirably, ably supported by his assistant referees.
Attendance: 50
TEAM LINE UPS:
Actonians: Amy Butler, Sarah Coomson (Jennie Brereton 52 min), Meila D’Santos, Jessica Drage, Chimiro Ebine, Naomi Graham (capt), Natsumi Kanno, Maria Ledezma-Viso, Akane Miyoshi (Roschelle Shakes 46), Dominika Netschova and Rhiannon Ishmael (Molly O’Reilly 58),
Unused substitutes: Jasmine Williamson, T’yana Nee-Chambers, Micaela Lopes and Georgia Goldsworthy.
Manager: Danny Harrigan Coaches: Sinead Friel, Max Buckmire-Munro and John Walsh Physio: Katy Taylor
Ashford Town (Middlesex): Sophie Shults, Jeta Bytyqi, Lavana Neufville, Alissa Down (capt), Ashley Cheatley, Aimee Durn, Elizabeth O’Callaghan (Millie Constantine 74), Isabel James (Kayleigh Currivan 46), Ellen Clarabut, Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins (Chloe Farrell 65) and Mara Deluca.
Unused substitutes: Hannah Duncan and Ellie Luscombe.
Manager: Matthew Aumeeruddy Coaches: Callum O’Connell and Anya Kinnane Sports Psychologist: Tia Prior Physio: Holly Symons.
Referee: Sam Gregory Assistant Referees: Ronaldo Butrus and Denis Hasanaj.
The other Middlesex clubs involved at this stage of the competition suffered mixed fortunes.
Enfield Town travelled to Wroxham and recorded a 3-0 win but unfortunately, Headstone Manor’s long journey to Ashford United in Kent was not as fruitful. They lost 4-0.
The home ties for QPR (v AFC Wimbledon) and Hounslow (v Clapton Community) fell foul of the weather and are now scheduled for Sunday next, 30th October.
Both of the Middlesex clubs that are definitely through to the First Round Proper have been drawn away. On Sunday, 13th November, Enfield Town are at Norwich City and Actonians visit AFC Stoneham.
We thank Chris and Jim for their time covering this match, as they completed an exciting day of cup action, having braved the wet weather in the morning for a County Cup match in Harrow, just across the road from our old Headquarters, they made the short trip to it's far more modern replacement to cover this Vitality FA Women's Cup tie. As has become customary, Chris and Jim have reviewed the images captured throughout the 90 minutes and selected their favourites which can be found throughout the report. Chris has alos very kindly supplied a full album of imagery from the match.
