The Middlesex Ladies representative team hosted its Jersey FA counterparts in the opening match in defence of the Southern Counties Women’s Competition title, which it won last season. 

We were very pleased to welcome the contingent from Jersey for their second appearance at Rectory Park.   They last visited us, for our first ever meeting with them in the Southern Counties Competition, almost exactly a year ago, when they were making a welcome return to the Competition.   They had previously entered in seasons 2018-19 and 2019-20.   However, the sides didn’t meet during either of those campaigns, as the Competition was then initially divided into 2 groups and Jersey were in the South Group along with Kent, Sussex and the Royal Navy, while Middlesex were in the North Group.  Before that, we had only met once before, in a friendly on 25th April, 2004, which Middlesex won 7-1 at home.

Last season’s match was very closely contested and finished goalless but contained plenty of incident.   Middlesex had the majority of chances but failed to convert any of them.   Then, as the game progressed and we pushed forward in search of a winning goal, we left spaces, which Jersey almost exploited on several occasions.

This season’s contest was very different.   Middlesex produced a stunning performance to go 6-0 up before the interval.   They added 4 more goals in the second half to finish 10-0 winners.   Although Middlesex were excellent value for their goals, it was a result which our visitors did not deserve.   They are not a poor side and play an attractive passing game but they were unfortunate to encounter the speedy Middlesex strikers in top form.   It is to their credit that their heads didn’t go down and they competed right up to the final whistle.

The Jersey goalkeeper, Jessica Vallis was soon in action, saving at Jenny Nagle’s feet from Guisy Carnevale’s cross.

Ashley Cheatley opened the scoring for Middlesex in the 7th minute, when she picked up a through pass and outpaced her markers, before placing the ball past Jessica.

Middlesex continued on the offensive.  Central defender, Anya Kinnane went up-field for Alissa Down’s corner and headed over the crossbar.   Then a good move set up Jenny Nagle, who fired too high.   Then Mara Bramwell headed over from a corner.

Middlesex went 2-0 up in the 24th minute.   Aimee Durn’s shot, after she had burst run through the middle of the defence, was parried by the goalkeeper and Jasmine Williamson netted the rebound.

Ashley’s pace put her in good positions twice within the 30th minute.   She shot into the side netting from a rebound, after Jenny Nagle’s shot was blocked and then fired narrowly wide from close range.

Jessica Vallis pushed Giusy Carnevale’s shot over the crossbar.

Ashley drove the third Middlesex goal home from the edge of the penalty box in the 33rd minute.

In the 40th minute, Alissa hit the fourth goal with a rocket from around 30 yards, which Jessica got a hand to but couldn’t stop.

Two minutes later Ashley took Anya’s pass and ran through to set up Lavana Neufville to make the score 5-0.

On the stroke of halftime, Lavana set up Alice Curr, who crashed the ball into the net for the 6th Middlesex goal.

Halftime score: Middlesex 6   Jersey 0

Jessica Vallis was soon in action, making a great double save from Aimee Durn and then Kasha Petit.   Aimee’s shot from the resulting corner went just wide.

Jenny Nagle took advantage of some hesitancy in defence to net Middlesex’s 7th goal in the 52nd minute.

Some good Jersey approach work presented Hannah Lynam with a good scoring opportunity but she didn’t connect well enough to trouble Emma Vigolo.

Kasha Petit made the score 8-0 from close range in the 56th minute.

The speedy Jasmine Williamson was now playing a prominent part in the action.    She made a penetrating run to set up Sofia Harris, who was thwarted by some good defending.

A great through ball from Jasmine enabled Lavana to score Middlesex’s 9th goal in the 66th minute.

Jasmine then had two scoring attempts, which were both foiled by the busy Jessica Vallis’ excellent saves.  Jessica stopped a low drive and then she dived at Jasmine’s feet for a brave close-range stop.

Jessica made some more good saves as Jersey continued their task of keeping their hosts at bay.

With 2 minutes remaining, Jasmine was rewarded with her 2nd  goal and Middlesex’s 10th, after Alissa’s clever back heel had created the opening.

Referee Ali Matour controlled the proceedings very well, ably supported by his Assistant Referees.

Final score: Middlesex 10   Jersey 0

Middlesex FA President, Barbara Bivens, performing her first official function in the role, welcomed the Jersey FA players and officials and complimented them on the quality of their play and on their fighting spirit and impeccable behaviour.

In reply, Jimmy Kelly, who is the Chair of the Jersey FA Board, complimented the Middlesex team on their exceptional performance and stressed that his players and management were not downhearted by the result and were treating the experience as part of their development process.

Jimmy was accompanied by Football Services Manager, Jonathan Le Fondre and Referee Development Co-ordinator Harry Walker, who assists Chad Morris with the team.

Barbara presented Aimee Durn with her Middlesex FA County Cap, to mark the 6th appearance, which she made in the final match of last season.

TEAM LINE UPS: 

Middlesex: Emma Vigolo (Ashford Town (Middlesex)), Alice Curr (QPR), Giuseppina Carnevale, Gabby Bishop, (both Ashford Town (Middlesex)), Anya Kinnane (Farnham Town) (capt), Mara Bramwell (Actonians), Ashley Cheatley (Brentford), Aimee Durn (London Bees), Jenny Nagle (Denham United), Alissa Down (Ashford Town (Middlesex)) and Jasmine Williamson (Actonians).

Rolling Substitutes: Rachel Keightley and Sofia Harris (both Denham United), Lavana Neufville (Ashford Town (Middlesex)), Mai Louvrier and Kasha Petit (both QPR).

Manager: Craig Nicholson   Coaches: Ashwin Rajakumar and Sue Kumaning   GK Coach: Jacob Ballheimer   Physio: Scott Everley.

Jersey: Jessica Vallis, Poppy Benest, Sofia Rodrigues, Holly Muirhead (capt), Ella Brennand, Daniella Da Silva, Macey Wyse, Megan Wood, Aine Ruth, Leah Morris and Roisin Flynn.

Rolling Substitutes: Ella Docherty, Samantha Silver and Hannah Lynam.

Head Coach: Chad Morris   Coach: Harry Walker.

Referee: Ali Matour   Assistant Referees: Benjamin Wong and Isabelle Wong.

Report: Jim Taylor.

Photography: Chris Benn

PICKS

FULL SET