The Middlesex Ladies representative team continued its defence of the Southern Counties Women’s Competition title, on the evening of Wednesday, 15th January.  We visited Gay Dawn Farm, the home ground of Corinthian FC, in Fawkham near Sevenoaks, to play Kent Ladies, for the 3rd game of this season’s competition for both Associations.

Kent had lost their previous two matches, 3-0 to The Army at the Aldershot Military Stadium and 3-1 to Jersey at Hollands & Blair FC’s ground in Gillingham.

Middlesex had recorded two victories, 10-0 at home against Jersey and 4-2  against Essex at Aveley FC.

Last season’s meeting in the Competition between the two sides was memorable for the manner in which both sets of players defied some appallingly wet conditions to produce a high-quality match at Ashford Town (Middlesex) FC’s Robert Parker Stadium.  The final score was 3-1 to Middlesex.

Since it started in 1998, Kent have won the Competition outright on 3 occasions, in 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2017/18.   Also, they were declared joint holders with Essex in 2020, when Covid 19 repeatedly prevented a final being played between the two group winners.   Middlesex lifted the trophy in 1998/99, 2014/15, 2018/19 and again last season.

Middlesex Ladies and their Kent counterparts had met on 15 previous occasions, with Middlesex winning 10 times to Kent’s 4.   Middlesex had scored 42 goals to Kent’s 17.

An enjoyable and keenly contested match, with both sides playing attractive thoughtful football, in slightly misty conditions, saw Middlesex producing the better of the scoring chances.   However, they wasted some good opportunities and were also thwarted by some solid defensive work.   The home goalkeeper, Sade Rider was in fine form, making some excellent saves.   Kent also had their chances and the final result remained uncertain for much of the match.    Middlesex went ahead in the 58th minute and made the game relatively safe in the 73rd minute.   The match, which was well handled by referee Mark Jenkins, was played in a sporting manner and was a credit to the Competition.

Middlesex goalkeeper, Emma Vigolo was in action in the 2nd minute, diving to save a low shot from Layla Crouch-Salmon.   Play then switched to the other end of the pitch, where Ashley Cheatley went past 2 defenders before firing wide.

The home keeper, Sade Rider saved at Ashley’s feet, from Jenny Nagle’s through ball.

Emma Vigolo pushed Daniella Schmitd De Menezes’s shot, from outside the penalty area, around the post.

The visitors mounted a series of attacks.   Sade Rider saved from Jenny Nagle, following Alissa Down’s cross.   Jenny netted but was adjudged offside.   Renai McCrea burst through the middle but was thwarted by Sade’s legs.

A timely tackle by Layla Crouch-Salmon saved the situation for Kent, after Ashley had been released by Guisy Carnevale.  Renai cleared the crossbar from close range.  Jenny Nagle headed against a post from Alissa Down’s corner kick.

Layla Crouch-Salmon went on a penetrative run and fired across the Middlesex goal and just outside the far post.   She then finished another run with a shot, which Emma Vigolo took high up.

Ashley Cheatley took the ball from her half and cut in but shot wide.   She worked through the home rearguard again before being foiled by a timely tackle.

Halftime score: Kent 0   Middlesex 0

Middlesex immediately resumed their attack.   A good move, involving Renai McCrea and Kayleigh Currivan, was concluded with Sade Rider saving from Ashley Cheatley.

Alissa Down hit a freekick from 25 yards into the defensive wall.

Emma Vigolo saved low down from Layla Crouch-Salmon.

Another well worked move finished with Kayleigh Currivan shooting straight at the keeper.   However, almost immediately, in the 58th minute, Kayleigh shot low into the corner of the net from Ashley’s pass, to give Middlesex the lead.

Jaz Williamson ran through the middle of the Kent defence and fired narrowly wide.

Kent came close to equalising.   Amelia Bate won possession after a misunderstanding in the visitors’ defence and set up Layla, who hit the crossbar.

Middlesex went back onto the attack and continued to produce some good build-ups.   Sade Rider made a fine save from Jenny Nagle’s 30-yard shot.   Sade then saved at point-blank range from Ashley, who had been set up by Alissa Down.

Mara Bramwell headed home from Alissa’s corner, to double Middlesex’s lead in the 73rd minute.

This completed the scoring.   However, Kent enjoyed a spell of pressure, during which they forced consecutive corners and Amelia Bate brought another good save from Emma Vigolo.  

Middlesex also had further chances.   Martha Riley and Guisy Carnevale both went close.   Ashley Cheatley was denied by another excellent save by Sade Rider and then a timely tackle by Layla Crouch-Salmon.

Final score: Kent 0   Middlesex 2

After the match, the Middlesex FA President, Barbara Bivens and Team Manager, Craig Nicholson presented Kayleigh Currivan with her County Cap to mark her 6th appearance and Jaz Williamson with a medal following her 4th outing.

TEAM LINE UPS: 

Kent: Sade Rider, Billy Burgess, Daniella Schmitd De Menezes, Elsa Ejupi, Beth Senior, Faith Cullen-Cooper, Emma Healy, Milly Penfold, Gabby Buddle-Smith, Nicole Pepper-Scott (capt) and Amelia Bate.

Rolling Substitutes: Lauren Farley, Kurys Baker, Layla Crouch-Salmon, Steph Adby and Holly Diamond.

Middlesex: Emma Vigolo (Ashford Town (Middx)), Guisy Carnevale (MK Dons), Renai McCrea, Mai Louvrier (both QPR), Mara Bramwell (Actonians), Hannah Duncan (Ashford Town (Middx)), Jaz Williamson (Actonians), Alissa Down (Brentford) (capt), Jenny Nagle (Denham United), Ashley Cheatley (Brentford) and Yasmin Dixon (QPR).

Rolling Substitutes: Rachel Keighley, Kayleigh Currivan (both Denham United), Gabby Bishop and Martha Riley (both Ashford Town (Middx)). 

Manager: Craig Nicholson   

Coaches: George Wells, Ashwin Rajakumar and Jacob Ballheimer   

Physio: Scott Everley.

Referee: Mark Jenkins   

Assistant Referees: Keith Taylor and Michael Jones   

4th Official: Adam Peters. 

Report: Jim Taylor

Photography: Chris Benn

PICKS

FULL SET