Cambridge United Women (2) – QPR FC Women (3)

FA Women’s National League Division One (South-East)

Team: Melling, Curr, Searle, Owen, Blodgett, Lewin, Webster, Hill, Stanley, Akerman, Petit

Subs: Cohen, Ward-Chambers, Shephard, Nygaard-Parsons

Sammy collected me from outside Park Royal Station, and we arrived in good time at the Premier Plus Stadium, the home of St. Neots Town. 

The U’s took the lead within five minutes. A ball from the left was knocked behind and the resulting corner was headed home by Abbie Jackson.

The home side doubled their lead just a few minutes later when Alysha Stojko-Down was well-placed to finish from close range.

Rangers began to grow into the game and after 30 minutes, Lauren Webb made a superb point-blank save.

Four minutes later, Katie Akerman’s free kick was pushed behind for a corner. 

The R’s pulled a goal back on 38 minutes after Ellie Searle had got to the bye-line. Her cross into the box ended up in the back of the net via a United defender. 

Cambridge really should have increased their lead following a corner. The No.9 somehow put the ball wide from the edge of the six-yard box!

At the other end, Rangers went close to an equaliser, when the ball was cleared off the goal-line and immediately after, the referee blew the half-time whistle.

Ten minutes or so into the second-half, Emily Hill superbly set-up Grace Stanley and the R’s striker then took just one touch before finishing. 

Jo Blodgett provided some excellent defending from just outside the box, when she took hold of the ball, then evaded an opponent before setting up a Rangers attack.

Grace Stanley’s shot from outside the area was well saved by Lauren Webb. 

Emily Hill scored what was to be the winning goal after 62 minutes. Her audacious effort from around 30 yards sailed over Lauren Webb and into the net.

The home side then upped their game, but the R’s successfully negotiated the final period of the match.

Now up to third place, Steve Quashie’s side then travelled to the Robert Parker Stadium to take on Ashford Town.

Steve Russell