The annual trials week for the Army Women’s Representative side took place during September, playing against two London-based Women’s Premier League clubs, resulting in two wins for Head Coach Margaret McAteer’s team.
Queens’ Park Rangers were the first visitors to the Aldershot Military Stadium on a cool Tuesday night. Pte Ashleigh Rae and Cfn Kelly Aldridge proved an effective partnership up-front, causing Rangers several problems throughout the evening.
Army took the lead mid-way through the first half, and then doubled it a minute later with Rae and Aldridge getting on the scoresheet. After the break, LCpl Abi Hart increased the Army’s lead with a low, piercing shot into the corner of the net.
QPR had an opportunity to get on the board when they were awarded a penalty, but this was superbly saved by ‘keeper Gnr Jessica Horsley. Minutes later and Army were awarded a spot-kick, with Aldridge slamming it past the goalkeeper for her second of the game.
In the final ten minutes, Hart and Cpl Hayley Sloan completed the rout on QPR.
Final Score: Army 6 QPR 0
Player of the Match: Sig Laura Murray
The second match saw the visit of AFC Wimbledon, currently top of the South East Division 1 of the Women’s Premier League. Expecting a tougher test than earlier in the week, Margaret McAteer rotated her squad, introducing several new players.
Inside the opening quarter-hour, LCpl Anneka Reay’s scuffed shot rolled past a surprised goalkeeper and into the net to give the Army the lead, however this only lasted until the 27th minute, when a low driving shot beat Cpl Nicola O’Donnell into the bottom corner.
However, this was only a temporary setback, as LCpl Oliver Dixon rifled a superb 25-yard shot high into the top corner of the net to restore the Army’s lead.
After the break, and the Army doubled their lead as Aldridge’s shot took a slight deflection, taking it past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Twenty minutes later and Aldridge got her second of the night, following a superb cross by LCpl Micha Taylor.
Sloan rounded off the scoring with 10 minutes to go, as she also headed home from close range following an Army corner kick.
The full time whistle was greeted to great applause by supporters.
Final Score: Army 5 AFC Wimbledon 1
Player of the Match: WO2 Kristina Wright
The Army Women’s Representative Team open their Southern Counties league campaign at Aldershot Military Stadium to Middlesex FA on Wednesday 19 October, kick off 19:45.
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Triallists
Gnr Jessica HORSLEY (GK)
Musn Catriona CHRISTIE (GK)
Cpl Nicola O’DONNELL (GK)
Cfn Kelly ALDRIDGE
Lt Emma ASKINS
Sgt Louise BANTON
Cfn Ashleigh BECKETT
SSgt Juliette BROWN
Pte Kayleigh DAWE
LCpl Oliver DIXON
Spr Amy DOYLE
Sgt Nicola FRIAR
Gnr Leanne HAMILTON
LCpl Abi HART
Pte Claire HODGSON
Cpl Mandy KIDD
Gnr Melanie MAGEE
Sig Laura MURRAY
Capt Danielle PYE
Pte Ashleigh RAE
LCpl Anneka REAY
Spr Annalise RYAN
Cpl Hayley SLOAN
Cpl Zoe STEWART
LCpl Micha TAYLOR
Cpl Jessica TREHARNE
LCpl Terri TROWBRIDGE
WO2 Kristina WRIGHT
England v France
Fri, 21 Oct 2016
8:00pm, Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster
Prices
Adults £7.50
Children/Conc £3.50
Family of 4 £15 (2 adults + 2 children)
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