Woodley United’s Mark Rozzier reports how the Southern League side baptised their new kit and opened their competitive fixtures with an FA Cup victory over Brentford.
SSE Women’s FA Cup – 1st Qualifying Round – 6th September 2015
Woodley United 2 (1) v Brentford Women 0 (0)
Jess Grimmett
Ellen Surtees
Woodley United show off their new kit sponsored by KJ Smith Solicitors.
Woodley United deservedly progressed into the second qualifying round of SSE Women’s FA Cup with a solid team performance against Brentford [Greater London League Premier Diviison), in what was the team’s first competitive match of the season.
With a much changed squad from last season with many of the Reserve players promoted into the first team, United were the dominant team from the off, in a match delayed by 15 minutes due to the visitors being delayed in traffic.
The early chances fell to the hosts with Jess Grimmett heading wide from a Rosie Page-Smith free-kick, Ellen Surtees having a shot unorthodoxly kicked clear by Brentford keeper Sarah Collins, who then made a double save from Louise Thompson after 20 minutes. During this period, Brentford created the one chance which bounced off stand-in keeper Bonnie Messitt’s knees.
United opened the scoring on 26 minutes when Kate Hardie played a short corner to Page-Smith, who returned the ball to Hardie to cross to the far post where Grimmett scored from inside the six-yard box.
The lead could have been doubled with the dangerous Page-Smith breaking free, only to be tackled as she prepared to shoot, with Mollie Hainesfiring firing wide and Surtees shooting over the bar.
Surtees made amends 2 minutes after the restart when good play by Grimmett and Page-Smith saw the latter cross for Surtees to fire home unmarked in the penalty area.
Having extended the lead, United proceeded to play with purpose, keeping its shape and pressing their opponents all over the pitch, making it difficult for Brentford to settle and have any sustained period of play. The closest the visitors came to scoring was 9 minutes from time but Gemma Bloor cleared in a goalmouth scramble.
The win sees Woodley now host another Greater London Premier side in Queens Park Rangers Development on 20th September 2015.
Woodley open their Southern League Premier Division programme this Sunday against Newbury at Henley Town FC (2pm KO), while Brentford entertain Colne Valley with a 1pm start at Lampton School.
You too can tell your team’s SSE Women’s FA Cup story! Contact [email protected]
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