Mansfield Road take the points

A disappointing result for Woodley United FC especially as they dominated the opening fifteen minutes putting the visitors defence under much pressure only to fall behind due to a defensive error allowing Mansfield Road to score with their first attack at goal on fifteen minutes through Celia Deer.

The goal saw play become more even with United failing to display much tempo that allowed Mansfield Road to keep their shape and play deep and hit the hosts on the counter attack which they did on thirty two minutes only for Deer to shoot wide after good play by Holly Bridge while Dannielle Perryman cleared off her own goal line five minutes from the break following a visitors corner.

United finished the half on a high with Rosie Page-Smith firing wide on forty three minutes and moments later shooting at Zipora Carapeto in the Mansfield goal.

Despite the scare of Lucie Bowden firing wide one minute after the restart with only Woodley’s keeper Emily Sherwood to beat, Woodley started the second half well and was highlighted by good play involving Page-Smith and Jess Grimmett that result in Ellen Surtees seeing her first time going over the cross bar.

However, the good work was undone in the space of three minutes when Bowden was not closed down and allowed to score from distance after fifty five minutes to be followed by Sarah Collins heading home from a corner.

With the introduction of double substitutes Morgan Merryweather and Nicole Haines, United played with greater pace for the remaining half hour with Page-Smith twice hitting the woodwork and seeing another effort blocked on the goal line while Sab Kulan’s long mazy run saw her find the side netting. However, the home side was unable to convert the pressure into goals and were left to reflect on defensive mistakes that were punished.