Fine comeback see Ladies progress in League Cup

An outstanding performance by all eleven Woodley players, no substitutes due to absences, to come form 3-1 down in the first half to secure victory six minutes form the end of extra time.

Playing into the wind and sun during the first half United was quickly under pressure to the long ball tactic of Ascot that was chased down constantly by their forwards. However, before the opening goal Ascot hit the home cross bar while the hosts saw a shot cleared of the visitors’ goal line. Amy Woollard opened the scoring only for a turn and shot by Rosie Page-Smith level the scores three minutes later.

Two goals in ten minutes by Georgina Bowers, both unmarked in the Woodley penalty area saw Ascot take the lead seven minutes from the break as the home team struggled to make headway into the wind, but a May Hamblin run and shot from the edge of the penalty area reduced the lead and gave Woodley a foot hold for the second half.

Lifted by Hamblin’s goal, Woodley dominated the second half helped by a change of formation and Sophie Ali going to right back where she had an outstanding game restricting the left wing threat of the visitors.

Hamblin was dangerous when in possession and had a goal disallowed for off side while she had another effort blocked and the follow up header handled but play waved on. Both teams had an effort cleared of the line before Woodley got the equaliser through Page-Smith on seventy four minutes. Ellen Surtees fired over towards the end but the match went into extra time with the score level at three all.

Playing into the wind and sun again Mollie Haines gave the home side the best start after one minute when she beat the advancing Ascot keeper Aysa Flack from distance with a shot that trickled into the net.

The closest Ascot came to levelling were two free kicks that Bonnie Messitt comfortably dealt with, but they were level a minute after the restart with Bowers completing her hat trick. With Hamblin still full of running she set up Mollie Haines who fired over before passing to Page-Smith to enable the forward to complete her second hat trick of the season and secure Woodley victory. The match ended on a disappointing note with both Flack and Page-Smith receiving treatment off the pitch following a fifty-fifty challenge.

Woodley now host Southampton Women in the next round on 23rd October 2016.