Ladies complete league double over Wycombe Wanderers

On a heavy pitch at Woodford Park where the game was switched to due to waterlogging at Bulmershe Pavilion, United’s second half display secured them a double over Wycombe Wanderers.

In a change of formation that saw Eva Thomas cause problems up front for the visiting defence ably supported by the wide play of Beks Lowes, United enjoyed the better of the opening twenty five minutes creating pressure and several chances that went wide of goal or comfortably stopped by Wanderers keeper Amy Batkin.

Wycombe were relying on the counter attack with two shots by Molly Brooks and Chante Innis handled by Nicole Haines before Niamh Potts broke down her right flank and shot past the advancing Haines to open the scoring after twenty six minutes.

United responded with a Thomas cross evading Rosie Page-Smith, Batkin denying Thomas and Page-Smith hitting the side netting in a four minute spell. The equaliser came two minutes from the break when following an Ellen Surtees free kick into the visitors’ penalty area, Woodley kept the pressure on the defence and where awarded a penalty following a handling offence. Page-Smith converted for the sixth consecutive game.

After surviving a scare in the opening minute of the restart when Innis shot wide, the second half saw United show greater urgency with Mollie Haines creating problems on the right flank and May Hamblin enjoying space on the left wing after a tactical change. It was fitting that both should score in keeping with their performances.

Hamblin gave Woodley the lead on sixty seven minutes when she prodded home another Surtees free kick which led to a good period of pressure by the home team with Lowes and Page-Smith involved in much of the United pressure, particular Lowes with her corner kicks.

It was one such corner seven minutes from time that Mollie Haines headed home to extend the lead while Innes pulled a goal back one minute from time United were deserved winners.

Next Sunday, United visit promotion chasing Barton Rovers at Rivers Club, Scours Lane, Tilehurst.