Not Triple H but United's Double MH

After a two week break, the Ladies returned to action and made hard work of defeating bottom of the league Winchester City Flyers Reserves and in doing so record an eight consecutive win to match the recent achievement of the men’s Sunday Reserves.

In the opening five minutes the team saw two chances go wide when first Mollie Haines headed wide from a corner and then May Hamblin steered her first time shot wide with just Flyers stand in keeper Nicole McNab to beat.

With Winchester on the back foot it was against the run of play they took the lead after a quarter of hours play. Flyers took a throw next to a corner flag on the United goal line and were able to work the ball to Elizabeth Reid who stole in from the left to fire unchallenged across Nicole Haines.

Immediately Woodley’s Ellie Vaughan headed an Ellen Surtees free kick wide but the lead was short lived for eight minutes when Mollie Haines cross low from the right for Hamblin to level at the far post.

An injury to Eva Vaughan saw the introduction of Jas Clarke for United on thirty one minutes with Clark being dangerous on either flank and going on to enjoy a good game.

United finished the half with a flourish that saw Rosie Page Smith have a shot cleared by McNab’s feet, Hamblin shooting wide, an effort cleared of the goal line following a corner and Maddie Sawyer putting the clearance wide. With the half coming to an end, Clark passed to Hamblin and in a move identical to the first goal, Hamblin crossed low from the right for Mollie Haines to score at the far post and give Woodley a 2-1 half time lead.

Flyers enjoyed the opening five minutes of the second half before they were constantly forced onto the back foot with Clarke instrumental on the right wing. However, the crucial third goal would not come. McNab dropped a cross and used her body to block the loose ball before Vaughan could react. McNab then punched well from a Page-Smith free kick while substitute Clara Stringer was lively up front but again saw efforts blocked by defenders and McNab denied Clarke her first goal for the club when parrying the shot to safety.

As the game was coming to an end the visitors rallied with Hannah Holloway, Sophie Bamforth and Kat Carver all shooting wide. However, United stood firm and recorded the points that takes them up to fourth place in the league on equal points with third place Barton Rovers who they host next Sunday.