Ladies go top of league!

Woodley United Ladies went top of the Southern Region Women’s Football League Premier Division with a one nil win at Basingstoke Town. Whereas in previous games it has been the team’s free flowing and high scoring that has won matches, this win owed much to concentration, defensive prowess and team work as it soon became clear that a single goal would be enough to take the points.

Continuing her excellent start to the season, Sab Kulan led the defence with presence and such was the back fours play that keeper Lisa Phillips had a quiet afternoon and United had one scare in the first half when the hosts broke one on one only to shoot wide of Phillips left post.

Similarly United rarely tested the home custodian Erin Davis but they always looked the more likely to score with efforts from Jess Grimmett and Nicola Froud going wide and a number of corners forced.

With the influential Grimmett forced off through injury after twenty five minutes skipper Froud rose to the challenge by having an increasing influence in the middle of the park assisted by debutants Louise Thompson and Mollie Haines.

The second half saw United enjoy the greater possession which resulted in Sarah Davern firing wide when maybe a pass to the unmarked Laura Woodley would have been a better option while Renai Bird agonisingly failed to make contact with Woodley’s pass that skidded off the wet surface across the goal area.

With a draw looking increasingly likely United were awarded a free kick five minutes from time outside the Basingstoke penalty area. Having had two assists the previous week from her free kicks, Froud once again stepped up, but rather than float the ball into the penalty area she fired the ball in low towards goal where it took a deflection from a defender and go into the far side netting to give the visitors all three points.