Ladies progress to a second cup semi-final

Woodley United Ladies progressed into a second cup semi-final of the season with a 6-1 win over Barton Rovers, the only team to have defeated United in the league this season.

Apart for a twenty minute spell following taking the lead midway through the first half this was a comfortable win for the hosts who showed their intent from the kick off that saw the visiting keeper Georgina Smithers push a Rosie Page-Smith shot away for a corner in the first minute and then make a fine one handed block from May Hamblin six minutes later.

Barton’s first effort on goal was by Frankie Boekbinder which was comfortably handled by Nicole Haines and this was to be the vistors only shot at goal in the opening twenty five minutes as Woodley dictated play high up the pitch with Hamblin, Page-Smith and Mollie Haines dangerous in attack and the midfield of Tash Master, Faye Ward and Maddie Sawyer seeing plenty of the ball.

On the quarter of hour Page-Smith volley wide following a cross from Haines followed by right back Charley Evans seeing Smithers block a shot which was cleared after nineteen minutes.

The opening goal came in the twenty third minute when Master’s pass split the visitors defence to allow Hamblin to fire pass the advancing Smithers.

Barton responded strongly changing formation and adopting a more positive approach to the game that saw them have more possession in the United half and stretch the home team. A corner kick sailed through the Woodley penalty area for a goal kick six minutes after the opening score,

Phoebe Cole rose above the United defence to head the ball straight at Haines and with two minutes to half time saw her shot hit the far post and rebound into play and be cleared that resulted in Page-Smith shooting narrowly over the Barton cross bar. With a minute to the half time break Hamblin cut in from the left to get onto the end of a Sawyer pass and double Woodley’s lead with a shot to the near post.

With Barton needing to score the opening period of the second half saw chances for both sides. Haines again dealt comfortably with a header, Sawyer had a shot blocked and Alice Cooke did well to deny Barton for a corner, all in the opening five minutes of the restart.

When Hamblin was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area Amelia Sergent reduced the deficit from the penalty spot after fifty six minutes. However, the comeback was shortly lived as the two goal advantage was restored five minutes later when Ward set Page-Smith up to slot past Smithers.

Rovers responded by going three at the back which was to be their down fall as United exploited the vacant left back position to score their next three goals from!

Page-Smith put a cross in from the goal line that a Barton defender turned into her own net on seventy minutes. Louise Burgess headed a Rovers corner clear and Haines dealt comfortably with a Sergent free kick before Hamblin completed her hat trick with a quarter of a hour remaining making contact at the far post from Mollie Haines cross.

The final goal went to Haines who scrambled the ball into the net while lying on the goal line following Smithers parrying Burgess’ cross.

Premier Division leaders Chesham United away await Woodley on a date to be confirmed.