Ladies progress in Chairman's Cup

United progressed to the quarter finals with a comfortable win against Division One South member Wokingham & Emmbrook that saw keeper Nicole Haines untroubled in the second half.

Woodley survived an early scare when the hosts second minute in swinging corner was cleared from under the cross bar and the resulting shot was adjudged off side. However, United recovered with a good ten minute spell that saw Rosie Page-Smith pass across the penalty area only for Jodie Penny’s shot to be blocked before Maddie Sawyer’s cross to the near post was steered home by Page-Smith in the tenth minute.

Penny also saw a low cross go through the goal area evading Amie Benton and going to safety while Sarah Thompson’s shot was spilled by home keeper Sam Holloway and cleared before Woodley could react and Ellen Surtees’ half volley from distance went narrowly over the cross bar.

With the hosts playing with a five player defense their form of offence was on the counter attack that saw Caz Sheppard force a rare save from Haines who also caught Nic Port’s free kick on the goal line.

United changed to a five player midfield which stretched the hosts’ defense in the second half as Holly Wilkins and substitute Charley Evans prominent on the wings and Sawyer enjoying midfield possession. The important second half goal came in the fifty ninth minute when Evans’ through ball was converted by Page-Smith.

With Benton assuming a forward role for the last fifteen minutes, her movement caused problems and while chances were created including Page-Smith being denied her hat-trick when the referee, and not his assistant, adjudged the forward to be off-side with three minutes remaining.

Haines, Hunt (Evans), Wilkins, Thompson (Cooke), Surtees, Ward, Penny, Pearson (Stringer), Page-Smith, Sawyer, Benton (Thomas)