Cray Wanderers Women v Maidstone United Women – SECWFL Premier – Sunday 9th March
Cray Wanderers Women 1
Pooley 46
Maidstone United Women 1
Ascott 67
Cray Wanderers Women in their quest for a possible second places finish in their first season in the SECWFL Premier fought out a high quality draw with 2nd placed Maidstone United to make it four points from two games with United this season.
The Wands at times had to ride their luck at times against a United side who missed two penalties and hit the bar twice and took the lead less than thirty seconds into the second half courtesy of a Jess Pooley strike. However, Aimee Ascott who was one of the unlucky players to miss a penalty and hit the bar finished well in the 67th minute and despite Cray coming close to winning a draw was a decent reflection on the second half as a whole.
The match started in late afternoon sun but finished it has to be said rather chilly but it was a really fine game despite the rarity in a Wands game, just two goals scored and I believe the first goalless first half of the season. It certainly wasn’t for the want of trying though.
Maidstone started like they were desperate for points in what was their final game of the season. In only the third minute, the Stones were awarded a penalty when Ellie Cole’s backpass was latched onto by Aimee Ascott who was tripped by Cole and although could have gone on and scored went down in the box for a definite penalty.
However, from the spot, Tori Campbell’s penalty to the left was superbly kept out by Sam Sharp who did even better to block the follow up from Ascott at the near post. Then redeemed herself when the ball was knocked out of her hands by blocking from Ascott again.
The Wands goal lived a charmed life early on and Campbell down the left of the clipped a shot just past the right post and then from a cross from Kylie Manktelow down the right was turned wide on the volley by Campbell.
For Cray, Chloe Ashdown fired a shot well wide but it was still Maidstone who called the shots and Ellie Hinkley did well to turn and shoot just past the right post. Then a throw in from Ascott was headed away to Campbell who fired wide.
Around the half hour mark the game was stopped for a knock and this gave time for an urgent team talk and to recalibrate the players as were being overrun and this did the trick as Cray played much better for the last ten minutes of the half.
Firstly, Jess Pooley played a great ball from midfield out to Chloe Ashdown down the right and was unlucky to see here chipped shot just go just past the right post with keeper Gina Riley committed. Then Ellie Rivers who played well first half saw a low shot saved by Riley. Finally for the half Millie Main shot wide of goal but after a tricky first half hour had stayed in the game.
HT: 0-0
The second half began with a bang for Cray and within a few seconds of the restart a cross from the right into the area led to indecision and Pooley received the ball , turned a defender and hit a low shot under Riley and into the net.
This led to more concerted Maidstone attacking with Manktelow saw a shot deflected behind for a corner. Then in the 59th minute the visitors were awarded a second penalty after perhaps a harsh hand ball against Hannah Gilmour when the ball was struck at her from close range. However, from the spot kick, Ascott’s shot blazed over the crossbar.
The Wands goal was certainly leading a charmed life and Manktelow saw an effort crash against the right post from outside the area. Then, the unlucky Ascott hit a sweet strike which hit the underside of the crossbar but didn’t go over the line.
A goal for Maidstone was on the cards and did come in the 67th minute when Hinkley played a lovely ball through to Ascott down the right of the area who finished well under Sharp and into the net to make it 1-1.
From here the game had evened out and Cray after a lull of about ten minutes where the teams began to tire had a second wind and looked the more likely winners by the end.
Firstly, Emily Symonds shot well wide and then Olivia Gregory was found with a fine ball into the area and her attempted chip was well claimed by Riley. For Maidstone, Madeline Dale down the right put over a cross to the near post which led to Lauren Henry putting the ball behind for a corner.
Cray came close to winning the game late on when Ellie Cole put a superb ball through to Hrystyna Kulishko who was unlucky to see her rising shot hit the top of the crossbar. Then Gregory was unlucky to see her volley deflected to the keeper.
The final opportunity fell to Cray and Kulishko’s received a return pass from Gregory but drove her shot across goal and behind.
In the end though, Cray had shown some stickability to pick up a point against one of the top contenders for the league and leaves a chance to come at least 2nd or 3rd having four more games to play. Cray in 5th on 28 points and five behind Maidstone and Tonbridge both on 33 but the Stones have finished their 18 games and Tonbridge who play in the Kent County Cup Final next weekend have two to play including against the Wands on 23rd March at Tonbridge.
Cray’s remaining games are at Kings Hill on 16th March, then at Tonbridge on 23rd March. The final home game is on 6th April vs Kings Hill and the last game will be at Margate on 13th April.
Cray Wanderers: Sam Sharp, Hannah Gilmour, Megan Webster, Vittoria D’Urso, Ellie Cole, Emily Symonds (Lauren Henry), Okasia Brown (Hrystyna Kulishko), Ellie Rivers (Olivia Gregory), Millie Main, Chloe Ashdown (Kiera Syms), Jessica Pooley (Annemarie Blanche)
Maidstone United: Gina Riley, Jasmine Ethridge, Tilly Rowsell, Charlotte Alner, Annie White, Kady Wilkinson, Kylie Manktelow, Amiee Ascott, Gerogina Culpitt, Ellie Hinkley, Tori Campbell: Hazel Bailey, Maddie Dale, Freya Boorman, Hannah Garland, Beth Taylor
Referee: Michael Colderoy
