Sevenoaks Town Women v Cray Wanderers Women
SECWFL Premier – Sunday 2nd March – Match Report
Sevenoaks Town Women 2
Jardin 24, Cleary 30
Cray Wanderers Women 1
Main 65 pen
Sevenoaks Town Women made it back to back SECWFL Premier titles after victory against the Wands at Greatness Park but were given a stern test of their Championship credentials with Dean Jarman’s side putting in a fine second half performance which nearly turned around a two-nil half time deficit.
Sevenoaks scored two in six minutes before the half hour through Chloe Jardin and Hannah Cleary but Cray fought back in the second half and replied with a Millie Main penalty.
Cray started the game 13 points behind the hosts but had three games in hand but even so were long shots to win the title but were only two points behind Maidstone in second which is perhaps a more realistic proposition for a first season at this level. Sevenoaks were the only side to beat Cray in the league winning 4-1 at Flamingo Park in October and also a 2-0 win in the League Cup in November.
The match itself was an entertaining affair with Sevenoaks having the bulk of possession but the first twenty five minutes saw Cray give as good as they got and perhaps came closest to scoring.
For the Oaks Nancy Housego saw the first opportunity to shoot from outside the area but her shot took a deflection and went over for a corner.
Cray though threatened when Hannah Gilmour played a ball into the box from the left and keeper Sophie Pourdo flicked the ball away and fell to Olivia Gregory who volleyed wide.
Sevenoaks came close when Clemmie Young was played in down the left of the area but Sam Sharp did well to block her near post shot and the ball came back off Young and behind for a goal kick.
For a few minutes after Sevenoaks upped the tempo but were resorting to shooting from distance with Ellie George seeing an effort from 30 yards held by Sharp and then Housego also shooting wide from outside the box.
Cray though had perhaps the biggest moment when down the left Grace Lawrence’s cross shot caused consternation in the Oaks box and the ball had to be frantically cleared away almost off the line by two defenders. At the other end George shot over.
However in the 24th minute Sevenoaks took the lead with a quality piece of finishing when Young found space and played a pass to Chloe Jardin down the right and from 20 yards lofted a chipped shot over Sharp and into the net.
Six minutes later it looked like it was going to be a long way back for Cray when Young was again the provider with a neat pass through to Hannah Cleary who tucked away a composed finish from the edge of the area.
From here Cray stayed in the game with Sevenoaks threatening with a free kick from 30 yards from Cleary that was held and Lauren Parsons shot wide.
HT: 2-0
The second half with nothing to lose saw Cray attempt a gutsy fight back with maybe Sevenoaks taking a bit of a breather.
For the Wands, Gregory showed great improvisation to hook a similar chipped shot to Sevenoaks’ first goal with an audacious effort that clipped the top of the crossbar.
Then Cray won a rare corner down the right and Ellie Cole’s ball to the far post was headed wide of the right post by Jess Pooley.
This was followed by Cole having a shot from 25 yards that was held by Pourdo and were good value to at least get a goal back.
Cray were presented with that opportunity when Lawrence who had a fine game down the left was clipped inside the area for the award of a penalty from which Millie Main confidently stroked home the spot kick.
Sevenoaks looked to respond and Cleary saw a shot from 30 yards well claimed by Sharp while for Cray, substitute Chloe Ashdown worked an opening down the left but shot wide.
Towards the end there was a late flurry of activity with Sarah White for Sevenoaks seeing first a shot go over and then curled an effort wide.
Cray had the final chance of the game with the last kick and from just outside the area down the right Emily Symonds shot was saved by Pourdo but in the end Sevenoaks had done enough to hold on and claim the points needed to win the title once again.
Cray though can be well pleased with their efforts and 2-1 was about the right result but it would be fitting if Dean Jarman’s side who have been without Katie Jackson, Annemarie Blanche, Claire Goldsmith, Hannah Atkins, all key players for much of or near the end of the season and if Cray can come second that will be a remarkable performance and one to build on for next season.
The Wands’s next game will be key in determining the position behind Sevenoaks with Maidstone United the visitors to Flamingo Park on Sunday 9th March, 4.30 pm and should be a great occasion especially if in warm and sunny conditions like this match.
Sevenoaks Town: Sophie Pourdo, Olivia O’Rourke, Natalie Graves, Nancy Housego, Lauren Parsons, Zoe Parsons, Clemmie Young, Chloe Jardin, Aulien Donaldson, Ellie George, Hannah Cleary: Subs: Emily Orchin, Sarah White, Abi Washington, Charlotte Bennett, Caroline Kemp
Cray Wanderers: Sam Sharp, Hannah Gilmour, Vittoria D’Urso, Megan Webster, Ellie Cole, Emily Symonds, Millie Main, Olivia Gregory, Ellie Rivers, Grace Lawrence, Jessica Pooley: Subs: Lauren Henry, Okasia Brown, Ellie Hyner, Hrystyna Kulishko, Chloe Ashdown
Referee: Ashley Rudi
