Actonians welcomed London Seaward to Rectory Park this afternoon. A fixture that has seen some very close outcomes in recent times, not least two seasons ago when both sides battled until the end of the campaign for 3rd place. However this season so far has seen Actonians flying high where a win today could see them go top of the league whereas Seaward have struggled and find themselves among the teams in the bottom half.

Actonians attacked from the beginning showing that they are a team with a lot of confidence right now. In the first 10 minutes they went close to scoring no less than four times. Prudie, Dior and Kat very close to hitting the target while Abigail saw her 4th minute effort saved. Abigail had another shot pushed away by the keeper with 20 minutes on the clock. The same player went on a run in the 23rd minute and when she was about to pull the trigger was brought down for what looked like a certain penalty. However the decision was made that the foul took place just on the edge of the area. Up stepped Prudie to bury the free kick in the opposite corner of the net giving the keeper no chance. 1-0. With half an hour gone Dior beat her marker but fired her shot over the bar. Kat had a shot go wide in the 33rd minute and then in the 36th minute Dior found the back of the net. Offside was called although Dior herself looked to be in an onside position while two others that possibly weren’t interfering with play had drifted off. Dior had another effort saved with 42 minutes gone and when her shot 2 minutes after that crashed off the underside of the bar you had to wonder what the Actonians top scorer had to do to get on the scoresheet this afternoon. As the half drew to a close Abigail had another shot tipped away and Dior volleyed over the bar. Half-time 1-0.

In the first minute of the second half Prudie had another free kick which went over the bar this time and that was quickly followed up with Hana shooting wide. Then in the 49th minute another very strong penalty appeal for Actonians was not given and instead a corner was awarded. Prudie sent the corner into the six yard box and Kat was there to head home and double the Actonians lead. The first substitution was then made with Mollie replacing Abigail. Dior went close again with her shot going over the bar followed by Amber’s 56th minute effort being saved. Two more changes were made just after the hour with Megan and Camila coming on in place of Merle and Amber. Hana had another shot blocked in the 65th minute. The second half didn’t see Actonians create as many chances as in the first. Seaward never threatened the home side goal either and their frustration showed with a number of late challenges so the game didn’t flow as much as it had. Further substitutions were made later on in the game with Mara replacing Olivia and Naomi replacing Hana but the scoring was done. Full time 2-0.

A comfortable victory which sees Actonians go top of the league after Norwich City were held to a 3-3 draw by London Bees this afternoon. Ironically both goals came from where penalties should potentially have been given but Actonians made the most of the free kick and the corner that was awarded instead. A superb overall team performance this afternoon from back to front. The backline was solid, the midfield was immense and on another day the front two could have had multiple goals each but their contributions cannot be underestimated. The obvious choice for me for today’s player of the match though was Prudie. A brilliant free kick to open the scoring, a pinpoint corner to assist the second and her game overall in midfield was very strong throughout. FA Cup action for Actonians next weekend with a trip to face Oxford United.

Report by Neil Hayward
Photo by Rosie Griffiths