Actonians Reserves 2 - 1 Denham Utd

3rd against 4th this afternoon as the ressies welcomed Denham to Gunnersbury Park. Annemarie and Calli were among the players unavailable but a strong squad nonetheless in this important clash.

A slow start to the game which saw Elisa make a couple of routine saves in the first 15 minutes and a blow for Actonians with 17 minutes gone when Jen went down injured and was unable to continue. Hopefully she makes a speedy recovery. The Denham keeper made her first real save on 22 minutes when Molly ran in from the right and tried to beat her at her near post. Molly had a couple more efforts shortly after. A 26th minute shot going over the bar and with just over half an hour gone she drew another save from the keeper. It was almost becoming the Molly show going forward in the first half and she did find the net in the 38th minute but was flagged offside. A minute before half-time Katy came close to breaking the deadlock but the Denham keeper made a superb save to tip the ball to safety. Shortly after Katy had another shot blocked but at the half-time whistle the score remained 0-0.

Actonians came out with real purpose at the start of the second half and had no less than 5 efforts on goal in the first 6 minutes. Molly, Shadia and Naomi all having shots blocked, Rosie having a header saved and Tash having another headed effort go narrowly wide. Then in the 52nd minute Actonians were awarded a free kick. Rosie took it and her shot ended up hitting the post and crossing the line to give the home side the lead. Despite this some heroics from the Denham goalkeeper continued to keep the score respectable. A save from Ale just a minute after the goal and 2 particularly excellent blocks in the 55th minute from Charlotte and in the 68th minute from Rosie. Tash went on an amazing run down the left on 69 minutes ending with her shot going over the bar but less than 60 seconds later Denham equalised. Against the run of play but an absolute screamer to make the scores level again. Actonians continued to be the better side and regained the lead on 76 minutes. Katy met a cross from Ines and her unstoppable effort gave the keeper no chance. Determined to hold their lead Shadia, Jodie, Izzie and Chelsea defended really well with Kate tidying up in front of them even though there were a couple of late scares. Ale and Rosie had further efforts saved in the closing minutes but the score remained 2-1.

A very welcomed victory for the ressies as they continue to remain among the league leaders. An even first half but a mostly dominant second period when the win would have been by a much bigger margin if it wasn’t for some brilliant goalkeeping. Hard to select a player of the match in a game where everyone performed so well but I would choose Izzie. She looks to have settled into the side really well so far and today was another day where she did not put a foot wrong at the back. Another home game next week when another high-flying team, this time Hackney, visit Gunnersbury Park.

Report by Neil Hayward