Reserves 1 - 6 Brentford

Brentford visited Gunnersbury Park today to face the ressies in a league match. It was a much changed lineup for Actonians with a large number of outfield players out injured and as has frustratingly been the case for much of this season not having a recognised goalkeeper available. Midfielder Rosie Hay began the match between the sticks. There was a long awaited and very welcomed return for Kayleigh Peters in attack though.

Not the best of starts to the game. Brentford forward Chloe Logie took the ball on in what looked to be a clearly offside position but with no flag raised she continued her run and was adjudged to have been fouled in the area winning a 1st minute penalty. Logie herself converted it. She didn’t stop there either. Two more goals gave her a hat trick and Brentford a 3 goal lead with only 14 minutes on the clock. In the 19th minute Brentford got their fourth. Logie turned provider this time setting up Ella Cottrell to find the back of the net. Two minutes later Actonians pulled a goal back. A great run from Calli on the left ended with her shot finding the bottom corner. This sparked a bit more life into the Actonians players and they showed glimpses of coming back into the game but not enough was done to really trouble the Brentford keeper while Rosie made a couple of saves at the other end. Half time 1-4.

It was decided that Rosie was needed back on pitch in the second half to bolster up the central midfield area so Ines took her turn in goal for the second half. The second half was only 3 minutes old when Brentford got their 5th through Freya Worsley. Katy went close to reducing the deficit in the 64th minute when her shot was saved. However it was straight down the other end of the pitch and after a double save from Ines and a block from Jodie, Chloe Logie was able to bundle the ball across the line for her fourth and Brentford’s sixth. Ines made a couple more saves but Actonians seemed to attack more after that winning some free kicks in the opposition’s half. Unfortnately there was no end product though. Full time 1-6.

A very tough afternoon. Under the circumstances I think player of the match should be shared between Rosie and Ines. Both having to play a half in the unfamiliar position of goalkeeper and despite the scoreline still making some saves between them. Ines was a bright spark in the first half with her passes and challenges and the midfield looked far more stable in the second half with Rosie in the middle. The return of some of the injured players looks very much needed right now although Brentford are a very strong side and winning their numerous games in hand could take them there or thereabouts come the end of the season. A week off for the ressies next weekend before Clapton Community are the next visitors to Gunnersbury Park in a fortnight.

Report by Neil Hayward