Actonians 3rds v Brentford B

Actonian’s Ladies Third team kicked off their new season in the Greater London League Division 1 North on a humid, but slightly windy day on Sunday 4th September 2022. The team took on Brentford B Ladies in a highly anticipated game at home, Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub.

Brentford Women B are a team looking to gain promotion this season and the newly promoted Actonian’s were aware that this would be a tricky contest.

Actonian’s started off brightly, working hard as a unit to shut off any clear cut chances for Brentford. Whilst not creating too many of their own chances, the team did very well to nullify Brentford’s attack, which was limited to only a couple half shots from a distance, not really troubling Saoirse in goal. Actonian’s were competing toe to toe against one of the better sides of the league but unfortunately on 25 minutes, Actonian’s gave an unnecessary handball away just outside the penalty area to the right. Up stepped the dangerous no 20 for Brentford from the resulting free kick and struck an inch perfect curler into the top left corner of the goal. 1-0 to Brentford Women’s B.
Just over 10 minutes later, Brentford launched an attack down the left side and the pacey winger unleashed a cross/shot from a tight angle that proved unstoppable to save and again, paced in the right corner of the net. Another quality goal that Saoirse had little chance with. 2-0 to Brentford.

Actonian’s kept plugging away, working hard to shut out any further attacks and shortly after the 2nd goal, they won a free kick just inside Brentford’s half. Gabby fizzed in a great cross which Linda was able to control and lay off for Kirsty just outside the box to hit a first time strike that struck the top of the bar. This gave Actonian’s renewed belief that they could get something from the game however Brentford hit a hammer blow in the 44th minute after a scramble in the penalty area and the ball fell nicely for the incoming Brentford midfielder to side foot home. 3-0 Half Time.

After the break, Actonian’s kept up the work rate and managed to shut Brentford Women B out for lengthy periods of the game. Brentford were having to resort to long balls which the defence and Saoirse were nicely sweeping up. It wasn’t until the 65th minute that Brentford found another breakthrough. The Brentford striker was put through on goal in what looked like an offside position and slotted home. The lineswoman flagged for offside but frustratingly, the referee chose to disregard and allow the goal. 4-0.

Despite this setback, Actonian’s continued to huff and puff and try and break through the lines. A few shots were attempted but unfortunately they weren’t able to test the Brentford goalkeeper as much as they would have liked. Still, it was proving to be a spirited display and heads did not drop as they kept up the intensity in search for that elusive goal.

Shortly before full time, however, Brentford were unfortunately able to score once more, this time coming from the right winger who cut in and hit a low drive that just managed to evade Saoirse’s feet and nestle in the right hand corner. 5-0.

Final score : 5-0 to Brentford.

On reflection, Actonian’s can feel proud of their efforts and being able to compete for 90 minutes against a good team in a new league. Ultimately Brentford were very clinical and took the chances they had but there are a lot of positives to take from the game, as well as aspects that can be worked on further.

Player of the match : Keri and Nat R

Report by Nathalie Randall