No, not a follow up to the famous Two Ronnie's sketch, but reference to an unusual event where both teams changed goalkeepers during the match. Not sure I've seen that before.
The last couple of weeks have been a bit strained at BotP towers. Lack of engagement, the state of the X platform, no weekly newsletter blog and, just to add to that, the fourth anniversary of my Dad's passing coming up, meant that it felt like my football mojo had gone. However, football was always a massive part of my relationship with my Dad, and with Sunday being the actual anniversary of his death, it seemed like a good enough reason to get myself back out to a game. A couple of weeks ago I had planned to re-visit Stag Meadow, home of Windsor & Eton, but a late call-up to the U23s for my daughter shot that one down. What better place to visit this week then?
Windsor were at home to Ashridge Park (another club I've been meaning to visit for some time) in a Thames Valley Division One clash.
The Royalists started the day in third spot as one of five teams on six points, and one of four who had a 100% record, the exception being leaders MK Dons Development, who had secured six points from three games and led the way on goal difference. Ashridge began the day still looking for their first win, having drawn one and lost two of their opening three matches. Windsor were promoted from Division Two South last season, topping the table and holding off Flackwell Heath, who also went up, by a point. Ashridge had finished the season in seventh spot, clear of trouble but a fair distance off the top half.
Many thanks to Ashridge Park manager Bryn Anderson and Windsor's manager Cathy Corr, for sharing the team sheets with me prior to kick-off. As always, very much appreciated. It was very interesting to see how many names on the Windsor team sheet were recognisable from my days covering the Southern Region League. I counted at least five former Woodley and Beaconsfield players in the starting line-up.
Windsor were at home to Ashridge Park (another club I've been meaning to visit for some time) in a Thames Valley Division One clash.
The Royalists started the day in third spot as one of five teams on six points, and one of four who had a 100% record, the exception being leaders MK Dons Development, who had secured six points from three games and led the way on goal difference. Ashridge began the day still looking for their first win, having drawn one and lost two of their opening three matches. Windsor were promoted from Division Two South last season, topping the table and holding off Flackwell Heath, who also went up, by a point. Ashridge had finished the season in seventh spot, clear of trouble but a fair distance off the top half.
Many thanks to Ashridge Park manager Bryn Anderson and Windsor's manager Cathy Corr, for sharing the team sheets with me prior to kick-off. As always, very much appreciated. It was very interesting to see how many names on the Windsor team sheet were recognisable from my days covering the Southern Region League. I counted at least five former Woodley and Beaconsfield players in the starting line-up.
Mollie Jardella goes close There was a prolonged stoppage very early on in this game when Windows goalkeeper Lisa Phillips and Ashridge strike Lauren Broadhurst collided whilst challenging for a cross. It looked and sounded very nasty, leaving both players down. Phillips was soon back on her feet, but it took a little longer for Broadhurst to recover before, thankfully, both were able to continue.
Whilst Windsor began to establish some level of control over the game, it took until the midway point for them to seriously begin to put pressure on the Ashridge goalkeeper, Isabelle Ferguson. when they did, through Mollie Jardella's run and Lucy Casey's shot, Ferguson was equal to the challenge.
A minute later, as the home side stepped up the pace, Ferguson was beaten but captain Chloe Barton came to the rescue, clearing Lucy Casey's effort off the line. However, the relief was short-lived. When the resulting corner came over, the ball looped up toward the back post. Ferguson looked to have it covered, but spilled it. Kate Hudson reacted quickest, to stab the ball over the line. 1-0
The hosts were now well in the ascendancy and just before the half-hour Ferguson was again called into action, making a good save from Lucy Casey again. Lucy Thomson lifted the loose ball over the bar. Two minutes later, the bust Ferguson saved the day once more, this time from Emily Wilson.
Just the other side of the half-hour, Ashridge produced their best phase of play since the opening couple of minutes. Angelina Gokhool and Lauren Broadhurst closed the home defence down well, creating a shooting opportunity for Molly Brookes, who saw her effort fly wide of the mark. Encouraging signs for the visitors though.
Windsor's response was another Casey break down the right, but once again Ferguson was equal to the effort, blocking the strike with her feet. Once more, though, relief was short-lived when Lucy Casey was sent clear just a minute later. This time producing a composed finish that gave Ferguson no chance. 2-0
That was the end of the first half scoring, although Ashridge did manage to get in the final say in added time when Alex Clements shrugged off a couple of challenges and let fly, only for a slight deflection to take the sting out of it and make life easy for Phillips.
HT Windsor & Eton 2 Ashridge Park 0. A fairly comfortable half for the hosts who could be more than two up. Ashridge battling hard but struggling to find a way past an organised and experienced home defence
Whilst Windsor began to establish some level of control over the game, it took until the midway point for them to seriously begin to put pressure on the Ashridge goalkeeper, Isabelle Ferguson. when they did, through Mollie Jardella's run and Lucy Casey's shot, Ferguson was equal to the challenge.
A minute later, as the home side stepped up the pace, Ferguson was beaten but captain Chloe Barton came to the rescue, clearing Lucy Casey's effort off the line. However, the relief was short-lived. When the resulting corner came over, the ball looped up toward the back post. Ferguson looked to have it covered, but spilled it. Kate Hudson reacted quickest, to stab the ball over the line. 1-0
The hosts were now well in the ascendancy and just before the half-hour Ferguson was again called into action, making a good save from Lucy Casey again. Lucy Thomson lifted the loose ball over the bar. Two minutes later, the bust Ferguson saved the day once more, this time from Emily Wilson.
Just the other side of the half-hour, Ashridge produced their best phase of play since the opening couple of minutes. Angelina Gokhool and Lauren Broadhurst closed the home defence down well, creating a shooting opportunity for Molly Brookes, who saw her effort fly wide of the mark. Encouraging signs for the visitors though.
Windsor's response was another Casey break down the right, but once again Ferguson was equal to the effort, blocking the strike with her feet. Once more, though, relief was short-lived when Lucy Casey was sent clear just a minute later. This time producing a composed finish that gave Ferguson no chance. 2-0
That was the end of the first half scoring, although Ashridge did manage to get in the final say in added time when Alex Clements shrugged off a couple of challenges and let fly, only for a slight deflection to take the sting out of it and make life easy for Phillips.
HT Windsor & Eton 2 Ashridge Park 0. A fairly comfortable half for the hosts who could be more than two up. Ashridge battling hard but struggling to find a way past an organised and experienced home defence
Windsor looking for more goals The first goalkeeper change came at the break with Isabelle Ferguson, who had received treatment at one point in the first half, leaving the field to be replaced by number 27 (Amelia Hughes?)
After having the last effort of the first half, Alex Clements picked up where she left off, causing problems for the home defence with a freekick that was eventually cleared by Windsor. The danger was not over through and shortly afterwards, Molly Brookes broke clear, just beat Phillips to the through ball and was very unlucky to see her shot crash back off the bar. It was a good start from the visitors that maybe deserved a goal back. However, as so often happens, they were then caught by an immediate sucker punch. Jacqui Hanson broke clear on the right flank, drove at goal and calmly slotted home to make it 3-0.
That signalled more dominance from the hosts. Kate Hudson almost stabbed in a fourth when a corner wasn't cleared and Mollie Jardella almost shaped a an effort into the far corner after being put through on the left. The winger, however, only had five more minutes to wat before claiming a goal, sending the ball over the keeper from out on the edge of the box with a little help from the wind. It may have been a cross. It may well have been a shot. It was hard to say, but either way it was a goal. 4-0
Just past the hour mark, Lucy Casey grabbed her second when sent clear of the defence, making no mistake with the finish. 5-0. To be fair to Ashridge Park, they continued to play and didn't let their heads drop. Clements was again a little unfortunate two minutes later when clean through. Only a good stop from Lisa Phillips prevented a consolation.
With 15 minutes remaining, Lucy Casey claimed her hat-trick, using the conditions to bend a left-wing corner over everyone into the far corner of the net. 6-0.
The points already in the bag, Windsor added to Park's woes with five minutes left when Jacqui Hanson was sent clear again, slotting home to make it 7-0. By this time, Windsor had also changed their goalkeeper, replacing Phillips with Tegan Bates. The replacement stopper got in on the act herself, making a good stop to retain the home side's clean sheet before, on the stroke of full-time, Windsor added their eighth. A corner from the right this time caused the problems. When the ball was not cleared, it popped up at the far post where Jacqui Hanson was on hand to nod home and also claim a hat-trick. 8-0
FT Windsor & Eton 8 Ashridge Park 0. A resounding victory for Windsor & Eton, who rating their 100% record and climb into second place behind MK Dons Development, with a game in hand. Ashridge Park continue to look for their first league victory of the season. Despite the score line, they never let their heads drop and, as neutral, it would have been good to see them get a consolation goal.
Next weekend, Ashridge are on their travels again as they visit mid-table Barton United. Windsor & Eton travel to bottom side Ruislip Rangers.
Thanks to both teams for providing a thoroughly entertaining afternoon of football. It's been a while since I last watched a Thames Valley Counties Women's game, but I need to get to more in the future. Look out for a preview of next week's fixtures, coming later this week.
Windsor & Eton: 1.Phillips, 4.Hester, 6.Martin, 12.Harrop, 23.Gooch, 2.Wilson, 24.Taylor, 20.Thomson(c), 7.Casey, 11.Jardella, 10.Hudson. Subs: 15.Lance, 3.Davenport, GK. Bates, 17.Hanson
Ashridge Park: 5.Ferguson, 2.Barton(c), 12.Sloan, 24.Fenn, 14.Stewart, 18.Thomas, 6.Brookes, 10.Broadhurst, 8.Gokhool, 5.Hopkins, 4.Clements. Subs: 16.Youldon, 9.Nicholls, 5.Hughes
Ground No.: Re-visit
Attendance:
Entrance:
Programme: N/A
After having the last effort of the first half, Alex Clements picked up where she left off, causing problems for the home defence with a freekick that was eventually cleared by Windsor. The danger was not over through and shortly afterwards, Molly Brookes broke clear, just beat Phillips to the through ball and was very unlucky to see her shot crash back off the bar. It was a good start from the visitors that maybe deserved a goal back. However, as so often happens, they were then caught by an immediate sucker punch. Jacqui Hanson broke clear on the right flank, drove at goal and calmly slotted home to make it 3-0.
That signalled more dominance from the hosts. Kate Hudson almost stabbed in a fourth when a corner wasn't cleared and Mollie Jardella almost shaped a an effort into the far corner after being put through on the left. The winger, however, only had five more minutes to wat before claiming a goal, sending the ball over the keeper from out on the edge of the box with a little help from the wind. It may have been a cross. It may well have been a shot. It was hard to say, but either way it was a goal. 4-0
Just past the hour mark, Lucy Casey grabbed her second when sent clear of the defence, making no mistake with the finish. 5-0. To be fair to Ashridge Park, they continued to play and didn't let their heads drop. Clements was again a little unfortunate two minutes later when clean through. Only a good stop from Lisa Phillips prevented a consolation.
With 15 minutes remaining, Lucy Casey claimed her hat-trick, using the conditions to bend a left-wing corner over everyone into the far corner of the net. 6-0.
The points already in the bag, Windsor added to Park's woes with five minutes left when Jacqui Hanson was sent clear again, slotting home to make it 7-0. By this time, Windsor had also changed their goalkeeper, replacing Phillips with Tegan Bates. The replacement stopper got in on the act herself, making a good stop to retain the home side's clean sheet before, on the stroke of full-time, Windsor added their eighth. A corner from the right this time caused the problems. When the ball was not cleared, it popped up at the far post where Jacqui Hanson was on hand to nod home and also claim a hat-trick. 8-0
FT Windsor & Eton 8 Ashridge Park 0. A resounding victory for Windsor & Eton, who rating their 100% record and climb into second place behind MK Dons Development, with a game in hand. Ashridge Park continue to look for their first league victory of the season. Despite the score line, they never let their heads drop and, as neutral, it would have been good to see them get a consolation goal.
Next weekend, Ashridge are on their travels again as they visit mid-table Barton United. Windsor & Eton travel to bottom side Ruislip Rangers.
Thanks to both teams for providing a thoroughly entertaining afternoon of football. It's been a while since I last watched a Thames Valley Counties Women's game, but I need to get to more in the future. Look out for a preview of next week's fixtures, coming later this week.
Windsor & Eton: 1.Phillips, 4.Hester, 6.Martin, 12.Harrop, 23.Gooch, 2.Wilson, 24.Taylor, 20.Thomson(c), 7.Casey, 11.Jardella, 10.Hudson. Subs: 15.Lance, 3.Davenport, GK. Bates, 17.Hanson
Ashridge Park: 5.Ferguson, 2.Barton(c), 12.Sloan, 24.Fenn, 14.Stewart, 18.Thomas, 6.Brookes, 10.Broadhurst, 8.Gokhool, 5.Hopkins, 4.Clements. Subs: 16.Youldon, 9.Nicholls, 5.Hughes
Ground No.: Re-visit
Attendance:
Entrance:
Programme: N/A
Alex Clements freekick caused some concerns for the home team
RSS Feed