Despite the lure of the Caversham/Reading derby, which was a huge success by the way, the BotP game this week had to be another derby game, Beaconsfield Town v Penn & Tylers Green. The Rams started the day on top of Division One North with a seven point lead over Ascot United Reserves, albeit having played two more games. Penn were down in fourth, nine points behind, but with three games in hand on Beaconsfield. Both teams were unbeaten in the league and, just to make it tastier, Beaconsfield were boasting a 100% home record, Penn a 100% away record, even though they had only played one away game. Both squads had seen significant changes since last season, where the teams met three times. The opening game of the season ended in The Rams suffering a heavy, 8-2, home defeat to Penn. This was followed by Beaconsfield winning a penalty shootout in the Chairman's Cup (Rams Hit The Right Spot) and then drawing 1-1 at French School Meadow toward the end of the campaign. However, from that last game in April, only seven players from both teams starting line-ups were in the starting 22 today. Both goalkeepers, Lisa Phillips and Rebecca Tobin. For the Rams Lucy Casey and Violet Kingston-Wheeler also remained. For Penn, Henna Hussain, Ellie Ludgate-Williams and Chloe Mackay were still in the first eleven. For both sides, the Summer signings have been making their mark so far. Nicole Brown, who signed for Beaconsfield from Ascot United along with Dom Carrington, leads the way in the scoring table. Henna Hussain has once again been regularly knocking in goals for Penn, but their leading scorer is also a new signing, Tara Woodward, one of many who were part of the title winning Long Crendon side from last season and moved to Penn when the team dropped out in the Summer.
Despite both teams having a wealth of attacking talent, their defences have formed the bedrock of their progress this season. Prior to this game Penn had conceded just three in four games and Beaconsfield seven in seven.
It was great to meet Craig Anderson. Beaconsfield's social media manager, prior to the game. Craig produces some great content for The Rams' teams. Look out for the link to his match highlights video in the weekly SoReg Review.
Despite both teams having a wealth of attacking talent, their defences have formed the bedrock of their progress this season. Prior to this game Penn had conceded just three in four games and Beaconsfield seven in seven.
It was great to meet Craig Anderson. Beaconsfield's social media manager, prior to the game. Craig produces some great content for The Rams' teams. Look out for the link to his match highlights video in the weekly SoReg Review.
Penn causing trouble from a corner It was clear from the very outset that this match was going to be very closely contested. In the first minute Penn had a good opportunity when Ellie Ludgate-Williams latched onto a long ball but, under pressure, was unable to severely test Lisa Phillips. Two minutes later Nicole Brown let fly from distance only to see Rebecca Tobin parry well before reacting quickly to the loose ball. Henna Hussain then tested Phillips again before the game settled into a period where both sides tried to establish some midfield superiority.
The game then burst into another series of chances, starting with Ruby Harris climbing highest at the far post only for her header from a corner to be blocked. This led to Penn breaking quickly, engineering an opportunity for Ludgate-Williams to volley wide, when she probably should have hit the target.
Penn were edging possession at this point and generating a few more chances than The Rams. Rachael Harnby was unlucky to see her header, from Ludgate-Williams's corner, fly just over the bar. Then Phillips had to be quick and brave to block from Tara Woodward after the striker broke through the home defence.
It wasn't all one-way traffic however. Dom Carrington had a volley from a corner scrambled clear just on the midway point and Nicole Brown got a shot off that was deflected into Tobin's arms. In between those attempts, Woodward chased down a long ball, shrugged off a challenge and sent a shot just wide of the post for Penn.
There was a moment of slight controversy just before the break. The referee blew for a foul on Katie Riddington just as she released a pas up the line for Lucy Casey to run onto. The ball had reached Casey before the whistle went, and the Rams striker went on to slide the ball past Tobin who, in all fairness, appeared to have stopped for the whistle. Nevertheless, it was a little unfortunate for Beaconsfield that play was pulled back
HT Beaconsfield Town 0 Penn & Tylers Green 0. As tight as the score line suggests. Two very solid and competitive teams. You can see why they both have excellent defensive records. However, Beaconsfield's Lisa Phillips has definitely been the busier of the two goalkeepers.
The game then burst into another series of chances, starting with Ruby Harris climbing highest at the far post only for her header from a corner to be blocked. This led to Penn breaking quickly, engineering an opportunity for Ludgate-Williams to volley wide, when she probably should have hit the target.
Penn were edging possession at this point and generating a few more chances than The Rams. Rachael Harnby was unlucky to see her header, from Ludgate-Williams's corner, fly just over the bar. Then Phillips had to be quick and brave to block from Tara Woodward after the striker broke through the home defence.
It wasn't all one-way traffic however. Dom Carrington had a volley from a corner scrambled clear just on the midway point and Nicole Brown got a shot off that was deflected into Tobin's arms. In between those attempts, Woodward chased down a long ball, shrugged off a challenge and sent a shot just wide of the post for Penn.
There was a moment of slight controversy just before the break. The referee blew for a foul on Katie Riddington just as she released a pas up the line for Lucy Casey to run onto. The ball had reached Casey before the whistle went, and the Rams striker went on to slide the ball past Tobin who, in all fairness, appeared to have stopped for the whistle. Nevertheless, it was a little unfortunate for Beaconsfield that play was pulled back
HT Beaconsfield Town 0 Penn & Tylers Green 0. As tight as the score line suggests. Two very solid and competitive teams. You can see why they both have excellent defensive records. However, Beaconsfield's Lisa Phillips has definitely been the busier of the two goalkeepers.
Ruby Harris climbs above everyone Beaconsfield were immediately on the attack following the restart, forcing a corner in the first minute. When the ball was swung into the mix, it caused a certain amount of chaos in the visitor's defence before being cleared, sparking a Penn counter. The break led to a throw-in for Penn level with the edge of the box on the right. The ball was delivered into Henna Hussain, with her back to goal. The striker did well to shield the ball before feeding it inside for the run of Tara Woodward who calmly stroked it past Phillips. 0-1
The goal sparked a response from Beaconsfield and, only two minutes later, Nicole Brown showed their intent with a slashing drive that was only just wide of Tobin's post. As much as Penn had edged possession in the first half, Beaconsfield were doing the same in the second, despite having conceded.
A minute before the hour, they made their possession pay. A ball in from he left flank found Nicole Brown inside the box, she worked the ball onto her right foot before firing low past Tobin into the far corner. 1-1.
From this point onwards the sides effectively cancelled each other out. Beaconsfield, no doubt, enjoyed slightly more of the ball, but couldn't turn that possession into clear cut efforts.
Sarah Harrison tried her luck from long range, forcing Lisa Phillips to push the ball out for a corner. Dom Carrington struck a good effort just wide, but neither side got too close to finding a winner. Penn did have a penalty shout late on (more from their support than their players), when Henna Hussain and Ruby Harris came together in he area. However, the referee was not interested and rightly so from my angle. It would have been a very harsh decision to have given it.
With a minute of normal time remaining, Sarah Harrison and Nicole Brown went into a 50/50 challenge that left the Penn player in a heap and clearly in some distress. Really nice to see the Beaconsfield physio also run on to help out and, after a few minutes, good to see Harrison helped off, limping but thankfully not as badly injured as first thought.
FT Beaconsfield Town 1 Penn & Tylers Green 1. This was always going to be a tight contest and that's exactly how it proved to be. Both teams have very good defensive lines. Penn marshalled expertly by their captain Rachael Harnby, and Beaconsfield by Ruby Harris, who barely put a foot wrong, and was constantly directing her fellow defenders.
Both sides remain unbeaten. Beaconsfield's lead is cut to five points following Ascot's win at Milton United.
I have a feeling that I watched the Division One North Champions in this game, just don't ask me to choose which of the two will eventually triumph.
Next weekend Beaconsfield face another top of the table league clash as they make the short journey over to Ascot to face second placed United Reserves. United won last season's corresponding fixture 5-0, a clean sheet for goalkeeper Lisa Phillips who was to later join The Rams. Penn have a very tasty looking FA Cup game to look forward to as they welcome National League Division One South-East side, Queens Park Rangers to French School Meadow.
Beaconsfield Town: Phillips(c), Harris, smith, Kingston-Wheeler, Armstrong, Davern, Carrington, Riddington, Brown, Casey, Cantrell. Subs: Lance, Harding, Kingston, Moore, Morris
Penn & Tylers Green: Tobin, Brockwell, Harrison, Southby, Gentle, Harnby, Jacobs, MacKay, Woodward, Ludgate-Williams, Hussain. Subs: Lovelock, Flint, Baden, Wyncoll, Matthews
Ground Number: Re-visit
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Entrance: N/A
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The goal sparked a response from Beaconsfield and, only two minutes later, Nicole Brown showed their intent with a slashing drive that was only just wide of Tobin's post. As much as Penn had edged possession in the first half, Beaconsfield were doing the same in the second, despite having conceded.
A minute before the hour, they made their possession pay. A ball in from he left flank found Nicole Brown inside the box, she worked the ball onto her right foot before firing low past Tobin into the far corner. 1-1.
From this point onwards the sides effectively cancelled each other out. Beaconsfield, no doubt, enjoyed slightly more of the ball, but couldn't turn that possession into clear cut efforts.
Sarah Harrison tried her luck from long range, forcing Lisa Phillips to push the ball out for a corner. Dom Carrington struck a good effort just wide, but neither side got too close to finding a winner. Penn did have a penalty shout late on (more from their support than their players), when Henna Hussain and Ruby Harris came together in he area. However, the referee was not interested and rightly so from my angle. It would have been a very harsh decision to have given it.
With a minute of normal time remaining, Sarah Harrison and Nicole Brown went into a 50/50 challenge that left the Penn player in a heap and clearly in some distress. Really nice to see the Beaconsfield physio also run on to help out and, after a few minutes, good to see Harrison helped off, limping but thankfully not as badly injured as first thought.
FT Beaconsfield Town 1 Penn & Tylers Green 1. This was always going to be a tight contest and that's exactly how it proved to be. Both teams have very good defensive lines. Penn marshalled expertly by their captain Rachael Harnby, and Beaconsfield by Ruby Harris, who barely put a foot wrong, and was constantly directing her fellow defenders.
Both sides remain unbeaten. Beaconsfield's lead is cut to five points following Ascot's win at Milton United.
I have a feeling that I watched the Division One North Champions in this game, just don't ask me to choose which of the two will eventually triumph.
Next weekend Beaconsfield face another top of the table league clash as they make the short journey over to Ascot to face second placed United Reserves. United won last season's corresponding fixture 5-0, a clean sheet for goalkeeper Lisa Phillips who was to later join The Rams. Penn have a very tasty looking FA Cup game to look forward to as they welcome National League Division One South-East side, Queens Park Rangers to French School Meadow.
Beaconsfield Town: Phillips(c), Harris, smith, Kingston-Wheeler, Armstrong, Davern, Carrington, Riddington, Brown, Casey, Cantrell. Subs: Lance, Harding, Kingston, Moore, Morris
Penn & Tylers Green: Tobin, Brockwell, Harrison, Southby, Gentle, Harnby, Jacobs, MacKay, Woodward, Ludgate-Williams, Hussain. Subs: Lovelock, Flint, Baden, Wyncoll, Matthews
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: N/A
The Rams attack in the first half
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