London Academical 0-1 Kingstonian
Report by Mark Robson.
Today was a replayed match ordered by the league due to our opponents, London Academicals, having fielded an ineligible player in the original game. We lost that one 2-1, but were determined to do better today. Our chances were however severely handicapped by a whole host of absences, and, in addition to one of the usual bumpy Clapham Common pitches, there was a gale to contend with blowing across the width of the pitch. On the positive side, history was made when, for the first time, we had two sisters – Sophia and Elena Demetriou – in a Kingstonian FC Ladies starting line-up.
Things began well however and after just two minutes Sophia Demetriou received the ball on our left, just outside the Academicals penalty area, and cut inside to unleash a great right foot shot that beat the keeper all-ends-up and put us into the lead. 0-1.
We were in the ascendancy for a while after that, but gradually Academicals clawed their way back in to the game and we were pretty happy to reach half time with our noses in front. HT 0-1.
At the start of the second half, the heavens opened and we were subject to a full-on hailstorm. Thankfully this passed over after a few minutes and thereafter the game ranged from end to end with neither team really able to adapt well to the difficult conditions. Chances came and went at both ends with Academicals probably missing the clearest of them. Annie Jenkins back and playing only her second game in goal for us was a steady, calming influence in goal throughout and, with her between the sticks, we always just about looked like hanging on. And hang on we did as the referee finally blew the full-time whistle with our narrow lead still intact. FT 0-1.
Team: Annie Jenkins, Chelsea Woods, Alanah Sherwood, Stephanie Busby, Lucy Potter ( c ), Christelle Meier, Lace Edgcombe, Mairead Halliday, Amy Strong, Sophia Demetriou, Elena Demetriou
Sub: Lily Dusting
Goal scorer: Sophia Demetriou
Player of the match: Annie Jenkins
