Match Report: Loughborough Students 2 - 0 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies
Sunday 28th October 2007 at
Match Report: Loughborough Students 2 - 0 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies
(FA Women's Cup - 1st Round)
Diamonds Ladies went out of the FA Women's Cup at the 1st Round stage in a frustrating afternoon at
Diamonds went on the attack from kick-off and after some early pressure, Stephanie Thompson shot wide from the edge of the area. Despite some good surges forward, the attacking play failed to cause the home keeper any real problems with a poor final pass letting them down. On 8 minutes, as Diamonds continued to press forward, Jade Linnell forced a corner after a good run by Aileen Whelan. Linnell's corner was cleared quickly upfield to the speedy Anna Renkan. After breaking away from Kelly Robinson, her cross found Alexandra Shephard in the middle, who side-footed home past Nicola Raith in their first attack on goal.
The goal seemed to take the wind out of Diamonds as the home side started to use their pacey wingers to cause problems. Hannah Marshall, sent Nicola Tweedie forward on the left, but keeper Raith was quick to clear the danger, then Anna Renkan shot over the bar after another cross from the left. Loughborough looked dangerous every time they went forward and on 15 minutes, went they two up when Renkan got clear down the right again and crossed to Jennifer Anslow, who sent a fierce shot past Raith.
They could have got another soon after with Shephard's deflected shot well saved by Nicola Raith. Diamonds started to gain the upper hand again midway through the half, with Thompson playing some great balls through to split the defence. Through balls to Molly Marsh and Aileen Whelan kept keeper Naomi Bruton busy, but she was rarely troubled with Mikaela Welford failing to get a shot on target. At the other end, Anslow's corner was headed on by Rachel Newton for Renkan to head over the bar, while Renkan also shot just wide.
On 36 minutes, Mikaela Welford's drive was on target and forced a good save from the keeper as Diamonds tried to get a goal back before the break, but they were unable to turn possession into goals as the home side held out to the half time whistle.
Half time: Loughborough Students 2 - 0 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies
Fay Howell replaced Kelly Robinson at left back during the break, and it was all Diamonds as they tried to get back into the game. Charly Wright had a shot palmed away by the keeper on 51 minutes, and another cross from Wright managed to evade everyone in the area. Diamonds were passing well, but not going anywhere as the home side concentrated on defending their lead, and using the speed of Renkan and Tweedie to break on the flanks.
Welford's goalbound shot was deflected away, while the home defence had trouble clearing a Marsh corner, but Kirsty Cooper was unable to stab the ball home. Loughborough attacks were rare, although Diamonds had to be aware of quick breaks out of defence. Midway through the half though and in the space of around 5 minutes, they had several opportunities to make the game safe. First, Renkan's shot was deflected into the side netting, then Anslow's effort was well saved at the near post. Raith did well to push a fierce Renkan shot onto the crossbar, while Nicola Tweedie had the ball in the net on 73 minutes, but it was disallowed for a foul on the keeper.
Diamonds continued to press forward and Vicky Gallagher and Anna McLeod replaced Welford and Thompson with 15 minutes remaining. Charly Wright and Molly Marsh also swapped positions but as they gained the upper hand again, they were still unable to trouble the keeper. As they went to all out attack, they became more vulnerable at the back, and Shephard shot over and Renkan missed a great chance in the final minutes.
Despite so much possession, the home keeper did not have to make a save in the second half. A frustrating afternoon ended with Aileen Whelan being bought down in the penalty area deep into injury time, but nothing was given.
Full time: Loughborough Students 2 - 0 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies
Teams:
Loughborough Students: Naomi Bruton, Abigail Ramsay (Elanor Snowsil 82), Lea Cobham, Rachel Newton, Emma Allen (c), Alexandra Shephard, Jennifer Anslow, Anna Renkan, Sarah Ronald (Grace Adams 60), Nicola Tweedie (Siobhan Eastham 90), Hannah Marshall.
Subs not used: Adele Sale.
Rushden & Diamonds Ladies: Nicola Raith, Leanna Doyle, Kelly Robinson (Fay Howell HT), Kirsty Cooper, Laura Dunn, Aileen Whelan (c), Molly Marsh, Charly Wright, Stephanie Thompson (Vicky Gallagher 75), Jade Linnell, Mikaela Welford (Anna McLeod 75).
Subs not used: Nil.
Goals: Alexandra Shephard 8 (1-0), Jennifer Anslow 15 (2-0).
Referee: Dave Parkin
By Dave Mason
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Forthcoming fixtures:
4th
11th November
18th
25th November AFC
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Reserve Team fixture:
Midland Combination Resereves
Rushden & Diamonds 2 - 1
Goals from Caroline Moran, Ashley Palmer.
