Having played London Bees in the League Cup 24 days ago Actonians LFC returned to the Hive on Sunday afternoon (22 September 2024) for the league fixture.
On league form Actonians have had the better start to the season. London Bees had only picked up 4 points from their first 4 games while with 3 wins and a draw Actonians were 3rd in the league prior to this afternoon’s match. In fact Actonians only defeat in all competitions so far this season was that cup game against London Bees so today’s outcome was very hard to call.
A fast start to the game and it became immediately clear that London Bees had some real pace in their team particularly on the right side of the pitch. It was on that right hand side where London Bees broke in the 7th minute to create the chance that gave them the lead. A lead they didn’t keep for very long as just 2 minutes later Abigail Igbavboa was able to get on the end of Kat Turner’s free kick and glance her header home. The two sides went toe to toe through the first half without creating anything too threatening.
The closest Actonians went was from an Amina Hanif shot on target in the 20th minute which the keeper saved easily. Elisa Dogor made a couple of routine saves herself but perhaps the biggest frustration for both sets of players and supporters in the first half was the game not being allowed to flow as much as it could have.
Both teams could have benefited from advantage being played at different times when instead the whistle was blown and play was pulled back. Particularly when Hanif was fouled after beating 2 players but managed to stay on her feet only for play to be stopped as she was potentially about to send a threatening ball forward. However on reflection of the first half 1-1 was a fair scoreline.
London Bees were very quickly out of the blocks in the second period and in the 48th minute regained their lead. Naomi Graham went off in the 54th minute and was replaced by Hana Lalani. There was an extended period where Actonians had to withstand a lot of pressure. Dogor made a number of good saves and for a while the Actonians back three became more of a back five with wing backs Merle Redhead Ling and Amber Dredge sitting very deep.
At this point manager Ollie Yazdi decided changes were needed and in the 69th minute bought on Jas Williamson and Prudie Todd Warmoth to replace the two wing backs. Just 2 minutes later the scores were level. A pass from Igbavboa carved open the London Bees defence and Hanif took a touch and made no mistake with her finish. Turner had a free kick just outside the penalty area go over the bar with a little less than 10 minutes left on the clock and shortly after couldn’t quite get on the end of a deflection after the spinning ball ricocheted into the opposition six yard box.
Camila Orozco came on to replace Hanif with a couple of minutes of normal time left then with 4 minutes of added time gone Actonians came agonisingly close to getting the winner when Igbavboa played the ball through her markers legs but was unable to get her shot on target. Seconds later the full-time whistle went. Final score 2-2.
A well earned point this afternoon with both sides playing some good football. Actonians can be very thankful to Dogor for a number of great saves which prevented a less favourable scoreline. However Actonians did create some chances of their own which could have seen them win the game. It’s a shame Igbavboa couldn’t get that winner after creating her own chance in the dying seconds but with her other 2 goal involvements she is today’s player of the match.
Not long until our next league game on Wednesday 25th September when Chesham are our visitors to Berkeley Fields, the home of North Greenford United, 7.45pm kick off.
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