It took only a couple of minutes for Actonians LFC to threaten the Abingdon goal on Sunday (15 September 2024) when Merle Redhead Ling’s shot went narrowly wide in the FA Women’s National League Plate – preliminary round.
The early chances came thick and fast. Khyri McKenzie was only prevented getting on the end of a 5th minute through ball from Jas Williamson by some quick goalkeeping.
Then Prudie Todd Warmoth hit an 8th minute shot wide after good work from Redhead Ling and Amber Dredge’s shot narrowly went over the bar with 12 minutes gone after cutting inside from the left.
A minute later Ikraam Mohamed hit a half volley over the bar and with a quarter of an hour gone Camila Orozco’s shot went the wrong side of the post. Minus a goal it was pure Actonians dominance and continued that way. Williamson had a 16th minute shot saved and within the next minute both Todd Warmoth and Mohamed had shots blocked.
Dredge hit a searching corner into the six yard box in the 21st minute but agonisingly no one could get the clinical touch. Orozco hit a shot over the bar in the 24th minute after being sent through by McKenzie and when todd Warmoth’s 25th minute free kick was tipped over everyone was wondering how Actonians hadn’t scored yet.
A minute later they did though. Following another corner from Dredge, Mohamed fired the ball home. A couple of minutes later Dredge hit a bouncing ball wide but the second goal was a matter of seconds later. Mohamed turned provider this time sending McKenzie through to finish. 2-0.
After the 2 quick fire goals Actonians continued to dominate possession but the closest they came to extending their lead in the first half was with 41 minutes on the clock when McKenzie’s header went over the bar. Half-time 2-0.
Manager Ollie Yazdi made a triple change at the break bringing on Olianna Bishop, Megan Page and Abigail Igbavboa to replace Orozo, Annabel Fawcett and McKenzie.
The second half began with Actonians still having most of the ball but not creating as many chances. However in the 59th minute Williamson won the ball back in the Abingdon penalty area after a defensive error and after her shot was blocked Mohamed followed up for her second goal of the game to give Actonians a 3 goal cushion.
Williamson had another shot go wide in the 65th minute before another change was made with Kat Turner replacing Todd Warmoth. Igbavboa had shots saved and blocked in the 70th minute and Turner had one saved a minute after that. A 5th Actonians change of the afternoon was made with Amina Hanif replacing Williamson. The Abingdon keeper made a great save from Turner’s 75th minute free kick and she had another shot saved with 10 minutes remaining.
Actonians won a few corners towards the end of the game but nothing came from them and then in the 90th minute goalkeeper Elisa Dogor showed that she was still wide awake after not having too much to do for the majority of the game by making a great save to protect her clean sheet. Full time 3-0.
We will now travel to Chatham Town in the next round on the 29 September 2024.
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