QPR FC Women (1) – London Bees (3)
FA Women’s National League Division One (South-East)
Team: Melling, Miaki, Hennessy, Hill, Lewin, Blodgett, Goddard, Munro. Stanley, Owen, Sampson
Subs: Wiggins, McCrea, El-Bergui, Reid, Ward-Chambers
The team sheet revealed that Japanese defender Shoko Miaki, was set to make her debut.
Into the game, and as Grace Stanley received the ball, she was blatantly pulled back, but she still continued her run. The R’s striker then passed to Jo Blodgett and her shot from outside the box ended up wide of the upright.
On 20 minutes, Grace Stanley set-up Alana Munro, whose strike was held by Tia Ginn at the near post.
Rangers took a deserved lead three minutes later, when Grace Stanley turned in the box and fired the ball into the top corner.
However, the Bees equalised a few minutes later. Shamoy Campbell’s cross/shot from the right-wing went over Nicole Melling and into the top corner.
Then after 28 minutes, Jo Blodgett forced Tia Ginn into making a good save.
Minutes from the interval, Nicole Melling made an outstanding point-blank save from Millie Isherwood, following Shamoy Campbell’s cross from the right.
At the other end, Emily Hill’s header just evaded the target. Half-time: 1-1.
The visitors went ahead just a few minutes into the second-half. Following her run down the left-flank, Lily Whitelock passed to Millie Isherwood in space, and the Bees No.9 let fly from the edge of the box.
After 51 minutes, Grace Stanley squared the ball from close to the bye-line for Jo Blodgett, who then put it just over the crossbar.
The first changes were made around the hour-mark when Lexi Reid and Courtnay Ward-Chambers were introduced at the expense of Alana Munro and Chloe Sampson respectively.
On 67 minutes, Grace Stanley went close to an equaliser, following Jo Blodgett’s cross into the box.
Three minutes later, Renai McCrea came on for Izzy Owen.
The Bees increased their lead after 80 minutes. Following a bit of a scramble in the box, Sam Lanza managed to get the ball over the line via the upright.
Danny Harrigan’s final change came just after the goal, which saw Aya El-Bergui replace Ashleigh Goddard.
Into the closing stages and Courtnay Ward-Chambers’ effort was comfortably held by the keeper.
For the Bees, Nicole Melling made a very good save from a close-range header.
The next visitors to the SkyEx Community Stadium were Chatham Town.
Steve Russell