London Seaward (0) – QPR FC Women (5) 

FA Women’s National League Division One (South-East) 

Team: Melling, Hennessy, Searle, Brooks, Lewin, Blodgett, Owen, Ward-Chambers, Stanley, D’Santos, Cooper 

Included in the Rangers’ squad was new signing, striker, Jessica Leach.  

The first goalscoring opportunity of the afternoon fell to the home side just three minutes in, after their No.27 got close to the bye-line, but her shot didn’t trouble Nicole Melling.  

At the other end, after Grace Stanley had got into a shooting position, the R’s striker’s attempt was comfortably held by the keeper. 

Rangers began to grow into the game and took the lead in the ninth minute. After turning in the box, Grace Stanley directed her shot into the bottom corner. 

As for the Anchors, a lofted cross from their No.3 ended up on top of the net. This was later followed by the No. 49 receiving a yellow card. 

Laura Hennessy’s long ball towards the far-post was tipped over by the keeper. 

Following a deep cross into the box, the Seaward keeper and No.49 collided, which left the latter down and in need of some attention. 

As the R’s looked for a second goal, Jess Cooper’s 25-yard free kick hit the underside of the bar, and from the follow-up, Grace Stanley shot over. 

The No.27 was the next Seaward player to be booked. 

Rangers doubled their lead on 43 minutes following Courtnay Ward-Chambers’ corner. Meila D’Santos was well placed at the back-post to head the ball in. Half-time: 2-0.

Into the second-half, and a superb move saw Izzy Owen knock the ball over to Grace Stanley and, after proceeding to the bye-line, her cross found Courtnay Ward-Chambers, but her effort lacked power. 

The home side were reduced to ten players following a nasty challenge by the No.49 on Courtnay Ward-Chambers. She didn’t wait for the referee to respond with a second yellow and trotted straight off.  

Rangers increased their lead after 58 minutes, when Courtnay Ward-Chambers’ low drive hit the bottom corner. 

Danny Harrigan made his first change a couple of minutes later when Alana Munro came on for Jess Cooper and this was soon followed by the introduction of new signing, Jessica Leach, at the expense of Grace Stanley. 

The R’s substitute registered her first goal for the club just three minutes later. Following a scramble in the box, she managed to poke the ball over the line. 

Jessica Leach was soon looking for her second goal when her powerful strike was well saved on 66 minutes. Jo Blodgett made way for Renai McCrea four minutes later. 

Courtnay Ward-Chambers belted one against the crossbar and the follow-up was well saved by the keeper.  

The final change was made on 76 minutes when Paige Hoile replaced Courtnay Ward-Chambers. 

Renai McCrea went on an excellent run, which took her close to the bye-line, but her ball into the box came to nothing. 

Rangers had dominated the second-half, but a rare attack by the home side was broken up by some good covering from Georgie Lewin. She then took the ball wide before passing to Renai McCrea who cleared upfield. 

The R’s almost added a fifth after a cross into the box was hooked goalwards by Jessica Leach and Renai McCrea’s follow-up was cleared off the line.  

Then, Meila D’Santos’ audacious long-range attempt dipped suddenly onto the top of the net. 

After Renai McCrea had got on the end of a through ball, the R’s defender’s strike from outside the box flew just over the bar. 

The fifth goal finally arrived in added time when Alana Munro side-footed the ball into the net. 

Danny Harrigan’s side then travelled to South London to face Dulwich Hamlet. 

Steve Russell