QPR FC Women (6) – Charlton Athletic Women (PGA) (1) – Which included Four Goals for Melis Mehmet

FAWNL League Cup

Team: Clarke, Doyle, Seale, Gotch, Brooks, Owen, Blodgett, Mehmet, Leach, El-Bergui, Dzyadyk

Subs: Lewin, Sampson, Adebowale-Arimoro, Makowska, Orchard, Stanley

Following the win at Chatham, it was back to Cup action with the R’s taking on Charlton’s young PGA side.

The visitors came close to opening the scoring on eight minutes. Following a corner, Kenny Clarke made a superb stop on the goal-line.

At the other end, Annie Dzyadyk did well to win a corner. From which, the R’s were denied the two or three attempts to get the ball in the net.

Rangers took the lead on 13 minutes after Annie Dzyadyk had cut-in and fired the ball into the bottom corner.

Whilst we celebrated, the Addicks players remonstrated with the referee. No question of offside, but someone had suggested that they may have been claiming that the ball had entered the net via the side-netting?

After an exchange of views, Ms Oyeleke waved the Charlton players away and pointed upfield.

Rangers doubled their lead three minutes later. Melis Mehmet was well-placed to finish from Annie Dzyadyk’s initial shot.

As the R’s looked to increase their lead, Melis Mehmet’s lovely flick found Annie Dzyadyk, whose shot then came off the post.

With Libby Doyle grounded, the ball ended up going for a goal-kick and at this point the players took a drinks break.

She wasn’t able to continue and on 26 minutes Georgie Lewin came on to replace her.

It became 3-0 on 38 minutes and what a goal it was! Spotting Anjola Adekoya off her goal-line, Melis Mehmet superbly chipped the ball over the keeper from over 25-yards.

Approaching the interval, an excellent passing move resulted in Melis Mehmet shooting into the keeper’s gloves. Half-time: 3-0.

Just a couple of minutes into the second-half and Kenny Clarke made a superb point-blank save.

However, normal service was soon resumed when the home side went four-up courtesy of Annie Dzyadyk. Running at the Charlton defence, the Rangers winger belted the ball, which then came off the keeper’s glove before hitting the roof of the net.

As Annie Dzyadyk put over a great cross into the box, Jess Leach and a defender both went for it and the ball ended up going for a goal-kick.

Following a defensive mix-up, the Addicks pulled a goal back from an own goal.

Jaime Gotch denied the visitors a second one with her superb block.

Danny Harrigan made three changes on 57 minutes, which saw the introduction of Chloe Sampson, Fern Orchard and Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro at the expense of Jaime Gotch, Aya El-Bergui and Annie Dzyadyk respectively.

After an excellent run, Melis Mehmet knocked the ball onto Jo Blodgett, situated just outside the box, who then pulled the trigger, forcing the keeper into a flying save.

Anjola Adekoya then made another very good save from Jess Leach after connecting with a ball in from the bye-line.

The Charlton captain, Lauren Hunton, was booked after a tug on an opponent’s shirt.

Jess Leach made way for Natalia Makowska and soon after on 68 minute a Charlton attempt came off the crossbar.

Later, Izzy Owen’s solid challenge won her the ball in a dangerous position.

Jo Blodgett was shown a yellow card, then, with Maria Martins de Andrade down, a Rangers player kicked the ball out and the players took a drinks break.

The fifth goal came via the penalty spot. Melis Mehmet stepped up and planted the ball in the top corner to complete her hat-trick.

Then soon after, the R’s No.10 scored her fourth and Rangers’ sixth of the afternoon, when she let fly from a good 25-yards.

In added time, Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro’s shot from distance was comfortably saved by the keeper.

Danny Harrigan’s side were back at the Oliver Connell & Son Community Stadium the following Sunday to take on Chesham United.

Steve Russell