Cambridge United Women (1) – QPR FC Women (3) 

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

Team: Clarke, Searle, Lewin, Wellesley-Davies, Gotch, Hill, Ali, Dzyadyk, Mehmet, Stanley, Orchard 

Subs: Brooks, Blodgett, Owen, Doyle, Adebowale-Arimoro, Leach 

Attendance: 1,074 

It was the away side who had the best of the opening stages at the Cledara Abbey Stadium. 

And following a good run by Ellie Searle, the Rangers full-back’s cross was kicked behind for the R’s first corner. 

Then, seven minutes in, Grace Stanley’s strike went just wide of the target. 

It was no surprise when the R’s took the lead after 17 minutes. Annie Dzyadyk’s low shot went through the keeper and into the net. 

A few minutes later, after a U’s player went down from Kenny Clarke’s clearance, the players took a drinks break. 

For the home side, Zoe Woods’ pass found Mollie Coupar, but before she could pull the trigger, Kenny Clarke had shot forward to smother the ball.  

Cambridge equalised in the 22nd minute. Sammy Edgar’s long ball over the QPR defence found an unmarked Shannon Shaw, who then headed it into the net. 

Alysha Stojko-Down’s 25-yard strike dipped just over the crossbar. 

Then, after 41 minutes, Becca Stephenson’s cross found an unmarked Shannon Shaw, who then headed just wide. 

Sammy Edgar was shown a yellow card following a late challenge. 

Into added time, and Ellie Searle did really well to get a boot to the ball just in time to clear the danger. 

When an injured Grace Stanley was forced off, Jess Leach was brought on to replace her. Half-time: 1-1. 

In the opening minutes of the second-half, Jade Bell’s attempt looked initially as if it was going wide, but Kenny Clarke made a late dive to grab the ball.  

At the other end, Melis Mehmet’s low strike flashed just wide of the upright. 

On 54 minutes, Lily Wellesley-Davies knocked a great ball down the flank, and the move ended up with a corner. From which, Emily Hill’s header narrowly evaded the target. 

The next change came around the hour-mark when Fern Orchard made way for Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro. 

Jess Leach almost gave Rangers the lead after the R’s substitute had bombed down the left-wing. 

The lead was re-taken in the 67th minute. With Annie Dzyadyk running through on goal, Sophie Shults’s clearance found Emily Hill 30-yards out. The R’s captain then audaciously lobbed the ball into the net! 

With all the Rangers outfield players celebrating in the centre-circle, they were soon joined by Kenny Clarke! 

The U’s went close soon after, when Rebecca Stephenson let fly from just outside the box and her shot came off the crossbar. 

On 76 minutes, after Jess Leach had taken advantage of a defensive fumble in the box, the R’s striker went on to knock the ball into an empty net. 

Jo Blodgett was introduced four minutes later at the expense of Melis Mehmet. 

The next change was made two minutes later, when Libby Doyle came on for Annie Dzyadyk. 

The final change was made in added time, which saw Izzy Owen replacing Fran Ali. 

Just before the final whistle, a Rangers defender did well to block Jade Bell’s attempt at goal. 

It was good to bump into Michael and George Benwell after the game.                                       

Next up for Danny Harrigan’s side was the League Cup tie against AFC Bournemouth at the Oliver Connell & Son Community Stadium.      

Steve Russell