South Reading Vixens

A bad journey down to leafy Surrey left the girls with little time to warm up, and it was a sleepy-looking bunch that took to the field. The Vixens did create an early opportunity when stand-in keeper Ashleigh’s fly kick found Jaye, who set up Mikala to unleash a good shot. But Haslemere had much of the early play, and opened the scoring on three minutes when the Vixens defence dwelt too long on the ball in front of their own goal. A few minutes later they doubled their lead when a cross from the left rebounded off a Vixens defender to give Ashleigh no chance. Midway through the half the introduction of the energetic Yasmin, making only her second NEHYL appearance, at last saw the girls start to show flashes of their true potential. First she played Jaye through to force a good save from the keeper, then both players combined to set up Felisha who fired just wide. Jaye went close again as half time approached, before both teams retreated to the shelter of the pavilion.

The Vixens began the second half in a much more positive frame of mind, but Haslemere soon went further ahead. If their first two goals had been soft from the Vixens point of view, this was just the opposite – a fantastic strike from the right which flew past second half keeper Malicia into the far corner of the net. The game continued with Jaye, Yasmin and Jessica having opportunities for the Vixens, whilst Malicia pulled off some great saves at the other end. But there were no more goals, and on the day Haslemere were good value for a comfortable three points.

Squad: Ashleigh, Malicia, Felisha, Mikala, Jessica, Kelsey, Jaye, Yasmin

The Vixens player of the match was Ashleigh, for sound goalkeeping in the first half and determined defending in the second.