South Reading Vixens

Stand-in managers Rachel and Mandy took charge of the team for the first time this season, looking to extend the success they had achieved in the Summer tournaments a few months earlier. The previous meeting between these sides had produced an exciting 3-3 draw, so both managers and players would have to be at their best to get a result.

Haslemere started strongly, and within a couple of minutes burst through the Vixens defence to open the scoring. The visitors continued to dominate the opening period of the game, and went close to increasing their lead on a number of occasions. However, a combination of wayward shooting and some excellent defending by Ashleigh and Karis meant that they were unable to add to their tally. The Vixens then began to play their way back into the game, and on 20 minutes Charmaine got on the end of Kelsey’s corner to level the score. But the lively Town strikers continued to press forward, and keeper Ellie pulled off a great save to ensure the teams went into the break on level terms.

The Vixens were fired up for the second half, and Charmaine won possession almost as soon as Haslemere kicked off the second half. She went straight for goal and struck the ball into the net with just 9 seconds on the clock. Thereafter there were chances at both ends, but Kelsey sealed a hard earned win as she hit the Vixens third goal of the game with just a couple of minutes remaining.

Haslemere will have been disappointed to have played as well as they did, yet take nothing from the game. But it was a great result for the girls, and a good morning’s work from the Rachel and Mandy Dream Team.

Squad: Ellie, Ashleigh, Jade, Karis, Charmaine, Jessica, Felisha, Kelsey, Malicia

The Vixens player of the match was Charmaine, who worked tirelessly throughout.