South Reading Vixens

Another season and another class of Vixen as the reigning Champions opened their defence of the NEHYL double in dramatic fashion to send an early warning to the rest of the league.

Stand-in striker Alice Martineau led the way, helping herself to 8 goals in the absence of last season’s top scorer Chloe Lyons despite being substituted for a spell at half time.

1-0 6 minutes – Siobhan Hayes converts with a strong shot across goal

2-0 7 minutes – Jade Beaumont heading-in with power from an Alana McGill cross

3-0 11 minutes – Star striking firmly from the edge of the penalty area

4-0 13 minutes – Siobhan grabs a brace with a shot low into the corner

5-0 14 minutes – Jade follows suit with a superb volley from Star’s pin-point cross

6-0 15 minutes – Alice opens her account following a passing combo from Alana, Star and Jade

7-0 21 minutes – Jade completes her hat-trick with a repeat volley from another Star cross

8-0 25 minutes – Alice cheekily chips-in after a poor clearance left the keeper stranded

9-0 28 minutes – Alice nicks her third following a goalmouth scramble

10-0 31 minutes – Alice again with a shot from the middle of the box hit high into roof of the net

11-0 32 minutes – Alana with a shot taken quickly from a dangerous throw-in

12-0 34 minutes – Alice from another Star precision cross

13-0 35 minutes – Siobhan finishes the first half masterclass with a fine solo effort

There was just no answer from the plucky Maidenhead side that, in fairness, played very well under the constant pressure but were unfortunate to meet the South Reading outfit in this kind of mood.

Defenders Amber Wilson and Charlotte Bowcock proved impenetrable at the back flanking new Captain Deanna Peters.

With Georgia McGill virtually redundant between the sticks for the opening period, she was relieved to be replaced by sister Alana as they swapped roles during the break.

Going into the interval with a healthy 13 goal cushion, it was time to ring the changes and also allow some of the newer recruits to make their mark. Strikers Femi Scott and Stacey Coleman joined the party as well as a debut for our most recent signing Tanya Bird.

But old Vixen, new Vixen, it just didn’t seem to matter as the goals continued to rattle-in at regular intervals.

14-0 5 minutes – Femi dribble and shot to open her Vixen account

15-0 6 minutes – Siobhan converting from another well-weighted Star pass

16-0 10 minutes – Siobhan collects and finishes from a poor goal kick straight to her feet

17-0 15 minutes – Femi notches her brace from a Siobhan pass

18-0 29 minutes – Deanna goes unchecked on a solo run from deep in her own half

19-0 30 Minutes – Alice begins to showboat with a corner curled straight into the net

20-0 31 minutes – Georgia joins the party with a sublime solo run

21-0 32 minutes – Deanna grabs her own brace when her long-range shot is fumbled by the keeper

22-0 34 minutes – Alice makes it 8 with a solo run going unchallenged

Full respect however must go to the home side who never gave up despite the relentless onslaught from the Vixens limiting them to a handful of forays into the final third without registering a single shot on goal.

Vixen of the match went to the reigning Player-of-the-Year Jade who played with great confidence from the first whistle and commanded the midfield as she had done all last season.

A fantastic start but tougher tests will undoubtedly lie ahead!