Actonians LFC could not have wished for a better start against QPR at home in Rectory Park, Northolt.
With 4 minutes on the clock Kat Turner sent in a free kick which was knocked on against the post before Dior Knorr crashed the rebound into the back of the net to make her personal tally for the club 4 goals in 4 games, but more importantly to give Actonians an early lead. Captain Mara Bramwell had a header saved with nearly 10 minutes gone but for the majority of the first half there wasn’t a lot to write home about.
Then in the 41st minute the lead was doubled. Abigail Igavboa’s header landed in the path of Amber Dredge and her first time shot found the bottom corner. Igbavboa herself had a shot go wide a minute before the break but when the halftime whistle went the score was Actonians 2-0 QPR.
In the first 10 minutes of the second half centre back Bramwell offered the biggest goal scoring threat having a goal disallowed for a barge on the QPR keeper and then having her header tipped away. The first change was made in the 57th minute with Khyri McKenzie replacing Igbavboa. The substitute was straight into the action having a 61st minute shot saved. In the 65th minute Naomi Graham hit an absolute screamer from about 30 yards out which went narrowly over the bar.
Only four minutes later though, Amina Hamid buried her shot in the back of the net for a goal her performance deserved, and for a 3 goal cushion that the Actonians team performance deserved. A 3 goal cushion that was nearly added to when Bramwell’s 78th minute header hit the post. More substitutions were made with Ikraam Mohamed replacing Hanif and Prudie Todd Warmouth replacing Graham before Actonians made it 4-0. Merle Redhead Ling getting past the keeper and finishing for her first goal for the club. Megan Page replaced Knorr for the remaining minutes but the goal scoring was done. Full time 4-0.
A huge derby day victory which everyone involved with the club can be very proud of and the unbeaten league start for Actonians continues.
Tough choice to pick the player of the match today but Hanif just edges it with Bramwell a close second.
Sunday’s win (8 September 2024) keeps us in third place as our attention turns to Cup action next week when Abingdon United visit us at the changed home venue of Bedfont Sports, 3pm kick off.
