On a historic afternoon for Cray Wanderers, the Women’s team in their first season remained top of the SCEWFL Division One East after a goal in each half from Chloe Ashdown and Hannah Atkins defeated a good Oakwood side at Flamingo Park.  

The match was the first to be played on the Wands new 3G pitch at the soon to be home ground at Flamingo Park and there was a real sense of occasion with the Mayor of Bromley, Mike Botting officially opening the pitch as the teams emerged and a host of newcomers to watch the Wands Women play.  The team was led onto the pitch by mascot and no 1 fan, Chloe Gentle.

On a windy afternoon (certainly up on the balcony) the Wands got off to the perfect start to their new surroundings in the 3rd minute when from a corner down the right, Katie Jackson’s ball to the far post was fired into the net with great economy by Chloe Ashdown for an historic first goal scored at the Golf Club end.

Oakwood were resolute opponents and were playing well but Cray were able to create chances during the first half.  Firstly, down the right Jackson’s ball across just couldn’t get a touch from Jess Oldfield and went across goal.

Then Oldfield became provider with a neat flick through to Jackson down the right of the area but was denied by a fine blocked save by Beckie Kirkham.

This was soon followed by the impressive Millie Main down the left laid a ball across into the six yard box for Oldfield who turned the ball against the underside of the crossbar.

For Oakwood, Darbie Hughes, who had a good game, hit a shot from 25 yards which was held by Samantha Sharp.

Cray continued to seek a second goal and Annemarie Blanche, Hrystyna Kulishko and Jackson combined to set up Oldfield who hooked an effort towards goal which grazed the top of the crossbar and over.

As the half went on, Main hooked a volley from a corner towards goal which was claimed by Kirkham and then fired over the top.  Then, Kirkham did well again to block from Kulishko down the left of the area and then Main shot over the bar.

Before half time, Main saw a shot blocked from a corner, Oldfield shot wide of the right post from Danielle Smith’s pass and then Kulishko latched onto a loose pass out of defence and shot over the top.

HT:  1-0

The second half saw Cray continue on the front foot and Annemarie Blanche saw an effort held.  Then Main was unlucky with a shot from outside the area which was met by a fine save from Kirkham pushing the ball out.

For Cray, from another Jackson corner down the right, the ball came to Claire Goldsmith who turned the ball over the bar.

Oakwood though were hanging in the game well and posed problems particularly through Hughes but found chances hard to come by aside a shot from Ella Ritchie down the left of the area at the near post held by Sharp.

With the game still in the balance Cray just needed a second goal to feel more comfortable and came close when Main’s shot was turned over the bar well by Kirkham.

From the corner in the 76th minute the Wands scored the second goal when Jackson’s cross came to Main whose shot was on target but deflected off Hannah Atkins and into the net.  Atkins had scored the Wands first ever league goal at Gravesham back on 3rd September and now added a goal at Flamingo Park to her portfolio.

Cray finished the game well and Jackson, Kulishko and Main almost added a third while there was a late flurry from the visitors who kept going until the end which led to balls going across the box but defensively Cray were very strong with Goldsmith and D’Urso at the back and kept another clean sheet as the Wands won the game 2-0.

Cray now move on to 31 points from the eleven league games played and are a point clear of Petts Wood who also won today but have played two games more. Tonbridge Angels are third on 28 points.  The Wands next match is at Crayford Arrows next Sunday.  The next home match will be on Sunday 25th February vs Margate FC Women in the Quarter Finals of the Kent FA Plate.

This was a great day for the club and a big thank you to all that came to the game and had a glimpse of what things will be like in the future and we hope you all come back for more in what will be exciting times for the club.

Cray Wanderers: Samantha Sharp, Grace Dodds, Vittoria D’Urso, Claire Goldsmith, Danielle Smith, Annemarie Blanche, Millie Main, Hrystyna Kulishko, Katie Jackson, Chloe Ashdown, Jessica Oldfield; Subs: Lauren Henry, Hannah Atkins, Renette Ofori, Eve Sales, Charlotte Knipe-James

Scorers: Ashdown 3 mins, Atkins 76

Oakwood: Beckie Kirkham, Lana Haward, Chloe Coaker, Jade Dancaster, Jamilah Cheune, Darbie Hughes, Jodie Barker, Ella Ritchie, Molly Rimmer, Billie Saunders; Emily Harris, Tracey O’Hagan, Nicole Rudge, Darcie Golding, Leah Scrace

Referee: Jemma Cripps

Att: 141

Pictures supplied by Ozay Booth.