In front of a large crowd, Woodley United progressed to the final of Southern Region Women’s Chairman’s Cup final with a triumphant penalty shootout win over Woking.
The closest either team came to scoring in the opening 16 minutes was when Ellen Surtees floated a free kick just beyond the home keeper Roz Markham’s right hand post.
This was followed by Charley Evans putting a low cross into the hosts’ penalty area which narrowly evaded the oncoming May Hamblin and Sophie Measham saw a goal attempt blocked by a defender.
Woodley’s Sophie Cheadle did well to deny Trudy Bryan-Kerr in the 22nd minute which was followed by Hamblin shooting at Markham when one on run with the keeper in the twenty eight minute.
United was indebted to Cheadle for preventing Woking opening the scoring when Megan Vincer intercepted a Michelle Quinn pass.
As the half progressed Woodley was beginning to find their rhythm with Bonnie Messitt denied a goal scoring shot by Jas Vanvooren and Markham saving from Mollie Steadman
Vincer shot wide of the visitors’ goal after good play but it was Woodley who came closest to scoring as half time approached when Quinn headed Ellen Surtees’ free kick onto the cross bar which was cleared to safety.
The opening 20 minutes of the second half saw Cheadle make two fine saves. The first being to tip the ball over her crossbar from Nicola Marr’s long range shot, while Markham saved from May as the Woodley forward was beginning to cause the home defence problems with her pace and runs.
Hamblin was involved in the build up to the opening goal when she out run the defence and attempted to lob the advancing Markham who handled the ball outside the penalty area to be dismissed.
From the resultant free kick Gemma Simms stroked the ball pass substitute keeper Maya Newsam in the 79th minute.
However, the lead was short lived as Woodley was punished for conceding a free kick 30 yards from goal which Sheena Nichol scored from as her shot deflected upwards of the United wall, over Cheadle and into the next via the underside of the cross bar.
With the extra player Woodley was dangerous attacking on both wings with Charley Evans putting on shot wide and seeing a cross evade Maddie Sawyer and Hamblin.
Due to injuries the half kept being stopped preventing any prolonged period of play and despite 12 minutes stoppage time, United were unable to press home the extra player advantage and the game went to penalty kicks.
Woodley won the toss to take the first spot kick which was converted by Sophie Measham to be followed by Cheadle saving Woking’s opening kick diving to her left
Hamblin converted her kick with Cheadle again making a save as the kick was straight at the keeper.
Simms planted her kick in the left hand top corner to be followed by Woking’s final kick being put over the cross bar to send Woodley through to the final.
Woodley United: Cheadle, Evans, Wilkins (Measham), Quinn, Simms, Surtees, Steadman (Slann), Sawyer, Measham (Messitt), Hudson, Hamblin Sub not used: Stringer
