Ashridge Park Women v Larkspur Rovers Ladies - TVCWFL Division One (7th Jan) Abbey Rangers Ladies v Woking Women - SRWFL Division One South (14th Jan) Camberley Town v Knaphill - Combined Counties Premier South (20th Jan) Caversham United v Coley FC - Reading & District League Division Two (21st Jan) Caversham United Women v Penn & Tylers Green Ladies - SRWFL Div 1 North (21st Jan) Berks County Ladies v Goring United Women Reserves - TVCWFL Dev (28th Jan)

January 2023/24

JANUARY 23/24 Ashridge Park Women 0 Larkspur Rovers Ladies 3 Sunday 7th January 2024 Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League Division One My first game back after an enforced lay-off and once again I made the journey to Cantley Park to catch up with Bryn, Duncan and the Ashridge Park ladies. It was a sunny day, at least to start, but boy was it cold! The wind was in our face and to say there was a chill would be the understatement of the year. My Nan always called this sort of wind lazy because it goes straight through you rather than go around you. This would also be an interesting match-up. Ashridge won the corresponding match at Larkspur but the visitors had been impressive since, winning five out of six including a 16-0 win over Carterton. Their only defeat in that run coming at the hands of top of the table Slough Town Ladies. Ashridge for their part were also on a good run winning eight out of ten in all competitions with their only defeats coming against the unbeaten Tilehurst Panthers and Ruislip Rangers. On to the game and Ashridge made their customary slow start, the visitors were pressing high and when the hosts did have the chance to clear, they faced the long ball over the top for Rovers pacy forwards to run onto. Larkspur had such an opportunity when Shenice Dyer beat the offside trap and forced a good block from Suzana Traguedes who narrowed the angle well. From the rebound Larkspur recycled the ball well and Savana Fearon found Kalina Georgeva running in but her effort whistled over the bar. The visitors also had the next chance following a tremendous run down the right flank from Fearon from halfway ended with her shooting from distance but that too went sailing over. Ashridge had a half chance after a lovely turn and pass from Laura Comerford found Megan Averill who fed a great ball through to Lauren Broadhurst only for Jessica Workman to cover brilliantly and clear. At this point Rovers were completely on top as the home sides struggles to get into the game continued. A cheap free kick was given away by Ashridge centrally 25 yards from their goal and Shani Minors made them pay, firing a missile into the roof of the net after 17 minutes. 0-1 Ashridge were still struggling to get a foothold into the game and Larkspur came close again moments later with Fearon trying a cross shot from the right which Traguedes did well to deal with. Ashridge finally seemed to be getting into the game and a lovely piece of control and nicely weighted pass from Ruby Owen to Scarlett Pratt with her cross finding Comerford but she could only turn the ball wide. A nice interchange down the left between Averill and Broadhurst with the latter finding Owen on the edge of the box but her effort flew just wide. Larkspur had the final say in the half though, a wonderful run down the left from inside her own half by Georgeva took her past three defenders and pulled a cross into the area which Lucy Thomson did well to block, and then another ball over the top picked out the run of Dyer but again Treguedes did really well to narrow the angle and block with her legs. H-T: Ashridge Park 0 Larkspur Rovers 1 It was much the same story early in the second half when the ever dangerous Savana Fearon had a couple of quick fire chances, one her quick feet took her clear into the box but she pulled her shot just wide, and next she picked up a loose ball outside the area but under a challenge from Molly Brookes she could only put her effort over while falling backwards. In the 59th minute the visitors doubled their lead. Following a defensive mix-upand poor clearance the ball found its way to Fearon who made no mistake firing past Treguedes. 0-2 Ashridge tried to rally and came close when a Broadhurst shot from distance was dealt with well by Rovers keeper Ella Berthier and a great run from midfield and slide pass from Averill found Ciara Joliffe but left back Charlotte Workman was there to block the ball and clear. In the 80th minute Larkspur made the game safe. A nice piece of play and a fine diagonal ball from Tineka Pink finding the impressive Fearon on the edge of the area. She held off a challenge before taking the ball round the keeper and slotting it into the empty net. 0-3 The out of sorts hosts huffed and puffed in the closing minutes but without testing the keeper and the visitors were happy to see the game out for an important win. F-T: Ashridge Park 0 Larkspur Rovers 3 A disappointing display from Ashridge who started far too slowly giving the initiative to their opponents and never really recovered. Take nothing away from the visitors though, Larkspur look a good side with plenty to like. They have a good pressing game, pass the ball nicely and have a pacy attack who create a lot of chances goalscoring chances. They thoroughly deserved the victory over a lacklustre Ashridge and good luck to them for the rest of the season. Note to self: Wear more layers when you go to watch a game at Cantley Park during the winter!