The newly-formed U’s Women have one hand on their first piece of silverware over the weekend, now needing just two points to secure the league title. A comfortable win over Rayleigh was achieved by a hat-trick from Greenleaf and solos from Ager, Gamble, Jenkins and Newstead at Rayleigh’s Chichester Playing Fields ground.
Following their previous two matches being forfeited by the opposition, the women’s lack of match time chemistry showed a little from the opening whistle. Lengthy grass also played a part in the game’s fluidity, holding up the ball’s pace for the entire match and rarely going out of play. Ultimately though, the U’s delivered what was needed and took them a match closer to achieving a season of undefeated league games.
The opening minutes saw the women adjust to the meadow’s characteristics, much of the play being on the right wing with Jenkins. Play switched momentarily at one point for left-back Mowatt to send a shot from outside the box in the sixth minute, but it was comfortably handled by the keeper. This attempt roused the team, with several shots heading for goal over the following minutes. Rayleigh’s number one denied a lot of shots on target with quick reflexes and good reading of aerial balls, demanding more creativity from the U’s.
The ninth minute delivered the opening goal, courtesy of a diagonal Jenkins through-ball to Gamble between two centre backs, This appeared to raise the tempo among the players, with an onslaught of attacks following soon after.
Ager put away the U’s second goal in the twenty-fifth, thanks to a squared Greenleaf ball from the right of the box.
Greenleaf added to the scoresheet three minutes later, getting hold of a lobbed bounce that couldn’t be held by the keeper.
Play continued to rest almost entirely in the home team’s half, the keeper again delivering a number of saves to keep the score down, but an unfortunate handball in the thirty-second minute demanded a composed spot kick from Newstead to take the U’s into a four goal lead at half-time.
The second half was a similar affair, although with the wind behind them, Rayleigh’s forward had a handful of attempts to run onto the ball. Quick responses from Howlett, Paton and Gamble in particular ruled out any breaks though, and with a heavily-fortified home end, there was little opportunity for Rayleigh to make a break.
Jenkins put away the U’s fifth goal in the forty-eighth minute, a simple through-ball from Greenleaf enabling a composed finish.
Greenleaf earned her brace two minutes later after a brilliantly saved Cahill strike fell invitingly for her inside the box.
It was Greenleaf again who delivered the goods in the sixty-fourth minute, a lovely worked one-two with Jenkins to send the ball out of the keeper’s reach.
The match tempo remained fast for the latter half of the last forty five, with a barrage of strikes at goal. With a number just missing their target, the home keeper pulled off more impressive saves to deny a much higher scoreline.
With this latest win, King’s team are only two points away from the league title. They prepare to face Sudbury Sports Women in their final league match of the season next Sunday, themselves clear enough on points to take second spot. This looks to be a great match to end the league’s season before the U’s league cup final on 19th May against Southminster United Ladies.
Colchester United Women starting XI: Adams, Ager, Devall, Gamble, Greenleaf, Howlett, Jenkins, Newstead, Mowatt, Paton, Pope
Subs: Cahill, Clark, Farrow, Mowatt, Vinton
Player of the match: Mowatt
