Women's Report | Cards come out on top in derby clash

Woking came out on top in the local derby against Abbey Rangers thanks to three goals from Helen Ogle, Sheena Nichol and Kaitlin Howard. The Cards, who played 60 minutes of the game with ten players due to injuries, were able to get over the line with their first clean sheet of the calendar year as well.

The first ten minutes of the game were dominated by the visitors, with Abbey failing to even enter the other half. Despite the lack of chances on goal, it was clear Woking already had a big foothold in the game.

The first chance came three minutes after when Sheena did well to get a shot off on the turn from outside the box, but it went just wide.

Rangers’ first chance came shortly after, however, a brilliant last-ditch tackle from Frances Cotter in the box prevented the hosts from taking the lead. Question marks over whether or not the hosts should have had that opportunity in the first place were mentioned due to an injury Sophie Burgess had suffered in the build-up. She was subsequently substituted and replaced by Alicia Christie.

Some time had passed with neither team really challenging one another until a great ball from Helen found Charlotte Keenan, who was taken out by the goalkeeper to be awarded a penalty. Helen stepped up and tucked the ball home to the ‘keepers left to put the team in front.

Unfortunately, Alicia, who had only been on the pitch for 20 minutes, was also forced off with an injury, meaning that for the final five minutes of the half and the entirety of the second, the Cards would have to play with ten due to no more substitutes available.

If anything, this spurred the team on more, knowing how difficult the rest of the game would be but a moment of magic from Sheena just before half-time put them in the driver's seat. Any other player would be questioned if it’s a lucky cross gone in but with Sheena, you just know she was going for goal! The number eight had the ball on the right-hand side, being chased down by two defenders and just watched the ball fly into the goal from what felt like an impossible angle. The portfolio of goals she has racked up this season is nothing short of perfection.

HT: Abbey Rangers 0-2 Woking

In the second half, the team knew of the difficulty of playing an entire half with ten but were nevertheless up for the challenge.

Just before the hour mark, the skipper made it three as Kaitlin’s original shot was saved, but her follow-up looped over the ‘keeper and into the back of the net. A comfortable lead to have to settle any nerves that there may have been going into the final half an hour.

Amy Jenkins made a very important save in what was Abbey’s only real major effort when she made herself big from a close-range shot, to deny a consolation for the hosts.

Gaby Hobday made an exceptional tackle to regain possession at one point and went on a run towards goal, but her eventual shot hit the side netting. This phase of play was significant because the pressure from the front never stopped, despite the lesser advantage. It showed that the players were desperate to see out this derby victory, which they did.

FT: Abbey Rangers 0-3 Woking

This win sees the Cards move up to fourth in the league standings, still maintaining the second-best defence in the league. Going forward, the management team will be hoping to have more bodies available on a matchday, starting with next Sunday’s home fixture against tier-five side Denham United Ladies in the Capital Women’s Cup Third Round.


Woking Starting XI: Jenkins, Hobday, Mitchell, Cotter, Burgess (20), Price, Nichol, Theocharous, Ogle, Howard ©, Keenan

Subs: Christie (20) (40)

Attendance: 61

Player of the Match: Sheena Nichol