With Myles Maddix suspended, first-team coach Francis Edubatey was the man in the dugout, and his side saw five changes from the team that was defeated 5-1 by London Bees last weekend.
Leah Robinson, who has spent 25/26 on loan at Cambridge City in the sixth-tier, was recalled following the injuries to Nicole Melling and Sarah Hudson to make her first appearance since the 24/25 final day. Courtnay Ward-Chambers, Tasha Fensome, Amber Leighton and Elizabeth Mulvaney stepped in for Natalia Makowska, Leyah Maddix, Jànaye Beaufort and Andie Dickens.
The Ladies started brightly and almost took the lead five minutes in. A well-worked move begun with Tanya Blacksley, who spread it out wide to Fiona Buttigieg, and the full-back whipped in a pinpoint delivery onto the head of Tasha Fensome, who powered over.
Leah Robinson was tested for the first time with ten minutes played. A long-distance effort was well held by the young keeper.
At the other end, the Town came close again. Fensome drove through the Hoops’ midfield and laid the ball into Courtnay Ward-Chambers, but the forward saw her effort immediately blocked by Breen’s outstretched leg.
With twenty on the clock, QPR couldn’t believe they didn’t score. A chaotic goalmouth scramble, resulted in multiple blocks on the line from Town players, who were eventually able to clear.
The pace of the opening thirty had slowed drastically in the final fifteen minutes of the first half, with neither side creating any real goalscoring opportunities. The best chance fell the Hatters’ way, Amber Leighton’s flicked header picked out Fensome, who slipped Emily Wilson through on goal, but the forward was instantly thwarted by the onrushing Crierie, who was quick off her line to claim the ball.
The Ladies were the superior side in the opening exchanges of the second half, although Leighton’s effort from the edge of the area which was blocked by a Hoops defender, was the best opportunity the Town could create.
Robinson was tested again from distance and she got down low to deny the visitors at her near post.
Leyah Maddix replaced Wilson as the game entered stoppage time, and it was almost instant impact from the skipper. She collected the ball on the right and chopped inside onto her left foot, she rolled the ball to Elizabeth Mulvaney, but her effort was held by Crierie.
Town: Robinson, Blacksley, Swarres, Tambula, Fensome, Mulvaney, Wilson (Maddix 89), Buttigieg (Dickens 72), Milliken, Ward-Chambers, Leighton (Beaufort 79).
Unused subs: Rance, Brooks, Chellenbron, Bowman.
Report: Owen Williams Photos: Duncan Jack
