Woodley United Ladies 4 – 0 Penn & Tylers Green Ladies

Penn’s unbeaten league run put to an end after 4 – 0 defeat away from home

By Darcie Panayiotou

Penn & Tylers Green Ladies impressive seven match unbeaten league run was put to an end after a defeat away from home at the hands of Woodley United Ladies. The final whistle capped the match at 4-0 with goal contributions from Michelle Quinn, May Hamblin and Gemma Simms.

Penn travelled away to the University of Reading Bulmershe Pavilion on Sunday the 27th of November to be met with a gloomy lit and muddy pitch as they entered their eighth match of the season.

Both Penn and Woodley came into the match on equal points and goal difference, with Penn ahead on goals scored. Woodley had a game in hand over visitors Penn, so this match was one of upmost importance for both sides in their league runs and battle for second in the table.

Penn got the opening touch from kick-off at 14:00 with Woodley dominating possession consistently throughout the first half. Penn were strong on the defence, with left-back Xanthe Panayiotou making an important header in the opening 15 minutes to send Woodley’s shot out and keep the score line level.

Woodley remained resilient to Penn’s defence and got the breakthrough of the match in the 25th minute. A corner conceded by the visitors was taken short by the home side. May Hamblin received the initial ball from the corner before crossing it in and being caught beautifully by Michelle Quinn whose header saw the ball meet the back of the net.

An unfortunate injury to one of Penn’s key attacking players, Henna Hussain, stopped play before she was subsequently subbed off for Lyla Flint ten minutes after the initial injury. Penn & Tylers' manager, Nigel Miller, commented on the injury of the key player; “She’s an important player for us […] all our goals have come out of the front three, when you take one of the three off, our odds of scoring are going down."

The first 45 remained competitive up until the half-time whistle, with Woodley going into the second half with a one goal advantage over the visitors.

Penn pushed quickly off the bat of the second half, with a counterattack play leading to a shot by Chantelle O’Grady hitting the side of the net. Nigel Miller commented; “If we had taken the opportunity in the first few minutes of the second half, one-all, slightly different game.” regarding the impact the Penn chance would have made to the performance and outcome of the game.

Woodley were quick to retaliate to the early opportunity from their opponents, with two goals within five minutes to send the home side three up. Hamblin, who assisted Woodley’s first goal, claimed a brace from two goals minutes apart. The first was a result of a cross which Hamblin got the touch to, before sending the ball into the back post. A low shot beat Penn’s goalie to extend the home sides lead.

Despite the pressure Woodley were placing on Penn, the team’s consistency and effort remained admirable, as Sasha Smith claimed one back for the visitors before it being ruled out as offside.

Woodley secured their home win and the three points with Gemma Simms sending a header into the net as a result of a corner in the 80th minute.

Woodley's win sends them three points above Penn in the league, with a threat to advance further with a game in hand. It also saw the end of Penn’s impressive unbeaten streak in the season.

Though Penn may not have grasped any points, Nigel Miller displayed his pride for him team; “I can’t be disappointed with us sitting third in the league at this time of the year and that being our first defeat going into December." He further added; “The girls are on a massive learning curve, there was so much that was good in that game,” as well as highlighting the training which he will be implementing on one-on-one defending leading up to their next matches.

Penn will be battling to reclaim second spot in their upcoming fixtures, as well as aiming to catch table toppers, Milton United, who they have a game in hand on.

Listen to what Penn manager, Nigel Miller had to say in his full post-match interview!