Late mistake proves costly for United

ROTHERFIELD UNITED WOMEN went down to a 3-2 Thames Valley Counties Women’s League Division 3 West defeat against visitors KIDLINGTON YOUTH LADIES at Bishopswood on Sunday.

Kidlington started strongly with some good attacks as Rotherfield had to dig deep in midfield with Horwood, Colam and Tominey working hard to help the defensive four.

Carpenter made some decisive calls early on, keeping Rotherfield in the game. After settling, Rotherfield found their form using the width well with Ajabar and Lane working hard on the wings to get balls into Palmer and Tominey.

In the first 15 minutes Palmer and Lane made several efforts on target with some impressive saves from the Kidlington keeper.

A goal for Rotherfield was ruled out for offside before Kidlington took the lead, a shot across the box just missing the hands of Carpenter.

The response from Rotherfield was instant with more attacks seeing a close miss for Tominey crossed in by Palmer and a ball hit wide for Lane.

Soon after a cross from Palmer found Lane in the area who skipped past a defender and buried the ball in the net.

Just before half-time a free kick for Kidlington, initially cleared by Candillio and Fenning, made its way back and another cross-goal strike evaded Carpenter to take the score to 2-1 at half-time.

In the second half play continued end to end with shots on target for both sides. On 55 minutes an attack from Rotherfield saw play between Palmer and Colam take the ball through midfield and across to Lane who delivered the ball into the box where Colam caught it on the volley to score the equaliser.

Both teams continued to battle hard but an error from a goal kick gave the Kidlington striker space to take the keeper on in a one-on-one and score the decisive goal.

Elsewhere in the division, GORING UNITED WOMEN ran out 3-1 winners at DIDCOT TOWN LADIES DEVELOPMENT.

Goals from Hannah Steward and Isabel Cary put United 2-1 up at half-time with Sarah Mattimore completing the scoring on
79 minutes.

In Division 3 South, WARGRAVE WOMEN picked up a point as they drew 1-1 at BROOK HOUSE WOMEN. Charlie Kirk was on target for the visitors.