Smith nets brace as United edge nine-goal thriller

ROTHERFIELD UNITED WOMEN ran out 5-4 winners in their away Division 3 West clash at THATCHAM AND NEWBURY TOWN LADIES WHITES last Sunday.

Rotherfield started strongly but conceded early on. The response came quickly as captain Gemma Tominey picked up the ball, drove into the box and finished well to level the scores.

Rotherfield defended solidly, with Rebecca Dry putting in a player-of-the-match performance at the back and looking dangerous going forward. The second goal came when Kat Horwood lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box. Not long after, new signing Charlotte Smith battled hard in the area to make it 3-1.

There were chances at both ends with Thatcham pulling a goal back before half-time. At half-time Rotherfield made changes, bring on Natalie Hall, Dagmar Heilbuth and Rosie Braich. Rotherfield increased their lead as Charlotte Smith grabbed her second and Georgie Basford added another to make it 5-2.

There were strong runs down the wing throughout from Leila Aljabar, Charlotte Smith and Kat Horwood, which stretched the game and gave Rotherfield options going forward.

Thatcham managed to break down Rotherfield’s defence to make it 5-3 and in the last few moments of the game the visitors gave away a penalty which was scored despite keeper Tia Jacoba getting a hand to the ball.

Elsewhere in the division, GORING UNITED WOMEN drew 3-3 at home to DIDCOT TOWN LADIES DEVELOPMENT. Megan Knlock, Kate Eaton and Eleni Reeves were on target for the hosts.

In Division 3 South, WARGRAVE WOMEN picked up a point in a 0-0 draw at TAPLOW UNITED LADIES.