Ashford Ladies 1-2 Millwall Lionesses
By Myles Thornton 29/1/24
Above: Above: Poppy Payne (orange) winning a battle with the Ashford attacker (green). Photo: Ashford United Ladies FC
Millwall Lionesses won their 6th league game of the season on Sunday afternoon as they defeated 8th place Ashford United.
Co-managers Alex Russell and Adam Rowland made 5 changes to the side that defeated QPR in the Capital Cup, Wiktoria Gmiterek, Mellissa Jones, Clementine Young, Shannan Drewe, and Chloe Burr dropped out and were replaced by Chrissie Wiggins, Ella Bailey, Jordan Butler, Emma Whitter and new signing Madison Grandys.
The Lionesses were dominant from the start, and only 4 minutes in, Emma Whitter fired the ball into the box and debutant Madison Grandys was inches away from opening the scoring, but her header hit off the crossbar.
Sophie Chapman was the next Lionesses player to hit the crossbar, but the ball was then cleared off the line. Ashford United then went straight up the other end, and Ella Roper’s effort went astray.
The Lionesses’ constant pressure finally paid off though, as after 35 minutes, academy graduate Ellen Napper found the ball at her feet and took on a shot from long range which went flying into the back of the net.
Then, just before the break, vice-captain Grace Seely doubled Millwall’s lead. Emma Whitter once again with a sublime ball into the area and Seely’s head caught the ball and she powered it into the goal.
Ciara Watling came on to make her second Millwall debut alongside academy graduate Melissa Jones, as they replaced Ella Bailey and Ellen Napper.
Ashford got one back with 30 minutes left to play, Abbey Davies whipped the ball into the area from a freekick, and Jade Steadman got on the end of it to head home.
Maizi Garwood, who has 4 goals in her last 4 games, found the back of the net on 67 minutes but the linesman’s flag went up and the goal was ruled out for offside.
That header wouldn’t be enough though as Millwall Lionesses triumphed through the rest of the game.
After the game, co-manager Adam Rowland spoke to Maritime Radio’s Jeff Burnige and he said that he was “very pleased” with his side in the first half. However he then went on to say that the second half was “completely different” and said “it was like looking at a different side.”
Next up for The Lionesses is a trip down the road to Dartford in the quarter final’s of the LSE Regional Women’s League Cup on February 4th.
Ashford United now have 2 weeks off, before they come up against Ebbsfleet United away in the league on Sunday February 11th.
Teams:
Millwall: Wiggins, Huseyin, Payne, Bailey, Butler (C), Chapman, Grandys, Seely, Whitter, Garwood, Napper. Subs: Bennett, Joyce, Paci, Watling, Jones.
Scorers: Ellen Napper 35’ Grace Seely 45’
Ashford: Not announced
Attendance: TBC
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