WOMEN’S MATCH REPORT
By Charlie Bradford
Hollands & Blair Women 1
(Farley 7)
Cray Wanderers Women 3
(Mardon 56, White 69, Prebble (OG) 73)
South East Counties Women’s Football League Premier Division
Sunday 19th October 2025, 4:30 PM @ Star Meadow Sports Club
After an impressive performance last weekend against Tunbridge Wells Foresters, Cray Women were looking to maintain the momentum and indeed unbeaten league form as they headed on the road to face Hollands & Blair.
The Wands got off to a bad start, conceding the opening goal after seven minutes when Lauren Farley made the most of the space afforded to her on the right side of the box by striking into the left side of the net via the hand of Cray goalkeeper Jess Cox.
From there on though Cray dominated the chances column with Storm Arnold in particular having chances, firstly striking at Blair goalkeeper Gina Riley one on one, having another effort saved before Millie Main put the rebound past the left post, and finally denied one on one once again.
Storm however nearly assisted a goal at the other end when her loose backpass was latched onto by Lauren Farley who proceeded to strike a shot against the base of the right post.
HT: 1-0.
With work to do in the second half, Cray almost made the perfect start to it but Maddie Bone’s volley from six yards out from an Ellie Rivers cross finished over the bar.
Cray kept their foot on the accelerator however and equalised in the 56th minute – Frankie Mardon having a dig from the edge of the box squeeze through the grasp one Blair goalkeeper Gina Riley and crossing the line.
The 69th minute saw Cray take the lead when Ellie Cole’s pile driver was tipped onto the bar and over by Riley with the resultant corner bundled home by substitute Sarah White.
Four minutes later Cray all but sealed three points when Ellie Cole’s corner from the left was headed into her own net by the unfortunate Hannah Premble.
Sarah White then had a chance to add to that lead when she headed a cross at Riley from close range but overall Cray showed good battling qualities to come away with three points in tough conditions.
FT: 1-3.
Player of the Match – Ellie Rivers
