Shanklin Ladies started 2025 with a win and increased their lead at the top of Hampshire Division 1.
Following the Christmas break, Shanklin returned to action with an away trip to City Ladies Women on Sunday (12th January). The pitch conditions were far from ideal, which made the game scrappy at times but despite that, both sides made the most of it and played a good standard.
The game started with Shanklin straight on the attack and within the first 10 minutes had created some good chances. Freya Henry was in the thick of the action with a goal ruled out for offside and a penalty claim turned down for what looked like a certain foul. Daniela Meininkaite also came close following some nice play around the 18-yard box, where she was played through but unfortunately saw her effort hit the bar.
Midway through the half, Shanklin took the lead, Henry picked up the ball 20 yards out and hit a superb shot which flew over the goalie into the top corner (1-0).
As the half-continued, injuries meant Shanklin had to make a number of changes to the starting line-up, but they still continued to press for a second with the best chance falling to Faith Wagstaff, who forced a great save from the keeper from 6 yards. City Ladies played well when in position but didn’t seriously threaten Kirren Shaw in the Shanklin goal.
Half time: City Ladies 0-1 Shanklin Ladies
Although the rain stayed away, the pitch worsened and with conditions becoming more slippery both sets of players had to work extremely hard to gain any sort of foothold in the game. Shanklin’s back four of Richardson, Griffiths, Bavington and Glenn were on top form and avoided any mistakes due to the surface. In the middle of the park, Holly Stephan and Peggy Stagg worked tirelessly all game making big tackles, breaking up and setting up attacks.
The 2nd half was much more even, with City Ladies pressing for an equaliser which came from a corner midway through the half. The corner was met with a header in the 6 yard box which freakishly went straight up about 20 yards, as it returned to earth a scramble for the final touch ensued, which unfortunately came from the Shanklin goalie who punched into her own net to make it 1-1.
Shortly after, the Shanklin keeper made amends pulling off a fantastic save from a point blank header to stop City Ladies taking the lead. Now needing to score a winner, Shanklin upped their game in search of a goal. Eventually, the breakthrough came with Henry again involved. The Shanklin forward turned her defender on the edge of the box to get her shot away, only to see the City Ladies’ keeper make a great save low to her left. Unable to keep hold of the shot, Rosie Willis (who was playing her first game back following injury) pounced on the rebound and fired home what was to be the winner for Shanklin (1-2).
Lola Lewis and Thea Broadhead both came close late on to extend the lead but the gave ended in a Shanklin victory.
Full time: City Ladies 1-2 Shanklin Ladies
Shanklin Ladies next game is home to Liphook Ladies on Sunday (19th January) in the next round of the cup.
