U's beaten in entertaining launch event at the Abbey Stadium
Cambridge United Women’s FC are toppled 0-2 by classy opponents Queens Park Rangers Ladies in an entertaining launch match at the Abbey Stadium, with a healthy crowd cheering on the U’s.
The home side began the brighter of the two sides, clearly buoyed by the the number of supporters in the Main Stand attending the occasion. Becky Taylor and Laura Mills both challenged the R’s defence forcing a succession of corners to put the visitors under pressure.
However as the game progressed QPR worked hard to earn more possession of the ball and efforts on goal soon followed. Twice Sophie Fogarty hit the woodwork, before Kasha Petit was played clean through and calmly finished past Verity Crook to break the deadlock on 23 minutes.
The advantage for the away side was doubled moments later, when Jo Wilson picked up the ball in a central position 30 yards from goal and swivelled on the spot, before firing a powerful drive into the bottom right corner of the net.
Despite the setback, United fought back well and opportunities fell the way of Jenkins and Hewitt but neither could trouble QPR goalkeeper Joanne Ayre and the scored remained 0-2 up to the half time break.
Much like in the opening 45 minutes, United took to the field full of energy and matched their higher ranked opponents for large periods.
However their efforts were not reflected with shots on the QPR target and the visitors enjoyed the better chances. United keeper Verity Crook was forced into two fine saves either side of the hour mark, with Jo Wilson in search of her second goal of the match.
The U’s best opportunity of the half fell at the feet of Emily Reed six minutes from time, after the ball ricocheted to the midfielder from a corner, but she was unable to find the target and the R’s held on for the win.
Cambridge United WFC: Crook, Du Plooy, Geoghan, Burt, Phillips, Mills, Bright, Baker, Mills, Hewitt, Taylor
Bench: Clark, Fay, Goodchild, Pamplin, Reed, Simmons, Thompson, Wayne
QPR Ladies: Ayre, Denny, Hayes, Clarke, Lopez, Fogarty, Maggs, Layton, Petit, Wilson, May
Bench: Mullard, Netschova, Clarke