A local derby this evening and a battle between the current top two as Actonians Reserves made the very short journey to Club Des Sports to face league leaders Hammersmith. The home side have a 100% record so far having played 5 and won 5, so it was a record the As were very keen to put an end to.

Unfortunately early proceedings didn’t go as we would have liked. With just 2 minutes on the clock Hammersmith took an early lead and continue to pile plenty of pressure on the Actonians goal after that. It came as no surprise at all when that lead was doubled with a quarter of an hour gone. After Hammersmith hit the woodwork a couple of times things were looking very worrying for Actonians. Just shy of half an hour gone they did get their first goal attempt on target when Ines saw her shot saved. While Hammersmith continued to look threatening, particularly from set pieces, Actonians did have another shot on target in the first half when Charlotte had her 39th minute shot saved. Half time 2-0 to Hammersmith.

Actonians came out looking like a totally different team after the break with Katy and Jess coming close to pulling a goal back in the opening minutes. That goal did come in the 51st minute though. A Kate free kick from long range found the top corner of the net. A free kick that the watching first team captain Mara Bramwell would have been proud of. Actonians had the upper hand possession wise and a lot of play was in the Hammersmith half. Darcie hit a shot wide in the 54th minute but with just under an hour gone Actonians got a deserved equaliser. Jess took a corner which was header away into the path of Charlotte who volleyed the ball home. 2-2. Actonians continued to press but in the 64th minute an excellent solo goal out of nothing put Hammersmith back in front. Actonians continued to have more possession but no goal attempts of note while Hammersmith tried to hit them on the break. Ex-Actonians first team player Rhiannon Ishmael came on for the home side as they tried to strengthen things up and hold their lead. Actonians went on a late surge to try and find the equaliser. With a couple of minutes of added time remaining someone hit a shot wide from long range. I couldn't see who it was though as the floodlights went off bringing the game to a premature end with the score currently Hammersmith 3 Actonians 2.

A real shame the game ended like that depriving Actonians of potentially having another couple of chances to find the equaliser. Whether this result will stand or not remains to be seen but it would be very sad if this was how Actonians lost their unbeaten start to the season. Certainly a game of two halves though. Actonians were quite poor in the first half but outstanding in the second. If the game does get replayed and they play like they did in the second half for the whole game then Actonians would have every chance of gaining 3 points.

Tonight’s player of the match was a close call but Jess Wadey just edges it for me. A home game on Sunday for the Ressies with Ashford United the visitors to Gunnersbury Park.

By Neil Hayward