Round 1 | John Kerkhof Park, Cambridge

Loaded WaiBOP Football and Capital Football have shared the points in Sunday’s opening National Women’s League encounter at John Kerkhof Park in Cambridge.

After an opening 20 minutes where both sides prodded and probed for an opening it was the visitors who took the lead through Emily Morison who pounced from close range. Loaded WaiBOP was back on level terms almost immediately, however, when Leah Gubb slammed a corner home from the edge of the six yard box.

The match opened up as the half went on, with both sides forcing half chances. Capital sent a couple over the bar before, in the 40th minute, Leanna Ryan burst into the box and was tripped for an obvious penalty. Serena Murrihy confidently stepped up to tuck home the go-ahead goal for the hosts.

WaiBOP had the better of the early stages of the second half but the visitors got back on level terms with 20 minutes left. Katie Barrott got the last touch after a defensive mix up from the home team.

The game opened right up after the goal as both sides hunted for a winner. WaiBOP came close through both Kim Maguire and Theresa Rhein, while Capital had a late free kick well saved by Georgia Candy.

In the end, both sides had to settle for a point which seemed a fair result.

FULL TIME v @CapFootball - all square at John Kerkhof Park #WBvCF
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Loaded WaiBOP coach, Barry Gardiner, was relatively happy with his side’s performance. “We’ve started working on a few different systems with the team and I think you saw some passages of play that were positive,” said Gardiner after the match. “We were in a position of 2-1 up and felt reasonably comfortable but they were dangerous as well so overall a draw was probably a fair result.

“We’re happy enough…but we always like to win them games.”

WaiBOP was missing a number of players for this match but Gardiner was pleased with how his side reacted. “We played with 100% commitment and there were some really good performances. It’s a team effort for us. I thought there were some individuals that played really well but collectively, I think, it’s the most important thing for us.”

Loaded WaiBOP 2-2 Capital (ht: 2-1)WB: Leah Gubb 24’, Serena Murrihy (pen) 40’CF: Emily Morison 23’, Katie Barrott 70’.Crowd: 224.

Loaded WaiBOP: Georgia Candy, Serena Murrihy, Hannah Reid (Michaela Clarke 86’), Leanna Ryan, Helen Talbot, Leah Gubb (Theresa Rhein 80’), Naomi Courtney-Tennent (Ella Golding 60’), Kat Robinson, Maxine Rawnsley, Kim Maguire, Chelsea Elliott (Emma Cawte 73’). Subs: Amanda Wilshier (gk).

Capital: Anna Wittmann-Wenzel, Tessa McPherson, Ella Wilson, Emily Morison (Maggie Jenkins 61’), Katie Barrott, Jayme-Lee Hunter, Briar Palmer, Emma Main, Michaela Roberston, Mikaela Hunt, Asha Strom. Subs: Natasha Ingram (gk), Kennedy Bryant, Hannah Wignall, Lena De Ronde.