Elliott doubles up for Kingsclere

KINGSCLERE were made to battle hard before clinching a 4-1 victory over Oxford City under-23s in the Thames Valley Counties League.

Kingsclere made a bright start and went close through Abigail Elliott and Hannah Sibley.

And they took the lead midway through the half when Elliott got free down the right after a good press and squared the ball to Jenna Thain to finish well.

The lead was doubled soon after when Charlotte Mansfield played a cute ball on the turn into the path of Elliott, who drove in on goal before firing her effort past the goalkeeper.

The second half began with Oxford on top and they almost took the lead when their midfielder was played through on goal only to be denied by the legs of advancing keeper Emily Hamilton.

And Kingsclere managed to push further ahead when Chloe Stromdale played a ball inside from the right into the path of Elliott, who slid the ball home.

Oxford pulled a goal back when a ball into the middle from the right was latched on to by the Oxford midfielder who finished well.

Hamilton had to be on hand again soon after when she came off her line quickly to deny an Oxford striker.

At the other end, Thain had a shot from the edge of the box well saved, then Charlotte Tanner shot just wide.

Stromdale blasted a shot against the crossbar, but Kingsclere made the points safe in the final minute when an in-swinging corner from Sibley found its way past everyone and into the far corner of the net.

Player of the match was Courtney Hance for an outstanding game at the back.