Georgia Heasman scored the only goal as Fulham Women edged past a determined Dorking Wanderers at Motspur Park to boost their promotion push with another three points at Motspur Park this afternoon.
The Fulham forward’s sixteenth goal of the season was enough to win a tight contest and owed much to an excellent assist from Madi Parsonson, whose low cross was converted by an unmarked Heasman at the far post in the ninth minute. The Whites had plenty of chances to extend their lead in the first half with Megalie Mendes shooting wide from distance before Oldroyd denied Sophie Manzi.
Dorking’s chances in the first period were limited by a dominant display from Olivia Dale, but the visitors did fashion a good chance when Olivia Watson’s cross reached Rachael Manley only for the striker to drag her shot wide of goal. Frankie Gibbs denied Watson just before the break, but Fulham finished on the front foot when a brilliant ball from Mary Southgate set Heasman away but both the goalscorer and Sasha Adamson were unable to double Fulham’s lead before Oldroyd gratefully gathered the ball after something of a scramble.
Steve Jaye’s side began brightly after the interval with Adamson sending a speculative drive over the crossbar and Parsonson testing Oldroyd after seizing on a defensive mistake before the Dorking goalkeeper spread herself well to deny Lilly Lambird after the Fulham midfielder raced through on goal.
There was a lengthy stoppage from the impressive Ayla Darcy suffered a serious injury after falling awkwardly having competed for the ball with Manzi. Louise Cooper’s side looked for a leveller in the final twenty minutes – pushing the Whites back – and Gibbs made a good save from Megan Clapinson but the home side were able to hang on for all three points.
Fulham are second in the table, four points behind leaders Dartford, who won 2-0 at Sutton United.
FULHAM WOMEN (3-4-3): Gibbs; Tagliavini, Dale, Southgate; Parsonson, Mendes, Christison-McNee, Lambird; Heasman, Adamson, Manzi. Subs: Parker, Allen, Barron-Clark, Murtagh, Buchele.
GOAL: Heasman (9).
DORKING WANDERERS WOMEN: Oldroyd; Darcy, Crook, Wentworth, Sparrow; Sargent, Williams, Clapinson, Butts; Watson, Manley. Subs: Hendra, Stuart, Delves, Benson.
REFEREE: Ian Skull.
ATTENDANCE: 214.
