Second half strikes from Rebecca Barron-Clark and Ellie Olds ensured Fulham Women finished their league campaign with victory over Millwall Lionesses at the New Den this evening.
The home side began brightly and spurned several good chances to take the lead. Shannan Drewe looked to have released Jess Edwards clean through on goal, but Olivia Dale and Cat Beaver recovered quickly to clear the danger. It took Steve Jaye’s side 24 minutes to register a shot on target when the lively Madi Parsonson powered an effort towards goal but home goalkeeper Chrissie Wiggins made an excellent save.
Millwall continued to create opportunities with Maizi Garwood drilling an effort fractionally wide having been picked out by Ellen Napper. Fulham found some fluency in their play towards the end of the first half with Barron-Clark letting fly from distance with a drive that went wide of goal before Parsonson forced another sharp save from Wiggins in stoppage-time. Olds hit the crossbar with a rising snapshot right on half time during the visitors’ most promising period of pressure.
Millwall should have gone in front at the start of the second half when Garwood was given far too much time in the Fulham box but the forward slammed her shot against the post. Olds then extended Wiggins with another individual effort before she struck the post herself having reached an excellent cross from Parsonson.
Fulham took the lead just before the hour mark. Olds was the provider, finding the unmarked Barron-Clark with the perfect cutback and the midfielder made no mistake with a composed finish. The goal appeared to galvanise Fulham, who carved out several further chances as they took control of the contest. Parsonson powered another effort from distance wide of goal before substitute Ede Buchele hit the post with seven minutes left.
It was left to Olds to put the game beyond a spirited home side when she tucked another a perceptive pass from Lilly Lambird in the last minute of normal time.
MILLWALL LIONESSES: Wiggins, Huseyin, Payne, Seely, Burgess, Chapman, McGregor, Watling, Edwards, Francis, Drewe. Subs: Jones, Garwood, Joyce, Bennett, Napper.
FULHAM LIONESSES: Gibbs; Tagliavini, Dale, Beaver; Parsonson, Mendes, Barron-Clark, Lambird; Adamson, Heasman, Manzi. Subs: Parker, Allen, Southgate, Olds, Buchele.
GOALS: Barron-Clark (58), Olds (89).
