A first half finish from Madi Parsonson was enough to maintain Fulham Women’s 100 per cent to the season as they overcome promotion rivals Dorking Wanderers in a tense encounter at Motspur Park this afternoon.

Parsonson’s close range finish from a well worked corner routine sealed a vital three points for Steve Jaye’s side but the victory came at some cost after serious injuries to striker Sophie Manzi and centre half Cat Beaver saw the experienced duo carried off.

The Whites began on the front foot with Ellie Olds forcing an early save from Dorking goalkeeper, before Betty Barron-Clark’s drive was tipped behind. Parsonson tapped home at the back post from the ensuing corner to give the hosts the lead – and, although Fulham dominated possession for the remainder of the first half, clear-cut chances were in short supply. Stella Gandee Morgan came closest with a good strike from distance before Manzi saw a shot blocked.

A tightly contested second period saw Dorking, who featured former Fulham favourites Helen Ogle and Chloe Christisson-McNee, push for an equaliser but the best chances came at the other end. Olds had a header saved from a Parsonson cross before Isabel Taylor-Makepeace was denied by the goalkeeper at the end of a fine individual run. The home side might have made their margin of victory more comfortable but hit the woodwork twice in the closing stages. The excellent Olds hit the post with a terrific effort and Parsonson was denied by the crossbar deep into added time.

FULHAM FC WOMEN: Webber; Tagliavini, Gane, Beaver, Mendes, Parsonson, Barron-Clark, Foreman, Gandee Morgan, Olds, Manzi. Subs: Gibbs, Taylor-Makepeace, Heasman, Taylor.

GOAL: Parsonson (9).