Wednesday 6th September
The midweek football action on Women’s Football East comes from the ERWFL Premier Division with newly promoted Division One Champions hosting Writtle Ladies at Huntingdon Town FC.
A clash between two sides that have enjoyed a similar rise through the leagues celebrating back to back promotions from county level into the regional leagues promoted from Division One into the ERWFL Premier Division.
Entering the regional setup as Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership Champions last season Cambridge City Ladies pretty much led the way from start to finish to win the title and earn promotion to the ERWFL Premier Division. A strong youth setup within the club players ready to come through and step up to the 1st team. Their Development side new last season also winning their respective league to earn promotion. Started life at the higher level with a 7-0 win against Colchester Town Ladies. Followed that up by beating Northamptonshire side Moulton Ladies at home 8-2 in the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Women’s Cup last Sunday.
Writtle Ladies too have been among the goals in their opening 2 fixtures. Promoted to the ERWFL last season their 3rd successive promotion the side held their own in the league finishing comfortably in mid-table. A stable squad coming through the leagues together have added winger Lynsey Bowman from Silver End United Ladies to their squad this season. Earned a point in their opening league match away to AFC Dunstable Ladies a thrilling game that saw both sides score 5 each. Courtney Clarke netting a hat-trick away to AFC Sudbury Ladies in the FA Women’s Cup this past Sunday it wasn’t enough however as AFC Sudbury hit the back of their net 4 times to knock Writtle Ladies out of the cup.
Huntingdon Town FC the venue for tonight’s match under the lights at Jubilee Park, have been here before a couple of times when Huntingdon Town Ladies still plied their trade. A new clubhouse and changing room, huge carpark a multi pitch sports site the game tonight on the main pitch. A large pitch wide too a good covering of grass looked in good condition a little bobbly. The weather a little cooler of late a bit of damp in the air but dry and still the floodlights taking full effect as the two sides walked out onto the pitch.
Cambridge City Ladies starting XI – Tafadzwa Mhunduru, Bronte Rapley, Lauren Tomlinson, Becca Fay (C), Emily Reed, Sarah Mosley, Stacey Fullicks, Charlotte Gillies, Carla Penny, Bella Simmons & Philippa Witherspoon. Subs – Hayley Turner & Anna Kanz
Writtle Ladies starting XI – Jessica Barrow, Kayleigh Franklin, Lucy Jones, Niamh Gamble, Zoe Smith, Ellie Bowdidge, Caroline Brown, Abigail Fry (C), Lynsey Bowman, Courtney Clarke & Amy Simmonds. Subs – Hannah Mold, Sophie Vale & Faith Candice
(roll on roll off substitutes)
It’s Writtle to kick off the 1st half wearing their change strip of red shirts with black across the top of the chest and sleeves, black shorts and socks with Cambridge wearing white shirts with black shorts and black and white hooped socks. Cambridge start on the front foot winning the ball inside Writtle’s half and attacking down the left Carla Penny on the ball tackled by Writtle’s Kayleigh Franklin for a throw in. Full back Lauren Tomlinson has a long throw in her sends it up into the box headed out Cambridge press around the edge of the area striker Bella Simmons fouled a free kick given 25 yards out to the left, Bronte Rapley over the set-piece sends the ball in high towards the far post goalkeeper Jessica Barrow gets her gloves on the ball misdirecting it behind for the corner kick.
The delivery towards the near post Writtle’s Zoe Smith heading the ball out of the area the visitors can’t get the ball out of their half Cambridge winning the ball back, Stacey Fullicks out to Charlotte Gillies on the right taking the ball on Rapley going past her the two linking up a high all into the area the header won by Writtle’s Niamh Gamble. Cambridge renew an attack right win a throw in the ball inside to Simmons outside the area fires in a shot held by Barrow. 5 minutes on the clock before Writtle get the ball into the Cambridge half the ball put long with Amy Simmons holding it up outside the area right of the D players getting forwards in support to her left rolls it across the D met by Courtney Clarke her 1st time strike rasping past the post wide.
Tomlinson comes forwards to take another long throw on the left high towards the top of the area striker Philippa Witherspoon gets up highest looking to head the ball across the area find Bella Simmons, Gamble s in front of her heads the ball clear. Battling for the ball 35 yards out Witherspoon’s persistence pays off as almost sends Simmons through on goal, Smith getting across to put in the tackle win the ball just outside the box. A quick counter attack by Writtle Caroline Brown with the pass for Amy Simmons moving clear on the right her early cross intercepted and clear by Cambridge captain Becca Fay inside her six yard box. Writtle regain the ball delivered high into the box put behind for the corner.
Players forwards from the back for the corer delivered to the near post Gamble meeting the ball with her head puts it wide of the mark. Cambridge on the right Penny getting forwards support from Tomlinson, Franklin cuts out the attempted cross the rebound finding Bella Simmons outside the area 20 yards out left of goal shoots the ball blocked by Gamble. Neither side is able to retain the ball for long a combination of rushed or long passes and an uneven pitch. Cambridge going long Writtle are well organised at the back the full backs keeping wide standing up to their opposing players. Aware of the threat from Tomlinson’s long throws Smith does well inside her area with Simmons coming towards her to direct her header safely back to her goalkeeper.
Clarke drives on left side for Writtle support from Lynsey Bowman the ball into the winger taking the ball down to the byline her cross cleared by Emily Reed. Getting scrappy in the middle the ball not being retained one side has it then given away little goalmouth action through balls not finding their intended target frustration creeping in. Fullicks with the tackle on halfway releases the ball into Gillies in a central position a flick to move the ball on past her marker takes a run at the Writtle back line Lucy Jones not letting her past.
A free-kick in the right corner for Writtle the ball whipped in high along the six yard box goalkeeper Tafadzwa Mhunduru jumps up arms up to claim the ball doesn’t get it cleanly as she footing is taken from under her but adjusts well as she falls to pull the ball into her body. Half an hour played Cambridge make a change Witherspoon coming off, Hayley Turner coming on up front. Ellie Bowdidge getting forwards through the middle strikes the ball on the volley as it is squared to her from the left 25 yards out the ball is put straight into the keepers gloves.
Writtle finding a little more of the ball in the latter stages of the 1st half as Cambridge give the ball away. Clarke is away on the right with the ball at her feet running cuts the ball in towards the D with captain Abigail Fry bombing forwards, Sarah Mosley with her puts in the challenge as the ball arrives loops up towards goal Mhunduru claiming on her goal line. Mhunduru then with a superb reactive save as Clarke drives at the area to the left of her goal fires in a vicious strike coming at the goalkeeper quickly leaning back tips the ball up onto the crossbar not out of play Amy Simmons tries to get to the falling ball the Cambridge defence getting back scramble it clear.
Half-time Cambridge City Ladies 0-0 Writtle Ladies
All square at the break little quality on the ball a scrappy game neither side settling to any rhythm no one finding time on the ball. Cambridge started strongly with intent but it fell away Writtle strong at the back ending the half on the front foot building momentum coming the closest to scoring.
Changes for both sides at the start of the 2nd half, Sophie Vale on for Simmons up front for Writtle. Anna Kanz is on for Cambridge going into central defence with Reed pushed up into the middle Mosley the player off. Cambridge to get the 2nd half underway. An early chance for Gillies as she is released in behind by Penny taking the ball inside into the box is closing in on goal caught in two minds whether to shoot or cross Barrow stands tall at her near post and it’s a simple catch as the ball is put straight at her.
Bowman getting forwards with the ball on the left sends her cross into the area, Fay heading clear. Clarke picking it up left tries to go forwards Fullicks getting on her to tackle and put the ball out for the throw. Kanz stands up well against Clarke as the attacker looks to flick on Bowman’s pass to her on the right tackled the ball out for the throw. Initially cleared Writtle have bodies forwards the ball whipped back into the area Fry looking to attack in Mhunduru makes the claim at the near post.
A big pitch space is available however passes continue to go astray. Clarke looking a threat for Writtle now with her power and pace takes the ball on down the left channel whips in a cross along the top of the six yard box, Vale is closest making a run far post but can’t reach it. Fullicks winning the challenge on halfway picks out Rapley with the pass right as the full back bombs forwards looking to take on Jones the two come together Rapley down needing treatment needs to come off. Sees Mosley back on a change at the back with Fullicks dropping to centreback along side Fay, Kanz out to right back.
GOAL! 10 minutes played in the 2nd half and the deadlock is broken a great ball through the middle picks out Bowman timing her run in behind on the left carrying the ball into the area the angle closing rapidly she wraps her foot around the ball and fires a powerful shot up over the keeper into the roof of the net to score 0-1.
Clarke has picked up an injury and can’t continue coming off Amy Simmons comes back on. Writtle come on again Bowdidge and Brown linking up through the middle releasing Bowman once again on the left her early cross intercepted by Kanz. Got hold up play from Turner outside the box for Cambridge has Gillies coming on to her left back to goal rolls the ball into her path Gillies looks to drive into the box Smith goes with her keeping on her feet prevents the cross coming in. Writtle always ready to counter attack Fry getting forwards playing a one two with Vale outside the area looking to get onto the return ball inside the D, Fullicks steps up to put in the challenge win the ball.
Cambridge make a change bringing Simmons off in attack sending Witherspoon back on. Writtle too making a switch with Hannah Mold coming on for Bowman seeing a shift in shape allowing the full backs to get on more with 20 minutes left to play. A throw on the left fr Writtle inside the Cambridge half the ball played inside to Brown outside the box fires in a shot coming straight at Mhunduru plenty of pace on the strike gloves it up into the air almost threatens to sneak in behind her but turning sharply plucks the ball out of the air.
A frustrating game for both sides frustration creeping in referee Chris Abbott needing to have a word with a few players. The tempo is good Cambridge giving the ball away Writtle stretching them the back line winning most thing’s launched forwards. Reed plays the ball inside for Gillies moving forwards lays the pass to Mosley going with her her strike from 25 yards out screws wide of the Writtle goal. Simmons comes off for Writtle Faith Candice coming on with 15 minutes left.
Needing to find a goal to get back into the game Cambridge go to 3 at the back Fullicks moving up field into a more advanced role with Reed moving into a defensive midfield role in front of the defence. Vale sends her shot on the turn from a throw deep on the left up onto the bar as the game moves into the final 10 minutes. Fry goes down in the box after getting up to try an attack a Jones free-kick played into the area struggling is taken off Bowman returning to the action.
Cambridge push on late in the game Fullicks to Gillies right on for Witherspoon a throw in won the ball then crossed in long towards the far post Turner attacking it close range on top of the keeper the ball knocked up onto the crossbar, then placed wide a corner signalled as players scramble to reach the ball. The corner from the left headed clear of the box to the right side Mosley picking it up fired back across the area plenty of white shirts that side a shot is fired in the ball hitting the bar for the 2nd time. Cambridge have Writtle pushed back around their area winning a corner left the ball comes in central Fay stooping into the header lifts her attempt over the bar from inside the six yard box.
Barrow saves near post as the ball is fired in Cambridge pushing hard as the game moves into stoppage time everyone back for Writtle. Witherspoon battling forwards with the ball into the box Gamble defending well against her with both closing in on the keeper the corner conceded the ball attacked near post is headed wide along the face of goal. Writtle launch it up field as the final whistle is blown.
Full time Cambridge City Ladies 0-1 Writtle Ladies
Writtle win their 1st 3 points of the season 4 points from 2 league games Lynsey Bowman’s strike the difference between the 2 sides and after conceding 8 goals in their opening 2 games the clean sheet as pleasing two the defence working hard throughout the game. Was a scrappy affair under the lights ball retention not at its best. A bright start from Cambridge seemed to lose their way a little finishing strong at the end the woodwork struck by both sides might have been a 3-2 on another night.
Women’s Football East – Player of the Match
Tonight’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match goes to a defender the Writtle back line composed and organised not letting much get in behind players staying on their feet keeping with their runners picking one over the other is difficult but I’ve gone for Zoe Smith whose positioning was good though out the game.
Not the prettiest of games tonight but still I always enjoy a game under the lights my thanks to both sides for their help with the team line-ups.