The Round-Up
Sunday 18th March
Here we are once again with another shortened version of this weekends Round-Up with the weather again playing havoc with the fixture lists another cold burst depositing snow across the country over the weekend saw just 11 matches survive across the East. The majority of those in Cambridgeshire too. Adds to the problem of an already congested fixture list with games piling up towards the end of the season. March has not been kind to football so far in 2018. Of those games that did get played it was thanks to the dedication and hard work of the host team in most cases to get their pitch in a playable state and an appreciative thanks to all those put so much in to do so. A total wipe-out of fixtures the the FAWPL this weeks action begins with the ERWFL.
ERWFL Division One North
One game in the ERWFL Division One North this Sunday in Cambridgeshire, Histon Ladies have seen a good proportion of their home matches at the Glassworld Stadium called off due to weather conditions but not this time around as they took on opponents, Ipswich Town Ladies Development. The hosts getting their noses in front on 10 minutes with Abi Davies scoring her 9th goal of the season. Ipswich Town getting back on level term with 10 minutes of the 1st half left the sides drawing 1-1 at the break. Histon retook the lead with 20 minutes left to play Davies getting her 2nd of the match, the 3 points made secure with Ipswich Town conceding a penalty as the game closed on the final 10 minutes captain Sophie Lanham scoring from the spot.
ERWFL Division One South
Hoddesdon Town Owls Ladies fresh from playing in their 1st ever Hertfordshire County Cup final last Sunday were hosting 2nd placed side Harlow Town Ladies in the only match to beat the weather in ERWFL Division One South this Sunday. The hard work by Hoddesdon to get their pitch playable paying off as they picked up a great result beating Harlow 2-1 to record their 3rd league win of the season. The goals scored by Hannah Kelly and Sian Owens.
Norfolk Women’s County Cup
Just one game surviving in Norfolk on Sunday for the Norfolk Women’s County Cup the competition down to the last 4. Sprowston Ladies leading Division One certainly the underdogs as they played hosted to Wymondham Town Ladies currently leading ERWFL Division One North. Sprowston making the decision early on Sunday to switch the match to the FDC’s Open Academy all weather pitch. Wymondham have a strong attack with plenty of goalscorers in their side, aren’t too many games where the sides top scorer, Laura Nicholls isn’t on the scoresheet and not so this Sunday as she scored in the 11th minute to put Wymondham into the lead. Nicholls involved in the next two Wymondham goals too setting up Mollie O’Callaghan to make it 2-0 in the 22nd minute, with striker Hannah Waters scoring to make it 3-0 at half-time.
Two goals early in the 2nd half putting Wymondham in full control of the tie with Alice Ladbrooke and Waters with her 2nd of the game making it 5-0. The pair both getting on the scoresheet again as the game entered the final 15 minutes Ladbrooke making it 6-0 with Waters going on to claim a hat-trick. A 2nd successive County Cup Final appearance for Wymondham they will play either King’s Lynn Town Ladies or Acle United Ladies who saw their match at The Walks postponed.
Cambridgeshire Women’s Invitation Cup
It was also County Cup semi-final weekend in Cambridgeshire both games surviving the snow that had blowed in, holders Cambridge United WFC from FAWPL South East Division One hosting Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership side, Newmarket Town Ladies. A three league gap between the sides, Newmarket very much the underdogs going onto the game but have tested themselves well against higher league opposition this season and as the 1st half drew to a close it looked as though the sides would go in level at the break. Cambridge getting a goal to put them 1-0 up in the 41st minute courtesy of striker, Lauren Gibson. A more comfortable lead for the hosts early into the 2nd half two quick goals seeing the lead increased to 3-0 with Kelley Blanchflower and Faith Hewitt firing the ball into the back of the net in the 47th and 49th minutes respectfully. That the final score as Cambridge United reach another Invitation Cup Final.
It will be a repeat of last season’s final pair too as Cambridge City Ladies also booked their final berth this Sunday, the side currently 2nd in ERWFL Premier Division hosting another side from the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership, St Ives Town Ladies. A tighter scoreline this one with just a single goal enough to settle the semi-final. Charlotte Gillies getting the winning goal for Cambridge City.
Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership
Two games from the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership this Sunday. 4th placed Cambridge City Ladies Development close the gap to 3rd placed Newmarket Town Ladies to just a single point after they came back from 1-0 down to win 2-1 their 5th successive win in league and cup. At home on Sunday taking on 5th placed March Town United Ladies. Shannon Shaw with her 20th goal of the season putting March Town into the lead. 1-0 up at half-time Cambridge City came back to win the game and claim all 3 points. Eline Sorbye scoring both there goals in the 2-1 win her first this season.
Park Ladies are at last celebrating this season and will get tagged in a Round-Up for the 1st time in close to two season’s after they won their 1st ever match in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership this weekend. Has been a tough period for the club after they raced to promotion in their 1st season. A difficult period to follow as results went against them early on their 1st season in the Premiership players then leaving the club threatened it’s very existence for a little while but the club came through these tough times again this season results have not been with them bottom of the table without a point that finally changed this Sunday.
Park were at home to the side immediately above them, Cambridge University Women who themselves are having a tough season after being amongst the forerunners in the Premiership in recent seasons. Amy Newell leads the line for Park and she was on target for 5 goals on Sunday taking her onto 14 for the season as Park clinched their 1st 3 point haul with an 8-2 victory taking them to within a point of Cambridge University Women. Chantelle Abraham, Jenna Brown also scoring their 1st goals for Park with Sian Holcroft also to target. A victory that will do wonders for morale.
Cambridge Women’s Division One Cup
Three more group matches from the Cambridgeshire Women’s Division One Cup this Sunday. In Group C, Wisbech Town Ladies made it 3 wins from 3 to clinch top spot in the group and advance to the knock stage of the competition. Were at home to Orton Rangers Ladies. Josie Turner top scoring in the match getting 4 goals to her name for Wisbech Town. Top scorers Sophie Swinden also getting a hat-trick the the match with both Faye Kowalewsky and Chloe Riches getting a goal each in a 9-0 win.
In Group D, Riverside Ladies had already clinched top spot winning all 3 of their matches. This Sunday Ketton Ladies were away in their final group game taking on Spalding United Ladies. A brace each for Claire Lawrenson and Emma Ward plus a goal for top scorer Fran Kavanagh seeing Ketton finish 2nd with a 5-1 win.
In Group A, Isleham United Ladies were away to Burwell Tigers this Sunday. A brace from Amy Ellis along with a goal apiece for Lily Turner and Shona Kelly securing a 4-1 win. Lauren Rouse on target for Burwell Tiger’s goal. The other group match between Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds and Newmarket Town Ladies Reserves was called off, so it remains all to play for in the group.
Essex Women’s Division One
Also a total wipe-out of the fixture list in Essex on Sunday with just one league match surviving across the two divisions. In Essex Women’s Division One 4th placed Brentwood Town Ladies Reserves close the gap up to the top 3 to just 2 points with a comfortable result at home to Rayleigh Town Ladies on Sunday. Georgia Holdaway on target for a hat-trick in the match top scoring for Brentwood, there was a brace each for Kirstie Jackson and Emma Mackie with Paida Dedza and Chloe Wilkinson both getting a goal each in a 9-2 win. Eleasha Reeves and captain Isabelle Wallings getting the goals for Rayleigh Town Ladies.
Alot of fixtures across all leagues yet to squeeze in as we approach the last weekend of March, fingers crossed for a dry April and May.