The Round-Up
Sunday 22nd September
Beds & Herts Women’s Division One
A strong start to the season in Beds & Herts Women’s Division One for Hemel Hempstead Town Ladies beginning the defence of their title winning their opening two fixtures scoring 19 goals. Were at home this Sunday taking on a potential challenger to their title Northwood ladies who had begun their season with a 2-2 draw away to newly promoted Hitchin Town Ladies last weekend. Proved to be a close game with a single goal settling the match Natasha McConville firing Hemel Hempstead into a 24th minute lead. A narrow advantage Hemel Hempstead forced to defend it with 10 players for the final 25 minutes as McConville was sent off. Despite the player disadvantage Hemel Hempstead held out to secure the result.
Hitchin Town Ladies making a fantastic start to the season on their return to Beds & Herts Women’s Division One. 4 points from their opening two fixtures including last weekend’s 2-2 draw at away to Northwood were at home for the first time this weekend taking on Hartham United Ladies. Georgia Quinton firing in a strike on the half volley to score her first Hartham goal putting the visitors into the lead. Hitchin Town coming back to level the scores just past the half hour, Natalie Thompson getting her head onto captain Emma Chaffey’s corner to make it 1-1. All square at the break both keepers playing their part, Hitchin Town edged it in the 2nd period taking the lead on the hour with Samantha Coughlan through 1 v 1 with the keeper to make it 2-1 and take full of St Albans Ladies heroics in the Women’s FA Cup to climb into 2nd spot in the table with 7 points.
Winning their first point of the season last weekend Garston Ladies travelled to play Royston Town Women Development this Sunday who themselves had secured their first point of the campaign following promotion drawing 1-1 with Hartham United Ladies last time out. Goals from Lydia Webb and a penalty scored by Ellie Wilkerson seeing Royston drawing 2-2 with Garston the visitors scoring a winning goal from a free-kick out wide looping over the keeper to secure their 1st 3 point haul of the season. Hayley Carr, Sian Fishen and Ruby Jager all celebrating their first goals of the season for Garston.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two
In Bianca Vassell, AFC Dunstable Women Blues have a formidable attacker, 34 goals scored last season in their debut season on their way to winning the Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three title. Has 11 already from 3 played in league and cup. A 10-2 win to start their league campaign this term were at home this weekend taking on Evergreen Ladies who were playing their first game of the season. Proved to be a harsh opening. Vassell scoring 4 goals she isn’t the only goalscorer in Dunstable’s line-up Emily Mitchell with a hat-trick to taking her to 8 for the season. Nicola Hollick with her fair share of goals last season also netting a hat-trick on Sunday one from the penalty spot. Gemma Williams and Nicole Cameron celebrating their 1st Dunstable goals with Kerry Mulvihill-Reed and Holly Wilks also scoring in a 14-0 win.
Garston Ladies Vintage Purples (Reserves) topping the table as they won at home on Sunday against Wheathampstead Wanderers Ladies on Sunday. Awarded an opening day win drew away to Watton ladies last time out. First goals of the season from Jane Hales, Emma Trill and Yasmin Sabri seeing them win their 1st 3 points of the season to keep a point clear at the top of Division Two.
Two wins from two to start the season for newly promoted Langford Ladies. Clinching a 1-0 win over fellow promoted side Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses on the opening day continued with a win in the county cup last weekend. At home again this Sunday taking on Watton Ladies. Amber Clark top scorer for Langford last season scoring in her 3rd successive match there were first goals of the season too for Pearl Houghton and Leah Holmes in a 3-0 victory. Langford 3rd in the table.
AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Ladies are also promoted to Beds & Herts Women’s Two this season. Making their league bow this weekend were away to Sherrardswood Ladies. Chloe Urbanowicz amongst the goals early last season for Kempston she opened her account with a brace this Sunday so to two goals for Bex Cray with Charlie Mullins also finding the back of the net for a goal in a comfortable 5-0 win to start the season.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three
Three matches taking place in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three this weekend. Harvesters Ladies topping the table making a perfect start to the league since joining this season making it 3 wins from 3. Were at home to Bedwell Rangers Ladies this Sunday who were coming into the match off the back of a confidence boosting first win of the season 8-1 away to Buntingford Town Ladies last time out. Ran Harvesters close narrowly missing out in a 3-2 defeat. Isobel Hughes putting the ball home for two goals for Harvesters with Rachel King also on target for her 4th goal of the season.
A trio of sides all on 6 points behind Harvesters with 2 wins from 2 on the board. A 9-0 win at home to mark their Beds & Herts Women’s league debut Herts Vipers went one goal better this weekend reaching double figures at home to Hitchin Town Ladies Reserves. A goal inside the opening minute for Nicole Jancey with Rosie Langston opening her account just a minute later setting Herts Vipers on their way. Jancey going on to complete a first half hat-trick with Annalie Wood also scoring in the 1st period to see the hosts 5-0 up. A further five goals added in the 2nd half Jancey with her 4th 2 minutes after the restart. Rachel Wall and Rebecca Scott getting their first goals of the season, Jancey with a her 2nd 5 goal haul in just two matches adding Herts 9th with 10 minutes left Langston with her 2nd of the game seeing harts Vipers win 10-0.
Two wins from two also for Kempston Rovers Ladies 6 points from their opening two league games a perfect start victory coming at home to Flitwick Eagles Ladies on Sunday. Leading 3-1 at half-time Kempston matching their opening day goals tally to win the game 5-1 in the 2nd half. Millie Scott scoring twice on her first start for the club. Megan Burnapp also on target to score her first Kempston Rovers goal. A first of the season too for Sabrina Stramaglia with Ellie Newbury-Bierton also on the scoresheet. Kempston Rovers 3rd in the table ahead of Biggleswade United Ladies who also have 6 points awarded the 3 points for an away win against Buntingford this weekend.