The Round-Up
Sunday 15th December
Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership
One more Round-Up for 2019 then I will be enjoying the festive period along with the rest of you. Not that I don’t enjoy writing these because I do fascinating reporting on the league and cup action across the East of England each weekend. The Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership and Championship both expanded this season offering plenty of action and drama the Premiership title race in particular wide open going into the New Year the Championship may well be closer than it looks come the end of the season.
The weather unfortunately playing it’s part once again with just 6 games surviving. Two from the Premiership. Peterborough Northern Star Ladies Reserves going top on goal difference last weekend joining Leverington Sports Ladies and Haverhill Rovers Ladies on 15 points off the back of 3 straight wins. A 3-0 win at home to ICA Sports Ladies then the pair meeting in the reverse fixture this weekend. A different story this time around as ICA Sports Ladies put themselves firmly back in the title race. Leading Peterborough 2-0 at half-time a strong 2nd half saw them add a further 5 without reply to win 7-0 and in doing so close the gap to the leading trio to a point. Eleanor Scotland making just her 2nd appearance for ICA Sports scoring her first goals for the side netting a hat-trick. Carmen Herridge scoring a brace along with a goal each for Lorna Hart making her first appearance of the season and a first too for Aimee Exposito.
A great start to the season for Leverington Sports Ladies following promotion to the Premiership (as Wisbech Town Ladies) in a 3 way lead at the top of the table a point won at the weekend seeing them end the year top of the pile in Cambridgeshire. Looking to bounce back from last weekend loss at home to Cambridge University Women were hosting Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds. The pair ending up sharing 10 goals, Fulbourn involved in several high scoring encounters this season. The visitors enjoying a fantastic start to the match racing into a 3-0 lead. Leverington taking a while to settle coming back into the match Vicky Lines making her debut for the club pulling it back to 3-1 set up by Sophie Swinden. Chloe Stanborough adding a 2nd as Leverington slowly build momentum Fulbourn though hitting a 4th goal in late in the first half to see them leading 4-2 at the break. Leverington captain Faye Kowalewsky scoring a brilliant goal on the volley to get it back to 3-4. Fulbourn always a threat going forwards Marie Stubbings through to score her 3rd of the game and 18th overall to put Fulbourn 5-3 up the game heading into the final quarter hour. Stanborough driving a shot home to pull it back to 5-4. 9 goals cored so far and Sophie Swinden didn’t have any of them, Leverington’s top scorer not going to be left out firing in her 18th goal of the season to level it up at 5-5, Lines very nearly winning it for Leverington her shot smashing off the crossbar late on the sides sharing the points Lisa Grimes with her first of the season and Ebony Rule the other goal scorers for Fulbourn.
Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship
Four matches played in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship this weekend and Cambridge Rangers Women end a fantastic 2019 top of the 14 strong league with a 100% record winning 10 in a row. Were at home to Cambourne United Women this Sunday. A strong first half seeing them leading 5-0 went onto add a further 2 in the 2nd half whilst keeping a clean sheet up the other end. Another brace for Daniella Lewis 15 goals now for the clubs top scorer. The other five goals shared amongst the squad with Stephanie Rowan and Erica Balskute scoring their 7th goals of the campaign, Claire Kyndt her 5th and first goals of the season for Ruth Telfer and Lisa Wears. Cambridge Rangers 7 points clear at the top.
Also ending the year with a 100% winning record are Pinchbeck United Ladies albeit from just the 6 played, alot of football to be played in the New Year. Pinchbeck continuing their 100% winning start at the expense of another as they travelled to played Cardea Ladies who themselves have played just 5 so far this season. Another high scoring encounter the pair sharing a 9 goal thriller. Cardea having the better of the 2nd half leading the game 4-2 Pinchbeck fought back in the 2nd half to score 3 times to nick the win 5-4. Libby Friel making just her 2nd appearance for Pinchbeck scoring on her debut netting a hat-trick this time around. Courtney Walker with a brace taking over as top scorer with 9. Pinchbeck up to 3rd on 18 points
A strong end to 2019 for Newmarket Town Women Development sees them climb up into 5th spot in the Championship table unbeaten now in 5 games with 4 won they were hosting Burwell Tigers Ladies this Sunday. Striker Sarah O’Rourke scoring 4 goals in the match Newmarket building on a good 3-0 half-time lead to win the game 8-0. There were braces too for Brooke Wickens and Leah Harper.
A positive end to 2019 too for Park Ladies as they make it back to back wins to move up to 7th in the Championship table coming into this Sunday’s match off an 8-0 win away to Burwell Tigers Ladies were at home taking on Deeping United Ladies. Late pressure paying off for Park as they clinched a 2-1 victory. Onto 14 points in mid-table well placed to kick on in the New Year.