The Round-Up
Sunday 10th November
ERWFL Premier Division
A highly competitive ERWFL Premier Division this season with the sides all the way down to 8th in a good position to challenge what is an ever changing picture at the top of the table, whether one side can get a grip on top spot and go on to dominate remains to be seen right now it’s wide open. The lead changing once again. Wroxham Women going top last weekend at home this Sunday facing Bedford Ladies. Always a competitive tussle between the sides (and yes I am referring to when Wroxham were Acle United Women) no less so in their new colours chances for both in the first half Wroxham seeing a shot in added time bounce down off the bar and over the line before being plucked back by the keeper but despite their protests the sides heading in goalless. Bedford awarded a penalty on the hour to take the lead added a 2nd 5 minutes later. Wroxham making a couple of good comebacks already this season fighting back once again Kirstie Kindred firing home to bring it back to 2-1 with 15 minutes left top scorer Grace Birchall getting the equalling goal, clear cut chances for both sides to win the game missed, the points shared.
That result sees previous leaders Harlow Town Ladies return to the top of the table, although they themselves very nearly let it slip at home at the weekend, the Essex side hosting Wymondham Town Ladies. Harlow getting into an early lead Wymondham failing to clear from a corner the ball put over the line. Proved to be the difference between the sides. A 1-0 lead for Harlow at half-time when 2-0 early in the 2nd half capitalising on a mix-up at the back to make it 2-0. Wymondham with a quick response getting it back to 2-1 in the 48th minute Jac Ball shooting across the keeper to get her 1st goal for the club. Harlow straight back with a 3rd goal 3-1 up made it 4-1 with less than 15 to play, Becky Shephard with a brace, along with goals for Frances Gamble and Chloe Bassett. Wymondham with a late fight back scoring twice in the closing minutes to get it back to 4-3 setting up a tense finish, Mia Etheridge crossing for Katie Knights to score and Sarah Payne flicking on a goal kick to put Laura Nicholls in to score her first of the season (hard to believe it’s taken until November to say that although she has only featured in 4 games so far this season.) Harlow with the 3 points maintaining their unbeaten start to the season top on goal difference.
Colney Heath Ladies amongst the early season front runners too back up to 3rd on the ERWFL Premier Division table winning away to AFC Dunstable Women on Sunday. A 15-1 for Colney Heat in the reverse fixture at the start of the season. Ex-Dunstable player Samaira Khan with a hat-trick that day repeated the feat this time around, to put her on 14 goals for the season, scoring twice in the first half after Lucy Hancock had opened the scoring in the 12th minute for the visitors. Colney Heath 3-0 up at half-time Hancock on target for her 2nd of the game 10 minutes into the 2nd period, Rianne Townsend-Brown making it 5-0 on the hour. Hannah Ring making her first start for Dunstable with a goal to prevent a clean sheet for Colney Heath before Khan added her 3rd late on to see the game won 6-1.
Royston Town Women climb to 4th in the Premier Division table, 3 points behind leaders Harlow with games in hand on Wroxham and Colney Heath. The Hertfordshire side away to bottom side Haringey Borough Women on Sunday. The game looked to heading for a goalless opening 45 minutes. Royston with a corner late on the ball hooked in by Emma Slater. Royston adding to their lead early in the 2nd half Joanne Rutherford onto a through ball to make it 2-0 a 3rd goal coming quickly after Danielle Carty with a great strike on 58 minutes to make it 3-0. A devastating spell from Royston going 4-0 up 2 minutes later Rutherford from a free-kick scoring her 2nd of the match. Haringey getting a quick reply to bring it back to 4-1 but that would be as good as it got as Royston went on to win the 3 points comfortably.
The game between newly promoted St Ives Town Ladies and Bowers & Pitsea Ladies falling foul to the weather.
ERWFL Division One North
The weather playing it’s part in both ERWFL Division One North & South this Sunday to. King’s Lynn Town Ladies home game against Histon postponed whilst in the South, Millwall Lionesses match away to leader Hutton Ladies also suffered.
Two games played in Division One North on Sunday, league leaders Cambridge City Ladies Development away to Newmarket Town Women. A 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture just 3 weeks ago, Newmarket keen to close the gap on the leading side after making a slow start. It was Cambridge who would make a fast start this Sunday taking the lead just 3 minutes into the game Bella Simmons on target for her 11th goal of the season Newmarket coming back to level the scores inside 20 minutes with Annabel Cuthbert getting her 12th goal of the season. All square at the break Cambridge retaking the lead with 10 minutes gone in the 2nd half after not capitalising on early chances, Ellie Cullum rifling the ball into the roof of the net from 25 yards out. Her 5th of the season proving to be the winning goal.
A Suffolk derby saw newcomers Needham Market Women at home playing AFC Sudbury Ladies. Sudbury starting the game well creating opportunities, Needham Market still looking for their first league win at this level growing into the game with chances as the 1st half wore on, the visitors taking the lead from a free-kick late in stoppage time the ball finding it’s way in. 1-0 Needham Market goalkeeper Amber Leeks injured unable to continue, outfield player Milly Carter donning the gloves. Needham Market starting the 2nd half well getting a goal back within 3 minutes of the restart Jodie Sharp crossing for Amber Sparkes to tap home. Needham getting forwards well further opportunities created taking the lead just past the hour Sparkes with a good run jinking into the box opening up her body to shoot high into the net. Carter with a fine save to tip the ball over at the other end saw her defence concede a penalty moments later a chance for Sudbury to level from the spot a superb top draw save from the substitute keeper going left getting a firm hand on the ball to turn it out. The win secured in the final 10 minutes Lois Balfour deadly for the Reserves this season striking from distance her shot in off the post.
ERWFL Division One South
Two games in Division One South on Sunday and with the leading pair not playing it was a chance for Stevenage FC Women Development to close the gap as they travelled to play Wodson Park Ladies who were still looking for their first points of the season. Stevenage unbeaten in the league winning the game 4-0 to join 2nd placed Millwall on 10 points, the goal scored by Hannah Marshall, Sofia Carpenter, Katherine Taylor and Emily Schofield.
Stevenage FC Women Development pictured before thier game with Wodson park on Sunday (photo credit Stevenage FC Women)
Also without a point on the board in Division One South were Lawford Ladies a difficult start to the season short on numbers so are hosting newcomers Leigh Ramblers Ladies. A full side available this weekend it was a much needed point earned as the sides finished 1-1 at the final whistle. daisy Canny with her 5th goal of the season on target for Lawford.