The Round-Up – FAWNL 08/09/19

The Round-Up

Sunday 8th September

FAWNL Southern Premier Division

  Crawley Wasps Ladies beginning life in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division as they did the last season winning the FAWNL South East Division One title with ease. 4 wins out of 4 at the start of the campaign to open up a 6 point lead at the top. A 7-1 midweek win away to Chichester City Ladies seeing them go top. Rebecca Carter and Charlotte Owen both scoring a brace Crawley were away again this Sunday taking on 2nd placed Yeovil Town Women. 4 leagues between the sides this time last season, Yeovil making a strong start dropping down to the 3rd tier 3 wins from 3 in league and cup, promised a close game. B

 Both sides coming close to the opening goal, Yeovil clearing off the line from a Crawley corner. Frankie Gibbs saving for Crawley the visitors striking in the final minute of the 1st half to take a lead into the dressing room with Rebecca Carter on target for her 3rd goal of the season. 1-0 to the good Yeovil starting the 2nd half well coming back to level the scores on 53 minute Annie Heatherson finding Sarah Wiltshire to curl a shot past Gibbs into the back of the net, Wiltshire’s 8th goal of the season already. Crawley are equipped to compete at this level and came back to retake the lead attacking midway through the 2nd half captain Naomi Cole brought down outside the box in front of the D, a threat from a set-piece up to take it herself arrowing a shot hard to nestle inside the goal, the winning goal for Crawley to take a 6 point lead.

 Whilst Crawley open up the gap at the top Sunday’s results saw others close the gap to 2nd. Plymouth Argyle Ladies joining Yeovil on 6 points moving into 3rd position with a strong performance at home on Sunday. Opening the season with a loss away to Crawley, the South West side bounced back well to win 2-0 away to Gillingham Ladies last weekend. Back on home soil this weekend were taking on newly promoted Keynsham Town Ladies who had lost their opening two fixtures 2-1 at home to Milton Keynes and on Thursday a narrow 1-0 loss away to Cardiff City.

  Plymouth starting well put in a good performance taking the lead midway through the first half, Jessie Jones brought down inside the box, captain Katie Middleton scoring from the spot. Amber Pollock then setting up two quickfire goals from Kayley Lane and Natasha Knapman with 10 minutes left in the first half saw Plymouth hold a 3 goal advantage at half-time. Knapman making it 4-0 with the game approaching the hour. Keynsham pulling one back as Fabiana Alborghetti netted from distance. The hosts going on to score late in the match Jessie Jones getting on the scoresheet before her shot in the 87th minute with put in on the rebound by Helen Bleazard. Plymouth winning 6-1.

   Plymouth now a host of sides on 6 points with 2nd to 6th all there with 2 wins each, Milton Keynes Dons Ladies making a fantastic start to the season winning their opening two fixtures were away to Gillingham Ladies this Sunday. A win and a loss for Gillingham to start the season like Milton Keynes have brought in several new faces over the summer. A solitary goal separating the sides at half-time, Gillingham 1-0 up after 14 minutes awarded penalty that they themselves admitted as harsh for handball inside the box Jade Keogh stepping up to score. The hosts making the better start to the 2nd half doubling their lead 2 minutes after the restart Georgia Pearch sending in a low shot off the post and in to make it 2-0. Gillingham going on to take control of the game midway through the 2nd half scoring a 3rd with Grace Harrison played through one on one with the keeper, 5 minutes later Harrison scoring again chesting in an Ellie Jeffkins free-kick. Milton Keynes rallying finishing strong, chances created into the last 5 minutes new signing Jessica Driscoll scoring from a free-kick, a 2nd added in the 88th minute with another new recruit Dominika Netschova making it 4-2, not enough as they lose their first league game dropping to 4th, Gillingham joining the top half sides on 6 points.

   Cardiff City Ladies the other side in amongst the top half pack on 6 points recovering from an opening day defeat to Gillingham Ladies to win their next two. Close games all a 1-0 loss to Gillingham, Cardiff winning at home on Thursday evening leaving it late with Kylie Nolan scoring in the 75th minute to seal a 1-0 win against Keynsham Town Ladies. A first league win under their belts the Welsh side making the trip to the north of the capital to face Watford Ladies this Sunday. Jasmine Turner giving Cardiff the lead on 11 minutes lobbing the keeper from 30 yards to make it 1-0. A narrow lead at half-time Cardiff found the back of the net for a 2nd goal 10 minutes into the 2nd half Chloe Lloyd volleying in from outside the box. Watford pushing the visitors hard looking for a reply the Cardiff defence holding firm as they secured the 3 points.

No league game for Portsmouth FC Women since the opening day of the season losing 2-0 at home to Watford, a 2-0 win 7 days later against the same opponents in the FAWNL Cup Determining Round. Playing again this Sunday were at home once again taking on bottom Hounslow Women who themselves were without a point losing their opening two fixtures. Tamsin De Bunsen capitalising on a defensive mix-up to put Portsmouth into the lead inside the opening minute. Portsmouth controlling the early stages without creating a clear cut opportunity. The post struck in the 35th minute, Portsmouth doubling the advantage a minute later with Rebecca Bath striking from distance. A 2-0 lead at half-time Portsmouth were dominant De Bunsen adding a 3rd and her 2nd of the game taking the ball around the keeper to make it 3-0 on 52 minutes. Jade Bradley blasting in a screamer from 30 yards out making it 4-0 on the hour. Portsmouth on top taking control to score 4 more Bath with her 2nd from the penalty spot. Charmaine True brought down for the penalty going on to score a brace, time for an 8th goal 3 minutes from time with substitute Eilidh Currie scoring from inside the box. 

Oxford United Women finally got their league season started this Sunday postponed games seeing them miss out on the opening day and last weekend they were in league action at last at home to Chichester City Ladies this Sunday. The visitors with a difficult start to the season losing their opening 3 league matches. Oxford starting the game well opening the scoring in the 11th minute, Daisy McLachlan joining from Portsmouth cutting in from the left to shoot and find the top corner. A strong spell for the hosts Georgia Timms making it 2-0 in the 18th minute getting on the end of a cross. McLachlan adding her 2nd of the game 2 minutes later in off the post to see Oxford into a 3-0 lead. Emily Allen heading in a goal late in the first half to see Oxford lead 4-0. The hosts continued pressing for further goals 2nd half Lauren Haynes coming closest striking the crossbar. Oxford starting with a win.

FAWNL South East Division One 

Three wins from three to start the new season, Essex side Billericay Town Ladies have started their 2nd season as they did last season following promotion to the FAWNL for the first time. Looking strong again this season in the early stages. Karissa Rodney scoring a hat-trick in their midweek 4-0 win over local rivals AFC Basildon Women. Esme Lancaster also on target. Newly promoted with Crawley Wasps Ladies last season the pair ran away with it at the top Billericay eventually losing ground in the title race finished 2nd some 13 points ahead of the chasing pack. Competitive below the early challengers are starting to emerge.

   Enfield Town Ladies finishing 3rd last season amongst them bolstering their squad over the summer travelled to Billericay this Sunday. Winning 5-1 away to Stevenage Women in midweek also had a player o target for a hat-trick, Beth Lumsden one of their new signings with Nuala McKevitt and Katherine Long also scoring. Two wins and a draw from their opening three fixtures Enfield found themselves trailing to an early goal as Karissa Rodney was on target for her 5th goal of the season. Enfield getting back on level terms with 10 minutes left in the 1st half winning a penalty Beth Lumsden stepping up to score to see the sides level at half-time. Both sides coming close in the 2nd half Grace Brooks saving in goal for Enfield the visitors with a goal ruled out for offside. A point a piece at the final whistle.

Karissa Rodney scoring to put Billericay Town Ladies into the lead (photo credit Nicky Hayes)

Two points dropped for Billericay sees the chasing pack close up Enfield stay 3rd, in between the pair joining Billericay on 10 points are Ipswich Town Women. Opening their season with a draw Ipswich have since won 3 on the bounce although they left it late to win the 3 points this Sunday at home to Actonians Ladies. Ipswich coming into the game off the back of a midweek East Anglian derby win at home to Norwich City Women the game watched by a huge crowd of 761 Ipswich won 4-1. Actonians winning too in midweek playing their rearranged FAWNL Cup Determining Round game with AFC Wimbledon Ladies winning 2-0. 

  Ipswich getting off to a good start at The Goldstar Ground the hosts leading 1-0 inside the opening 10 minutes with Sophie Peskett scoring the goal. Actonians getting through on goal five minutes later denied by Leonie Jackson, the U21s keeper making her 1st senior start. Half-chances after that for both sides Ipswich holding the narrow advantage at half-time. Natasha Thomas firing Ipswich into a 2-0 lead midway through the 2nd half struck the crossbar soon after. Actonians not out of it coming back to make it 2-1 with 12 minutes left Jennifer Laidlaw getting the goal. A dramatic finish to the game Peskett hitting the bar the game into the final 10 minutes. Two minutes left and Actonians were level Caroline Bisson sending the ball home to make it 2-2. A blow for Ipswich they went straight up the other end and a diagonal pass into the area form Zoe Barratt picked out the run of captain Amanda Crump who took it in her stride to slot under the keeper to win the game 3-2.

5 sides remain unbeaten in FAWNL South East Division One and having played a game less than the top two both Leyton Orient WFC and AFC Wimbledon 4th and 5th respectfully are 3 points behind the leading pair. Leyton Orient WFC winning 5-1 at home to Cambridge City Ladies on the opening day were held 1-1 away to Enfield last time weekend. Back at home this weekend were hosting Norfolk side Norwich City Women. The game played at the Breyer Group Stadium the hosts took the lead inside the opening quarter hour Sophie Le Marchand played through to fire home. Leading 1-0 at half-time Leyton Orient created more openings eventually finding a 2nd goal midway through the 2nd half Hayley Barton’s corner headed in by Le Marchand. Into the last 10 minutes and Leyton Orient pressed home their advantage Le Marchand turning provider for Barton to score. Le Marchand smashing in a shot to complete her hat-trick in the 85th minute. 5-0 in the final minute another corner for the hosts put straight in by taker Barton.

AFC Wimbledon Ladies starting the season with a draw away to Ipswich backed it up with a 2-0 win over Cambridge United WFC. Cup action in midweek were back at home this Sunday taking on Stevenage FC Women. The visitors hitting the woodwork twice early on whilst Te’a Oldroyd keeping goal pulled off some great saves to deny the hosts. Wimbledon taking the lead late in the 1st half getting a goal through captain Katie Stanley to put them 1-0 on 38 minutes. Both sides starting the 2nd half brightly Wimbledon getting their 2nd with 55 minutes played good work from Rosie Russell before Stanley on target with her 2nd of the match. An hour gone and Wimbledon extended their lead to 3 Helen Ogle with a screamer striking the crossbar soon after. Stevenage kept going getting it back to 3-1 with 10 minutes left Louise Godden scoring. Wimbledon straight back with a goal by Sophie Manzi making it 4-1. Stevenage’s tun to get down the other end and score a minute later Amy Makewell making it 4-2 the late fightback not enough Wimbledon with the 3 points.

AFC Wimbledon Ladies captain, Katie Stanley with 2 goals (photo credit Chris Bushe)

AFC Basildon Women have added several new faces to their squad as they begin life back in FAWNL South East Division One. One win so far from their opening 3 league games were beaten 4-0 in midweek by local rivals Billericay Town Ladies. Travelled to Cambridgeshire this Sunday to take on newly promoted Cambridge City Ladies who claimed their 1st league point since promotion in midweek following a 2-2 with their local rivals Cambridge United WFC. Goals from Holly Turner with her 1st of the season and Kelly Wealthall seeing the Essex side leading 2-0 at the break they doubled the tally in the 2nd half winning the game 4-0 with Nicole Learner and Jodie Osborne on the scoresheet with their 1st goals. Their 2nd win of the season putting them into the top half of the table.

Cambridge United WFC getting off the mark with their 1st point of the season away to their Cambridge rivals were back at The Premier Plus Stadium in St Neots this weekend looking for their 1st win of the campaign playing newly promoted Kent Football United the only side without a point now in South East Division One. Captain Kayleigh-Anne Burt getting Cambridge off to a great start scoring at the near post from a corner kick inside the opening 5 minutes. Mollie Coupar nipping in to win steal the ball off the keeper rounding her to put the ball into an empty net making it 2-0 to Cambridge on the half-hour. 2-0 up at half-time a 3rd goal coming in midway through the 2nd half Charlotte Crisp playing the ball through for striker Kelley Blanchflower to score. Kent pulling it back to 3-1 with 20 minutes left Megan Burrows with the goal. Cambridge United WFC with their 1st win of the season up to 7th.