The Round-Up – FAWNL 08/12/19

The Round-Up

Sunday 8th December

FAWNL Southern Premier Division

 Watford Ladies top of the Southern Premier Division made the long trip down to the South West to play their final match of 2019 away to 3rd placed Plymouth Argyle Ladies looking to go 3 points clear at the top of the table. A tough test with Plymouth not dropping point since the opening day of the season. The game played at Plymouth’s, Home Park the new Mayflower Grandstand being used for the first time. Plymouth starting the match strongly Zoe Cunningham with an early chance. Helen Bleazard putting Plymouth into the lead in the 21st minute sending a free-kick into the roof of the net. Bow Jackson quickly making it 2-0 her long range drive finding the bottom corner. Watford reducing the deficit quickly the ball won in the corner played into Helen Ward to set up Ocean Rolandsen to score. 3 minutes later the scores were level captain Helen Ward volleying in from a corner. An eventful first half Plymouth retaking the lead in the 39th minute Cunningham striking from outside the area. Watford again coming back to level the scores with 2 minutes left on the clock winning another corner Emma Beckett rising highest to head home .

 3-3 at half-time the 2nd half no less dramatic. Watford awarded a free-kick out wide Emma Beckett taking on the shot despite the angle finding the top corner to put the visitors ahead for the first time in the game in the 51st minute. Plymouth’s turn to come back 10 minutes later Rebecca Dandridge finding time and space to let loose a shot from outside the area to make it 4-4. Watford then temporarily reduced to 10 players with Ryah Vyse sin binned. The visitors digging in and going on to score with 15 minutes left Andrea Carid with a fantastic diving header at the back post to put away Adekite Fatuga-Dada’s cross. Watford winning a thriller 5-4 to go 3 points clear at the top. August the last time Plymouth tasted defeat.

 No less a thriller in the other game played in the Southern Premier Division this weekend with 7 goals shared between Oxford United Women and Yeovil Town Ladies. Oxford hosting taking the lead midway through the first half Gemma Sims scoring direct from a corner the ball hitting the post and rebounding in. The game end to end at times Yeovil getting back on level terms in the 37th minute Laura Williams with a left foot shot from distance to fly in over the keeper. The visitors grabbing the lead in the final minute of the first half Kelly Aldridge on target with her 5th of the season to see Yeovil leading 2-1 at the break. The visitors side strengthening their lead with nearly an hour played Williams with more good work on the ball cutting inside to shoot and score. Williams seeing her hat-trick denied by the post. 3-1 down Oxford fought back well Emily Allen heading home to reduce the deficit with her 9th of the season the game entering the final 15 minutes. Oxford piling on the pressure Georgia Timms put through to score and bring it back to 3-3. 2 minutes later Kayleigh Hines heading home from a corner to put the hosts 4-3 ahead and see them win the match.

FAWNL South East Division One

  Ipswich Town Women’s fine form continues as they open up a 4 point lead at the top of the table were back in league action this weekend after a run of 3 cup matches taking in 2nd bottom Cambridge United WFC who in contrast were playing for the first time competitively since the end of October. Ipswich announcing the signing of goalkeeper Lucy Williamson from Brighton & Hove Albion before the game straight into the starting line-up. Ipswich on the front foot from the off creating chances have scored 28 in their last 3 matches. Taking the lead on 15 minutes through top scorer Natasha Thomas a bullet header from Sophie Peskett’s cross. The post struck soon after. Anna Grey set-up by Thomas to score from 12 yards to double the lead in the 38th minute. Cambridge awarded a penalty late in the first period Williamson guessing the right way making the save to preserve the hosts clean sheet at half-time. Ipswich pressing the advantage at the start of the 2nd half captain Amanda Crump turning home Peskett’s cross as she gets free to cross on the right. 3 minutes later Thomas fires home her 2nd of the match Peskett again the provider. Peskett having had an assist in three goals getting one herself on the hour Thomas playing her in to make it 5-0. Cambridge striking the crossbar as close as they would get Ipswich keeping a clean sheet to win the game 5-0.

 AFC Wimbledon Ladies are up to 2nd in the South East Division One table as their unbeaten run start to the season in the league continued away to bottom side Kent Football United on Sunday. Difficult playing conditions rain falling Wimbledon opening the scoring on 16 minutes captain Katie Stanley turning in the rebound after Liz O’Callaghan’s shot was batted away by the keeper. Wimbledon creating chances Kent’s defence battling, the single goal the difference heading into the break Stanley making it 2-0 from a corner in the final moment shooting through the melee her 8th goal of the season. Kent continuing to battle Wimbledon looking for a 3rd goal not finding it until the final couple of minutes second half substitute Georgia Heasman making the run and scoring to see the game won 3-0.

  Plenty of goals elsewhere in South East Division One on Sunday, a fast start for Enfield Town Ladies saw them take control of the game early at home to Norwich City Women. Rachel Kosky on target to give the hosts the lead inside 3 minutes. Just 3 minutes later Enfield were 2-0 up striker Katherine Long getting the goal a 3rd coming just 2 minutes later with defender Claire Ford making it 3-0. Norwich on the back foot Enfield pressing the advantage Tyra Mills finding the back of the net to see Enfield 4-0 up midway through the first half Danielle Smith scoring 2 minutes later to see the hosts 5 up with just 25 minutes played. Long with her 2nd of the game seeing Enfield into a commanding 6-0 lead at half-time. A quieter 2nd period. Reeanna Cook pulling a goal back for Norwich, Hope Armstrong in goal for the visitors saving a penalty. Long went on to complete her hat-trick in injury time to get her 10th goal of the season the game won 7-1.

  10 goals shared between AFC Basildon Women at Stevenage FC Women on Sunday in South East Division One. Alex Bailess credited with the goal as the her first of the season in the opening minute as she comes in on the follow-up after a blocked shot. Chances falling for both sides Basildon taking a 2-0 lead just past the half hour with striker Holly Turner scoring. Stevenage skipper Amy Makewell pulling it back to 2-1 with 5 minutes left in the first half floating the ball over the keeper. Kelly Weathall restoring Basildon’s 2 goal lead in the closing moments of the 1st half. 3-1 up at half-time Stevenage getting a goal back straight away at the start of the 2nd half. Erin Pope firing in a rocket to make it 3-2. Weathall tapping in on the rebound after getting one on one with the keeper to make it 4-2 in the 52nd minute tapped home a 3rd 3 minutes later to complete her hat-trick and see Basildon leading 5-2. The game into the final 10 minutes Makewell getting it back to 5-3 for Stevenage. Jodie Osborne in the final minute on target to put Basildon 6-3 ahead. Ashleigh Deacon striking into the bottom corner for Stevenage’s 4th in stoppage time. A 6-4 victory for Basildon their run of league wins extending to 3.

 

Kelly Wealthall with a 9 minute hat-trick for AFC Basildon Women on Sunday (photo credit Little James Photography)

Last of the match action to bring you from the FAWNL this week sees Actonians Ladies extend their unbeaten run to 6 matches in all competitions, winning 5 and drawing 1. At home in the league this weekend taking in Cambridge City Ladies. The visitors with a good  chance early on, a fairly even 1st half ending goalless. Cambridge City having an appeal for a penalty denied early in the 2nd period, Actonians going on to take the lead with Justine Buckmire on target to make it 1-0. Buckmire adding a 2nd goal soon after to extend Actonians lead the hosts comfortable in defence to win the 3 points.