The Round-Up
Sunday 31st March
FAWNL Southern Premier Division
We begin this weeks Round-Up with a defeat for the league leaders in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division, this Sunday saw Coventry United Ladies 15 game run come to an end as they lost at home for the first time this season in the league at home to 3rd placed Chichester City Ladies. Coventry getting off to a great start going in front inside the opening 10 minutes defender Nikki Miles heading home from a corner kick t make it 1-0. Chichester getting back on level terms in the 34th minute, Molly Clark fouled 30 yards out taking the resulting free-kick and scoring to make it 1-1. The visitors getting the lead in the final minute of the first half awarded another free-kick, Clark firing it into the back of the net. Chichester holding the advantage a good period of injury time to complete the 1st half.
Into the 2nd half a close contest so far, Chichester clearing the ball off their goal line early in the 2nd period, the lead extended in the 64th minute from another Clark free-kick, this time Kim Stenning volleying home to make it 3-1. Coventry getting it back to 3-2 with 20 minutes left to play Amy Wathan scoring her 20th of the season, Chichester defending as Coventry pushed hard for a 3rd goal themselves didn’t come Chichester the side to end Coventry’s unbeaten record.
That defeat for Coventry sees Cardiff City Ladies close the gap on the leaders to just 3 points as they won at home this Sunday. Taking on Kent side, Gillingham Ladies, Emma Jones scoring a brace for the Welsh side for the 2nd game in a row to clinch Cardiff the 3 points to extend their winning run t 9 matches in the Southern Premier Division. Jones fining the bottom corner to make it 1-0 midway through the 1st half the lead doubled deep into 1st half injury time. Cardiff defending their lead Gillingham exerting pressure unable to pull a goal back themselves. 3 points between Cardiff and Coventry who do have a match in hand the two sides have yet to meet in the league, 2 interesting games in prospect.
Fourth placed Oxford United Women travelled to the South West on Sunday to take on Plymouth Argyle Ladies. The visitors falling behind from a hotly disputed corner a shot fired in goalkeeper Lucy Davies saving but in doing so falling and seeing the ball carried over the line. Midway through the 1st half Oxford were reduced to 10 with captain Lauren Haynes already shown a yellow given a 2nd for a late tackle. Despite this Oxford pressed Plymouth looking for an equalising goal the hosts keeping them at bay to collect the 3 points.
Portsmouth FC Women were looking to build on their midweek victory at home to Chichester City Ladies this Sunday as they took on 5th placed Loughborough Foxes Women at home. The lead 2-0 to the hosts at the break, Portsmouth taking the lead via the penalty spot, Rachel Panting scoring after Shannon Albuery was brought down inside the area. Panting with a double scoring her 14th goal of the season in the 35th minute. No further goals added in the 2nd period a good response from Portsmouth having lost 3-0 at home to Cardiff last Sunday.
Late drama at the Stadium MK this Sunday with 3 goals scored in the final 6 minutes of the match. Milton Keynes Dons Ladies taking on Watford Ladies. The game goalless for the first 84 minutes, Watford captain Helen Ward put through on goal to put Watford 1-0 with her 18th strike of the season. Adekite Fatuga-Dada putting Watford 2-0 just 3 minutes later. The 3 points secured despite Milton Keynes getting it back to 2-1 in stoppage time with Alice Hughes on the scoresheet as they pressed Watford at the end.
FAWNL South East Division One
In FAWNL South East Division One the champagne remains on ice for Crawley Wasps Ladies. Unbeaten in 32 league matches in a period over 2 years Crawley needed one more positive result at home to 2nd placed Billericay Town Ladies to clinch the title in the debut season in the FAWNL. Sunday’s home venue the Peoples Pension Stadium home of Crawley Town FC. Billericay too enjoying a great debut season in the FAWNL themselves, the Essex side getting their tactics spot on with goalkeeper Nikita Runnacles producing some top saves to keep Crawley out. Danica Dougal given the opportunity to fire Billericay into the lead sending the ball high past the keeper to win the game 1-0. Five games left for Crawley, two wins needed.
A good weekend all round for the visiting sides in South East Division One with 4 wins and a draw in total. Actonians Ladies back up to 4th in the table scoring a last gaps winner to beat Enfield Town Ladies, in 4th going into the match. A close contest, Enfield taking an early lead in the match Katherine Long firing them in front inside 5 minutes. Actonians getting back on level terms on the half hour with top scorer Alessandra Barreca scoring her 22nd of the campaign. The game tied at 1-1 heading into 2nd half stoppage time Barreca found the back of the net for the 2nd time in the game to win it for Actonians at the death.
Cambridge United WFC are up to their highest position of the season in FAWNL South East Division One, climbing up to 5th on Sunday as their recent good form continues, this time last month were as low as 10th in the table. County Cup success in that spell too were away to bottom side Luton Town Ladies. The pair often enjoying a competitive tussle the hosts taking an early lead a scramble in the box form a corner Nicola Henman making it 1-0 in the 2nd minute. Cambridge coming back to level in the 11th minute Mollie Coupar with a sweetly struck half-volley. The lead doubled with 10 minutes left in the first half Coupar with time to line up a shot firing in to make it 2-1. The youngster completing her hat-trick minutes later getting hold of the ball from a poorly struck goalkick and lobbing the ball in to celebrate her 10th goal of the season. Cambridge getting themselves into a 4-1 lead with Becky Sheppard firing in a fantastic strike for her 9th of the season in the 41st minute.
The damage done Luton managing to pull a goal back with 12 minutes left Remi Bains making it 4-2, Cambridge on the up. Announcing this week they will be moving to St Neots Town FC form next season ending their time at Mildenhall Town FC, a club that has embraced women’s football since their arrival and I’d love to see something come off the back of their relationship with Cambridge United WFC.
An away win too and a vital 3 points won for Denham United Ladies on Sunday the 2nd bottom side winning for just the 3rd time this season against Stevenage Ladies. Lauren Cox’s first half goal the difference between the sides, Denham goalkeeper Lizzie Rose making some important saves in the match too.
AFC Wimbledon Ladies were moments away from completing an away win themselves against Norwich City Ladies only to concede a late goal to see the points shared. Hannah Baptiste firing Wimbledon into the lead on 32 minutes at Plantation Park, Norwich pressing late on getting it back to 1-1 with Ellen Swift scoring the goal making her 1st appearance of the season coming on with 15 minutes left. New signing Megan Todd also making her 1st appearance for her new club joining from Acle United Women.