The 1st Final of the season in Essex was contested this weekend with Chelmsford City Ladies Reserves and Frontiers Ladies meeting at Saffron Walden Town FC to contest the Essex Women’s Trophy Final. Both playing in Division One newly formed Frontiers Ladies lay 2nd in the table with a 100% record winning 11 from 11. Are also in the quarter finals of the League and Tiptree & District Charity Cup. Had beaten Chelmsford City Ladies Reserves 7-0 in the league recently and got off to a great start in the final with Kay Foy (pictured) putting Frontiers into the lead inside the opening minute. Hayley King doubled the lead just a minute later to put Chelmsford City on the back foot right from the start. Frontiers made it 3-0 midway through the 1st half with Foy through on goal scoring again. Kelly Holsworth got a cup final goal as she made it 4-0 a few minutes later. Foy went on to complete a 1st half hat-trick in the 35th minute.
5-0 the lead at half-time Chelmsford City had a chance to reduce the deficit early in the 2nd half before Frontiers got on the front foot again creating chances before Emma Best scored from a Holsworth corner. who scored her 2nd of the final a few minutes later. Jill Bartholomew also getting on the scoresheet as Frontiers won the Essex Women’s Trophy 8-0 in their inaugural season.
Harlow Town Ladies keep on winning at the top of the Essex Women’s Premier Division making it 16 straight league wins. Were away to 6th placed side Beacon Hill Rovers Ladies this Sunday who scored twice through Marie Hall and Jo Smeaton, Harlow Town hit twice that many at the other end to run out 5-2 winners and extend their advantage at the top to a massive 17 points.
4th placed Runwell Sports got back to winning ways this Sunday to close the gap in 2,d and 3rd placed Lawford Ladies and Chelmsford City Ladies to just 3 points. At home hosting 2nd bottom side Hutton Ladies Reserves, Samantha Delves and Rachel Selfe both scored a brace in the match with Sophie Olley and Nikhol Campbell also on target with a goal a piece in a 6-1 win.
Collier Row Tigers move above Beacon Hill Rovers Ladies and Eastern Avenue into 5th place in the Premier Division table winning away from home this Sunday. Sharing 5 goals with Alresford Colne Rangers the visitors took the 3 points with a 3-2 win.
Elsewhere in the Essex Women’s Premier Division, 8th placed Wickford Town Ladies were hosting Walden Ladies in a league double header. Bottom side Walden had the bare 11 players at their disposal were beaten 2-1 in the 1 game with Danielle Dickens scoring both their goals. In the other match however it was a vital 3 points for Walden as they beat their opponents 2-1 the win taking them off the foot of the table. Lois Curson with the goal for Wickford Town.
Essex Women’s League Cup
Division One side Hatfield Peveral Ladies were hosting Premier Division side Chigwell Ladies in the Essex Women’s League Cup quarter finals on Sunday postponed from last Sunday, it’s the higher division side that join, Lawford Ladies and Collier Row Tigers in the semi-finals as Chigwell ran out 3-1 winners. Frontiers Ladies and Corringham Cosmos to play the last remaining quarter final tie guaranteeing one Division One side in the last 4 of the competition.
Plenty of goals scored this Sunday in the ERWFL Premier Division with the 4 matches played seeing 27 goals between them! Results last weekend saw the sides in mid-table close up on the top 3 hotting up the race for the title with games starting to run out. Winning last Sunday AFC Sudbury Ladies moved into 4th spot in the table 5 points off leaders Bedford Ladies who they played at home this Sunday win would see the Suffolk side move to within 2 points of the leaders. A close match Stacey Teager and Mia Etheridge scoring for Sudbury however they were to suffer defeat as Bedford took all 3 points to move 3 points clear at the top of the table courtesy of goals from Natasha Fensome, Jodie Molloy and Maya Sidhu.
Haringey Borough Women i 2nd spot have 2 games in hand on their title rivals and they are looking like they will need both to overhaul Bedford at the top as they were held to their 2nd successive draw, a high scoring game however at home to Writtle Ladies saw both sides score 5 goals a piece to take home a share of the points. Jaidene Browne with a brace from Haringey with Klesha Darroux, Roxanne Eshun and Shanice Norris all getting a goal. A brace on the match to for Writtle captain, Abigail Fry with their other 3 goals scored by Courtney Clarke, Charlotte Bryant and Amy Simmons.
3rd placed AFC Dunstable Ladies join Haringey Borough Women on 33 points getting an important result at home to Billericay Town Ladies on Sunday as a win for their opponents would have seen 5th placed Billericay move to within 2 points to Dunstable. Goals from Charlotte South, Danielle Carty and Bethany Stanton in the 2nd half seeing Dunstable win the game 3-1 to keep pace with the leading pair. Vicky Kinsman with the goal for Billericay.
Acle United Ladies were the big movers in the league up from 7th to 5th winning at home in a 7 goal thriller against Brentwood Town Ladies. The Essex side holding the advance at half-time with a 1 goal lead the 2nd half saw plenty of action in front of goal, Brentwood doubling their lead early in the 2nd half. Acle United pulled it back to 2-1 with 15 minutes of the 2nd half played, captain Rebecca Burton sending the ball into the back of the net. 4 minutes later Acle were back on level terms Megan Todd scoring to make it 2-2. Brentwood responded quickly scoring to regain the lead. Into the last 15 minutes and Acle came back again to level the scores for the 2nd time in the game Lauren Bullard with goal to make it 3-3 the equaliser was quickly followed by the winning goal as Todd scored her 2nd of the game to make it 4-3 and see Acle win the 3 points. Georgia Holdaway and a brace for Marie Barker the goalscorers for Brentwood Town. Acle have 4 games in hand on leaders Bedford with a 10 point gap to try and close a busy couple of months coming up. You can read Acle United Ladies match report from the game by clicking on the link below.
Level on 33 points at the top of the ERWFL Division One joint leaders Cambridge City Ladies and 2nd placed Colney Heath Ladies met each other on Sunday. Cambridge City have several games in hand on their rivals for the title as they played them at home. Just the 1 defeat in the league so far this season since winning promotion to the regional league Cambridge City started well, Colney Heath had chances in the 1st half however it was the hosts who took the lead eventually leading the game 3-0 at the break adding a 4th goal in the 2nd half before Colney Heath pulled one back with Holly Sheridan scoring her 21st of the season. Cambridge City also have a striker in red hot scoring form and it was another brace for Bella Simmons to move her onto 19 goals on Sunday with Charlotte Gillies also scoring along with a rare goal for captain Becca Fay to see Cambridge City go 3 points clear at the top with a 4-1 win.
3rd placed Wymondham Town Ladies missed out on an opportunity to close the gap on the leading pair back to just a point as they were beaten narrowly away from home on Sunday in Essex playing Hutton Ladies who took all 3 points with a 2-1 victory, Hannah Page and Laura Allen with their goals. Bethany Fretwell scoring for Wymondham Town.
A 2nd successive league win for Little Thurrock Dynamos Ladies pulls them further away from the bottom end of Division One up from 10th into 8th with a good result away to 4th placed Silver End United Ladies, the sides drawing 1-1 at half-time, captain Rebecca Hollocks scoring for Silver End United. Little Thurrock Dynamos getting all 3 points as they scored twice in the 2nd half to win 3-1 their goals scored by Eloise Ives, Elysia King and Natalie Strange.
Defeat for Silver End United Ladies on Sunday sees Offley & Stopsley Women move above them into 4th spot both on 26 points as they won at home beating Ipswich Wanderers 3-0. Kelly Randell, Offley & Stopsley’s captain giving the Bedfordshire club a 1 goal lead at half-time 2 goals from Rachael Lewis on 63 minutes and Rianne Townsend-Brown on 65 saw the points wrapped up.
Lewes Ladies saw their FAWPL Plate semi-final game away to FAWPL Northern Division side Leicester City WFC postponed last weekend. Travelling to the East Midlands this Sunday both sides knew their opponents in the final would be Huddersfield Town Ladies from the Northern Division. Leicester City WFC promoted to the FAWPL Northern Division last season were enjoying a good 1st season playing at a higher level 3rd in the league. Lewes contested a goalless 1st half with their opponents the game settled by a single goal in the 2nd half but not before Leicester were reduced to 10 players, Sophie Domingo sent off 7 minutes into the 2nd period. It was Lewes who were celebrating as Georgia Bridges headed the ball into the back of the net midway through the half to send Lewes through to the final of the competition. Congratulations to Lewes Ladies on reaching the FAWPL Plate Final.
The FAWPL Plate Final between Huddersfield Town Ladies & Lewes Ladies will be played on Sunday 23rd April at Brackley Town FC.
FAWPL Southern Division
The battle of the title in the FAWPL Southern Division involves 4 sides with just 3 points between them, some big games coming up and sides can ill afford to drop points. Cup games had seen unbeaten Tottenham Hotspur slip down to 4th on the table but just a point behind leaders Charlton Athletic Women it was to Sporting Club Thamesmead they headed this Sunday, the 2 sides will once again be familiar opponents by the time the season ends meeting several times including finals in the coming weeks. League action this weekend with Tottenham looking to extend their unbeaten run to 27 games. Always a close contest between themselves and Charlton and this Sunday was no exception a single goal enough to see the 3 points won in the end it was Tottenham who scored it with Wendy Martin tapping the ball home with half an hour of the 1st half played. Held on to the advantage for the rest of the game to take the 3 points home and climb back to the top of the FAWPL Southern Division.
C&K Basildon Ladies hadn’t played a league game since December 18th had a game on at last at home at Canvey Island FC hosting, Cardiff City Ladies. C&K Basildon introduced 3 new signings before the match, ex-Brighton & Hove Albion title winning captain, Jay Blackie. Danica Revell from West Ham United Ladies and Katherine Donahue, all 3 making their debuts for the club. Cardiff City Ladies in 3rd placed side with a chance to go top of the table got off to a fantastic start going 2-0 up inside the opening 12 minutes, Chloe Chivers and Kerry Bartlett scoring. C&K Basildon responded quickly to pull it back to 2-1 Angela Addison scoring, chances for both sides the score remained 2-1 to Cardiff at half-time. C&K Basildon got it back to 2-2 17 minutes into the 2nd half as Cardiff gave away a penalty, captain Zoe Rushen stepping up to score from the spot. 3 minutes into injury time and C&K Basildon turned it completely around to win the game at the death, Jay Blackie netting the goal to see them take all 3 points, moving back above Lewes into 6th place in the Southern Division table.
2 weeks ago West Ham United Ladies came back from 2-1 down to earn a point against Swindon Town Ladies with a equalising goal from Whitney Locke 2 minutes from time. At Swindon that time around, West Ham were hosting in the reverse fixture this Sunday the two sides 2nd and 3rd from bottom looking to get 3 vital points as they look to beat relegation. A 6 pointer it was the visitors Swindon who took the lead, Georgia Walters scoring in the 16 minute. West Ham responded straight away with Molly Peters putting them back on level terms just 4 minutes later. Walters scored her 2nd of the game with 8 minutes of the 1st half left to give Swindon the narrow advantage at the break. 2-1 the lead heading into the last 5 minutes of the game history repeated it self as West Ham scored a late equaliser to take a share of the points, Dayna Chong getting the goal with 4 minutes left on the clock.
FAWPL South East Division One
Gillingham FC Ladies go top of FAWPL South East Division One for the 1st time this season as their excellent league form continues the only unbeaten side in the division they made it 9 straight league wins away to Lowestoft Town Ladies this Sunday. Felicity Gibbons taking her goals for the season so far past 30 as she scored a hat-trick in the game with captain Jade Keogh also getting on the scoresheet to see Gillingham return home from Suffolk with a 4-0 win.
Overhaul Milton Keynes Dons Ladies at the top as they lost away from home against AFC Wimbledon Ladies. a single goal scored by Rebecca Sargent in the 2nd half seeing AFC Wimbledon do the league double over their opponents and move the 3rd placed side to within a point of them in 2nd ending Milton Keynes Dons Ladies unbeaten league record stretching back to September in the process.
4th placed Cambridge United WFC lose ground on the top 3 in the FAWPL South East Division One as they lost to a late long range strike from A10 rivals Enfield Town Ladies. The sides have a record of close games a competitive rivalry, Cambridge United WFC making the journey to the Elizabeth II Stadium on Donkey Lane, named Sarah Wiltshire on the bench back in training looking to regain her match sharpness having only given birth to a beautiful baby daughter 5 weeks ago. Goalless after the 1st 45 minutes it was Enfield who went on to take the lead, Emma Thomas scoring on her debut. Cambridge got it back level at 1-1 in the 73rd minute, Dawn Mallett with the goal. Just a couple of minutes left the sides looking like they’d be sharing to points midfielder Nuala McKevitt line up a long range strike that found the back of the net and gave Enfield all 3 points.
Luton Town Ladies travelled to Suffolk at the weekend to play Ipswich Town Ladies after a couple of losses that had saw them drop to 6th in the table Luton were looking to build on last Sunday’s home win against Norwich City Ladies. It was another game won by a single goal and it was Luton who were celebrating at the final whistle with Amy Summerfield the goalscorer. Luton’s young striker Jodie Bellinger suffered a dislocated shoulder during the match, wish her well for a speedy recovery.
The 1st Cup Final of the season for the Supporting Women’s Football Blog, the Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup.
Stevenage Ladies v Royston Town Ladies
Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup Final 2016/17
A trip to The County Ground, Letchworth this Sunday for my 1st Cup Final of the 2016/17 season. Stevenage Ladies playing Royston Town Ladies in this season’s Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup Final.
A league between the sides both sides were promoted as league champions last season to test themselves at a higher level. Stevenage Ladies winning the ERWFL Premier Division title to move up into the FAWPL South East Division One, are 3rd from bottom currently and picked up a good win away from home last weekend as they look to maintain their league status. This is Stevenage Ladies 3rd successive appearance in the Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup Final winning it for the 1st time 2 season’s ago, finished runners-up against Watford Ladies Development U19s last time around. Royston Town Ladies were promoted to the ERWFL Premier Division this season after clinching the ERWFL Division One West title. Like their opponents in today’s final currently sit 3rd bottom in the table but with more points on the board are 9 points clear of the bottom side. Have one of the league top hotshots in their squad, Sammy Tinsley who has scored 31 goals so far this season. Royston Town Ladies have enjoyed their County Cup run scoring 40 goals in 4 rounds to reach the final. Were beaten finalists in the 2013/14 season.
Road to the Final
Both sides entered the competition in the 1st Round. Stevenage progressing without kicking a ball awarded a home win. Royston were at home in the 1st Round taking on Beds & Herts Division Two side Panshanger Ladies, Sammy Tinsley hitting a double hat-trick as the club progressed with a 12-1 win.
In the 2nd Round, Stevenage were drawn at home to ERWFL Division One side, Colney Heath Ladies, won the match 5-0 with Daniela Martucci netting a hat-trick. Royston were drawn at home again in the 2nd Round, playing Beds & Herts Division One side St Albans Ladies. Tinsley with just the 1 hat-trick this time, however she was joined by Stephanie Hicks and Georgina Gannaway as Royston scored 12 again winning 12-4 to progress.
Into the quarter finals an away match versus Evergreen Eagles, playing 5 leagues below them in Beds & Herts Division Three, Stevenage winning 6-0 to reach the semi-finals with captain Donna McGuigan scoring a brace in the game. Scoring 12 goals in the previous 2 ties in the County Cup, Royston’s goal scoring was far from over as they hosted Beds & Herts Division Two side Watton Ladies in the quarter finals won the game 14-0 with Tinsley top scoring in the game with 5 goals.
The semi-finals were much closer affairs for both sides. Stevenage were at home playing another Watford Ladies youth side their U17s Hornets their young side pushing them all the way for a large chunk of the game before Stevenage sealed a 2-1 win to set up a 3rd successive final appearance, McGuigan scoring both the goals. It could have been an all Stevenage final too as their Reserves side had also reached the semi-finals away to Royston it was another 2-1 winning scoreline with Tinsley scoring both the goals.
The County Ground, Letchworth headquarters of the Hertfordshire FA the venue for today’s match. A good sized stadium, one main seated stand over looking a good sized pitch covered standing areas each end and on the opposite side the bar and clubhouse behind the main stand. The Pukka Tukka trailer their to provide hot and cold refreshments. Was an overcast day with a few spots of rain in the air slicked the pitch up a little before the match.
Stevenage Ladies starting XI – Katherine Long, Leah Dunnage, Tanya Blacksley, Dominique Godbeer, Jade Beckett, Lisa Milliken, Kristina O’Connell, Donna McGuigan (C), Cara Breckenbridge, Rosy Woodhams & Bolu Fisher.
It’s Royston wearing white shirts and socks with black shorts to get the final underway, Stevenage lined up opposite wearing blue shirts with black sleeves, blue shorts and socks. Royston push forwards right from the start the ball from Hayley Graham into Georgina Gannaway takes the ball on towards the Stevenage area, Leah Dunnage closing her down outside the box tackling to concede the throw. Winning the ball in the middle Paris Coldicott-Stevens plays it on to Sammy Tinsley on the right for Royston, cutting back in field as she carries the ball on looks to thread the ball into striker Harriett Smith making a run ahead of her into the box, defender Dominique Godbeer goes with her keeping Smith from reaching the ball lets it run across her through to her goalkeeper Katherine Long to safely gather into her gloves.
A competitive opening to the final, Royston pressing the ball early have kept Stevenage penned back in their own half without getting a shot away the midfield congested a few strong challenges. The ball runs favourably out to Cara Breckenbridge out wide left for Stevenage looks up attackers Bolu Fisher and Rosy Woodhams are both on the move sends the ball over the top Fisher closest breaks forwards after the ball, Royston goalkeeper, Emma D’Costa commits early rushing out towards the edge of her area to slide in and claim the ball before Fisher can reach it.
Stevenage are starting to find a few pockets of space to run into, Kristina O’Connell breaks from midfield moving to the left getting in behind wants the ball played into her, Royston captain Amy Cooper reads the threat getting across to win the ball play it out before O’Connell can get into a one on one position. Stevenage work the ball across the top of the area from the throw on the left the cross flighted in towards the far post sees Lisa Milliken flagged offside. It’s Cooper’s central defensive partner, Amie Jones who breaks up the next Stevenage attack as their opponents work the ball through the middle Jade Beckett playing it on for Fisher moving left has Stevenage’s captain Donna McGuigan ahead of her they try to play the one/two Jones getting in between the to intercept the ball knocking it of McGuigan for the throw.
Stevenage’s Jade Beckett looking to get ahead of Royston Town midfielder Paris Coldicott-Stevens
A brave and vital save from D’Costa in the Royston goal as Woodhams battling for the ball in the middle gets it out to Breckenbridge left sends the pass over the Royston defence with Fisher on the moves getting in behind a race for the ball, sliding it to save at the top of her area D’Costa makes the save collides with Fisher the ball runs in behind, Fisher scrambling up goes after it as the Royston defence get back to cover the goal, before Fisher can turn the ball home however referee, Rebecca Fearns-Purdue stops play with D’Costa hurt. 15 minutes in a chance for both sides to have a breather. D’Costa is okay to continue after treatment.
Tanya Blacksley winning the ball at the back for Stevenage pushes forwards through the middle before sending it long for Fisher to go after having peeled away to the left side, Jones covers the ground well to get across on the cover to slide in and clear the threat for Royston. A corner kick for Stevenage on the left, Breckenbridge plays it short the cross delivered into the middle of the Royston area, Cooper gets up highest to head the ball from danger. Attacking down the right side another corner is conceded, Stevenage play the ball in high to the near post Jones up to head the ball out of the area, is fired across the D in towards McGuigan who hits the shot on the spin sending it goalwards, lacking height or pace the ball is gathered by D’Costa on her goal line.
Stevenage’s Tanya Blacksley with Royston’s Harriet Smith
Little room on the ball for Royston in the final 3rd, Grace Leslie gets hold of the ball runs it on for Tinsley out right turns in field drives towards the Stevenage box, Blacksley on her shoulder runs her into Dunnage who wins the tackle gets it out to Breckenbridge moving down the left on for Fisher, reaches D’Costa coming to the edge of her area first. A free-kick for Royston on half-way the ball played up to the edge of the area is initially headed away by Breckenbridge, Royston win the ball back the diagonal ball from right to left picks out Gannaway outside the area left of the D shifts the ball between her feet well to make room for a shot, slips at the vital moment the ball rolling towards goal scooped up by Long.
Tinsley is stopped in her tracks by Dunnage as the Royston attacker dribbles the ball through the middle. Dunnage plays the ball forwards into space for Fisher to go after, Cooper with her both are beaten to the ball by D’Costa the Royston keeper out early to the edge of her box to slide onto the ball. From a throw in on the right Tinsley gathers the ball into her body turns and looks to find space in front of the Stevenage area for a shot, Blacksley goes with her, Tinsley sends the ball out to Annie Chambers on the left the full back rolling the ball into Gannaway ahead of her inside the box looks to square the ball across the six yard box with Smith making a central run, Dunnage gets across to clear the ball for the throw.
Georgina Gannaway on the ball for Royston Town Ladies
GOAL! Just over half an hour played and the deadlock is broken, Stevenage taking the lead after Long claims possession of the ball from a Royston attack the goalkeeper kicking the ball from the top of her area up towards the halfway line for once the centre backs fail to deal with the ball as it deflects favourably for Fisher sends the ball forwards getting up a head of steam drives towards the box left into the area plays from both sides racing to catch up with her, D’Costa comes closing down the angle saves well with her legs as Fisher looks to put the ball wide of her, grounded however the ball runs back to Fisher keeps her composure as the Royston defence get back to cover the goal instead rolls it across the penalty spot to Woodhams who sends the ball into the bottom corner of the goal to make it 1-0.
Rosy Woodhams scores the opening goal in this seasons Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup Final
Royston make a change with Andrea Wright coming on up top for Smith. The substitute looks to hold the ball up as she takes it into the right corner is tackled by Blacksley playing the ball into O’Connell helps it on for Fisher to try and get in behind, Jones goes with her sliding in to take the ball away from the striker into Chambers to clear. D’Costa out to the edge of her area right corner saves well again sliding in to deny Fisher the ball rolls back out towards McGuigan, Leslie slides in to take the ball from her before she can line up a shot the ball running across the top of the box Coldicott-Stevens gets it up field.
Stevenage’s Bolu Fisher with Royston Town’ defender Amie Jones
Gannaway plays the ball on for Wright down the left channel cutting inside gets into the area her ball put in along the six yard box cut out and cleared by Godbeer. A set-piece for Royston on half-way players go forwards as Cooper plays the ball up towards the top of the area, Leslie heads the ball on into the six yard box, Dunnage is the quickest to react getting it out of the box for Stevenage. Breckenbridge finds herself with time and space in the middle as the ball is played across to her 35 yards out lines up a strike plays the ball straight into the keeper. Fisher has been in the wars 1st half clattered into several times a free-kick is awarded in 1st half injury time after she is brought down wide on the left inside the Royston half, O’Connell on the ball a corner is conceded on the left a good delivery into the box by Breckenbridge, Beckett gets her head on the ball sends her effort over the bar the final action of the 1st half.
Half-time Stevenage Ladies 1-0 Royston Town Ladies
A 1-0 lead for Stevenage at half-time having been dominant once they got to grips with Royston’s pressing game, a competitve contest especially in the middle of the park. Stevenage getting in behind the Royston defence on a few occasions eventually bringing the goal whilst up the other end have kept things tight at the back playing deeper preventing their opponents attackers from finding any room to exploit. Leading by just a single goal the Final is far from settled.
It’s Stevenage to kick-off the 2nd half, Royston look to get hold of the ball right from the start, Stevenage instead get it forwards playing it into Fisher outside the box left of the D back to goal rolls in across the top of the area looking to pick out Woodhams, instead Chambers steps in to intercept the ball clear it up field for Royston.
GOAL! Stevenage waste no time getting the ball back into Royston’s final 3rd win themselves a corner on the left side, Breckenbridge to take as players come up from the back the delivery in towards the near post Godbeer gets her head on the ball inside the six yard box at the near post nodding the ball into the ground it bounces into the back of the net to see Stevenage double their advantage 4 minutes into the 2nd half 2-0.
Dominique Godbeer is mobbed by her team mates after putting Stevenage 2-0 up
Royston come very close to pulling a goal back right from the restart the ball passed into Tinsley in a central position 25 yards from goal, good footwork to make room for a shot let’s flying the ball arrowing towards the top corner, Long throws herself to her right as it dips late strikes the post before rebounding out of play. Royston make a double substitution Jones and Gannaway the players coming off, Lucy Sende and Paige Rolfe come on. A throw in for Royston on the left the ball is played across the pitch by Graham out towards Fisk plays it forwards for Wright making a move down the right channels to get in behind the Stevenage defence, Long comes rushing out from her goal to slide in and claim the ball before Wright can take it past her.
Royston Town Ladies, Rebekah Fisk
Stevenage counter attack from a Royston free-kick the ball played out to Woodhams on half way drives forwards before sending the ball into Fisher’s path moving right looking to get into the Royston box is forced wide by Cooper tracking back with her the angle against her as she tries to get a shot away sends her effort high over the crossbar.
GOAL! 10 minutes into the 2nd half and Stevenage extend their lead a moment D’Costa will want to forget unfortunately the keeper having had fantastic game up to that moment, Stevenage get the ball forwards into the run of Woodhams left side pushing towards the area knocks the ball on into the area, coming out to slide in and claim the ball D’Costa doesn’t take it cleanly pops out of her gloves, Woodhams knocks it past her and gives chase to send the ball into the empty net beyond to make it 3-0. D’Costa is distraught but her teammates are quick to pick her up and get her focused with over half an hour of the final still to play. A comfortable lead for Stevenage now. Royston push players on Fisk supporting Tinsley out wide right receives the ball squares it into Graham in a central position 20 yards from goal, shifts the ball between her feet making room to curl a low shot in towards goal, travelling towards the bottom corner not enough pace on the ball as Long comes across her goal to claim it. Fisk pushes on again with Wright holding the ball up in the left corner for Royston plays it up towards the full-back who has Tinsley making a run across the D in front of the Stevenage box, Fisk picks her out the attacker meeting the ball 1st time sending the ball in towards goal flies wide of the post.
A change for Stevenage as they bring off Milliken with Amy Josland coming on into the midfield. Involved in the action straight away a ball over the top has Woodhams in behind same run that led to her goal, D’Costa comes rushing out to sliding takes the ball confidently into her body. Pressing on the right wing Stevenage win a corner kick, Breckenbridge plays it up the line with O’Connell available the midfielder sends a sweeping cross in towards the near post just behind Dunnage’s run the defender turns getting her chest on the ball to help it on, bouncing up for Beckett, she tries to get some power on her header but plays it straight into D’Costa in goal.
Changes for both sides, Royston bring on Katie Seymour in place of Fisk, Stephanie Mann comes on for Stevenage replacing Beckett midway through the 2nd half. Woodhams looks to bring the ball on through the middle for Stevenage is tackled by Rolfe 25 yards out the ball deflects wide to Breckenbridge on the right plays a great early ball into the Royston area, bouncing in front of the six yard box, D’Costa claims the ball well above her head not distracted by Josland racing in try and reach the cross. Allyson Santini come on for Royston in place of Coldicott-Stevens. 70 minutes played.
Royston are awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position just outside the box top left corner, Wright over the ball as players come forwards from the back. Is a great ball in towards the players lining up at the far post picking out Leslie 12 yards out gets a firm header on the ball turning it towards goal, pace on the ball it is heading for the bottom corner, Long throws herself across her goal to make an excellent save. Stevenage bring off Woodhams sending on Daniela Martucci to join the attack for the final 15 minutes.
Royston’s Grace Leslie get her header on target
Rolfe gets back to tackle Martucci as she takes the ball down the right channel conceding the corner kick. Breckenbridge plays the ball into the area going long is just over McGuigan falls to Josland beyond who meets the ball on the volley sends her attempt wide of target. Smith rejoins the action for Royston with Graham coming off. McGuigan is away down the right as the referee plays the advantage after Breckenbridge is clattered driving inside into the box closing in on goal McGuigan blasts the ball into the side netting a corner is signalled however, the delivery swung in towards the near post is headed clear of the area by Santini, falling to O’Connell outside the box snatches at the shot cutting the ball wide across the area. Breckenbridge is the next player substituted by Stevenage, Kristi Burling coming on with a little over 10 minutes left to play. Godbeer comes across to slide in and take the ball inside the area from Smith as she is played in behind on the left side by Chambers. Fisher comes off in the latter stages of the game with Stevenage sending on Hayley Wood-Thompson. Josland tussling with Leslie for the ball in the middle of the park gets it forwards for McGuigan, advances towards the top of the area before blasting a shot wide of the far post. Milliken returns to the action in place of O’Connell for Stevenage.
Royston Town Ladies, Harriett Smith
Late pressure from Royston as they search for a goal, Smith is played in down the right carries the ball on into the box Long comes to close the angle, Godbeer too, between them squeeze the Royston attacker off the ball. A great reverse ball down the line from Santini gets Chambers in behind on the left for Royston sends a long ball in across the six yard box towards the far post Wood-Thompson defends well against Wright heading the ball out of the area falls to Leslie 20 yards out running onto the ball hits it back into the area her strike blocked.
Into the final couple of minutes of normal time Royston get the ball forwards into Smith right of goal shifts the ball before pulling the trigger, Long gets down sharply to make the save the ball deflects across her six yard box, no one following in as Stevenage launch it up field. Another late chance for Smith as Tinsley rolls the ball into her path outside the area hits the ball hard towards goal Long throws herself to her left, the ball flies narrowly wide of the post.
GOAL! In injury time Stevenage hit Royston on the break to score a 4th goal the ball played out to Milliken is space on the right plays the ball in towards the top of the area just behind Wood-Thompson has Josland beyond her McGuigan is running on towards the top of the box Josland rolling the ball into her opening up her body McGuigan meets the ball perfectly sending it angling into the top corner 4-0. Virtually the last action of the game the final whistle blows and Stevenage celebrate winning the County Cup.
Full time Stevenage Ladies 4-0 Royston Town Ladies
A 4-0 win for Stevenage 2 early goals 2nd half putting them in control of the final, the better side on the day their defence giving Royston very little opportunity in behind whilst up the other end had players always ready to break forwards. Royston battled hard a competitive contest especially in the middle of the park but eventually ran out of energy. A few late chances to pull a goal back hit on the counter on concede a 4th goal. A good game watched by a decent sized crowd.
SWF Blog – Player of the Match
With two goals in the final the SWF Blog – Player of the Match is Rosy Woodhams. Made life difficult for the Royston defence with so forceful runs on the ball. Good hold up play to bring others into the attack aswell as making intelligent runs to make space for others to exploit.
Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup Winners, Stevenage Ladies
Congratulations to Stevenage Ladies on winning this season’s Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup Final.
My thanks to the Hertfordshire FA staff today, especially Callum Riley for his help with the team line-ups. Enjoyed my 1st Cup Final of the season plenty more to look forwards too.
A postponement hit fixture list across the 3 divisions in the Beds & Herts Leagues at the weekend with just 3 games surviving the weather. Two of those games Division One and with the top 2 not in action it all bunches up again with 3 points now separating the top 5 sides once again. 4th placed Sherrardswood Ladies continued from last weekends success against Bishops Stortford Ladies with a good result at home against 3rd placed Garston Ladies this Sunday. Goals from Laura Cousins and Manjinder Atwal seeing them into a 2-0 lead at the break. Laurie Marris was on target 2nd half to make it 3-0 before Camilla Holland scored a 4th goal in injury time to see them gain 3 more points to go level on points with Garston and close on the league leaders.
Bishops Stortford Ladies were also at home at the weekend recovered from last Sundays heavy defeat against Sherrardswood to win the 3 points this Sunday against Houghton Athletic Ladies. an own goal plus a goal from Lauren Maynard helping them to a 2-0 victory to keep pace with Sherrardswood in 4th make it all very interesting at the top of the table.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three
The other game beating the weather at the weekend was in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three a clash between the bottom two with Wheathamsted Ladies bottom hosting Shefford Town & Campton Ladies. A double strike from Libby Quinn seeing Wheathamsted Ladies move above their opponents with a 2-0 win.
A mixture of postponements and suffering their 1st defeat of the season away to in form Bungay Town Ladies in February had seen Thorpe United Ladies slip to 2nd in the Norfolk Women’s Division One table. A midweek 6-0 win for Bungay Town Ladies against bottom side Kirkley & Pakefield FC Ladies had seen them slip a further place to 3rd going into Sunday’s game. Their match away to Fakenham Town Ladies reversed with Thorpe United hosting on a 3G to beat the beat the weather. Sophie Jermy and Lauren Kent both scoring a brace for Thorpe United in the game with captain Rebekah Lake also scoring in the match along with Charlotte Groves and Laura Hedtke to see Thorpe United return back to the top of the league with a 7-0 win.
7-0 was also the winning scoreline for 4th placed side North Walsham Angels Ladies as the newly promoted side aim to secure a top half 1st in their 1st season in the top flight in Norfolk. Were at home on Sunday taking on Aylsham FC Ladies in 6th. Hope Middleton got herself a hat-trick in the game with sister Luci netting a brace. Robyn Johnston also getting her name on the scoresheet with an own goal making up the score to see the 3 points collected.
Norfolk Division Two
7 was a popular number in Norfolk at the weekend with Stalham Town Ladies hitting 7 goals into the back of the net at home to Bohemians Ladies in the only match played in Division Two on Sunday. Leading 2-0 at half-time Stalham Town went on to win 7-1 in the 2nd half, a brace each for Charlotte Crane and Millie Cursons with Stephanie Brightly, Emily Kent and Marie Meale all grabbing themselves a goal.
Norfolk Women’s Division Three
Well a few weeks back I mentioned it was all getting very interesting in Norfolk Women’s Division Three as Toftwood United Ladies won at home against the then league leaders Wymondham Town Ladies Reserves to close up gap between the top 4 to 2 points since then Toftwood United Ladies have continued their excellent form climbing into 2nd in the table and now lead the way! Were at home on Sunday taking on East Coast Ladies who were in possession of top spot going into the match the sides playing out a 7 (yes there it is again) thriller.
East Coast Ladies the visiting side took the lead on 15 minutes Rosie Cook with the goal. Toftwood equalising midway through the 1st half went into the dressing room at half-time 2-1 down after conceding an own goal 4 minutes before time. Toftwood United came out the 2nd half the stronger scoring twice in the opening 10 minutes to turn it around to lead 3-2 extending the lead with 20 minutes left, Katie Hart scoring a hat-trick with Thea Wilson also on target. East Coast pulled a goal back with 5 minutes left with Cook scoring her 2nd of the game to set up a nervous finish but Toftwood now unbeaten in 5 league games win 4-3 to go 2 points clear at the top of the table. One league game left to play with their rivals all having games in hand may well get caught but it’s a good place to be right now. You can read East Coast Ladies match report from the game by clicking on the link below.
Dereham based side Tavern Ladies also move up a place in the Division Three table from 4th to 3rd winning away to Freethorpe Ladies at the weekend a dominant 1st half display seeing them lead 3-0 at the break adding 2 more goals in the 2nd half, Roxy Coomber, Sophie Fuller and Jordan Head amongst the goals. Didn’t have it all their own way however as Freethorpe rallied to pull it back to 3-5 before the final whistle was blown.
Quarter final weekend in the Essex Women’s League Cup, two ties were lost to the weather with Hatfield Peveral Ladies from Division One host Premier Division side Chigwell Ladies and the top two in Division One Frontiers Ladies v Corringham Cosmos having to try again this coming weekend. Two ties were played and it was two home wins for sides from the Premier Division.
Collier Row Tigers were at home playing Harlow Town Ladies Reserves from Division One, booked their place in the semi-finals with a 6-2 win to reach the last 4 of the competition.
Also reaching the League Cup semi-finals are Lawford Ladies as they played the only all Premier Division clash in the quarter finals at home to Wickford Town Ladies. Jasmine Cox putting the side 2nd in the league 1-0 inside the opening 10 minutes. Susan Jackson doubling the lead with a header just 4 minutes later. Wickford Town pulled it back to 2-1 midway through the 1st half Patricia McWeeney’s shot finding the back of the net. 2-1 the lead at half-time for Lawford at half-time Jade Richardson extended their advantage in the 2nd half then stepped up to fire a late penalty into the top corner to see Lawford into the last 4 with a 4-1 win.
Essex Women’s Premier Division
One match played in the Essex Women’s Division this Sunday with Beacon Hill Rovers Ladies in mid-table hosting 4th placed side Runwell Sports Ladies who scored through Rachael Selfe lost the match however with Beacon Hill Rovers netting twice at the other end to claim all 3 points.
Essex Women’s Division One
Just a week ago it was a celebration in Essex Women’s Division One as Waltham Forest Ladies earned their 1st ever league point with a 3-3 draw away to Benfleet Villa Ladies. Now the club is celebrating it’s 1st ever win in the league as the 2 sides bottom of the league met in the reverse league fixture at Waltham Forest Ladies home pitch this Sunday the sides contesting a 7 goal thriller Waltham Forest edging the result 4-3 to record their 1st ever league win taking them level on 4 points with Benfleet Villa Ladies whose goals were scored by Amy Pownall and a brace for Christina Taylor. Have written about so many heavy defeats for Waltham Forest Ladies I’m glad to write about a win for the club at long last.
Across the woe’s county leagues in the East it was a postponement hit weekend with just 15 games beating the weather across the 5 county leagues in total with a total loss in Suffolk, just 3 games beating the weather in Cambridgeshire. Plenty of goals scored in those games however 29 in total as 2 sides picked up double figure wins.
Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership
Two games were played in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership, Cambridge United WFC Reserves climb back into 2nd place winning at home on Sunday were hosting ICA Sports Ladies. Lauren Gibson netted a brace in the match along with a goal each for Ebony Rule, Emma Roberts, Liz Pamplin and Gabrielle Whitehurst to see Cambridge United win 6-1. Megan Purnell scoring for ICA Sports Ladies. The victory sees Cambridge United close the gap to leaders Newmarket Town Ladies with 3 games in hand having only played half of their scheduled league games to date.
A huge win at home saw Netherton United Ladies overhaul Bar Hill Ladies goal difference and move above them into 3rd spot in the Premiership this Sunday were hosting bottom side Park Ladies at The Grange. Emily Johnson opened the scoring for Netherton after 9 minutes, going on to score a total of 5 goals in the game the rest coming in the 2nd half. Yasmin Green scored to make it 2-0 7 minutes later would go on to complete a hat-trick for herself in the 2nd half too.Megan Strickland made it 3-0 to Netherton as the game closed in on the half-hour mark with captain Megan Parrett seeing her side lead 4-0 at half-time scoring 5 minutes before the whistle. Parrett netted another goal straight away in the 2nd half before Johnson and Green piled on the goals to see them win 11-0. You can read the clubs match report by clicking on the link below
11-0 was also the winning margin in the only Championship game to beat the weather at the weekend with Isleham United Ladies hosting bottom side Orton Rangers Ladies in the Championship South. Laura McAllister scoring a hat-trick in the game, there were braces for Louisa Harwood, Laura Todd and Anita Butters with Vicky Beeton also scoring in the emphatic win.
In a weekend hit right across the board by postponements the Eastern Region Women’s Football League programme survived virtually unscathed with just the Premier Division match between Histon Ladies and Royston Town Ladies falling foul of a water-logged pitch. A few sdies having access to a 3G surface helping matters.
ERWFL Premier Division
In the ERWFL Premier Division, Haringey Borough Women were looking to return back to the top of the table whilst leaders Bedford Ladies weren’t in action. A trip into Essex to play Brentwood Town Ladies at the Len Forge Centre. Amongst a host of sides below the top 3 looking to end the season strongly Brentwood Town had seen their recent good form dented with a couple of defeats in league and cup. Picked up a good point against Haringey Borough as the sides contested a 2-2 draw, a goal each for Leah Cowan and Georgia Holdaway cancelling out a brace for Haringey Borough’s Klesha Darroux who move to within a point of Bedford who have played 2 games more.
A goal for Megan Partridge was enough to see AFC Sudbury Ladies win all 3 points away to Colchester Town Ladies on Sunday the result lifting the Suffolk side above Billericay Town Ladies into 4th place. Have played 17 with 3 to play are now 5 points behind Bedford Ladies who they play next at home, close the gap to 2 points and thing’s will get very interesting.
Below AFC Sudbury Ladies are a host of sides who all have more games left to play and all of them with a strong finish could yet cause a upset in the title race. 3rd placed AFC Dunstable Ladies headed up to Norfolk at the weekend to play the side with more games left than everyone having just played 12 going into this weekends match Acle United Ladies need every Sunday left plus the odd midweek game to get their fixtures in. A good run of games is just what the squad needs however to mount a late challenge. Dunstable have been a strong side all season gunning for the title 3 points off the lead with 4 games left to play missed the opportunity to close the gap on the leaders as Acle United some times slow starters to a game got off to a flyer this Sunday as striker Jody Wells gave them the lead inside 2 minutes. AFC Dunstable pulled it back all square at 1-1 late in the 1st half. Wells scoring again early in the 2nd half her brace seeing the 3 points won moves Acle United up a place to 7th on 23 points 10 behind the leaders but have 4 games in hand. The business end of the season and the ERWFL Premier Division will see a few dramatic results before the end to be sure.
One of those came this very Sunday in Essex. Just a week ago Billericay Town Ladies claimed the 3 points away from home against Essex rivals Writtle Ladies winning 4-0. This Sunday saw the reverse fixture and both sides having been strongly represented by the Essex FA Women’s Representative side on Thursday night’s 3-0 win against Hertfordshire. At home this time Billericay Town Ladies found themselves 3-0 as the game entered the last 10 minutes. A brace for Sophie Vale and a goal for Abigail Fry seemingly putting Writtle in control of the game. Billericay Town were to stage an extraordinary comeback however as Vicky Kinsman reduced the deficit to 3-1 with 8 minutes left. Straight from the restart Paris Smith (pictured) lobbed the Writtle keeper to make it 3-2 then Paris found the back of the net again moments later to score the equaliser and see Billericay Town take an unlikely point from the match.
ERWFL Division One
Joint leaders, Cambridge City Ladies and Colney Heath Ladies in ERWFL Division One remain locked on the same points as they both extend the gap on the rest with contrasting away wins at the weekend. Both on 33 points look strong as they push for promotion to the Premier Division with 2 sides likely to be promoted. Cambridge City Ladies hold the advantage for the title as they have 8 games left to play before the end of the season 4 games more than Colney Heath. Cambridge City were away to 4th placed Silver End United Ladies on Sunday, a single goal seeing the league leaders leave Essex with another 3 points in the bag. Top scorer, Bella Simmons taking her goals tally to 17 for the season from 12 appearances.
Colney Heath Ladies in contrast were involved in an 8 goal thriller as they travelled to Bedfordshire to play Offley & Stopsley Women. The home side getting off to a great start going 2-0 up early on. Colney Heath responded immediately to pull it back to 2-1 with Holly Sheridan scoring the goal. Offley & Stopsley scored again however to lead 3-1 at half-time. A strong 2nd half performance from Colney Heath saw them come back into the game and claim all 3 points. Annie Hickey grabbing a goal to pull it back to 3-2 before Sheridan scored her 2nd of the game and draw her closer to 20 goals for the season to make it 3-3. Christina Freestone found the back of the net to put Colney Heath into the lead with Hickey scoring her 2nd goal of the game to see Colney Heath win 5-3.
Stevenage Ladies Reserves climb up into 5th place in the Division One table with a good result away from home on Sunday travelling into Suffolk to play Ipswich Wanderers Ladies. Sarah Payne scored twice in the game with a goal each for Leah Littlechild and Sherrie Evans to see them win the game 4-1 and move up into the top half of the table for the 1st time this season.
Little Thurrock Dynamos Ladies were hosting Hutton Ladies on Sunday and it was a welcome 3 points gained after a long spell without picking up points in the league. Plenty of cup games interrupting in between. A narrow 2-1 win for Little Thurrock Dynamos their goals scored by Sophie Dowman and Rhianne Holmes.
March started off pretty much the same as February and January before that with a whole host of postponements across the whole of the region that saw 50% of the scheduled fixtures lost to the heavy ran that fell over the weekend. Some big games did beat the weather however most notably in the FAWPL Cup and Plate competitions which had reached the semi-final stage with 3 of the 4 games taking place.
FAWPL Cup
In the FAWPL Cup it will be an all Southern Division final and two familiar adversaries contesting yet another trophy. FAWPL Cup holders, Tottenham Hotspur Ladies were hosting Cardiff City Ladies in this years competition having beaten them in the final itself last season 2-1 to lift the trophy. Tottenham aiming to reach their 2nd successive FAWPL Cup final took the lead on the half hour Wendy Martin (pictured) turning Rhianna Soobadoo’s cross into the back of the net. 1-0 the lead at the break, Leah Rawle was on hand to turn the back into the back of the net after Cardiff City goalkeeper Zoe Atkins initially palmed Martin’s shot away to make it 2-0. Nikita Whinnett making the result safe for Tottenham scoring their 3rd in the last 10 minutes to see them celebrating reaching another final as their impressive unbeaten run goes on.
Playing Tottenham Hotspur Ladies in the FAWPL Cup final will be, Charlton Athletic Women although they were forced into extra-time after a 2nd half come back from opponents Blackburn Rovers Ladies. The current leaders of both the Northern and Southern Division’s. Kit Graham put Charlton 1-0 with just under 10 minutes of the 1st half left a narrow advantage at the break the home side doubled their lead early in the 2nd half Gemma Shephard with another goal as she settles back in where she left off after her injury layoff.
Blackburn Rovers came back into the game getting it back to 2-1 with 15 minutes left to play, Saffron Jordon getting the goal and with less than 5 minutes of the 90 left the visitors equalised, Lynda Shepherd making it 2-2 to force the semi-final into extra-time. Stefanie Simmons having come on for Charlton with lass that 15 minutes left of normal time the hero in extra-time scoring 2 goals late in the 2nd period of the 15. 4-2 the lead Blackburn Rovers pulled one goal back at the death Jordon with her 2nd of the game, a red for Blackburn’s Ellie Stewart at the end of the game 2 shown a 2nd yellow card as they exit the competition
FAWPL Plate
Whilst Leicester City WFC & Lewes Ladies will have to try again this coming Sunday to reach the final of the FAWPL Plate after their semi-final was postponed they both know who they will face in the final next month as FAWPL Northern Division side, Huddersfield Town Ladies over came FAWPL South East Division One side, Actonians Ladies to book their spot in this season’s final. Actonians Ladies travelled north knowing a side from their Division had reached the final of the FAWPL Plate just last season a memorable occasion for Enfield Town Ladies if not the result. This Sunday no home soil their higher league opponents proving too strong were leading 4-0 at half-time 2 goals for Emily Heller along with a goal a piece for Katie Mallin and Katie Nutter. Heller completed her hat-trick 10 minutes into the 2nd half Charley Evans scoring Huddersfield’s 6th goal in a 6-1 win, Jessica Byrne scoring for Actonians as their fantastic run in the competition comes to an end.
FAWPL South East Division One
Two games played in FAWPL South East Division One on Sunday and Gillingham FC Ladies move to within a point of league leaders Milton Keynes Dons Ladies after a comfortable win at home against Enfield Town Ladies. Felicity Gibbons (pictured) setting the ball rolling scoring inside the 1st minute for Gillingham. Jenny Newman had Gillingham 2-0 in the 8th minute. Gibbons adding a 2nd goal to her tally with 20 minutes played as Gillingham set about taking control of the game. Recently signed Rosie Kmita making it 4-0 before half-time. Gibbons went on to complete her hat-trick with 3 minutes of the 2nd half starting captain Jade Keogh also on target in the 2nd half to see Gillingham win 6-0 remain unbeaten in the league with games in hand on the leaders too.
Moving up a place in the FAWPL South East Division One table are AFC Wimbledon Ladies moving above Cambridge United WFC who saw their game away to Lowestoft Town Ladies postponed into 3rd place. Away on Sunday playing Stevenage Ladies, Katie Stanley gave AFC Wimbledon an early lead scoring in the 2nd minute. Stanley added a 2nd goal midway through the 1st half to see the visitors lead 2-0 at the break, Stevenage missing a chance to reduce the deficit shooting wide from the penalty spot. A flurry of goals late in the 2nd half as captain Donna McGuigan pulled a goal back from a corner for Stevenage. Getting it back to 2-1 AFC Wimbledon ended the game in storming fashion 5 minutes left to play a quickfire double from Rebecca Sargent made it 4-1, time for another goal with just a minute left Laura Low netting to make the final score 5-1 and see AFC Wimbledon take the 3 points home with them.
the table with a 100% record winning 11 from 11. Are also in the quarter finals of the League and Tiptree & District Charity Cup. Had beaten Chelmsford City Ladies Reserves 7-0 in the league recently and got off to a great start in the final with Kay Foy (pictured) putting Frontiers into the lead inside the opening minute. Hayley King doubled the lead just a minute later to put Chelmsford City on the back foot right from the start. Frontiers made it 3-0 midway through the 1st half with Foy through on goal scoring again. Kelly Holsworth got a cup final goal as she made it 4-0 a few minutes later. Foy went on to complete a 1st half hat-trick in the 35th minute. 
