A full fixture list in the Suffolk Women’s Division with six game played this Sunday, a big game from the top of the table too with the top two going head to head for the first time this season. 2nd placed Brantham Athletic Ladies hosting close neighbours and league leaders, East Bergholt United Ladies. A 100% record it was a crushing 35-0 win for East Bergholt last time out whilst Brantham with a depleted squad dropped points for the first time drawing away to Leiston St Margarets. This Sunday going head to head it was a much closer game a 1 goal winning margin all you need to earn the 3 points, East Bergholt emerged the winners in a tight contest, Millie Wilding with the crucial strike to see East Bergholt make it 9 wins from 9 and open up a 5 point lead at the top of the table.
That first defeat of the season for Brantham sees everyone bunch up in the chasing pack just 2 points between 2nd and 5th now. Another top of the table clash seeing 3rd placed Needham Market Women away to 5th placed Alresford Colne Rangers this Sunday another close game the sides drawing 1-1 at half-time it was Alresford who found the winning goal in the 2nd period to take the 3 points with a 2-1 win to close right up on the sides above. Leia Rudge and Lucie Stanbury getting the goals for Alresford.
Moving up into 3rd position in the Suffolk Women’s Division are Walsham Le Willows Ladies who now match Brantham Athletic’s points tally of 22. Won big at home on Sunday as they hosted new side University of Suffolk Women. Laura Brame striding ahead in the goal scoring charts for Walsham Le Willows scoring a double hat-trick on Sunday moves onto 17 for the season from just 7 appearances. Julie Brind giving her goals scored a massive boost as she found the back of the net for 5 goals, Mia Bambury, Kirsty Pollard and Lisa Pratt all with a goal each, Walsham Le Willows with 14 goals didn’t have it all their own way with University of Suffolk breaching their defence for 3 goals themselves.
Haverhill Rovers Ladies Reserves continue to struggle for numbers taking just the 9 to Woodbridge Town Ladies on Sunday. The hosts taking full advantage to win for the 5th time this season. Jenna Liverpool and Sophie Crane, the top scorers for Woodbridge now have 19 between them with Liverpool scoring a double hat-trick on Sunday, Crane netting 5 goals. Natasha Williams also getting a goal whilst there were first goals for Woodbridge for Jaleh Shoghi, Georgia Marnell, Lauren Jacobs, Madison Tribley and Kerry Scott in a 17-0 result.
Lucy Eagle claimed a hat-trick for Leiston St Margarets this Sunday as they won the 3 points away from home against Brettvale Ladies. Eagle moving into double figures for the season now with 11 goals. Sarah Cooper also on target with a goal for Leiston St Margarets winning the game 4-0.
Chantry Grasshoppers Ladies claimed their 2nd league win of the season this Sunday. At home were taking on fellow newcomers, Brightlingsea Regent Ladies. Leading 2-0 at half-time both sides scoring the the 2nd half. Chantry Grasshoppers winning 3-1. Charlotte Archer scoring twice with Bernice Corney also on the scoresheet with her 5th goal of the season. Maddie Hubbard with the 2nd half strike for Brightlingsea.
The lead changes at the top of the ERWFL Premier Division once again, Peterborough Northern Star Ladies going top last Sunday weren’t in action this time around, Acle United Women travelling down to White Hart Lane to play bottom side Haringey Borough Women on Sunday a repeat of the fixture that settled the title on the final day 2 season’s ago. Much has changed since then Haringey with a much changed squad struggling, Acle getting the better of them despite a lacklustre performance winning by a single goal to take the 3 points back to Norfolk with them. The winning goal coming in the 34th minute moments after Haringey had almost opened the scoring themselves, defender Grace Parker rising inside the box to score from a Broghan Scully free-kick. Acle go top and would have regardless of the result of this game as they have been awarded the 3 points for 2 fixtures in October their opponents unable to field a side on both occasion’s giving Acle a 6 point lead at the top.
Acle United Women’s, Grace Parker
It was a below par performance last Sunday away to Acle that saw Hertfordshire side, Royston Town Ladies loose for the 1st time this season. Bounced back with a win on home soil this Sunday to climb up into 2nd spot in the Premier Division. Were hosting Colney Heath Ladies despite a slow start to the game Royston opened the scoring with Hayley Elderd setting up Joanne Rutherford to score. Rutherford with the assist as Charlotte South put the ball into the back of the net for a 2-0 half-time lead. Elderd getting a goal for Royston in the 2nd half to secure a 3-0 victory.
Bedford Ladies were at home in the Premier Division on Sunday taking on Suffolk’s AFC Sudbury Ladies. The hosts results a mixed bag this season so far, secure victory this weekend after 2 successive defeats to sides challenging for the title. Goals from Carissa Kaczorowski, Michelle Byrne, Maya Sidhu & Paige Abraham seeing Bedford win the game 4-0.
An interesting title battle emerging Acle on top for now have played (well more shown as played) than anyone else, Cambridge City Ladies distracted by cup matches have been frustrated observers now 4th but still with a 100% record, a few more twists and turns yet this season I’m sure.
ERWFL Division One
There is an equally intriguing title battle emerging in ERWFL Division One, a host of sides chasing early pacesetters, Stevenage Ladies Reserves their lead having been eroded down to 2 points last Sunday in a 6-5 defeat away to Bowers & Pitsea Ladies, their home game this Sunday against Histon Ladies falling foul to the weather, the gap is now down to just a point!
Bowers & Pitsea Ladies in confident mood were at home again this Sunday facing a tough challenge against league newcomers St Ives Town Ladies who themselves in 3rd spot have enjoyed a great start to life at the higher level the Cambridgeshire side, unbeaten from 7 played. Two sides full of attacking potential it was a tighter affair at the back for the Essex side this time around, Kira Markwell in top form in the St Ives goal keeping them form scoring. Equally the St Ives attack was unable to breach the Bowers & Pitsea defence at the other end the game ending 0-0 both sides moving one point closer to Stevenage.
St Ives Town Ladies goalkeeper, Kira Markwell
Another Essex side capitalising on that result are Hutton Ladies as they pick up the 3 points away from home on Sunday to move into 2nd spot a point behind the leaders themselves now. Were on the road taking on Hertfordshire’s Hoddesdon Town Owls Ladies. 30 goals for the season now for Vicky Kinsman what an inspiring signing she has been for Hutton, hitting another two goals into the back of the net those 30 coming from 13 appearances. Laura Allen also getting in on the goals as Hutton ran out 3-0 winners, 3 point separating the top 4 sides now.
Newmarket Town Ladies are also in the hunt as they win big at the weekend to move into 5th 4 points from the top. At home on Sunday were taking on Hatfield Peverel Ladies. Newmarket’s squad now starting to grow after a few departures during the close season. Leading comfortably 3-0 at the break were ruthless in the 2nd half going on to record a double figure win. Lauren Deller marking her 50th appearance for Newmarket with a brace, also a brace for Jess Linger, Sarah O’Rourke on the scoresheet too with a goal. Newmarket’s other 5 goals all 1st’s for their new signings, Abbi Griffin of course a familiar making a welcome return to the club getting her 1st goal. Katie Webb with her first goal since rejoining having been with Newmarket at youth level, and there was a hat-trick for Annabel Cuthbert on her home debut. A welcome return to winning ways after a run of 3 straight defeats in league and cup.
Lawford Ladies make up the top 6 in Division One and are just a point further back in the table 6 behind Stevenage. An away trip for the Essex side on Sunday taking on Bishops Stortford Ladies. Tess Ryan getting a hat-trick for Lawford, captain Daisy Canny hitting another brace moves her onto 12 goals for the season, Tyler Christou also getting a goal in a 6-2 win. Jemma Good and Poppy Kelly with the goals for Bishops Stortford.
With the sides from the FAWNL Southern Premier Division entering the FA Women’s Cup this Sunday there was a severely reduced fixture list elsewhere with just the two matches taking place, one league game aswell a a single tie from the 3rd Round of the FAWNL Plate.
A place in the quarter finals up for the taking, Ipswich Town Women were hosting Stevenage Ladies for the 2nd successive Sunday. The first in the league Ipswich edging a very close game winning by a single goal scored by captain Kerry Stimson. Meeting this Sunday in the FAWNL Plate the 2 sides enjoyed another close encounter drawing 0-0 at half-time, it was Ipswich who were to take the lead going 1-0 up on the hour with Natasha Thomas firing the ball home. It looked as if a single goal was going to be enough again as Stevenage pressed for the equaliser the game heading into stoppage time up popped Ashleigh Deacon to score a last gasp leveller to force the tie into extra-time. The visitors taking the lead early in the extra period of play, Ellie Searle getting the goal to make it 2-1, would prove to be the winning goal as Stevenage booked their place in the last 8 of the Plate competition.
FAWNL South East Division One
One league game this Sunday in FAWNL South East Division One, mid-table Actonians Ladies hosting 2nd bottom, Denham United Ladies. Alessandra Barreca scoring her 10th goal of the season on the half hour for Actonians a flurry of goals was to follow at the end of the first half half to see the hosts take an iron grip of the game, Barreca netting her 2nd in the 38th minute, goal from Sara Lopez Ezzahiri and Enya Collins on the 44th & 45th minute seeing Actonians get 4 on the board. Sharon Odofin making her first start of the season scored her 1st goal too 8 minutes into the 2nd half, Actonians going on to win the game 5-1. Holly Nicholls with the goal for Denham. The win for Actonians, seeing them pull away from the sides at the bottom of the table and close the gap to the sides above in contention now for an assault on the top half.
December begins with the 2nd Round of the FA Women’s Cup, with the FAWNL Northern & Southern Premier Division sides entering the competition. Nine of those ties featuring sides from the Southern Premier aswell as those reaching this stage from South East Division One, no sides from the Eastern Regional league or below making it this far. Wet weather prior to Sunday’s matches seeing a few games affected across the fixture list including two FA Women’s Cup ties with Crawley Wasps Ladies v Chichester City Ladies & Watford Ladies v Buckland Athletic Ladies called off.
Elsewhere there were a couple of upsets aswell as two further ties needing extra-time to seal the win. AFC Wimbledon Ladies from South East Division One causing an upset as they carried their recent good form into the FA Women’s Cup to knock-out Southern Premier Division side, Portsmouth FC Ladies on Sunday. Caroline Bisson scoring direct from a free kick in the 28th minute to see Wimbledon leading 1-0 at half-time. Closing in on the hour and Wimbledon doubled their advantage Bisson with the assist as Georgia Heasman fired the ball home to make it 2-0. Portsmouth unable to find a reply as Wimbledon booked a spot in the 3rd Round.
Also causing a shock in that they knocked out higher league opposition in the FA Women’s Cup were, Keynsham Town Ladies. In great form this season however with a 100% record in the league 8 wins from 8, in South West Division One would have fancied their chances with a home tie in the 2nd Round up against C&K Basildon Ladies, the Essex side struggling for points at the wrong end of the Southern Premier Division. A high scoring game with the sides sharing 11 goals, C&K Basildon on the scoresheet for 3 of them couldn’t keep Keynsham out at the other end as they rattled in 8. Laura Williams with Keynsham’s first in the 16th minute. Kerry Bartlett is way out in front as top scorer for Keynsham with over 30 goals already this season from 14 appearances. Was amongst the goals once again in the 2nd Round of the FA Women’s Cup scoring a 1st half hat-trick. Bartlett adding another on the hour, after Justine Radburn had found the back of the net for Keynsham’s 5th goal. Into the final 15 minutes of the game and Keynsham added two more goals Christina Vega Leandro and Ellis Hillman scoring in quick succession. Keynsham through to the 3rd Round of the FA Women’s Cup with an 8-3 win.
One 2nd Round tie saw an all South East Division One line-up with 2nd placed Billericay Town Ladies hosting bottom side Luton Town Ladies. The Essex side finding it tough to break down a young Luton side in the 1st half. 0-0 at the break. It was the visitors who would go on to open the scoring the the 2nd half, 12 minutes played Aurora Ryan charging down the goalkeeper, winning the ball and taking it past her to score. Karen Stephanou making just her 2nd appearance since joining Billericay over the close season from C&K Basildon scoring her first goal just 7 minutes later from inside the box to level the scores. 90 minutes up the sides drawing 1-1 the tie heading into extra-time. Broghan Kelly another new arrival for Billericay in the summer scoring her 1st goal for the 1st team to put the hosts into the lead, a great strike from outside the box. 3 minutes later Jay Blackie played through to run at the Luton goal and send the ball past the keeper to put Billericay 3-1 up and see them make more history in reaching the 3rd Round for the 1st time.
Milton Keynes Dons Ladies were at home in the 2nd Round the Southern Premier Division side facing a potential tricky tie up against Southampton Women, riding high in 2nd spot in South West Division One. The hosts settling quickly with an early goal, Leah Littlechild crossing the ball for Leah Cudone to score inside the opening 5 minutes. The same combination with 7 minutes left to play in the 1st half saw Milton Keynes Dons double the lead Littlechild’s cross headed in by Cudone, 2-0 at half-time. The lead made more secure with a little under 20 minutes left Littlechild getting on the scoresheet herself adding a 3rd goal. Littlechild once more having a hand in the 4th goal too as she sent the ball into the box with 4 minutes left for Cudone to score and complete her hat-trick.
Milton Keynes Dons Ladies, Leah Cudone
Oxford United Women, 5th in the Southern Premier Division had to wait to find out who their eventual opponents at home in the 2nd Round were as the 1st Round tie between Cambridge City Ladies & Cambridge United Women was made to be replayed. City winning the 1st game 2-1 after extra-time the FA upheld a complaint by United about the smallness of their pitch sending it into a replay. At United’s Mildenhall Town FC home, the South East Division side winning the game 2-0 to set up the 2nd Round trip to Oxford. Ellie Noble firing Oxford into the lead on the half hour it was quickly 2-0 with captain Lauren Haynes on the scoresheet. Florence Fyfe adding a 3rd goal for Oxford soon after the restart. Oxford making a new signing leading up to this Sunday’s cup tie, Evie Gane rejoining the club after a spell with Aston Villa making her debut with a goal in the 65th minute to seal a 4-0 victory.
Three ties from the 2nd Round played on Sunday featured an all Southern Premier Division line-up. Loughborough Foxes Women were hosting Gillingham Lades in the FA Women’s Cup the two sides having met in Kent a week ago the game ending all square at 2-2. There had to be a winner this time around, however that needed extra-time to be decided with the sides drawing 1-1 after the final whistle. Charlotte Broad having put Loughborough into the lead in the 19th minute. Gillingham getting back on level terms 20 minutes into the 2nd half with Alice Bussey on target. Rebecca Knight winning the game for Loughborough in the extra half hour netting twice in the 1st half of extra play, 3-1 the final score.
Queens Park Rangers Women travelled west to Wales on Sunday to take on Cardiff City Ladies in the FA Women’s Cup, the 2nd Round tie all square at the break with QPR doing well to keep their opponents out. Cardiff eventually getting the break through in the 57th minute Grace Horrell new to the action the substitute making an immediate impact supplying the cross for Cori Williams to score. Cardiff with a strong 2nd half performance quickly found a 2nd goal Nia Rees getting one on one with the keeper to score. Gwennan Davies with a fantastic volleyed goal to make it 3-0 and open her account for Cardiff. Horrell on the scoresheet herself wrapping up a 4-0 win in stoppage time.
Lastly Southern Premier Division leaders, Coventry United Ladies were at home in the 2nd Round of the FA Women’s Cup taking on Plymouth Argyle Ladies for the 2nd successive Sunday. Their previous trip one to forget for Plymouth as they were heavily beaten 9-1 in the league. A much closer score this time around. Coventry awarded a penalty, Chenise Austin sending a coolly struck low ball past the keeper to make it 1-0. Helen Bleazard played through to take the ball into the area struck the ball hard to find the back of the net to level the scores in the 17th minute for Plymouth. 1-1 the score at half-time. Coventry creating chances in the 2nd half retaking the lead through Amy Wathan 10 goal in 14 games now as she headed in a near post cross to make it 2-1 and see Coventry’s long unbeaten run continue.
The draw for the 3rd Round of the FA Women’s Cup made on Monday, the ties scheduled for the first Sunday of the New Year, 6th January the winners receiving £1000 are listed below:-
Cardiff City Ladies v Bolton Wanderers Ladies or West Bromich Albion Women
Derby County Ladies v Stoke City Ladies
Huddersfield Town Ladies v Leeds United Ladies
Middlesborough Women v Watford Ladies or Buckland Athletic Ladies
Billericay Town Ladies v Loughborough Foxes Women
Hull City Ladies v AFC Wimbledon Ladies
Coventry United Ladies v Crawley Wasps Ladies or Chichester City Ladies
Nottingham Forest Ladies v Milton Keynes Dons Ladies
