Sunday 6th October

FAWNL South East Division One

A trip over to St Neots this Sunday to catch some action from FAWNL South East Division One with Cambridge United WFC hosting London Bees.

  FAWNL South East Division One representing tier 4 of the women’s football pyramid looks to be really competitive this season with no single side breaking away from the pack, closely bunched with Cambridge United in 5th just 4 points behind leaders Norwich City with London Bees 7th just a point further back. Some surprise results already this season and no doubt a few more to come, will be an intriguing title contest.

  Cambridge United WFC one of the longest established clubs within the South East Division One set-up and now with closer ties with their men’s club are looking to find that extra edge to get them p amongst the title challengers vying for promotion on a regular basis. Reaching the FAWNL League Plate final last season are hungry for more success. A few new faces added to the squad over the close season. Ellie Finneran and Kelsey Smith from fellow South East Division one side London Seaward. Eva Hubbard the clubs new captain and midfielder Rosy Wodhams joining from local rival Cambridge City with goalkeeper Sophie Shults coming in form Ashford Town (Middlesex). Emma Wallis another strong addition to the back line. 

  Injuries to key players throughout last season were a bugbear last season with manager Darren Marjoram rarely able to call on a settled line up. Making their run to the Plate final all remarkable. Injuries too at the start of this season with striker Sarah Wiltshire only just back into the squad after having her 3rd child breaking her arm in pre-season, only now back playing while Ellie Finneran has missed much of pre-season slowly working her way back to playing again. A frustrating 1-0 loss to one of the early pace setters Actonians Ladies on the opening day was followed by a 2nd loss away to Norwich. Responded well in the league after that going on a run of 3 consecutive wins to propel them up the table into 4th spot. Mixed results in league and cup since but in a strong position to kick on. Bella Simmons out of the traps early to lead the goal scoring charts with 8 to her name.

  London Bees were one of the founding clubs to join the newly formed FAWSL 2. Now the FAWSL Championship. Came in with a large budget (at the time) and high expectations. Made many a trip to The Hive way back then beginning my support of the women’s game proper when the WSL was formed, wrote a few reports which can still be found on the old Supporting Women’s Football blog site. Have since struggled as financial demands in the top two tiers increased like a few of the founding clubs have since fallen out of the league dropping into the FAWNL Southern Premier Division back in 2021 the club seeing many changes of coaching staff and playing personnel since then struggling in the league last season without a win relegated to the 4th tier.

  That said the club begins this season with a new wave of enthusiasm. A new manager joining the club, Daniel McKimm, a young coach with plenty of experience within the women’s game. Highly thought of after his spell with London Seaward FC also playing in South East Division One. Brings with him some of his coaching staff and a host of players from London Seaward. Too may to mention here, but nevertheless is a virtual rebuild of the squad recruiting players who have good experience at competing at this level. Others joining include goalkeeper, Mia O’Brien from Stevenage. Millie Isherwood was at Chelsea as a youngster coming to the club via a period at Bowers & Pitsea Ladies. Aimee Durn is the new captain the midfielder at Ashford Town (Middlesex) last season.

 St Neots gets bigger every time I visit with on going building work taking place on the way to the ground, St Neots Town FC’s Premier Plus Stadium in the heart of a busy residential area close to the railway station. Offering two pitches, an artificial surface beside the main grass pitch stadium. A good playing surface with lots of grass cover a good width, terraced viewing behind both goals with the main seated stand housing the changing rooms and clubhouse beside the bar opening offering hot and cold drinks. An overcast day with a few spots of rain in the air, a slight chill as we enter October but should stay dry for the game.

Cambridge United WFCC starting XI – Lauren Webb, Lauren Rouse, Abbie Jackson, Emma Wallis, Kelsey Smith, Ella Marden, Gisela Otten, Rosy Wodhams, Eva Hubbard (C), Bella Simmons & Sarah Wiltshire. Subs – Sophie Shults, Brooklyn Cheal-Ferris, Marta Rodriguez, Mollie Coupar & Holly Plummer.

 London Bees starting XI – Tia Gunn, Mira Hoteit, Aria Heil, Cheyenne Flynn, Rebekah Wozniak, Megan Burrows, Aimee Durn (C), Hayley Hoare, Sophie Lee, Sam Lanza & Millie Isherwood. Subs – Millie Constantine, Sarah McDermott, Aaliyah Charles, Olivia Bartlett & Shamoy Campbell.

  Further injuries for Cambridge heading in to today’s match with midfielders, Sammy Edgar and Alysha Stojko-Down not in the playing squad. Nevertheless both fielding a strong starting XI with useful replacements waiting on the bench. Cambridge wearing Amber coloured shirts with black shorts and socks to take the kick-off 1st half, London Bees wearing similar colours in their away strip today, purple shirts with white trim, along with white shorts and socks. The ball rolled back into the middle for captain Eva Hubbard to clip out to the right with Kelsey Smith on the move, Mira Hoteit seeing it out for a throw in for the visitors.

 GOAL! London Bees captain, Aimee Durn gets hold of the ball in the middle of the ark and goes on a driving run forwards sending the ball on for Sophie Lee breaking clear on the right wing down the line whips a dangerous cross into the box with players piling forwards, defended at the near post, but not cleared out to the left inside the box Hayley Hoare pressing the ball knocked on for Millie Isherwood inside the six yard box at the left post turns on the ball and blasts her strike into the back of the net to open the scoring inside the first minute! 0-1.

  An early blow for Cambridge and before they can pick themselves up London Bees are lively nipping in to win the ball putting Lee into an attacking position on the right goes on a forceful run tracking in field, before attempting to slide a ball into the box for Isherwood making a run across to the near post, a little heavy runs out of play. Rosy Wodhams onto the ball for Cambridge passed forwards into Sarah Wilshire looks to chip the ball into the right channel for Bella Simmons, Rebekah Wozniak at the back heading the ball clear for London Bees.

  Gisela Otten snapping in to win the ball for Cambridge in the middle playing a direct ball on up top for Wiltshire to attack, a good starting position from London Bees keeper, Tia Gunn sees her onto the ball first. London Bees on the front foot early on, Durn taking the ball on well, Hoare and Lee providing good pace and options on the flanks. Lee getting on down the right, Abbie Jackson in to close her down for Cambridge slows her up blocking one cross Lee with a 2nd bite firing it in low to the near post cleared this time by Cambridge’s Lauren Rouse. 

  London Bees causing Cambridge issues early on pulling the hosts out of shape with players pressing well and taking the ball on. Durn with the ball for the visitors driving on sending a cross from deep into the far post, Sam Lanza looking to attack it for London Bees, Emma Wallis getting in front of her to head the ball away for Cambridge. 

  Lee marauding down the right for London Bees getting in behind pulling players across allowing openings for midfield runners to exploit. Jackson blocking a cross attempts to clear the ball up the left into Wiltshire, Aria Heil coming to close her down, Hubbard coming over to support Wiltshire turns to put the ball central for Wodhams, tries to lay it into the left channel for Wiltshire bursting forwards, over hits the pass, runs out of play.

 GOAL! Isherwood turns provider this time as London Bees surge forwards getting onto the ball 20 yards out top of the D sends a low ball on for Lee tracking into the area from the right, closing in on the near post shoots early firing the ball under Webb before the keeper can get down to save from point blank range 0-2.

A blistering start from London Bees, goals up inside the opening 10 minutes Megan Burrows playing the ball forwards out to Lee on the right combines with Lanza the ball squared back across the top of the Cambridge area, Durn running onto it volleys over. Cambridge most certainly on the back foot, struggling to get the ball out, London Bees sharper to close down the 2nd ball get play turned around. Their wingers able to get in behind at will. Isherwood attacking down the right forcing Cambridge into conceding a corner kick.

 Hoare across to take it on the right side fired in to the top of the area collected by Wozniak eft of the D, Simmons in to close her down no shooting option instead plays it out to the right for Hoare to deliver the ball into the box from the angle half cleared at the far post drops to a London Bees player, struck back towards goal a vicious drive on target, a brilliant save from Webb instinctive throwing a glove up to tip the ball over the bar!

  The corner swept long beyond the far post knocked goal wards claimed by Webb moving across her goal. Cambridge finding attacking opportunities in short supply, Hubbard looking to mix things up in the middle sending the ball on for Wiltshire in attack, turns on the ball 0 yards out, Wozniak closing her down for London Bees. Lee fouled on the right inside the Cambridge half a free-kick to the visitors. Players up from the back a good delivery angled in at the far post attacked by Cheyenne Flynn headed over. Cambridge forced into a formation change going to a back four with Smith dropping in at right back, Wallis across to the left of defence.

 Hoteit winning the ball from Simmons sending it up the left for Hoare racing on to attack her cross cut out by Rouse at the back for Cambridge. London Bees working the ball between them well Durn often the linchpin on for Hoare coming inside form the left has Lanza ahead of her back to goal outside the area sees Hoteit making a run from the back slides the ball into her path the full back in turn looking to thread it into the area for Isherwood, overcooks her pass Webb can see it run safely out of play.

  Smith getting the ball on for Simmons high on the right for Cambridge, has Wiltshire over that side to link up with the cross swept in across the six yard box, Marden looking to attack it beyond the far post can’t get over the ball turns her attempt wide. Lee bursting on down the right flank for London Bees, Wallis going with her into the corner, blocking her cross behind for a corner.

 Swung in from the right, Wodhams defending at the near post for Cambridge, knocked back out to the corner taker the 2nd attempt to cross send behind for a 3rd corner.

GOAL! Played long by Hoare from the right falls to Durn top of the area clips it back out to Hoare out wide on the wing for her to deliver a pacy ball in across the face of goal, high Webb looking to punch it clear, instead Wozniak comes steaming in to head the ball from point blank range hurting herself as she lands in the Cambridge keeper as the pair go down 0-3. 

 Wozniak heading London Bees into a 3 goal lead on the half hour. Hurt from her goal scoring heroics a pause in play players going to the benches for drinks and instruction. London Bees looking strong into a commanding position, Cambridge with a mountain to climb need to regroup. Wozniak okay and able to play on needing to come off having received treatment wait to be called back on.  

 Burrows linking up with Hoare out on London Bees left wing, Simmons giving a foul away another opportunity to launch the ball into the box, fired in to the far post, a glancing header taking the ball wide. Simmons turning on the ball right side to get on down the flank crossing the ball in from deep, Hoteit getting the faintest of touches to deflect the ball into the side netting conceding the corner. The ball curled onto the roof of the net.

  Hubbard using the outside of her boot to launch the ball forwards for Cambridge, Wiltshire the target, Gunn able to press up due to her teammates forcing the play almost acting as a sweeper getting to the ball first to clear for London Bees. Hoteit playing Hoare on down the left for the visitors her cross angled into the near post claimed by Webb. Marden putting the ball into Hubbard to play forwards up to Wiltshire making a left channel run, Flynn in to close the striker down for London Bees.

  Isherwood spinning off her marker top feed the ball on down the right wing for Lee, Wallis getting a foot on the ball to turn it out for a throw in. The visitors pressing the ball forcing Cambridge into misplacing their passes, Burrows forwards into Isherwood, Otten sliding in to tackle for Cambridge, Durn onto the ball out to Lee wide right, Wallis stopping the cross. 

Half-time Cambridge United WFC 0-3 London Bees

  A strong first half performance from London Bees racing into an early lead setting the pace overwhelming their opponents getting players forwards and in return comfortable at the back. 2 goals up inside 10 minutes added a 3rd on the half hour. Cambridge’s opportunities s up top limited with one shot off target have a mountain to climb but the half-time break giving them a much needed chance to reset and regroup see if they can salvage anything 2nd half. London Bees in control on the front foot from the start and haven’t looked back creating chances pulling players out of position and winning the 2nd ball.

  No surprise to see Cambridge ringing the changes 2nd half with a triple switch. Brooklyn Cheal-Ferris, Marta Rodriguez and Mollie Coupar coming on in place of Smith, Otten and Marden. London Bees unchanged to get the 2nd half underway the ball played back into the defence, Flynn and Wozniak exchanging passes, Wiltshire rushing in to close her down the ball clipped long up to Isherwood in attack the ball bouncing safely through to the keeper. 

 

 Rodriguez looking to put some fight into the play for Cambridge battling her way on through the middle combining with Hubbard, the pass into Wiltshire cut out by Flynn. The ball played out to Burrows moving left for London Bees sent on up the line for Hoare. Wallis now back on the right with Cheal-Ferris left sliding in to tackle for Cambridge. 

 Coupar taking the ball on left side for Cambridge knocking it inside looking for Simmons, Heil defending for London Bees, Simmons onto the loose ball taking it into the corner, Heil back on her blocking the ball to turn it behind for the corner. Cheal-Ferris on the corner from the left is a sweet curling back in across the six yard box, unfortunately no one attacks it at the far post the ball running out of play. 

 Hoare doing well out on the left attacking for London Bees pace taking the ball on fired forwards into Isherwood pulling left inside the box whips a cross in along the face of goal, Lee looking to met it first time at the far post not getting the contact she wanted her shot screwed wide.

 Hubbard goes into the referees book picking up a yellow card for a foul on Durn. Out on the left from deep, Hoare over the ball, curls the ball into the box angled in too close to the keeper Webb can claim it untroubled. Hubbard lifting the ball over the top as London Bees play a high line, Wiltshire staying onside to burst in behind, Gunn though is positioned outside her box and onto the ball first. Cambridge snapping back in to regain the ball Wodhams out to the left Coupar on for Cheal-Ferris racing to the by line her cross lifted into the area cleared by Lee.

 Rodriguez playing the ball into the run of Wodhams as she breaks into the right channel, Hoteit in to close her down well for London Bees get her side on the attack by playing Hoare in on the wing with Isherwood ahead of her the striker sweeping her cross into Lanza on the penalty spot is closed down going down appeals for a penalty but nothing doing as the ball travels on to Lee on the right smashes her strike into the near post, low, Webb getting down well to bat the ball behind for a corner kick.

 

  The corner curled in across the six yard box, Lanza beyond the far post stretching for the ball can’t direct the ball back inside. London Bees pushing up Cambridge defending at the back Wallis right lifting the ball forwards finding Wilshire 30 yards out turns onto the ball looking to lob the keeper knowing Gunn is way off her line, however stretching to meet the ball can’t direct her attempt on target. 

GOAL! London Bees win a free-kick in a dangerous position out wide on the left, Hoare over the ball as players come up from the back. angling her delivery in central the ball is headed clear to the left of goal, Wozniak getting hold of it looking to keep the attack alive laying the ball back out to Hoare who controls then curls a shot in towards goal struck beautifully over the keeper under the crossbar to make it 0-4.

  London Bees extending their lead on the hour. Rodriguez winning the ball for Cambridge taking it forwards trying to fed it on up to Wiltshire in attack, Wozniak up well ahead if her with a deft header glancing the ball down safely into her keepers gloves. The hosts winning a corner on the right as Simmons presses the ball, Gunn surrounded on her line as the ball is curled into the six yard box, Flynn defending it at the near post. Back out to the right floated into the area falling beyond the far post Rodriguez with the attempted shot fired back across the six yard box wide of the right post.

  Burrows fouled wide left high up the pitch as she moves forwards for London Bees, Hoare on the set-piece swung into the mix, defended by Wodhams cleared out to Hoteit some 30 yards out central, takes on the strike her low effort taking a couple of deflections on its way through to the keeper. Wodhams pulling up for Cambridge down with an injury, another pause in play and another blow for Cambridge as she can’t continue, Holly Plummer coming on.

 Isherwood is fouled 30 yards out to the right of the D giving London Bees another free-kick. Durn and Wozniak over the ball. Wozniak doesn’t do subtle running in to strike the ball fires her bullet of a strike wide past the far post. Simmons picking up a knock for Cambridge in some discomfort but can continue. London Bees making a triple switch as they bring on Sarah McDermott, Olivia Bartlett and Shamoy Campbell to replace, Flynn, Durn and Isherwood with less than 15 minutes to play.

  Simmons after the ball from Wallis on the right playing it on for Wiltshire to chase into the corner, Wozniak coming over to close her down for the visitors. Burrows coming left for London Bees, Plummer in to close her down holding her up well, Burrows forced back infield gets the cross field pass out to Lanza on the right 20 yards out on the angle fires a shot up over the bar. Lee coming off for London Bees on in her place, Aaliyah Charles. 

  Campbell getting after the ball in attack for London Bees, Rouse in to challenge well for Cambridge outside the box. Rouse in to defend on Campbell again moments later as she is found by Hoare in the left channel as the winger spins off her marker on half way to launch the ball into her. Wilshire picking up the ball on the right for Cambridge shifting it well between her feet tracking inside 25 yards out closed down rolls it back into Wallis breaking forwards she hits it on into the box for Rodriguez right side, can’t dig it out of her feet before Hoteit can close her down.

 

  Hoare with some strong running on the left for the visitors firing the ball into Campbell back to goal left side inside the box drags the ball inside looking to shift it onto her right foot the goal opening up before her, angles her shot in low towards the right corner, I’m looking at this from behind through my camera, looks a goal all the way, but Webb comes from nowhere to diving full stretch across her goal line getting down to the ball with her outstretched arm and turning the ball wide of the post for a corner kick.

  Swept in from the right goes long but won back on the left the cross angled in to the near post turned behind for a corner on the left. This one defended at the near post put back into the taker the ball lifted high into the six yard box, Webb getting up to punch the ball away to safety on the right. Webb keeping the score line down for Cambridge as London Bees continue to push on the substitutes keen to get in on the action, Campbell racing onto the ball inside the box right of goal, Webb rushing out to close her down staying big to make the blocking save as Campbell fires her shot into her. 

 Plummer escapes with the ball into the right channel for Cambridge, squaring the ball back inside for Wiltshire 20 yards out central, looks to strike it early, leaning into her attempt as Wozniak comes to close her down, screws her effort off target. The clock ticking down into stoppage time Simmons brought down giving Cambridge one last opportunity to play the ball into the box, Cheal-Ferris from the left sending it in angled in straight, Gunn up to claim it looks to get her team on the attack. Heil right side up the wing her cross into Lanza outside the box defended.

Full time Cambridge United WFC 0-4 London Bees

  The final whistle blows and London Bees claim the 3 points to extend their unbeaten run in the league to 5 matches moving above Cambridge in the process into 5th spot. A strong away performance from start to first. Aimee Durn’s run from midfield leading to the opening goal inside the opening minute, put Cambridge on the canvas and they never recovered, the visitors winning the ball well getting players forwards, Lee and Hoare attacking down the wings at will early on a 2nd goal inside 10 minutes from Lee, Wozniak with a charge to head home the 3rd on the half hour. Hoare curling home their 4th in the 2nd half. A day to forget for Cambridge, looked a lose one on paper and on another day this is a performance they themselves are capable off, can only move on to the next one look to put thing’s right.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto this afternoon’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. A few contenders as is often the case but had one name in mind leaving the ground and the notes have confirmed that. Some performances to mention, firstly for Cambridge, a hard day at the office, however goalkeeper Lauren Webb pulled off some brilliant saves to keep the score-line down in both halves. Eva Hubbard battled hard in the middle without the reward. Bella Simmons getting back to help win the ball trying to turn play around. For London Bees both centre backs were composed, Cheyenne Flynn and Rebekah Wozniak with some good challenges the latter scoring. Aimee Durn setting the tone early on with her bursting run through the middle setting her team on their way, got about in the middle to win the ball, making several strong attacking runs. Sophie Lee a threat on the right surging on in behind kept Cambridge on the back foot, on the score sheet. So too her opposite number on the left flank, Hayley Hoare with some strong running on the left, skill on the ball and a threat with her set-pieces throughout is the winner of today’s award.

  Results elsewhere see the league bunch up even more with Norwich drawing with real Bedford and 2nd placed Actonians losing out Dulwich Hamlet. Cambridge down to 9th but still just 2 points from the 3rd placed side, 5 behind the leaders. London Bees themselves now just 3 points behind the leaders. This is going to be an exciting title contest can’t wait to see it all unfold.

   A great performance from London Bees. Having seen them struggle so much in recent season’s it’s fantastic to finally see the club in a positive place, and I hope a positive future will certainly be up there based on what I saw today. Cambridge will be hurting, but I know what they are capable of too and am confident they’ll bounce back. My thanks to both clubs for there assistance today as always much appreciated.

by Darren Gilham