Sunday 2nd March

FAWNL South East Division One

Beginning March with some football action from FAWNL South East Division One, travelling down into Suffolk to watch AFC Sudbury Women as they take on Buckinghamshire side, Chesham United Women.

South East Division One representing tier 4 of the women’s football pyramid, proving to be really competitive this season, with 9 of the 12 sides tightly clustered earlier in the campaign taking points off each other. A clearer picture at both ends of the table now as we move into the last few weeks of the season. Norwich City Women, Chatham Town Women and newly promoted real Bedford Women the title contenders with London Bees making a late push to get involved, at the other end Ashford Town (Middlesex) Women and London Seaward FC occupy the relegation places and are well adrift of the rest.

I’ll be honest here and tell you I expected AFC Sudbury Women to be down there again this season fighting relegation, unless they strengthened with some shrewd recruitment over the close season. And I am glad to be wrong on that count as they have done just that and as a result had a strong campaign well clear of the bottom as a result. Entering their second season in the FAWNL following back to back promotions from the ERWFL, their young talented squad doing fantastically well. AFC Sudbury investing in their academy rebuilding their women’s section to emerge as a challenger to Ipswich as a leading force for the woman’s game in the county.

 Adding to their debut season in the FAWNL, Sudbury have brought in some usual experience mainly from local rivals Needham Market, signing the likes of ex-Ipswich player, Ellie Rossiter, Ex-Cambridge midfielder, Amber Cantwell and attacker Lina Nagib. Also bringing in Ipswich and Philippines’ international goalkeeper, Nina Meollo on loan off the back of a fantastic season with Cambridge City. Despite a opening day loss, Sudbury went on to enjoy an 8 game unbeaten run see them pushing the top runners in the league. Have since lost Cantwell to a serious injury, but added to the squad with more usual experience with Sheryce Slater and Lucy Loomes coming to the club from Needham Market along with Jade Barrett previously with Cambridge City. Back to back defeats have stifled their push for the top spots dropping to 8th amongst the chasing pack will be looking to get back on track today to finish the season strong. Jessica Allen the top scorer netting 9 from her 11 games while Jasmin Drake and Lina Nagib have 4 goals each. 

  Chesham United Women travel to Suffolk in good form having turned their season around struggling at the wrong end of the table since winning promotion to tier 4 in 2022 looked to be in danger of getting caught up in a 3 way tussle at the bottom with Ashford Town (Middlesex) Women and London Seaward FC taking just 4 points from their opening 11 games however began to turn it around back in December coming into 2025 in great form unbeaten in 5 matches winning 3 and drawing 2 to pull clear of the bottom, a narrow 1-0 loss to leaders Norwich ending that run are now 11 points clear baring a complete disaster are likely to be safe, and can focus on finishing the campaign strong.

  Gemma Fraser a prolific goal scorer for Chesham, is once again top scorer this time around netting 19 times from her 20 appearances, top scorer not only for Chesham but the league itself to date, and should she score this afternoon it would be her 250th for the club. Natalia Makowska is the next highest scorer with 6 goals to her name. One of the leading clubs in the Berks & Bucks area, with a number of youth teams and U18s side. 

The MEL Group Stadium the venue for today’s tie, the stadium boasting a state of the art 3G pitch, overlooked by the clubhouse and seat stand housing the changing rooms beyond, the bar open along with the kitchen serving hot food and drink, A terraced stand on the opposite side with covered standing behind both goals. Construction work taking place leading into the main stadium with the grass pitch beside the carpark being redeveloped making way for a second artificial playing surface. At last the sun was out a bright and sunny afternoon with no wind, pleasant, although the sun lowering in the sky likely to be an issue dropping behind one goal.

AFC Sudbury Women starting XI – Nina Meollo, Sophie Jeffrey, Ellie Rossiter, Aliyat Lambe, Sheryce Slater, Leonnie Bezant (C), Maisie Goodwin, Megan Edwards, Alex Penny, Eva Frazzoni & Jasmin Drake. Subs – Ronni Harrison, Phoebe Guiver, Jade Barrett, Amy Jarvis & Lucy Loomes.

 Chesham United Women starting XI – Nicole Spittle, Sasha Smith, Melissa Porter, Ania Koscielska, Victoria Collett, Rebecca Fraser, Niamh Euman, Maisie O’Shea, Natasha Smith (C), Natalia Makowska & Gemma Fraser. Subs – Madelene Wright, Kiyana Fryer, Olivia Henry, Sophie Bishop & Steph Weston.

  Leonne Bryant captaining, Sudbury with Ronni Harrison having been out for a lengthy spell through injury making it onto the bench for today’s match. The hosts also without top scorer Allen and Lina Nagib. It’s the hosts to kick-off the first half attacking into the sun, wearing yellow coloured shirts and socks with blue shorts. Chesham lined up opposite wearing claret coloured shirts with white fronts and blue trim, likewise with their shorts and socks. The ball played back into the middle, sent long out to the right wing for Alex Penny to chase, defended by Chesham’s Melissa Porter out for a throw. 

 The visitors get the ball moving out from the back quickly a cross-field ball finding captain Natasha Smith running into space on the right, plays a first time through ball forwards splitting the Sudbury centre backs that sees striker Gemma Fraser run onto the ball left of the D top of the area pulls the trigger as goalkeeper, Nina Meollo fresh from duty with the Philippines national team comes to close the angle, going down gets something on the ball to take the sting off the shot as it creeps past her heading for the empty goal, Sophie Jeffery is around on the cover to clear the ball away to the right.

  A lively start, Sudbury looking to build out on their right, Ellie Rossiter getting forwards looking to link up with Penny, Chesham moving in to close the ball down. Another clipped ball over the top sees Natasha Smith looking to break in behind the Sudbury defence get hold of the ball, but for Meollo rushing out to the edge of her box to get hold of the ball first. Jeffery left for Sudbury forwards into Megan Edwards is tackled by Natasha Smith the Chesham captain turning play around sliding the ball forwards into the channel as Gemma Fraser comes across to receive the ball 25 yards out jinks right the left looking for a opening as she closes in on the area unleashing a vicious strike swerves into the side netting at Meollo’s near post.

  Sudbury pressing the ball high looking to get players up the pitch Edwards and Penny taking players on down the wings the latter driving forwards on the right running into traffic as the Chesham defence close the door. Rossiter getting up with Penny right side, lefts a cross into the near post, Victoria Collett getting up ahead of Jasmin Drake at the near post to head the ball clear of her area. 

 The Chesham defence deeper, Sudbury pressing bodies up around the 18 yard box the short ball coming in central to Eva Frazzoni 30 yards out, takes on the shot a tame effort running straight through to Nicole Spittle in the Chesham goal. Gemma Fraser moving across the back line looknig to provide the outlet for a pass as Chesham break out of their defence, lifted into her path as she bursts down the left wing squares a cross into the area cut out by Aliyat Lambe at the back for Sudbury. 

  Sudbury getting hold of the ball in midfield, captain Leonnie Bezant with Maisie Goodwin forwards into attacker, Drake, central 25 out drives with the ball, Sasha Smith lunging in with the tackle to win the ball back for Chesham. Frazzoni combining with Bezant centrally for the hosts played back to Lambe as the defence pushes up, the defender looking to float a ball out to the left for Edwards, Sasha Smith intercepting for the visitors. 

Sudbury probing Rossiter lifting a ball on for Drake to latch onto in attack outside the D drives forwards into the area, messy as she goes down in a coming together with a defender, asks the question but nothing doing the referee signalling play on. Lambe bringing the ball into the Chesham half forwards into Penny in the right channel sends it on as Rossiter storms past her on the overlap on the angle sends the ball wide of the near post.

 Edwards doing well to keep the ball in play on the left for Sudbury turning inside to break down the wing, held up plays it back up the line to Goodwin who n turn passes inside for Jeffery, inside to Bryant who gives it to Lambe in space 30 yards out to her right, not closed down takes on the strike blasting the ball wide of the far post. Drake with a forceful run into the left channel winning Sudbury a corner kick. Taken short into Jeffery crossed into the top of the area initially cleared by Gemma Fraser, Sudbury regain possession out on the left a low cross into the near post claimed well by Spittle. 

  Penny and Edwards switching flanks for the hosts, Goodwin looking to thread a pass into the left channel for Penny, a vital interception from Chesham’s Ania Koscielska. Sudbury moving in quickly to win the 2nd ball keep Chesham pinned back asking the questions, the visitors patient in defence looking for the opportunity to counter. Goodwin winning the ball well for Sudbury clipping in into the left wing for Penny speeding forwards level with the edge of the area sends a low ball in to the near post, Spittle across to cover the angle can see it run safely into the side netting.

  Sasha Smith busy at the back for Chesham, cutting a high pass out intended for Penny as she makes a run on the left. Maisie O’Shea carrying the ball forwards for Chesham through the middle on for Makowska, looks to spin off Bezant release Gemma Fraser up top, Sheryce Slater intercepting the ball at the back for Sudbury.

  Sudbury winning a corner over on the left an inviting ball in across the six yard box no one can get their head on it cleared at the far post dropping to Slater top of the area, her strike charged down. Koscielska winning the header at the ball as the hosts break out from the ball lifting a high ball into the opposition area. Sudbury determined seeing more of the ball around their opponents box, Chesham dogged in defence, dangerous on the break lifted on for Natasha Smith moving right in space lays it back through the middle for Gemma Fraser surging forwards in first touch a little too strong however knocking the ball out to the right gives chase but can’t keep it in. 

 The pace of the game seeing fouls given away, Sudbury sending the ball into the right channel, Porter dealing with it for Chesham. The hosts winning a free-kick wide on the left inside the Chesham half, Jeffery to play the ball into the area, an inviting delivery, Spittle composed seeing it all the way not putting off by the yellow shirts around her as she catches it well above her head. 

 Sudbury are the ones asking the questions, however the best chances so far have fallen to Chesham as they look dangerous on the break, Gemma Fraser seeing the ball into her feet back to goal 30 yards out shifts it down the right wing to release Natasha Smith who bursts down to the by-line cutting the ball back across the Sudbury six yard box, O’Shea running in at the far post meeting it turned goal wards, Meollo on her line down sharply to make the save grabbing the ball on the line as she falls.

 Edwards sending the ball out to Penny on the left for Sudbury has Jeffery going past her on the overlap giving her the ball the full back takes it to the by-line lifting a dangerous ball in across the face of the Chesham goal, cleared at the far post. Chesham working hard in defence, Makowska back to defend as Rossiter looks to link up with Penny now back on the left the ball out for a goal kick.

  Rebecca Fraser nipping in to win the ball for Chesham forwards for Makowska, moves left looking to release Gemma Fraser down the left, Rossiter getting a foot in to cut the pass out for the hosts. Penny taking the ball on right channel, Niamh Euman lunging in to regain the ball for Chesham forwards into Natasha Smith, Gemma Fraser providing a run left to right across the D, just can’t pick her out. 

  Collett getting up ahead of Drake to win the ball with her head inside the box as Penny loops in a cross from the right. A corner for the hosts on the right defended at the near post headed on across goal, Sudbury seeing another corner won out on the left. Flung in high at the near post Spittle again up well to claim. Into the closing stages of the first half Frazzoni over to the left links up with Edwards and Jeffery the ball clipped into the box defended by Chesham’s Collett.

 Gemma Fraser moving into dispossess Lambe at the back for Sudbury as she gets caught on the ball, stealing in behind left of goal to race into the area, shoots on the angle low towards goal, Meollo rushing out to close the angle getting down to make the blocking save.  

Half-time AFC Sudbury Women 0-0 Chesham United Women

 An interesting first half draws to a close, no doubt Sudbury have been the ones asking the questions pushing players on with the ball getting up and around the Chesham area, however it is their opponents who have had the better chances and probably should have taken at least one to lead the game. As it is the first half ends goalless. Chesham pressed back in defence with a determined display under pressure looking dangerous on the break. Sudbury bringing the ball on well winning the 2nd balls in the middle keeping the tempo up as they look to find the break through. All set up for the 2nd half can’t see it remaining goalless, Chesham have put alot into that half will they be able to keep it up 2nd half or will Sudbury’s pressing tell?

 Chesham with a change at the start of the 2nd half, Steph Weston coming on to replace Makowska. It’s the visitors to get the 2nd half underway, played into Euman in the middle out to Sasha Smith right side lifted forwards for Natasha Smith, Jeffery clearing it for the hosts. Drake getting hold of the ball down the left wing for Sudbury forcing Chesham into conceding a corner kick.

 GOAL! Taken short given back to the taker on the angle Jeffery out wide on the left sends a ball in towards goal, curled in under the bar, even as a defender tries in vain to clear 1-0! Sudbury breaking the deadlock with barely a minute of the 2nd half gone. 

 GOAL! The perfect reply from Chesham however as they get straight back on level terms have the ball their left Natasha Smith sending a great diagonal ball up to Gemma Fraser positioned left of the D, 20 yards out cushions it down off her body inside to get away from her maker moving across the D, evading the onrushing keeper to turn inside right of goal to blast a low strike into the empty net to make it 1-1 and score her 250th Chesham goal in the process!

  Chesham straight back into the game the visitors back to defensive duties straight away having to deal with the low sun now, Euman hooking the ball clear, Sudbury soon retrieve it out on the left, Jeffery with a cross from deep angled into the area claimed confidently by Spittle. The hosts getting on well pressing bodies into the final 3rd a vicious cross wide from the left flashed in across the Chesham goal, Frazzoni running in unmarked far post can’t quite get there.

  Chesham look to build an attack through the middle, O’Shea on the ball driving forwards with support from Weston the ball forwards intercepted by Slater for Sudbury. Rossiter getting forwards to link up with Penny on Sudbury’s left exchanging passes, it’s Gemma Fraser tracking back who puts the tackle in to win the ball back for Chesham. Sudbury piling on the pressure Penny with a burst of pace on the ball right side flashing a cross into the six yard box, Drake looking to turn on the ball closed down by Koscielska, Frazzoni in close attendance can’t dig the ball out from under her feet to get a shot away before Collett closes her down to clear. 

 GOAL! Bezant on the ball central for Sudbury lifts a good ball out into the feet of Penny on the right outside the area, takes it forwards into the box flashing a cross into the far post Edwards looking to meet it at the far post six yards out her shot charged down by the defence and keeper the rebound coming straight to Frazzoni positioned centrally top of the area, hits it cleanly angling the ball back into the empty net to put Sudbury back into the lead 2-1.

 Sudbury getting bodies forwards winning a free-kick out wide on the right, angled in to the far post area, Spittle getting a glove on the ball turned behind for a corner kick. Is a teasing in swinging corner from the left, angled in across the face of goal asking to be nodded home, but no one attacks it as it runs wide out past the far post. Edwards and Penny switching sides again as Sudbury press for a 3rd goal.

 GOAL! The switch bringing instant dividends as Edwards combines with Rossiter out on the right getting down the wing Edwards lashes a cross into the Chesham six yard box, Penny closing in far post meeting it turning the ball home past the diving keeper to make it 3-1.

 Chesham making a change as they bring off O’Shea, send Sophie Bishop on. Gemma Fraser is isolated up top at times for Chesham as the visitors a pressed back into their own area, yet she remains a valuable outlet whenever they get an opportunity to break, a diagonal ball clipped into her from the right 20 yards out left of the D the striker sees it down off her chest well to move inside to escape her marker and unleash a shot, gets too much on it however seeing the attempt dragged wide of the near post. 

 Porter steals in to intercept for Chesham as Bryant looks to release Penny out on the wing. A shot from distance all of 25 yards out from Sudbury takes a wicked deflection seeing it crash into the side netting. Changes for both sides, Jade Barrett coming on for Sudbury to replace Drake moves into an attacking role. Porter coming off for Chesham, Olivia Bishop entering the game.

 All Sudbury breaking on the left a cross from deep, into the six yard box, Frazzoni central up to head the ball nodding it down on target, Spittle getting down quickly behind it to save on the line. 

 The hosts relentless coming forwards press left crossed into the middle, Frazzoni looking to nod it down for Barrett to smash home, Weston getting a foot in to clear the ball, out of the area straight to Penny 25 yards out flashes a strike wide of the left post. 

 GOAL! Sudbury continue to dominate in attack, Edwards getting hold of the ball on the left, skipping past a tackle bursting on into the area firing a cross in to the six yard box evading the diving keeper at her near post travels through to Penny central to calmly slot in her 2nd of the contest to make it 4-1. 

  Sudbury with a commanding lead midway through the 2nd half leading 4-1 and looking likely to get more as Chesham struggle to stem the tide, can’t get the ball into their attackers. Penny stealing in to nick the ball on the right drives on down the wing before flashing a cross into the six yards box straight into Barrett central can’t get it out from under her feet to unleash a shot before Koscielska closes her down with the blocking tackle. 

 Gemma Fraser continues to pull into space on the flanks looking for the ball as Chesham try to relieve the pressure at the back, carrying it down the line lifts a cross into the box Weston making a central run the high ball however it taken by Meollo. Sudbury with a double change bringing of both Lambe and Frazzoni, Amy Jarvis and Phoebe Guiver coming on. The latter making her first appearance of the season having returned from injury. 

 Chesham looking to get themselves back into the game winning a throw high on the left dropping into Gemma Fraser 25 yards out sends it on for Weston ahead of her, left of the D looks to shoot curling her effort wide of the far post.

  Sasha Smith fouling Penny as she looks to get clear on the right Sudbury with a free-kick in the corner, Jeffery curling it into the near post, Spittle diving to turn it behind for a corner kick. Launched in across the six yard box towards the far post the ball headed down back towards goal, bouncing, cleared of the line!

 Chesham making a change sending on Kiyana Fryer into an attacking role replacing Rebecca Fraser. Rossiter laying the ball on for Penny on Sudbury’s right, fires a cross into the near post, cut out by Chesham’s Collett. Sudbury making another double change with the return of their captain, Ronni Harrison making a welcome return to the pitch, Bezant coming off handing her the armband. Rossiter off too Lucy Loomes on to make her Sudbury debut. 

 

  The substitutes combining off a throw on the right Harrison sending the ball on for Loomes down the right battles her way to the by-line winning her side a corner kick. Loomes fouled as she’s backed into 25 yards out central winning a free-kick, is encouraged to take it herself.

 GOAL! Loomes launching the ball into a packed far post area a dangerous ball in knocked down into the ground, plays going for it looking to scramble away, Edwards seeing it rebound into her feet wide of the post and flicks it back across goal to score and extend Sudbury’s lead 5-1.

 The goals sucking the energy out of Chesham have battled hard in defence but the pressure from Sudbury had taken its toll the hosts relentless in attack 2nd half leading 5-1 with less than 10 minutes to play. Sudbury send the ball in central from deep on their left into Guiver top of the box great skill to control the ball lay it off for Loomes to her left meeting the ball on the volley sees her strike rattle down off the crossbar!

  Loomes looking to impose herself on the game winning a corner out on the right, taken cleanly by the keeper at her near post. Chesham look to get forwards Bishop with a good run on the ball though the middle for the visitors played out to Gemma Fraser wide on the left drives forwards with the ball clips a teasing cross into the Sudbury six yard box, Fryer leaping central can’t quite get her head on the ball. 

 Into the closing stages of the game Sudbury looking to finish strong aiming to increase the score-line Barrett in the middle now on for Penny in the right channel pushing for the by-line flashes a cross in near side, intercepted by Koscielska for Chesham. The visitors mounting one final attack Weston sending a good pass through for Gemma Fraser up top 25 yards out looks to turn move the ball to the right, Slater diving in to win the ball back for Sudbury.

Full time AFC Sudbury Women 5-1 Chesham United Women

  Sudbury returning to winning ways after suffering back to back losses with a clinical 2nd half performance to take the 3 points and move back into the top six in the South East Division One table. Had much of the ball in the first half but didn’t use it nor move it quick enough in the final phase, coming up against a determined Chesham defence who themselves looked dangerous on the counter creating the better chances. Goalless at the break Sudbury came out on top 2nd half getting the early break through. Chesham to their credit responding straight away to equalise but the pressure kept coming Sudbury moving the ball quickly in the final 3rd winning it back repeatedly. Retaking the lead and going on to add to the tally. Chesham fighting hard but struggling to get the ball forwards chances to counter limited in the 2nd period. Encouraged by recent results know they can dig out more points in the league. Sudbury back into the top half will certainly be aiming to stay there.

 Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

Onto this Sunday’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match, often a hard call and it’s always nice when the notes confirm what you were thinking as you left the ground, I do write down quite a bit as you know. Several performances of note to mention of course was an intriguing contest on two fronts. Firstly for Chesham, Gemma Fraser gave it all up top moving into the channels looking to provide and outlet throughout and could have had a hat-trick on another day, scoring her 250th Chesham goal, fantastic, Natasha Smith doing her best to link up with Fraser up top with some great passing forced deeper as the game developed. Ania Koscielska and Victoria Collett at the heart of the Chesham defence with several vital tackles, interceptions and blocks. Sasha Smith covering the ground getting her tackles in to win the ball back. For Sudbury, Maisie Goodwin get stuck in in the middle to win the ball keep Sudbury on the front foot. Likewise Leonnie Bezant winning the ball high never let Chesham off the hook. Ellie Rossiter and Sophie Jeffery getting forwards from full back to over load the attack out on the flanks. Megan Edwards showing some neat footwork on the ball to get away in the wing to deliver some teasing crosses getting a goal too. The award however goes to Alex Penny the winger was a threat on either flank getting hold of the ball and taking on the Chesham defence sending in some teasing crosses and bagging herself 2 goals. 

 Pleased to have gotten down to Sudbury at last this season, watching from afar have been joyed with their success this season. great too to finally catch up with Chesham United Women see them in action. FAWNL South East Division One is highly competitive this season. A wonderful achievement for Chesham’s Gemma Fraser, despite the result to score her 250th goal for the club, huge congratulations. My thanks to both teams for their help with the team details as always much appreciated.

by Darren Gilham