Sunday 24th August

FAWNL South East Division One

Heading to St Neots this Sunday for my first slice of FAWNL action of the season, from South East Division One, representing the 4th tier of the women’s football pyramid with Cambridge United WFC hosting newly promoted, Luton Town Ladies.

 The FAWNL, growing year on year and the pressure on the clubs to compete and grow within it getting stronger as the FA looks to push for clubs further down the pyramid to strengthen their women’s sections the ultimate aim to get clubs within tiers 3 and 4 of the game to take on a fully professional model. I think we’re a few years off that especially tier 4 but no doubt it’s ever more competitive.

 Cambridge United WFC are one of the stalwarts of tier 4, playing in the league way back in the old Combination league days right up to the FAWNL as it is now, would dearly love to win promotion and get into tier 3 and in recent seasons have garnered closer links with Cambridge United FC themselves, creating a women’s board at the club. A new era for Cambridge United WFC with the departure of manager, Darren Marjoram after 4 season’s in charge. Also departing the club Liz Pamplin with 25 years service as player and coach and everything else, a big miss, but remains on the women’s board. Sean Greygoose taking over as 1st team manager, having been looking after the U18s side previously along with a spell as assistant coach under different management, is joined by coaches Ben Yeomans and Sam Carrington in the dugout.

 A new era, but a relatively stable base to build on, several player departures over the close season, but so too new arrivals brought in a busy summer of recruitment within the club as they prepare for a new season. Midfielder, Zoe Wood returns to the club after a season out during her pregnancy. With another 7 new faces joining the squad. Full back, Lauren Tomlinson joining after a couple of season’s with league rivals Norwich City Women, Shannon Shaw to joining Tomlinson from Norwich both proving themselves at the top end of the league looknig to propel Cambridge forwards. Defender, Tally Miles joining Cambridge having previously played for Royston Town Women and MK Dons Women. Josie Jarvis has been playing her football out in the states for the past 4 seasons. With a trio of players joining from Northampton Town Women who finished 2nd in Midlands Division One last season, largely helped by the goal scoring prowess of Kim Farrow and Jade Bell scoring 53 goals between them, Farrow, with experience too playing for MK Dons netting 17 goals with Bell who had a brief spell at Cambridge before, netting 36! Mia Richards also joining from Northampton scoring twice in Cambridge’s final pre-season game with Billericay. Retain the services of last season’s top scorer, Bella Simmons who scored 14 goals, a 9th place finish last time out but clinched silverware winning the Cambridgeshire Women’s Invitation Cup.

Luton Town Ladies are back in the FAWNL, winning the double in the ERWFL to clinch promotion after a 6 season absence. With a single promotion spot available in the ERWFL  getting out of the league takes alot of effort, Luton building momentum over the past couple of season’s enjoying some great runs in the FA Women’s Cup along the way, easing their way too top spot in the finish winning 20 of their 22 matches played as well as clinching the League Cup. That success to a large degree helped by Natasha Fensome’s goals netting 32 last season, Luton retaining hr services as they return to the FAWNL.

Haven’t sat on their laurels either, FAWNL South East Division One a much different and far more competitive league to the one they left behind have been busy off the pitch with player recruitment bringing in 11 new signings to compete at this level and have brought in 11 new faces many with useful experience playing at this level. Striker, Amy McLean their first signing joining from Bedfordshire rivals Real Bedford Women, Emily Wilson previously with Luton’s U18s also re-joining the club from Real Bedford. Summer Gayle also added to the attacking options coming in from Ashford Town. Taylor O’Leary is a midfielder with a wealth of experience to enhance the squad. Another midfielder moving to Luton is Janaye Beaufort. Ellie Sergeant is another player returning to Luton. Goalkeeper, Nicole Mulling was at QPR for the past 2 season’s. Another player joining from QPR with plenty of FAWNL experience is Courtnay Ward-Chambers. Sasha Smith and Kiyana Fryer both join Luton from Chesham United Women. Defender, Lisa Milliken another departing Northampton this summer.

Plenty of new faces brought in by both clubs will take time to settle, whether the league fixtures allow it is another matter, Luton nevertheless hitting the ground running with 2 wins from 2 to start the season, 3-1 at home to Dulwich Hamlet Women in the league on the opening day followed by a good win at home in the League Cup group stage against Spurs Women Academy. Cambridge in contrast suffering two narrow defeats losing 2-1 away to newly promoted Fulham on the opening day conceding in the final 10 minutes there conceded in the 97th minute at home in their League Cup Group game against tier 3 side Real Bedford Women.

The way in to St Neots ever changing with a massive amount of development taking place on the infrastructure and road network leading into the town. Cambridge United WFC continuing to call the Premier Plus Stadium home of St Neots Town FC home, however once again have number of games planned at The Abbey Stadium, home of Cambridge United FC. Situated in the heart of a built up area, the main stadium with a grass pitch a seated stand on one side, an artificial playing pitch beside. Standing viewing all round, the kitchen hatch open at long last serving hot food and drinks. A hot and sunny day for the summer bank holiday, although a covering of cloud kept the temperature pleasant if a little muggy.

Cambridge United WFC starting XI – Sophie Shults, Josie Jarvis, Lauren Tomlinson, Brook Cheal-Ferris, Abbie Jackson, Sammy Edgar, Zoe Wood (C), Mia Richards, Kim Farrow, Jade Bell & Mollie Coupar. Subs – Lauren Webb, Lauren Rouse, Tally Miles, Alysha Stojko-Down, Becca Stephenson & Ella Marden.

 Luton Town Ladies starting XI – Nicole Melling, Sasha Smith, Fiona Buttigieg, Nicole Farmer, Elizabeth Mulvaney, Janaye Beaufort, Shianne Swarres (C), Courtnay Ward-Chambers, Taylor O’Leary, Shanice Lewis & Natasha Fensome. Subs – Sarah Hudson, Kiyana Fryer, Lisa Milliken, Amber Leighton, Summer Gayle, Emily Wilson & Ami Martins.

Teams in the FAWNL allowed to name 7 on the bench this season, able to use 5. Both sides with a rarity able to name back up goalkeeper on the bench and both clubs have strong competition in that department. New signings, Josie Jarvis, Lauren Tomlinson, Mia Richards, Kim Farrow & Jade Bell starting for Cambridge with Zoe Wood the new captain this season. Likewise Luton’s starting XI full of new recruits with Nicole Melling, Sasha Smith. Janaye Beaufort, Courtnay Ward-Chambers and Taylor O’Leary all on from the start.

 It’s the hosts Cambridge to get the game underway kicking off 1st half wearing amber and black vertical striped shirts with black shorts and socks. Luton lined up opposite wearing blue coloured shirts with white sleeves, orange shorts and white socks. The ball put back into the middle, fired long into the left channel for Mia Richards racing forwards, Sasha Smith at the back for Luton dealing with the threat.

 The ball out for a throw, Cambridge looking to press high early on getting players up around the ball. Forcing another throw Cambridge work the ball up the line Lauren Tomlinson up the pitch with Richards the cross lopped up into the six yard box, Fiona Buttigieg under it for Luton heading behind for a corner on the left. Swept in with pace through the six yard box an inviting delivery cleared beyond the far post, Luton look to mount a counter attack the ball driven into the middle but find no way through.

  Competitive in the middle of the park, Luton captain, Shianne Swarres linking up with Taylor O’Leary on half way the ball clipped on the diagonal out into the right wing for Shanice Lewis to attack, Tomlinson across to close her down defending playing the ball off the attacker behind for a goal kick.

 Players getting stuck in Buttigieg winning it at the back on the left putting it forwards onto Courtnay Ward-Chambers, Sammy Edgar coming back at her to close the ball down stealing it as the pair come together, sends it forwards even as Ward-Chambers goes to ground, Luton appealing for the foul don’t get the decision, Ward-Chambers saying something she shouldn’t the referee close by, blowing up straight away, no hesitation showing Ward-Chambers a straight red sent off for dissent with just 5 minutes on the clock, Luton down to 10.

  Cambridge with a free-kick on halfway to the right launched long into the far post area, Nicole Melling coming for it making a good claim high in the air. Jade Bell lively up top for Cambridge getting into the channels looknig for the ball, snapping in to press the defence, taking it on from Kim Farrow central attempts to slide the ball in behind the Luton defence for Mollie Coupar, Melling alert to the danger quickly out to the top of her box to close her down clear the ball away to the right. 

 Luton hit Cambridge on the counter attack the long cross field ball deceiving a high back line with Natasha Fensome making a perfectly timed run through the middle coming right, goalkeeper Sophie Shults racing out of her area to try and close her down. Fensome thrives on these situations knocks it past the keeper getting in behind lining up a shot back across goal from 20 yards out the Cambridge defence racing back round on the cover, Tomlinson throwing herself to the ground to slice in make the block divert the ball away from goal. 

  Edgar battling for possession in the middle for Cambridge congested at times, does well to squeeze the ball into Richards drifting in from the left, takes on the shot from range, her effort driven wide of the right post. Cambridge pushing players on Jarvis taking the ball on up the right sending the pass into Bell cuts inside to shoot from the angle 20 yards out with the outside of her boot flashed in low on goal, Melling down smartly getting behind it to knock the ball wide across her goal out the far side for a corner on the left. 

 Cambridge sending in another dangerous delivery from the corner through the six yard box missing everyone, Luton snatching it away at the far post falls to Edgar top of the area strikes it on the half volley, flies up over the bar, however a corner is signalled taking a nick on it’s way through. Curled into the far post, O’Leary getting up to defend for Luton away for a throw in the corner high on the left. I’ve undoubtedly mentioned this before but Tomlinson does possess a very useful long throw, often a bane for United especially wearing a City shirt, will be a huge asset now, flung into the near post cleared to the top of the area, Bell latching onto it shifting to her right pulls the trigger her shot charged down, the ball deflected out to the right Wood gathering looknig to drive to the by-line, Buttigieg closing her down for Luton winning a goal kick off the Cambridge captain.

  Luton looking to keep things tight at the back dropping off, but alert to the counter timing their opportunities to get forwards, Janaye Beaufort threading a great pass on through the middle for Lewis to chase, Tomlinson going back with her getting across her well to shield the ball back into her keepers gloves. Brook Cheal-Ferris, intercepting well at the back for Cambridge as Beaufort attempts another through ball on for Fensome central.

  Cambridge looking to use their player advantage Tomlinson getting on up the left on for Bell, plays it inside to Wood, cut out by Swarres, Luton look to counter attack, O’Leary up to Fensome, Cheal-Ferris across to defend for the hosts. Richards with a shot from range blasted over a Farrow knocks the ball down into her path.

 GOAL! Closing in on the 20 minute mark, Cheal-Ferris bringing the ball on from thee back for Cambridge sending it up the wing for Tomlinson the full back keeping the ball in play racing with it up the line before whipping in a threatening ball into the six yard box, on a plate for Farrow closing in centrally, nods it down across the keeper at close range to open the scoring. 1-0.

  Luton fighting for the ball, O’Leary with a strong tackle on Edgar, as she looks to get the ball away up the left. Smith in well to close Richards down as she looks to get the ball under control wide left. Edgar feeling her backside, needs treatment, the referee pausing play for both sides to take on fluids. Cambridge lively looking to push on Tomlinson and Jarvis up on the flanks, Bell coming to receive the ball, linking up with Farrow, Richards and Coupar. Luton trying to counter by slowing play down trying to keep hold of it doing well duping Cambridge into forcing the final pass.

 Wood drifting out to the right with Bell the cross put long across the Luton are, Richards trying to keep it alive on the by-line, Smith in to close her down winning the tackle. Cambridge with a free-kick on halfway to the left Cheal-Ferris high into the area, headed away, Luton look to come the other way, Lewis getting onto the ball driving through the middle, the Cambridge defence converging on her en masse no way through. 

   Lewis making herself available for the pass on Luton right, looking to take the ball on, Tomlinson in to defend for Cambridge. Jackson sending Jarvis away on Cambridge’s right plays the ball on for Bell up the line her angled cross coming in high at the near post plucked down well by Melling. Luton’s Beaufort winning her fair share of the ball central lifts it on for O’Leary outside the D, a click flick lifting  ball over defenders into Fensome making a run in behind, Cambridge have players back on the cover, the pass cut out runs back to O’Leary 20 out puts her foot throw the ball, Jackson turning to block, strikes the defender, Luton appeal for a handball but Jackson had her back to the ball arms by her side the referee not giving it if indeed the arm was struck.

  Closing in on the last 10 minutes of the first half, Jackson coming to close down Swarres on half way, the ball does strike her hand this time as the midfielder attempts to scoop the ball over her the free-kick given this time. The ball launched up into the top of the area it’s Jackson with the header away to the left, Buttigieg meeting it on the volley outside the area, fired back across the goal wide past the far post.

  Luton working hard gaining a little momentum going forwards, O’Leary cutting the ball out sending a diagonal ball out to the left, Buttigieg getting forwards to knock the ball on into the area Fensome making a run to the near post to attack it, Jackson throwing herself in front of her to make the block, the ball turned away for a throw on the left. The visitors growing frustrated with some on field decisions, as Cambridge clear at the back Jackson with the long clearance up into Farrow charging into the area left of the D, doesn’t quite get hold of her shot as she goes to place it past the keeper into the bottom corner, Melling gathering it safely into her gloves. 

 GOAL! Cambridge winning the ball well in the middle, Edgar playing a great ball long up into the path of Richards coming into the area from the left, looking to meet the ball as it falls into her path, the keeper starts to come, Richards catching it sweetly to lift the ball up over the keeper and down into the back of the net beyond to double Cambridge’s lead late in the first half 2-0.

GOAL! No sooner have they gotten their 2nd goal then Cambridge grab a 3rd, the attack pressing the ball in defence outside the D, Luton loosing possession as Bell steals in on the ball with the keeper, pushed up to the top of her area, takes it away to the right giving herself a yard of space to tee up  shot into the open goal beyond to open her account for Cambridge 3-0.

 Melling hurt in the build up to the goal needing treatment, Luton conceding twice late in the first half deflated. Jarvis slides in to defend on Fensome as she moves to the left looknig to get after a pass laid on by Beaufort. Cambridge winning a corner on the right curled in central on the keeper, Melling getting her arm up to punch the ball on across her goal out behind on the left for a 2nd corner. Swept in high to the far post, Buttigieg getting it away. 

 Bell seeing the ball into her feet back to goal right side sending the ball on for Wood on the overlap her low cross claimed by Melling low at her near post. Into the final moments of the half Cambridge getting up the pitch, Wood into Coupar right of goal 20 out Bell close by put into her feet Bell returns the pass Coupar screwing her shot wide of the upright.

Half-time Cambridge United WFC 3-0 Luton Town Ladies

  Cambridge taking full advantage of their opponents player disadvantage to lead 3-0 at the break. Luton down to 10 after just5 minutes with Ward-Chambers sent off for dissent. Nevertheless the visitors have battled hard to keep Cambridge chances limited, creating a few good opportunities on the counter themselves. Cambridge making it count on 20 minutes with Tomlinson breaking forwards to put an inch perfect cross into the box for Kim Farrow to score. The final ball a little awry a times Cambridge found the back of the net for two more goal late in the first half to hammer home the advantage and put themselves into a very good position going into the 2nd half.

  Both sides making a chance at half-time with Emily Wilson coming on for Luton a straight swap for Lewis out on the right in attack. Alysha Stojko-Down coming on for Cambridge in midfield replacing Farrow. Luton to get the 2nd half underway, the ball long out to Fensome on the left, Jarvis in to defend for Cambridge the ball out for a throw in. Luton working the ball down the line the cross fired in from Wilson knocked down back across goal at the far post, Cheal-Ferris snatching it clear for the hosts.

  Wilson looking to take the ball on for Luton early in the 2nd half ask Cambridge’s defence some questions, sends a cross in with pace across the six yard box. Playing out from the back Cambridge send the ball on for Tomlinson bursting on down the left linking up with Coupar drifting wide she goes past her on the overlap taking on the return pass before lifting a looping cross into the middle of the six yard box, Melling under it to claim the ball into her midriff.

  Cambridge coming on Wood an outlet right channel seeing the ball into her feet coming inside pushed into Bells goes on into the box, Bell looking to roll the ball into her path, Melling comes rushing out to slide in smother the ball before Wood can get hold of it. Cambridge winning the ball centrally Stojko-Down on for Bell in space, rolls it on for Coupar to the right of the D, taking the ball wide into the area shoots firing the ball back across the keeper, too close though Melling can scoop it up into her gloves. 

  Another coming together between Edgar and O’Leary leaves Edgar on the ground feeling the injury she picked up first half, needs to come off this time, Cambridge making the change with Becca Stephenson coming on, moving into a right attacking position. Buttigieg busy at the back for Luton winning the ball well, cutting out several Cambridge passes, the visitors defending their box well. Farmer too clearing a ball through the middle from Stojko-Down.

  Mulvaney getting on for Luton looknig to link up with Fensome, getting the return pass slips as she goes to pull the trigger from distance seeing the shot run harmlessly into the keeper. Cambridge seeing alot of the ball winning a corner on the left flashed into the area, O’Leary with the headed clearance for Luton back out to the right, Jarvis outside the area latching onto it firing an angled shot in on goal, Melling palming it away to the left.

  Bell, Wood and Coupar pressing the ball in the final 3rd, Stojko-Down moving up to put a scooped pass into the box, Farmer getting her head on it to clear for Luton. Cambridge dominating play without really opening Luton up the defence deep winning the ball, have players up top who can do damage if the right pass is picked out. Another strong appeal from Luton not getting the decision.

 Cambridge winning a free-kick on halfway to the left swept long to the right, Wood seeing it down moving forwards to angle a cross into the middle, Coupar running in jumping can’t quite get her head to the ball. Tomlinson bringing the ball on left side, Wood taking it on from her to cross, long to the far post Buttigieg back to win the ball for Luton. Wood back on the right tracking back sliding in to deny Fensome with a robust tackle as she looks to get on the move with the ball. again Luton are frustrated at not getting the decision, O’Leary venting her frustrations going too far earning herself a yellow and shown to the sin bin, Luton down to 9!

 Sin bin’s lasting 10 minutes, can Cambridge use the two player advantage to their benefit? Bell winning Cambridge a corner off of a Jarvis throw on the right. Cheal-Ferris to take, before that though some kerfuffle’s in the box to deal with, the referee having a word with Coupar and Farmer. The corner swung into the area, Swarres defending for the visitors back out to the right, Cheal-Ferris onto it her attempted cross blocked by Fensome.

  Luton making another change with Lisa Milliken coming on to replace Smith in defence. Richards played in on Cambridge’s left swinging a cross into the six yard area, Melling claiming it. Luton fighting hard but frustrated with on field decisions feeling they’re not getting their share, but remain in the game working hard are finding the positions to win the final ball, Cambridge for all their possession not able to capitalise. Coupar trying her luck from 25 yards out, her shot deflected off, Beaufort away for a corner kick. 

 Cheal-Ferris to play the corner in from the right flashed in high, Richards is tall leaping up but can’t quite get her head onto the ball. Jackson is penalised for handball seeing ironic cheers from the Luton supporters as Buttigieg tries to play the ball up to Mulvaney, the free-kick given on half way. Buttigieg clipping a well struck pass long out to the right for Wilson who brings it down well, however to her frustration the offside flag is up against her. 

 Cambridge pour forwards the ball into Bell moved on to Wood wide to her right sends a diagonal ball back to the left into Richards path, fires an angled shot in back across goal wide of the far post. Luton loose at the back as Cambridge press hard, Melling rushing in to dive in at Coupar’s feet charging the ball down the rebound from Coupar struck over the bar.

 No Goal! Cambridge up on the right Jarvis with the ball at her feet sweeps a deep cross into the corridor, Coupar pulling off the defence leaping for it even as the keeper comes, h=they collide did Coupar get a glancing touch on the ball hard to say the ball sailing on past both into the back of the net but Melling is in a heap in her goal the referee ruling in her favour no goal, hurt in need of treatment another long pause in play. Both sides to their dugouts to take on fluids and instruction. 

 Melling can’t continue Luton forced into a change, have Sarah Hudson ready to enter the action takes up her position between the sticks. Swarres coming off too, with Amber Leighton. Beaufort winning the ball looking to play Leighton in straight away through the middle, Cheal-Ferris quick to snap in cut the pass out for Cambridge. O’Leary back on for Luton.

 Fensome picking up the ball inside the Cambridge half to the left driving on avoiding one tackle is upended by Jackson as she runs across her legs tangling gets the free-kick outside the box. Farmer over it goes for goal shooting over. Buttigieg with a vital touch in defence to nick the ball off Bell as she looks to see the ball into her feet off Wood and turn in behind, 20 yards out. Bell continues to work hard in attack looking for an opening for Cambridge to bring others into contention flicks the ball out to Richards on the left her cross back in looking for Bell’s run into the area, shapes to hit it on the turn, Milliken throwing herself in to make the block for Luton.

 Cambridge getting the ball up into Richards win a corner on the left, swept into the near post, Melling punches it away across her goal for a 2nd corner on the right. Lifted into the top of the area, Mulvaney clearing for Luton. The visitors counter the ball coming right into Wilson on for Leighton through the middle, Shults racing out to the top of her area saving at her feet with the blocking save. The game moving into the final 7 minutes Luton bringing off Fensome, send on Ami Martins. Cambridge too making a switch Ella Marden coming on to replace Richards on the left. Marden putting the ball on for Coupar left wing her angled cross into the near post attacked by Bell, Farmer sliding in getting in the way to deny a goal scoring chance.

 

  GOAL! Into the final 5 minutes Tomlinson with the ball in her possession on the left sending a well placed pass into the path of Bell coming in off the wing to race towards the box, Hudson coming to close the angle, Bell shoots sending the ball across her to find the bottom corner 4-0. 

 Luton conceding a 4th are undeterred as they fight for the ball after the restart, O’Leary nipping in with the tackle releasing Martins into the box to the left of goal, bearing down on the six yard box under challenge from Jarvis does well to get a shot away Shults out to close her down, staying big to make the save.

  The clock ticking down Cambridge have dropped off in defence a little leaving space for Luton to exploit, keeping a clean sheet might be creeping into the back of their minds. Coupar coming off late on with Tally Miles joining the action for Cambridge. Beaufort winning the ball for Luton teeing up Milliken to shoot from range blasts her effort over the bar.

GOAL! Into stoppage time Cambridge send the ball forwards Stephenson bringing it under control right side playing it inside to Bell top of the area, right of goal has Wood inside her the close pass into her feet, digs the shot out to fire the dipping shot past Hudson to strike the inside of the far post and deflect into the goal for her first of the season 5-0.

 Wood opening her Cambridge account for the new season with virtually the final touch of the game, to seal a 5-0 win and get Cambridge’s season up and running after two narrow 2-1 defeats.

Full time Cambridge United WFC 5-0 Luton Town Ladies

 No doubt a busy week for all the FAWNL clubs 3 games in 8 days to start the season, certainly going to be interested to digest. Cambridge after two narrow 2-1 defeats winning 5-0 at home against Luton side down to 10 players after just 5 minutes. A 5-0 win in the finish for Cambridge, Luton didn’t make it easy although I feel the clean sheet might mean just as much following their previous games. Luton had to dig deep never easy going down a player earl in a match, fought well, and created some good chances despite it whilst frustrating Cambridge up the other end. Strange as it may seem but this could be a positive, 5-0 defeat aside, will hurt but with soo many new players this was a performance to bring them together and may well prove defining in the end. Both sides with positives and minus’s to take out of their opening 3 matches, one thing’s for certain South East Division One is going to be fun to watch this season.

 Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Time to choose this Sunday’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match, strong candidates on both sides this is by no means an easy call. Full credit to Luton’s ten players worked hard, dug deep and had a frustrating afternoon. Defended well putting in some vital challenges. Fiona Buttigieg in particular won her tackles and looked to get things going in attack. Janaye Beaufort in midfield won the ball well, competed throughout. For Cambridge, Josie Jarvis linked up play well on the right5 winning her tackles and got the ball forwards. Brook Cheal-Ferris intercepted numerous balls and offered a good threat with her corner deliveries. Captain Zoe Wood got into some great positions in the right linked well with Bell up top created several chances scoring at the death. Lauren Tomlinson was strong in defence, winning the ball got forwards well adding to the threat going forwards with two great assists, is close between her and the winner have gone for Jade Bell, looked sharp throughout lively finding some great positions working the defence bringing others into the attack and ready to strike on goal scoring twice with two good finishes.

  First slice of tier 4 action of the season, remarked early on about how much the league has grown since Luton were last in it and that is good for the game overall. Clubs have to move forwards support their women’s side or get left behind. Not always easy I know, will be interesting to see who emerges on top but with the talent on show it’ll be a great watch. My thanks to both clubs for their help today, I might know the players but it is always useful to check. 

by Darren Gilham