The Round-Up
Sunday 14th October
FAWNL Cup
A break from the league this Sunday as the FAWNL Cup and Plate competitions enter the 2nd Round a place in the last 16 up for grabs. 8 2nd Round ties in the Cup featuring sides from the Southern Premier Division and South East Division One. Sunday was a very wet day heavy rain overnight on Saturday with more falling for much of the day, Postponements everywhere and the FAWNL Cup no exception seeing two 2nd Round ties called off, Southampton Women v Plymouth Argyle Ladies and Cambridge United Women v Leyton Orient WFC the casualties.
The other taking place in rather damp conditions, it was the 2nd Round of the FAWNL Cup where the action from the Women’s Football East match report came from a trip down to Hertfordshire to watch Watford FC Ladies v Coventry United Ladies. A clash between the top two in the Southern Premier Division, Coventry United Ladies top by a point unbeaten. Watford FC Ladies with just the one loss. Coventry getting off to the better start, Weronika Baronowska making a couple of vital saves for Watford their goal breached in the 20th minute, the ball falling to Marie Gauntlett outside the box a left foot half volley striking the ball into the back of the net. Susan Wood at the other end with a crucial save with her legs to deny Linda Afuakwah from finding the equaliser. Coventry 1-0 to the good at the break.
The majority of Watford’s goals however have come in the 2nd half, not out of it at all although they fell behind soon after the restart Amber Hughes inside the box looping a cross in to drop in front of goal Lois Jefferies there to nod the ball in from close range. Watford attacking 2nd half were to get a goal back with Katie O’Leary sending Helen Ward through on goal to score. Coventry playing the ball well through the middle good build-up seeing Jade Brook with the ball 30 yards out right side took on the shot a brilliant effort flying up and over the keeper to land inside the net caught by the stanchion. Leading 3-1 Watford kept going and stretching the visitors at the back O’Leary racing in on goal met a right wing cross the ball dropping down off her to roll in off the post. A tense finish but Coventry held onto their goal advantage to win and progress into the next round.
3-1 to Coventry a brilliant strike from Jade Brook
A bit of controversy in the other 2nd Round FAWNL Cup tie featuring an all Southern Premier Division line-up. Queens Park Rangers Women not happy with the refereeing decisions as they were knocked out of the competition through to late goals from visitors Loughborough Foxes Women. It was QPR Women who held the advantage at half-time Jo Wilson netting the home sides goal in the 34th minute. 7 minutes into the 2nd half and Loughborough got the equaliser awarded a penalty, Laura Steele sending the ball into the back of the net. 5 minutes left and Loughborough took the lead Eva Rogers with the goal to make it 2-1 QPR goalkeeper Gillian Kasirye injured in the same incident QPR protesting, Courtney Ward-Chambers shown a red card for dissent and Kasirye unable to continue the hosts down to 9. Loughborough going on to add a 3rd goal deep into stoppage time with Rebecca McGrother on target.
Oxford United Women were hosting South East Division One leaders Crawley Wasps Ladies in the 2nd Round of the FAWNL Cup. Goalless at half-time, a rocket from Sophie Baker saw the Southern Premier Division side take the lead in the 52nd minute. The game almost up it looked like Crawley’s 100% record at the start of the season was finally over, into stoppage time and a free-kick awarded to the visitors Naomi Cole scoring from it to make it 1-1 and send the game into extra-time. The visiting side having the better of the extra period of play Emma Plewa scoring to put Crawley in front with 3 minutes gone Sian Heather on target to make it 3-1 7 minutes later. Crawley advancing in the FAWNL Cup with an extra-time win.
Extra-time too needed for AFC Wimbledon Ladies in the 2nd Round of the FAWNL Cup the South East Division One side on the road playing Larkhall Athletic Ladies from South West Division One. Larkhall taking the lead in the 30th minute, Wimbledon hitting back just 4 minutes later to level Katie Stanley making it 1-1. Honours even at half-time it was Wimbledon with the better start 2nd half getting into the lead Caroline Bisson scoring the goal in the 47th minute. That the score closing in the final 10 minutes Larkhall getting themselves back on level terms 2-2 after the 90 the game heading into extra-time. Captain Jess Trimnell the hero in extra-time scoring what would prove to be the winning goal to send Wimbledon through. Katy-May O’Hara Nash and Mel Sartain with the goals for Larkhall.
South Premier Division side Cardiff City Ladies were at home in the 2nd Round of the FAWNL Cup taking on South West Division One side Cheltenham Town Ladies. The lower league side getting off to a great start scoring inside the opening 3 minutes Ella Hitchcox through on goal to make it 1-0. Cardiff back on level terms in the 18th minute Grace Horrell getting hold of the ball to score to make it 1-1 the home side leading midway through the 1st half Kylie Nolan slotting a rebound home. A 2-1 lead for Cardiff at half-time. Nolan scoring her 2nd of the game a minute after the 2nd half whistle to make it 3-1 to Cardiff. Into the final 10 minutes and Hitchcox scores her 2nd of the match to bring it back to 3-2. 3 minutes left and Cheltenham are level Annie Martin with the goal to make it 3-3. A corner to Cardiff in the final minute Cori Williams getting her head on the ball to put Cardiff back into the lead then deep into stoppage time Williams on hand from another corner to score and see Cardiff win the game 5-3.
South East Division One side, Billericay Town Ladies, 2nd in table were hosting Chichester City Ladies in 4th spot in the Southern Premier Division in the FAWNL Cup 2nd Round. Billericay giving a good account of themselves coming close to taking the lead Zoe Rushen seeing a shot hit the bar, Chichester finding the winning goals late on into the last 15 minutes Holly Wride giving the visitors the lead with Molly Clark making it 2-0 to Chichester in the final minute to see them through to the next round.
FAWNL Plate
Also the 2nd Round of the FAWNL Plate this Sunday. 5 scheduled games featuring sides from the Southern Premier and South East Division One. Milton Keynes Dons Ladies game away to Brislington Ladies falling foul of the weather. A switch of venues saw Maidenhead United Ladies and Denham United Ladies play their 2nd Round tie. It was the South West Division One side who opened the scoring Anie McKeever making it 1-0 to Maidenhead. Denham United coming back to level the scores with 5 minutes left on the clock Rachel Keightley scoring the goal to force the game into extra-time. No more scored in the extra period of play the game headed into a penalty shootout, Denham not scoring from their 1st to, Maidenhead did to go on a clinch a 4-2 shootout win to progress.
South East Division One side, Actonians Ladies fell foul to an injury time winner to exit the FAWNL Plate. Were hosting South West Division One side, Chesham United Ladies. The visitors getting the opening goal with Emma Delves on target in the 17th minute. 1-0 up at half-time, Carla Williams getting Actonians back level making it 1-1 midway through the 2nd half. Deep into stoppage time Chesham found the winner, Gemma Fraser putting the ball home to see the visitors celebrate.
Luton Town Ladies made it all the way through to the FAWNL Plate final last season, there 1st national final appearance. In the 2nd Round of the Plate this time they were drawn away to Southern Premier Division side, Gillingham FC Ladies. The hosts taking the lead in the game 1-0 inside the opening 10 minutes. Gillingham hitting a purple patch with 33 minutes played scoring 3 goals in 6 minutes to go 4-0 up, Breon Grant, Alice Bussey and Emma Sherwood with the goals. 4-0 up at half-time a harsh scoreline for Luton the visitors fought back well in the 2nd half. Jess McKay pulling a goal back in the 47th minute Gillingham hitting back straight away Sherwood with her 2nd of the match making it 5-1. Captain Rachel Carter scoring in the 52nd minute. McKay with her 2nd of the game on 67 bringing it back to 5-3. A tense final 10 minutes to the match as Aurora Ryan grabbed a goal to make it 5-4. Gillingham holding to knock Luton out and progress in the competition.
Ipswich Town Women were at last finding a bit of form coming in to this Sunday’s FAWNL Plate tie the South East Division One side hosting Southern Premier Division side, C&K Basildon Ladies. A few ex-Basildon players in their ranks Ipswich took the lead in the 15th minute Zoe Cossey with the strike. Natasha Thomas scoring to make it 2-0 to the hosts with 7 minutes of the 1st half left. 2 more goals right at the end of the 1st half giving the hosts a comfortable lead, Toni-Anne Wayne scoring her 1st goals for Ipswich a minute apart. Ipswich defending their 4 goal lead until deep into stoppage time where C&K Basildon managed to pull in back to 4-2 but it was too little too late as Ipswich go through.