The Round-Up
Sunday 10th Feb
FAWNL Southern Premier Division
It was once again another weather affected weekend across the football fixtures lists with games called off at all levels. A limited programme in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division with just the two games scheduled. Leaders, Chichester City Ladies were looking to extend their 5 point lead at the top of the table with a win away to mid-table Oxford United Women on Sunday. The sides goalless at half-time Chichester creating the better opportunities, Oxford’s Georgia Timms seeing an effort come back off the woodwork. Lucy Thomas making some excellent saves in goal for the hosts the dead lock was broken in the 66th minute Timms’ heading the ball into the back of the net from a corner her goal proving to be enough as Oxford kept Chichester out at the other end to win their 7th game of the season. Chichester with their 3rd defeat of the campaign.
Plenty of goals in the other game from the FAWNL Southern Premier Division this Sunday between Watford FC Ladies and Portsmouth FC Women. The game played at Letchworth’s County Ground a new playing surface. Eilidh Currie was making her 100th appearance for Portsmouth. Watford opening the scoring with Helen Ward making it 1-0 on 21 minutes, and own goal a few minutes later seeing the advantage doubled. Portsmouth reducing the deficit with a minute left of the 1st half with Shannon Albuery scoring to make it 2-1.
Half-time a 2-1 lead for Watford two quick goals at the start of the 2nd period putting the hosts into a strong positing Ward getting her 2nd of the game on 46 minutes, turned assist for Leanne Bell to score just a couple of minutes later. The game far from over however as Portsmouth mounted a strong come back awarded a penalty just past the hour, Rachel Panting firing the ball home to make it 4-2, Rebecca Bath on the scoresheet for Portsmouth soon after to make it 4-3 set up a frantic finish the game in stoppage time when the visitors grabbed the equalising goal Katie James with the finish making it 4-4. Time for a winner with Watford responding straight away attacking the ball crossed along the face of goal finding Ward at the far post to tap the ball in and celebrate her hat-trick and a 5-4 victory for Watford that sees them back up to 3rd in the Southern Premier Division table.
Watford FC Ladies, Helen Ward
FAWNL South East Division One
Two of the 4 games scheduled in FAWNL South East Division One beat the weather on Sunday. It was 4th at home to 2nd in the league at the weekend with Enfield Town Ladies hosting Billericay Town Ladies both sides enjoying a good season to date. Opportunities for both in the 1st half the scores remained goalless at the break. Enfield taking the lead early in the 2nd half with Eliza Diaz on target to make it 1-0. Billericay were giving a debut to goalkeeper Gemma Crowe, the Essex side responding quickly to falling a goal behind equalised and then went on to take a 2-1 lead themselves, Lindsey Morgan and Jay Blackie with the goals. Leyla Yahioglu introduced in the 64th minute to make her 1st appearance for Enfield celebrated the occasion by getting a goal with 10 minutes remaining to level the scores and see the sides share the points.
Is a tight race in the top half of the FAWNL South East Division One 5th placed Leyton Orient WFC with a chance to climb up into 3rd spot themselves if they could secure the win at home to struggling Denham United Ladies on Sunday. Both keepers called into action Leyton Orient saw a Sophie Le Marchand effort ruled off for offside. Denham proving hard to break down took an early lead in the 2nd half with Meila D’Santos finding the bottom corner to make it 1-0 the visitors going 2-0 to the good with Emma Kern’s effort trickling over the line in the 55th minute. Denham working hard to keep their lead and win for just the 2nd time this season the 3 points much needed applying a little bit of pressure to the sides above.
FAWNL Plate
One game from the quarter finals of the FAWNL Pate competition this Sunday with Southern Premier Division side Gillingham FC Ladies away to Stevenage Ladies from South East Division One. Stevenage having a few missing through injury including captain Paige Logie who has unfortunately suffered an ACL injury that will see her ruled out for the rest of the season. Despite thier injury problems Stevenage started the game well but against the run of play Gillingham took the lead scoring in the 23rd minute. An over the top ball seeing Gillingham double their lead, a 3rd goal coming early in the 2nd half Gillingham going on to win the game 4-0 to book their place in the last four.
Will be joined in the hat by West Bromich Albion Women who were 1-0 away winners against Barnsley Ladies this Sunday and Liverpool Feds Women from Northern Division One who beat Northern Premier Division side Middlesborough Women 2-0. Milton Keynes Dons Ladies are at home to Keynsham Town Ladies this coming Sunday in the last Plate quarter final.