The Round-Up

Sunday 24th March

Beds & Herts Women’s League Cup 

Another busy Sunday across the Beds and Herts Women’s league action as well as the semi-finals of both the League Cup & The Chris Renshaw Cup.

   Current League Cup holders, St Albans Ladies aiming to go all the way again in this season’s competition winning through to the last 4 were drawn at home in the semi-finals to play Division Three side AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Ladies. One of a cluster of new sides entering the league this season that have made an impact, reaching the last 4 of the Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup, an exciting game between the sides chances at both ends St Albans having a goal ruled out for offside end to end at times Kempston clearing an effort off the line St Albans registering a goal late in the 1st half Eleanor Lovelock sliding the ball past the keeper to put the Division one side 1-0 up. Kempston seeing a goal ruled off for offside themselves just before half-time. St Albans tried their utmost to find a 2nd goal in the 2nd period as Kempston defended for their lives trying to pull a goal back up the other end, Lovelock’s 15th goal of the season proving to be enough as St Albans reach the League Cup Final for the 2nd successive season.

   Far from a close contest in the other semi-final with Division One side Hemel Hempstead Town Ladies hosting, Hitchin Belles leading the way in Division Two and in confident mood reaching the last 4 of the League Cup. Hemel Hempstead in a strong position to challenge for the Division One title running up a double figure scoreline. Bianca Hedgecock nearly doubling her goals tally for the season as she scored a double hat-trick. Likewise Charlotte Ross who had 3 goals to her name before this Sunday also scoring a hat-trick, with top scorer Natasha McConville also amongst the goals with a brace taking her to 21 for the season. An 11-0 win seeing Hemel Hempstead into the final.

  The Beds & Herts Women’s League Cup Final to be contested at Kempston Rovers FC on Sunday 12th May kick-off 2pm

Beds & Herts The Chris Renshaw Cup

Also semi-final weekend in The Chris Renshaw Cup and after this weekends results it’s guaranteed Garston Ladies name will appear on the trophy, just a matter of them playing to see which one.

   Both Garston Ladies sides playing in Division One, have struggled for league form this season with the 2nd XI and 1st team bottom of the league with just one win each. Both into the last 4 of The Chris Renshaw Cup were at home taking on lower league opposition both their opponents 2nd doing well.

  Garston Ladies 1st team were taking on Division Three side Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses, the sides involved in a 7 goal thriller with Garston just edging out Woburn & Wavendon at the final whistle. Victoria Harrold, Laura Sephton and top scorer Giselle Randall with her 21st goal of the season getting on the scoresheet for the Division Three side. A brace from Yasmin Sabri, along with a goal each for Jane Hales and Lucy Zecchin seeing Garston’s 1st team through to the final courtesy of a 4-3 victory.

   Garston Ladies 2nd XI were taking on Division Two side Hitchin Town Ladies in the last 4 of the competition on Sunday, both sides starting the game positively Garston drawing first blood taking the lead in the 25th minute. Hitchin Town responding straight away to level, Louise Gash sliding in to make it 1-1 3 minutes later. Back came Garston retaking the lead right away scoring through an unfortunate own goal.  A corner late in the first half seeing Garston take a 3-1 lead Gash hitting the bar for Hitchin Town in the final minute of the 1st half. 3-1 up at half-time Garston added a 4th goal with 20 minutes left to play. Hitchin pulling a goal back in the final minute with Hayley Watson’s half volley from 35 yards out finding the back of the net. Too late Garston winning through to the final 4-2, Holly Jury with her 9th of the season, Dion Lewis and a 1st goal of the season for Garston for Megan Allaway the goalscorers.

  The Chris Renshaw Cup Final also being played on Sunday 12th May and 11am kick-off at Kempston Rovers FC.

Beds & Herts Women’s Division One 

One league game played in Beds & Herts Women’s Division One on Sunday with leaders Northwood Ladies extending their lead at the top of the table to 4 points with a home win against Sherrardswood Ladies. Northwood clinching the 3 points with a 2-0 victory, Emma Steele with both the goals taking her onto 21 goals for the season.

Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two

 4th at home to 2nd in Division Two on Sunday as both Royston Town Ladies Development and Letchworth Garden City Eagles were looking to close the gap on the sides immediately above them, both Hitchin side involved in the cups. The points were shared in the finish with neither side unable to break the deadlock the game ending 0-0.

  Plenty of goals in the other game played in Division Two on Sunday, all going to the away side as 5th placed Evergreen Ladies travelled to play bottom side Welwyn Pegasus Azures. Well clear of the sides below Evergreen rattled 9 goals past their opponents to win the game 9-0. Those 9 goals shared between 2 players the clubs top scorers by some distance, with Natalie Maher scoring 5 and Rebecca Freeman on target for 4 goals both neck and neck in the race for the clubs golden boot with 12 goals each.

Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three

Two games also this Sunday in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three, with Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses in Cup action it was an opportunity for league leaders AFC Dunstable Ladies Development to go 7 points clear at the top. At home were taking on Biggleswade United Ladies. An early lead for Dunstable with Nicola Hollick firing the hosts into a 15th minute lead, that how the score remained heading into the final 10 minutes, Sophie Bounds with her first goal for Biggleswade levelling it up at 1-1. The game heading for a draw Dunstable came back to grab the winning goal with two minutes of regular time left Bianca Vassell with her 31st strike of the season putting the ball into the back of the net.

  Stotfold Juniors Ladies have found some form in recent weeks 7 points won from their last 3 league matches were away t bottom side Buntingford Town Ladies this Sunday. Kept the good run going with a 4-0 to close t within a point of 5th placed Biggleswade. Charlotte Hindmarch and Holly Konopka both scoring twice.