The Round-Up
Sunday 15th December
Suffolk Women’s Division
Needham Market Women Reserves return to the top of the Suffolk Women’s Division as they extend their 100% winning start to the season to 10 matches going back above Brettvale Ladies who weren’t in action at the weekend. Needham market were at home taking on Brantham Athletic Ladies on Sunday. Isabel Chapman scoring her first of the season to see Needham Market leading 1-0 at half-time. Further chances coming 2nd half Sasha Diston hitting the post before Jemma Wessels doubled the advantage with her first goal of the season with 20 minutes left to play, Wessels on the scoresheet again with 10 minutes to go to ensure the 100% winning record continued.
Action from Needham Market Women Reserves v Brantham Athletic Ladies at the weekend (photo credit Ben Pooley Photography)
Hot on the heels of the leading pair are Bury Town Ladies, just 3 points back losing just one of their opening 10 matches of the season to date. Were at home this Sunday in the league hosting, the team starting the day in 3rd spot Alresford Colne Rangers. Norma Locker firing Bury into an early lead, Alresford coming straight back to level the scores with Abigail Chambers scoring her first goal of the season. Bury are scoring plenty of goals this season with scorers spread amongst the squad, Mia Banbury putting Bury 2-1 up with her 9th of the season Hayley Turner then scoring to put the hosts 3-1 ahead. Alresford pulling a goal back from the penalty spot with Jasmine Turner firing home to see the visitors trailing 3-2 at the break. A strong 2nd half from Bury seeing them score a further 4 goals to win the game 7-2. Locker and Turner both scoring again with Stacey Roper adding her name to the scoresheet plus an own goal, Bury climbing above Alresford into 3rd spot.
Another side looking to threaten the leaders are Holland Ladies climbing up another place move into fifth like Bury losing just the one league game so far this season. Were hosting Woodbridge Town Ladies who occupied fifth spot at the start of the day, in good form themselves coming into the match. A good spread of goalscorers amongst their squad, Holland found the back of the net for six goals on Sunday to beat Woodbridge 6-1. Becky McDougall top scoring in the game completing a hat-trick to take her into double figures for the season. Top scorer Jasmine Cox once again amongst the goals, one enough to take her onto 20 for the season. Lauren Bourne also into double figures with a goal has 10 for the campaign with Michelle Hodgson also celebrating a goal. 6 points between the top 6 sides now.
Just as competitive below, Brightlingsea Regent Ladies continue to enjoy a strong season, hold onto 7th spot with their 6th victory of the season at home to Chantry Grasshoppers Ladies on Sunday. Top scorer Hannah Goldsmith firing Brightlingsea into a 4th minute lead. Chantry Grasshoppers coming back to level in the 20th minute. Brightlingsea responding straight away to retake the lead Paige Knight on target with her 12th of the season, Lucy Tilbury with her 13th of the season soon adding a 3rd goal for the hosts Goldsmith with her 2nd of the game seeing Brightlingsea race into a 4-1 lead with just half an hour played, Goldsmith completing a first half hat-trick late on her 19th goal of the season seeing Brightlingsea 5-1 up at the break. A less eventful 2nd half, Chantry Grasshoppers pulling a goal back midway through the 2nd period Brightlingsea securing the win. Bernice Corney and Sam Elliot scoring the goals for Chantry Grasshoppers.
Henley Athletic Ladies came into Sundays home match against AFC Kesgrave Ladies off the back of 5 straight defeats in the league that run coming to an end at last as they clinched their first win since the end of October. Emma Long scoring a hat-trick to move onto 8 for the season and a brace from Megan Tucker sealing victory. 5-0 the final score.
Has been a very difficult start to the season for University of Suffolk Women tough all round since joining the league last season, often not having the numbers available on match days suffering so eye watering defeats. Despite that have remained in good spirits and recieved plenty of plaudits from their fellow league clubs. 11 straight losses, University of Suffolk Women tasted victory for the first time this season as they collected their first 3 points at home to Ramsey & Mistley Ladies at the weekend. University of Suffolk capitalising on a slow start by their opponents to get themselves into a 2 goal lead Sarah Nash scoring her first goals for the club. Ramsey & Mistley pushing them hard to find a reply, University of Suffolk held them off going on to score a 3rd goal to win 3-0, Nash going to to wrap up a hat-trick.