The Round-Up
Sunday 19th January
Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup
The County Cup action continues across both Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire this weekend with both competitions at the semi-final stage. Beginning with the Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup, Luton Town Ladies had seen off rivals and current holders Bedford Ladies in the quarters finals were away to AFC Dunstable Women in the last 4 of the competition on Sunday. Both playing in the ERWFL, Dunstable’s new look young side struggling for points at the bottom of the table on a steep learning curve doing well to hold Luton to a goalless first half. Luton taking the lead 7 minutes into the 2nd half Ellie Sargeant with an absolute worldie to score her 1st goal for the club. 20 minutes left to play Dunstable fighting back to level the scores Lottie Nicholls with her first Dunstable goal. Luton though coming straight back to retake the lead with top scorer Jess McKay’s 14th goal of the season enough to take Luton into another Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup final.
The BHWGFL was already gaurenteed representation in a County Cup final this season as the other semi-final in the Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup saw Division One side Houghton Athletic Ladies at home to Division Two title challengers Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses. Scoring plenty of goals Woburn & Wavendon have also proved hard to break down at times this season and both saw them to victory in their semi-final clash. Keeping Houghton Athletic from scoring at one end ht them for 6 at the other end to book their spot in the final. Top scorer Giselle Randall scoring 4 in the game to move her to 17 for the season a brace in both halves. Georgia-Rose Edwards with two goals in the final 5 minutes to finish the scoring.
The Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup Final to be played Sunday 15th March a 2pm kick-off further details to be announced.
Hertfordshire Women’s Challenge Cup
Semi-final weekend too in Hertfordshire the Women’s Challenge Cup, and it will be a repeat of last season’s final with Stevenage FC Women and holders Watford U23s winning thier respective games on Sunday.
Stevenage FC Women were at home taking on Watford Ladies Development. the FAWNL South East Division One side enjoying alot of success recently in the County Cup taking the lead through Ashleigh Deacon’s 3rd strike of the season, captain Amy Makewell firing home her 13th goal of the season doubling Stevenage’s advantage midway through the 2nd half to send them into the final itself for the sixth consecutive year.
Amy Makewell with her 13th goal of the season helping to secure Stevenage FC Women a sixth consecutive County Cup Final appearance (photo credit Gary Reed)
Holders Watford U23s were away to ERWFL Premier Division side Colney Heath Ladies in their semi-final at the weekend. Top scorer Samaira Khan coming on in the 38th minute opening the scoring in the 39th rounding the keeper to make it 1-0. Colney Heath with the advantage at half-time chances to extend their lead were restricting Watford’s chances at the other end the visitors though coming back to level with 15 minutes left to play through an unfortunate own goal ricocheting in off the keeper. Watford winning the game with 2 minutes left on the clock a looping ball forwards sent home to see them through to a 2nd successive cup final.
The Hertfordshire Women’s Challenge Cup Final to be played Sunday 15th March a 2;30pm kick-off at the County Ground Letchworth.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division One
Four games played across the 3 divisions in the BHWGFL this weekend. 2nd placed St Albans Ladies in action were at home to Letchworth Garden City Eagles on Sunday A 2-2 draw with leaders Hemel Hempstead Town Ladies last weekend kept the gap between them to 3 points St Albans with a game in hand playing again this Sunday a positive result taking them top of the table on goal difference. Top scorer Eleanor Lovelock opening the scoring in the first half her 24th goal if the season coming in the 26th minute. Millie Guest with her first goal of the season just past the hour securing a 2-0 win for St Albans to sent them top of the league.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two
Two games played in Beds & Herts Division Two this Sunday despite what my results posts may have led you to believe. AFC Dunstable Blues going top of the table last weekend were at home again this weekend taking on Garston Ladies Vintage Purples. The damage done in the opening 10 minutes a quick fire double seeing Dunstable into a 2 goal lead, Kerry Mulvihill-Reed on target to score her 4th goal of the season in the 8th minute, Nicola Hollick scoring her 21st of the season 2 minutes later, Garston unable to find a reply, Dunstable with further chances to extend their lead move 5 points clear of 3rd placed AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Ladies.
Keeping pace with Dunstable in 2nd though are Langford Ladies remain a point behind as they won well away from home on Sunday in Division Two against Sherrardswood Ladies. Scoring half as many goals as Dunstable so far this season have by far the tightest defence in the league conceding just 3 goals so far from 8 played, another clean sheet at the weekend. Amber Clark with half of Langford’s goals, netting a hat-trick at the weekend to put her onto 15 for the campaign so far, Sophie Bounds also celebrating a goal along with Harriet Ford on the scoresheet for the first time this season Langford winning 5-0.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three
One game in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three to report on, Biggleswade United Ladies moving back into 2nd spot with a comfortable home win over Flitwick Eagles Ladies on Sunday. Kayleigh Saunders scoring 5 times to see her closing in on 20 goals for the season. The goals spread around elsewhere with 4 other players on the scoresheet. Zoe Molloy collecting her 10th goal of the season, Tashai Simms putting the ball into the back of the net for her 7th a goal too for Jodie Molloy and a first Biggleswade goal for Vikki Ransom. The final score 9-0.