The Round-Up
Sunday 2nd February
Beds & Herts Women’s League Cup
Cup action in the Beds & Herts Women’s Football League this weekend with quarter final matches played in both competitions, the League Cup and The Chris Renshaw Cup. One quarter final tie in the League Cup falling foul to the weather holders Hemel Hempstead Town Ladies home tie with Hartham United Ladies called off will try again next Sunday. Two Division Three sides reaching the last 4 of the League Cup both having home advantage at the weekend up against Division One opponents.
Herts Vipers leading the way in Division Three with a 100% scoring plenty of goals too were hosting Hitchin Town Ladies. Herts Vipers off to a fast start taking the lead inside the opening 2 minutes Nicole Jancey setting up Selin Buyukgiray make it 1-0. Herts Vipers coming close to a 2nd before making a change in the 34th minute Rachel Wall introduced to the action making an instant impact scoring with her first touch to double the lead. Jancey on the scoresheet late in the first half to put Herts Vipers 3-0 up at the break. Buyukgiray with her 2nd of the game in the 56th minute, Herts Vipers finishing strong the game heading into the final 20 minutes Jancey going on to score a 9 minute hat-trick to add to her first half goal sending her to 42 goals to the season. Kelsey Millen sneaking in her 13th goal of the season during Jancey’s onslaught. 9-0 the final score to Herts Vipers a comprehensive victory to send them into the last 4 of the competition Buyukgiray completing her hat-trick with 5 minutes to play has 15 goals now this season from just 5 appearances. The draw for the League Cup semi-finals will see Herts Vipers at home to either St Albans Ladies or AFC Dunstable Women Blues who play their rearranged semi-final this weekend.
Kick-off between Herts Vipers & Hitchin Town Ladies at the weekend (photo credit Harts Vipers)
Biggleswade United Ladies 2nd in the Division Three table were at home to Division One side Garston Ladies 1st in the quarter finals of the League Cup, another side with goals in them Biggleswade were up against a Garston side in good form winning their last 4 league matches up to with goals coming throughout their side. Proved to strong for Biggleswade at the weekend scoring 5 without reply to advance into the semi-finals of the competition. 5 different scorers in the match too with, Holly Jury, Harley Carr, Charley Kelsey and Daniella and Jade Roberts celebrating a goal each. Garston with face either Hemel Hempstead Town Ladies or Hartham United Ladies away in the semi-finals.
The Chris Renshaw Cup
Quarter final weekend too in The Chris Renshaw Cup with 3 of the 4 ties played this Sunday. Division One side Northwood Ladies at home to Division Three side Hitchin Town Ladies Reserves. Northwood 3rd in the Division One table in good form winning six in a row in league and cup scoring goals too 37 in their last 3 games alone were amongst the goals again this weekend to safely progress to the last 4 of the competition. Emma Steele scoring a hat-trick in the tie going to 22 goals for the campaign. Emma Marshall netting a brace with Joanne Horwood also on the score sheet with a goal both on 8 for the season helping to secure a 6-0 win for Northwood.
Northwood will be away to fellow Division One side Houghton Athletic Ladies after they narrowly beat Division Tow title contenders Langford Ladies in the quarter finals of The Chris Renshaw Cup at the weekend. Sophie Bounds scoring for Langford, goals though from Shakeela Hussain and Louise Spendelow seeing Houghton Athletic clinch a 2-1 victory to progress into the last four.
An all Division Two clash saw familiar opponents Garston Ladies Vintage Purples at home to Sherrardswood Ladies the pair meeting in the League Cup final itself a few season ago. Chances for both sides early on Garston taking the lead with Yasmin Sabri rounding the keeper to make it 1-0. Emma Trill doubling the hosts lead before Sabri struck again to see Garston 3-0 up at half-time. Alot for Sherrardswood to do to try and get back into the game Garston were working hard to prevent them scoring. Jane Hales striking a free-kick the ball sneaking in at the near post to put Garston 4-0 in front, Trill joining Sabri on 10 goals each for the season scoring her 2nd of the afternoon on the follow-up after her initial shot was saved. Trill going on to complete her hat-trick her position as stand alone top scorer lasting a matter of minutes with Sabri too sealing her hat-trick and send Garston into the last four of The Chris Renshaw Cup courtesy of a 7-0 win. Will be away to either Hitchin Belles or AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Ladies in the semi-final the pair meeting this weekend.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division One
One league game played in Beds & Herts Women’s Division One this weekend, Royston Town Women Development hosting Letchworth Garden City Eagles. Both sides finding it tough in the league following promotion last season, just the one win and draw for Royston from 9 played going into the game, Letchworth’s without a win so far this season 2 draws to date, 3-3 at home to Houghton Athletic Ladies last weekend Letchworth battled well against Royston at the weekend to see them earn a 2nd successive point of the season the match ending in a 2-2 draw, Kate Tempest and Tayla Murray with her 6th goal of the season scoring. Royston feeling they could have gotten more from the game scoring through Lydia Webb and Emer McAuliffe.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two
Also one league match played in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two at the weekend and a significant result for AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Ladies as they win at home to move to the top of the table for the 1st time this a season edging ahead of the 3 sides promoted with them last season, still just 3 points in it though between the top 4. Were at home to Evergreen Ladies on Sunday, goals from Charlie Mullins, Rachael Mumford and Helen Spalding securing a 3-0 victory.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three
Four games played in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three at the weekend and with the top two playing in the League Cup it was an opportunity for Harvesters Ladies in 3rd position to move back level on points with Biggleswade United Ladies in 2nd. Harvesters were on the road taking on bottom side Buntingford Town Ladies. Top scorers Eve Shaw netting a first half brace for the visitors taking her to 13 goals for the season now for Harvesters. Louise Avery scoring their 3rd goal early in the 2nd half, Rachel Dodd on target with a goal with 20 minutes left seeing Harvester secure a 4-1 victory to give them the 3 points.
Kempston Rovers Ladies move back up to 4th in the Division Three table with a 7th league win at home to Whetstone Wanderers Ladies on Sunday. Working hard for each other Whetstone proved a tough opponent for Kempston Rovers to break down. The deadlock finally broken with Vicki Boyde scoring to make it 1-0 with her first goal for the side. Lucy Harper making to 2-0 to Kempston Rovers, top scorer Ellie Newberry-Bierton with her 9th goal of the season wrapping up a 3-0 win.
A confidence boosting 6-0 home win for Flitwick Eagles Ladies at home to Buntingford last weekend, had the better of the first half this weekend away to Bedwell Rangers Ladies holding a 2-0 advantage at the break. Charlie Newton firing the visiting side into the lead in the 20th minute adding a 2nd goal late in the first half. Jessica Sullivan pulling it back to 2-1 for Bedwell Rangers right at the start of the 2nd half, Flitwick responded straight away to restore their 2 goal lead Newton on target for her hat-trick doubling her tally for the season to 6 goals. Bedwell Rangers fighting back once again to bring it back to 3-2 on the hour, Sullivan scoring again her 12th goal of the season. The game moving into the final 20 minutes, Bedwell Rangers captain Georgia Miller struck with her 8th goal of the season to level the scores at 3-3 and see the sides share the points.
Stotfold Juniors Ladies capitalising on Bedwell Rangers draw winning all 3 points at home on Sunday to climb above them into 6th spot in the Division Three table. Meeting Evergreen Eagles for the 2nd successive Sunday a 4-1 win away from home last weekend a much close scoreline this time around Evergreen Eagles scoring twice, Stotfold on target to score 3 goals to win the game. The goals scored by Holly Konopka, Hope Page and top scorer Chloe Ward with her 12th of the campaign.