Sunday 13th February

FAWNL South East Division One

 Heading down the M11 into Essex this Sunday for a math from FAWNL South East Division One to catch up with a couple of sides I haven’t seen play in a while Harlow Town Ladies hosting London Seaward FC.

  Of course I haven’t seen London Seaward FC play as they are a new name for an established side in the league, but more on them later. The FAWNL South East Division One reaching a crucial stage for the sides battling at the bottom of the table, while an intriguing contest his emerging amongst the top half sides with AFC Wimbledon Ladies in 3rd looking to produce a late challenge on the Essex pair at the top Billericay Town Ladies and Hashtag United Women.

  Harlow Town Ladies are newly promoted to the FAWNL having performed well in the two previous seasons affected by the Covid pandemic in the ERWFL Premier Division. Successful in their application for promotion this season, league swelling in number were dealt a rough hand with the news that the FA was going to increase the number of sides relegated this campaign with up to 4 of the 13 in South East Division One likely to go down. A huge jump for any side from step 5 to step 4, Harlow a 2-3 lost a home to Cambridge City on the opening day found life tough in the league after that collecting just a single point in their next 7 games. That led to the club parting ways with manager Dean Parrett. Ruudy Ridhwaan taking over as 1st team manager.

 Harlow’s 1st win on the season coming in mid October as they held off a late comeback from hosts Norwich City to win 4-3. Ending 2021 on a high with back to back victories to move them away from the bottom. Much more competitive in 2022 booking a spot in the last 4 of the Essex Women’s County Cup a 1-0 away win at Kent Football United putting Harlow level with Enfield in 9th and in with a good shout of escaping relegation in their debut season. Narrow defeats away to form sides QPR and Actonians they will be looking to pick up the points at home this afternoon.

 Reaching the FSWNL under the Leyton Orient banner today’s visitors were quick to become an established side holding their own in the FAWNL. Sadly after 6 seasons of using the Leyton Orient name the club decided they wanted to take the women’s section in a different direction leaving that established side in limbo. It was the players themselves who took on the task of giving the club a new identity and hope for the future becoming London Seaward FC. A new name and new way of running a club, visionary using the experience of it’s players and volunteers within and out of the game and looking at attracting more funding and sponsorship. No doubt a challenge but on the pitch London Seaward FC have once again held their own in the league in the top half of the table ex-Harlow player Abbey Dell the clubs top scorer with 11 goals so far. A 7 point gap between themselves and Harlow, won the reverse fixture 3-2 back in September.

 The Harlow Arena the venue for today’s game. A nice stadium set-up the large artificial playing surface overlooked by a large seated stand housing the changing rooms below, directors boxes above. beside that the clubhouse with bar and a covered area leading into it with a kitchen hatch offering hot food, had a very good cheeseburger before heading across to the other side wear a smaller terraced stand is situated offering protection from the rain that was forecast to arrive shortly before kick-off then hang about. Gloomy and overcast a strong wind blowing across the pitch from one goal to the other that would present an issue for both sides throughout the game.

Harlow Town Ladies starting XI – Zara Wickett, Harriet Douglas, Mayzee Seymour, Livvy Bilson, Billie Brooks (C), Millie Stacey, Rebecca Stephenson, Amy Nash, Andie Dickens, Chloe Bassett & Lilly Bruno.  Subs – Lilly Bueggein, Nicole Farmer, Toni Green, Charis Howell & Therese Addison.

London Seaward FC starting XI – Jamie-Lee Bamford, Alex Gatt, Jo Butler-Williams, Giorgia Bracelli, Kate Bradley (C), Hayley Kerr, Skye McNally, Ash Marchant, Hayley Barton, Rea Thomas-Arayo & Abbey Dell. Subs – Cheryl Anderson, Naomi Nash, Ellie Pace & Phoebe Eshen.

London Seaward to have the kick-off 1st half with the wind at their backs, wearing an all navy kit with white trim. Harlow lined up opposite wearing an all red kit with white trim. The ball played back to the defence shifted to Jo Butler-Williams at left back looks to play the ball up the line, Harlow full back Harriet Douglas can see the ball out for a throw-in. London Seaward stay left make progress forwards before a foul is given away. Hayley Barton to play the ball into the box attacked at the near post but safely claimed by Harlow goalkeeper, Zara Wickett.

   Harlow come through the middle Rebecca Stephenson helping the ball out to the right for Amy Nash to take on, Butler-Williams challenging the ball out for a throw. Taken quickly knocked inside to Stephenson turns and lines up a strike from 20 yards out the ball caught cleanly by London Seaward keeper, Jamie-Lee Bamford at her near post. 

  A bright start from the visitors, pressing the ball high Abbey Dell moving out to the right getting a throw level with the box the ball helped on inside, Harlow awarded a free-kick, Rea Thomas-Arayo with a high foot. Harlow look to get forwards on the left Giorgia Bracelli intercepting at the back for London Seaward to full back Alex Gatt the ball sent long over the top for Dell in the middle, bouncing behind the Harlow defence, Livvy Bilson moves to shield the ball looking for the back pass, with Dell hustling looking to get around her, ends up bringing the striker down just before the pair reach the box. A foul signalled play stopped looked to be the last player could be in trouble but surprisingly no action is taken against the player London Seaward with a free-kick in a dangerous position right of the D, Barton over the ball hit hard and low taking a wicked deflection off the jumping wall taking it away from goal and out for a corner. 

  A good delivery from the corner inswinging threatening to drift under the bar from Barton, tipped over well by Wickett for another corner, from the right this time lands on the roof of the net. London Seaward keep players up winning the ball back left side into captain Kate Bradley helped on to Bracelli right of her 20 yards out opens up her body taking on the shot the ball rising screws away from goal. 

 GOAL! Harlow pick up the ball in a central position Stephenson sending a great diagonal ball out to the right Andie Dickens up with Nash the ball send into the area with Chloe Bassett making a central run, the ball doesn’t reach her, a hand ball spotted the referee pointing to the spot Penalty! Bassett placing the ball on the spot steps up and sends the keeper the wrong way slotting the ball to her left low into the bottom corner 1-0. 8 minutes played.

  London Seaward go straight on the offensive from the restart the ball out to Barton running into space on the right down the line squaring a cross into the near post, Bilson up well to win the header knocking it down for captain Billie Brooks to hook away to the left Kerr latching onto it for London Seaward lines up a strike charged down inside the box hits the arm of the defender going to block Penalty! no sooner have Harlow scored from the penalty spot at one end they concede one. Bradley up to take the spot kick aims to place it high to the keepers left Wickett going the right way throwing herself up to make a fantastic save take the ball away from goal players rushing in on the follow up left of goal the ball blasted in on the angle deflected over for a corner kick.

GOAL! London Seaward hit back to level from the resulting corner another dangerous inswinging delivery from Barton across the face of goal a hot of players at the far post Dell amongst them getting her head on the falling ball to take it over the line 1-1.

 

An action packed open 11 minutes to the game, play paused now as Harlow have a player down in the goal Brooks taking a knock in the build up to the goal. Brooks is okay to continue play resumes. The wind at their backs Thomas-Arayo running with the ball from half-way lets fly from all of 35 yards out the ball racing past Wickett right post. Is a little scrappy at times both sides guilty of giving fouls away Dickens bringing down Ash Marchant in the middle top of the circle players go forwards into the area as Bradley sets the ball down, played on to the right side of goal, Thomas-Arayo drifting free of her marker with a free header rising plants the ball wide across goal, the flag however raised against her.

 

   Thomas-Arayo moving right taking the ball on pace down the flank fizzes a cross into the area cross the top of the six yard box finding Dell at the far post not easy to get under control, Bilson nicking it from her feet before she can get a shot away. Is an intense watch, London seaward applying pressure all over the pitch forcing errors from Harlow frustrating the hosts using the pace of the ball with the wind to their advantage. The visitors moving the ball across the pitch Kerr with Butler-Williams racing ahead of her on the left goes on Douglas forcing her to play it back London Seaward moving the ball out to the right

GOAL!  clipped into Barton she had Dell ahead of her the pair combining well down the right wing into the corner Dell firing in a cross near side Bilson up well to head clear at the near post the ball spinning out to the left Bradley forwards latching onto it laying it forwards into Butler-Williams inside the six yard box free beyond the far post squares it inside for Thomas-Arayo who sends the ball high into the back of the net, London Seaward opening Harlow up to take the lead 1-2.

 Harlow frustrated give away a free-kick top of the circle, inside their opponents half, a long way out Bradley nevertheless having wind assistance goes for goal, isn’t far over brushing the roof of the net. The visitors strong with half an hour played getting bodies forwards not letting Harlow find any momentum in the final 3rd. Amy Nash coming over to the left looking to make thing’s happen for the hosts turns on the ball is brought down on halfway. Brooks with a good ball into the box from the set-piece aimed far post London Seawards defence up well to head clear. 

  Bassett wins the ball well in the middle for Harlow the hosts looking to move the ball quicker the pass to Millie Stacey back to full back Mayzee Seymour sent up the wing for Nash her diagonal ball looking for Lilly Bruno chasing through the middle, London Seaward stretched Bradley has the legs to catch Bruno take the ball before she can bring it under control. 

  Bradley has a long throw on her and taking advantage of a convenient gate in the pitch side fence on the left sends it high into the box for Dell left of goal to see down across her body and shoot, Wickett well placed to snatch the ball down to safety. Marchant spreads play out to the right with Barton on the move in behind  to cross into the area, Brooks intercepting to clear the danger for Harlow. 

  Pressure from London Seaward Butler-Williams travelling with the ball on the left inside for Kerr helped on into Dell left of the  20 out turns her shot goalwards in low but lacking the pace to trouble the keeper. Harlow look more of a threat when they move the ball quicker between them using the pitch to their advantage he ball clipped out to the right Dickens advancing with it flashing a cross into the box, Bassett central, Bamford down ahead of her the ball skips up lost by the keeper behind her Bassett loses it momentarily giving the London Seaward defence the split second needed to get back and hook away to the left comes straight to Stephenson 25 yards out one touch and lines up curling shot aimed near side, Bamford ack on her feet across to cover the angle and catch the dropping ball.

 

  Bilson is booked as she slides in on Dell out wide right for London seaward a free-kick for the visitors Barton playing it in near side helped on across goal, dropping central Nash clearing for Harlow, appeals for handball, waved away. Harlow make a change bringing off Douglas with Nicole Farmer joining the defence. Tempers flaring up on the bench with a foul right in front of them, the linesman taking exception to something said, the referee comes over to have a word and issue a caution. 

  Thomas-Arayo with a turn and hit from all of 25 yards out bounces wide of Wickett’s right post. Barton right drives on Thomas-Arayo ahead of her the pass forwards the ball fired into the area, intercepted and cleared by Farmer for Harlow. Harlow break well Stephenson moving right on for Bruno up the line plays a diagonal ball into the box Bassett after it, Butler-Williams back to put in the tackle regain possession for London Seaward. 

GOAL! Right on the stroke of 45 minutes Harlow come back to level the scores attacking on the right with pace players rushing forwards it is a superb cross field ball into the area to pick out Bassett arriving left of the D inside the area her first touch taking the ball in behind her marker to send the ball low across the keeper into the bottom corner 2-2.

  Bruno with a strong challenge on Gatt earning her a yellow card as play resumes into stoppage time in the first half, Harlow having been on the back foot since going 2-1 down coming back to level things up with the half time whistle approaching. The free-kick out wide for London Seaward played into the area near side Dell caught under it tries to keep it alive turning it central a scramble ensues, Harlow needing to keep their composure not give anything away late on do well to scramble it clear. 

Half-time Harlow Town Ladies 2-2 London Seaward FC

  That was certainly an intense 1st half, flown by, an energetic start that saw two penalties one scored and one saved and an equalising goal scored from the resulting corner in the opening 11 minutes. London Seaward starting well taking the game to Harlow using the wind to their advantage. Still somewhat against the run of play it was Harlow who took the lead from the penalty spot. No sooner had they scored however they went and conceded a corner up the opposite end Zara Wicket saved Kate Bradley’s spot kick only for the hosts o concede from the resulting corner kick. London Seaward pressing the ball well stretching Harlow to take the lead  were dominant for a spell after that creating chances, Harlow holding out despite their frustration  to score an equaliser right on the stroke of half time  to see the sides go in level at the break.

All to play for 2nd half Harlow with the wind at their backs in the 2nd half no changes for the hosts. London Seaward with a change Cheryl Anderson on for Barton, with Harlow getting the 2nd half underway. The rain continuing to fall steadily the wind blowing across the pitch. Dell in to close the ball down straight away getting it back to her defence, Butler-Williams takes the ball upfield on the left, Farmer into tackle the ball deflected off her in behind Wickett out to the top of her box to claim with Thomas-Arayo closing in.

 Thomas-Arayo with Kerr on the left the ball lofted into the box cleared London Seaward appealing for a penalty but nothing doing, Bradley from distance 30 yards out striking the ball goalwards, comfortable for Wickett. Harlow come through the middle lifted over the top bouncing off the artificial surface causing the London Seaward defence problems as Bruno looks to battle her way through onto it. Bamford coming out to take hold of the ball. As Bradley tried in the first half so does Brooks in the 2nd as Harlow are awarded a free-kick inside their own half Harlow’s captain going for goal the ball carried wide of the post. 

 Harlow coming on better at the start of the 2nd half right side Stephenson on for Bruno into space, McNally stays on her well tracking her all the way to the by-line winning a goal kick off the striker. Bassett wide left seeing the ball into the feet drives for the by-line into the box before flashing a cross over the bar. Both sides moving in on each other quickly space is opening up players looking to get on down the flanks Harlow pressing the London Seaward back line preventing balls getting into their attackers. 

  Bassett on the left onto a ball down the line checking inside before sending a shot over the crossbar for Harlow. Bradley at the back for  London Seaward comes on allowed to pick a pass sends it long out to the right with both Thomas-Arayo and Anderson providing runs on the flank, is a vital interception from Seymour in between as she tracks the pair heading the ball clear. Farmer likewise on the opposite side defending a Gatt sends a long ball up the line for Dell. 

London Seaward make a 2n change bringing on Ellie pace for Marchant goes up top along side Dell and Thomas-Arayo. Unpleasant conditions both sides closing the ball down forcing errors, Harlow more competitive in the final 3rd Bruno forcing a throw on the right. Possession with the hosts comes back to Seymour some 30 yards out time and space to line up a shot dipping in drops favourably for Bamford to claim.  Harlow make a change bringing of Dickens, on comes Therese Addison. The change sees Bassett move from the left to the right. Butler-Williams and Anderson swapping flanks for London Seaward.

  Bassett on the right taking the ball to the by-line before crossing in the ball defended at the near post turned behind for a corner. An inswinging delivery Bamford getting a fist on it knocking it out to the left fired back in deflected behind for another corner. The 2nd corner just as dangerous in along the face of goal not claimed by the keeper knocked down into the six yard box bodies everywhere eventually cleared out to the let of the D Addison on it sending a strike wide of the left post. 

  Bruno fouls Bradley wide left London Seaward lining up along the top of the area as Bradley sends the ball into the box near side Thomas-Arayo drifting in in front of everyone looking to flick it on past the keeper, doesn’t get the connection she was looking for as Wickett safely gathers. Bassett winning a free-kick high on the right for Harlow, Addison looking to play the ball in across the face of goal, Kerr doing her job as the wall keeping the cross out. The game much more open in the 2nd half Harlow pressing forwards creating openings risk the counter but so far remain firm at the back. 

   Bradley with another opportunity to play a free-kick into the box from deep the ball cleared by Bilson out for a throw in the corner. Bradley winning it left side at the back the ball played on played diagonal out to Dell breaking in behind into the box right of the D slotting home into the bottom corner, the Harlow defence though stepping up well to catch her offside the flag up against her no goal. Charis Howell entering the game for Harlow replacing Stacey. The game entering the final 15 minutes.

  Harlow with a strong 2nd half performance coming back at London Seaward attacking on the right a cross flashed along eh top of the area comes to subsisitute Howell, left of the D 25 out takes on the shot driven in low taking a deflection spins behind for a corner kick. Goes long over everyone retrieved right crossed back in punched wide by Bamford who gets a foul against her.

  Bruno brought down looking to keep control of the ball no advantage for Harlow play brought back for the set-piece Hash over it centrally players up into the box launches it towards the far post skips on through out of play no one getting a telling touch. Harlow taking the game to London Seaward looking the most likely to find a winning goal right now Nash on for Howells right the cross fired into the box, Bamford punching the ball away to safety. Bradley defending another cross played in from deep.

 Bradley then getting a booking as she pulls down Stephenson as she looks to race in behind her a free-kick just over halfway. Right side Brooks to send it into the box Bruno attacking gets something on it Bamford batting it away. The game edging into the final 5 minutes.

GOAL! London Seaward play the ball into Dell inside the centre circle battling to retain possession she is bundled to the ground presenting the visitors with a free-kick late on an a chance to put players forwards. Bradley over the ball as her teammates take position top of the box right of the D ready to move she plays a looping delivery into the near side bouncing in the box Wickett starting to come for it Bracelli arrives first to get a touch and take it past the keeper to score as everyone rushes in to congratulate her 2-3.

  A hammer blow for Harlow late in the game they look to get on the attack from the restart Bassett out right charging forwards sending a cross in deflected behind by Anderson for the corner kick. Whipped in rom the right, is cleared by Kerr on the penalty spot with a little over 4 minutes left to play. Harlow winning a free-kick wide left the ball sent up into the box, headed clear by London Seaward. The visitors making a change in stoppage time bringing off Dell for Naomi Nash. Addison on the left winning Harlow a corner everyone inside the final 3rd the delivery long over everyone.

 Harlow committing so many forwards are hit on the break the ball out left for Pace to chase taking possession in the corner looks to get into the box on the by-line is brought down by Bilson who recieves her 2nd yellow and as a result is sent off n the closing moments. London Seaward with 2nd left need only keep the ball the free-kick short as the final whistle blows and the visiting side take all three points.

Full time Harlow Town Ladies 2-3 London Seaward FC

  A much improved 2nd half performance from Harlow as they really took the game to London Seaward limiting their opportunities in attack while creating good opportunities up the other end. As the clock ticked down thought it more likely Harlow would find the winning goal. London Seaward although on the back foot knew they could create a few opportunities of their own and took it 5 minutes from time to score the winning goal. A draw may well have been the deserved result overall but it’s all about taking your chances London Seaward did to move up to 6th in the Division One table while Harlow remain in the bottom 4 but far from out of it will feel hard done by today but must pick themselves up again ready to go again on Tuesday night away to Stevenage FC Women knowing a win will get them up to 9th.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Onto this afternoon’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match, it’s another tough one but wouldn’t want it any other way. A few performances of note first. For Harlow, Rebecca Stephenson was good on the ball throughout picking out passes and bringing others into play getting into some good positions in attack. Chloe Bassett was strong throughout in attack driving forwards scoring both goals and taking the game to the opposition. London Seaward with a strong all-round team performance. Kate Bradley strong at the back winning the ball and dangerous from set-pieces. Hayley Barton on the right attacking taking the game to Harlow in the 1st half. Abbey Dell up top battling for the ball, causing problems and drawing defenders out of position. Today’s award though goes to Rea Thomas-Arayo her movement especially 1st half posing Harlow problems drifting right and left, driving at the defence and at the heart of most attacking moves.

First time I’ve ventured into Essex since the pandemic began and it was well worth it, that was some opening to a game had everything a great advert for the FAWNL entertainment, the players coping well with rubbish conditions. The sides much changed but great to catch up with both. My thanks to both clubs for their help today enjoyed my trip to The Harlow Arena.

by Darren Gilham