Weds 31st August

FAWNL South East Division One

No sooner has the match report been written up for the 1st of this weeks derby double from FAWNL South East Division One it’s onto my 2nd. Cambridgeshire this time with Cambridge City Ladies hosting rivals Cambridge United WFC.

  Often a hotly contested affair since Cambridge City Ladies achieved promotion to reach the FAWNL three season’s ago. The two clubs originally one with Cambridge United WFC starting as Cambridge Women breaking away from City. Cambridge City bouncing back strongly with a robust youth set-up to see their women’s side rise rapidly through the leagues to reach the 4th tier.

  Their 1st two season’s in FAWNL South East Division One affected by the Covid pandemic, Cambridge City looked comfortable in the league season, flirting with the danger of dropping into the relegation zone late on. Led to some managerial departures the club digging itself out of a hole to become safe a late season derby win against United going a long way to seeing them finished above their rivals in the table. A reshuffle within the club over the summer including the 1st team management team now fronted up by Rob Coles and Darren Fairbrass.

  A few players departing have retained a large chunk of their squad from last season and with a good back up of youth coming through to the women’s team have made half a dozen new signings bringing Becca Stephenson a former, Harlow and Billericay player. Ellen Marson joins from Peterborough United. Oliva White and Lexie Pryke formerly Ipswich youth players. Goalkeeper Ellie Sarter, from AFC Leyton a former Watford women youth player. Jenny Moore joining in the summer having previously been with QPR and Spurs. A great win on the opening day of the season at home to QPR Women. Grace Stanley the clubs top scorer last season getting her campaign off to a flying start netting a hat-trick with Bella Simmons also celebrating a goal in a 4-2 win. 

  Cambridge United WFC losing on the opening day of the season beginning at the Abbey Stadium with a 4-1 loss to early pacesetters, Norwich City Women, cheered on by a crowd of 648. The women’s side now enjoying closer ties with Cambridge United FC, a new women’s board established at the League One club with 4 games planned at the Abbey Stadium throughout the season. A disappointing run towards the end of last season putting a dampener on the season and has led to some player departures over the summer, development players coming through ready to challenge for places in the senior team.

  Cambridge United have brought in a few new signing over the summer and continue their search for players they feel will enhance the team. Sarah Wiltshire joining the club after a previous spell on loan, is vastly experienced having starred for Yeovil, Watford and Spurs in recent seasons carrying a huge threat in attack. Francesca Partridge also coming in the attacker with Northampton previously opening her account for the club with a stunning strike on the opening day. Sammy Edgar is a tough tackling midfielder joining from Royston Town Women and has a good range of passing in her artillery. Nikolett Szabo also joining the goalkeeper providing good back-up for Lauren Webb. Away to newly promoted Ashford Town Women at the weekend United found themselves trailing 3-1 before battling back to earn a 3-3 draw with Alysha Stojko-Down scoring a brace to open her season’s account. 

  Ely City FC’s Demcon Stadium the venue for this evening’s derby contest the football club surrounded by a number of other sporting facilities and a large restaurant and cinema complex built besides off the A10. Spent the past 2 and a half hours in the carpark typing out last evening’s report. In need of food and a portion off chips and a cup of tea was sorely needed. The bar open too, the large grass pitch offering viewing on all sides. The seated stand situated above the changing rooms. A familiar ground for United too having played here for a number of seasons themselves. Cambridge City Ladies temporary home as the await the completion of the new stadium at Sawston. Another dry evening a little chill starting to creep into the evening but otherwise pleasant. 

 Cambridge City Ladies starting XI – Sarah Hudson (C), Lauren Sander, Jess Fitzpatrick, Bronwyn Mulheron, Millie Struthers, Fran Steele, Erin Davies, Jenny Moore, Karly Tolentino, Bella Simmons & Grace Stanley Subs – Ellen Marson, Becca Stephenson, Charlotte Gillies, Hannah Bodily & Paige Gardener.

 Cambridge United WFC starting XI – Lauren Webb, Abbi Griffin, Abi Davies, Grace Waygood, Lauren Rouse, Gisela Otten, Sammy Edgar, Alysha Stojko-Down, Sarah Wiltshire, Ruth Fox & Francesca Partridge. Subs – Nikolett Szabo, Elsie Barker, Daisy McGregor, Albany Hodgson & Ella Marden.

As is the norm for these derby games both sides are now City and United. Jenny Moore in the starting line-up for City with two more of their new signings Ellen Marson and Becca Stephenson on the bench. United’s new signings, Sarah Wiltshire, Francesca Partridge and Sammy Edgar all starting with Szabo on the bench. It’s City to kick-off the 1st half with the floodlights starting to take effect wearing white shirts with black sleeves, black shorts and black and white hooped socks. United lined up opposite in their away kit of all sky blue. Played back to Erin Davies in midfield puts the ball out to left back Laure Sander, United rushing on to press the ball City get it out to the right side looking to put the ball on for Bella Simmons looking to get in behind, Abbi Griffin intercepting the pass at right back for United.

United with a fast start to the game getting after City in possession forced into rushed passes the ball given away put over the top for Sarah Wiltshire to chase, Millie Struthers at centre back defending for City the ball going for an early corner. Played in across the six yard box, Bronwyn Mulheron rising highest for City to head the ball on across the box out for a corner on the right. Another inviting delivery in across the six yard box Francesca Partridge getting up just under it, drops to Grace Waygood beyond the far post, the United defender firing her strike over.

  GOAL! United pressing the ball in the middle captain Gisela Otten to Sammy Edgar plays the pass forwards through the middle, a great ball dropping in front of the D to the right, a wicked back spin on the bounce wrong footing Sanders going with the run of Wiltshire the attacker reading it well to turn onto the ball knock it out to the left into the box before striking in a venomous shot on the angle across the keeper to score her 1st goal of the season for Cambridge 0-1.

  4 minutes played the perfect start for the away side in a derby match. United lively getting after City, something their opponents have often done to them. Davies creating a bit of room for herself in the middle for City looking to put Simmons through on the left wing again, Griffin cutting the pass out again. Alysha Stojko-Down looking to thread a pass through the middle for Partridge, Mulheron winning it back for City. The hosts looking to go right the pass sent on for Karly Tolentino on the wing cutting inside to shoot on the angle driven in near post, comes at Lauren Webb fast covering her near post gets down to make the blocking save before scrambling up to get her gloves on the loose ball.

  Simmons likewise on the left for City looking to find a way in behind is found by Fran Steeles through ball, Webb though getting across to take the ball before she can capitalise. United continue to press determined not to let City settle on the ball. Mulheron with a vital interception getting her foot up to bring the ball down as Edgar attempts to send Wiltshire attacking through the middle on goal. A free-kick awarded to United on the right 25 yards out, players up as Griffin sends an inviting ball into the area across goal, Partridge after it but the flag immediately goes up offside. 

  United’s Griffin sending the pass forwards for Partridge in the centre, Ruth Fox having drifted in from the right going with her the pair look to overwhelm, full back Jess Fitzpatrick as she squares up to both attackers doing well to get her foot in to knock the ball away across the top of the D, Stojko-Down having gotten into an advanced position latching onto the ball sending her strike wide from 25 yards out. 

  With United getting at City they visitors push up there defence at times finding little joy through the middle with United’s Waygood and Lauren Rouse winning the ball well City look to the flanks Simmons ready to go on the left is picked out Webb rushing out to the top of her box to try and intercept Simmons gets there first to take the ball past the keeper, down to the by-line cutting back to shoot the angle acute but on target looks to be creeping inside the near post but for a brilliant last ditch sliding tackle from left back Abi Davies lunging in to take it wide for a corner kick. 

  City are finding it difficult to break United up through the middle but Simmons and Tolentino are getting joy on the wings and look a threat. A throw won high on the left worked on into the box for Davies trying to get it down can’t make it count as United close in to defend. Webb alert to come and claim as United are caught high up the pitch with Simmons breaking in behind left. 20 minutes gone in the 1st half United with the brighter start, City getting to grips with their opponents game plan looking to adjust theirs winning a free-kick outside the box to the left despite strong protests from United. The ball in striking the wall cleared up to Partridge can’t dig it out of her feet get away before being tackled by Fitzpatrick. 

 Tolentino on the ball for City down in the right corner lifts a cross into the box for Grace Stanley to hit on the volley, Webb back on her line getting her gloves up to save bring the ball down safely. Jenny Moore on the left taking the ball on from a throw in playing it on for Stanley pulling into the left channel taking on the shot arrowing in, Rouse getting her head on the ball knocking it up into the air, Webb claiming it beyond her. 

  Mulheron is shown a yellow card as she cynically pulls down Partridge as the striker looks to get away from her to the right of the area. Partridge taking a blow as she went down needing treatment but is okay to continue. Wiltshire going for goal from the set-piece angled in goalkeeper and City captain, Sarah Hudson with a comfortable save. Wiltshire tracking back to harry the ball nicks it played into Stojko-Down who looks to release Partridge through the middle, caught a little flat footed Partridge can’t capitalise inside the D. 

  Another good opportunity for City as they get players forwards from midfield to overload the box as Tolentino out on the right draws players to her before sending a great cross into the six yard box Steele rising unchecked powers her header back across Webb’s goal, bounces wide of the post. Stojko-Down with a brilliant pass finding Wiltshire pulling in behind inside the City box right of goal comes back inside looking to put her shot over the keeper the ball landing on the roof of Hudson’s net. 

  Waygood blocking for United top of her area, the rebound loose in the middle struck goalwards, Webb back on her goal line right behind it. Webb then pulling off a fantastic save off a Tolentino strike as she gets hold of the ball on the right drills a shot in, Webb falling back to tip the ball wide behind for a corner. Put in from the left the ball defended at the near post. City beginning to find a little momentum towards the end of the 1st half. 

  United responding with Fox getting forwards on the right cutting the ball inside to Stojko-Down 20 yards out pivoting onto the shot blasting it goalwards takes a wicked deflection of the defender as the block is put in forcing Hudson into a smart save getting down to smother the ball on her goal line. Little time left in the 1st half United continuing to battle of possession, Otten, Edgar and Stojko-Down all after the ball the latter brought down by Davies going on the advantage played as Wiltshire gets hold of the loose ball pulling the trigger from 25 yards her shot straight at Hudson. Griffin getting forwards on the right with Fox playing a cross into the area Partridge going for the header can’t quite get there.

Half-time Cambridge City Ladies 0-1 Cambridge United WFC

  A fast start to the game from United getting after City to score an early goal. Sarah Wiltshire’s strike in the 4th minute the difference between the sides at half-time. Have looked to hustle City in possession all game. The home side finding little joy through the middle. Have looked dangerous on both flanks with Simmons and Tolentino looking to make something happen and have come close to equalising on a few ocassions, Webb making a couple of good saves to ensure United didn’t concede. 1-0 the score a narrow advantage City far from out of it.

 

No changes for either side at the break United to get the 2nd half underway. Otten putting the ball on for Stojko-Down getting up with Wiltshire on the left getting a throw, looking to work an opening outside the box, Steele into block the ball, deflected on to the keeper. Moore going down as she release the ball looks in some discomfort as City get on the attack Stanley dispossessed by Davies. Moments later Stanley is caught marginally offside as the ball from Simmons is rolls into her left channel.

Partridge coming over to the left side sees the ball into her feet before moving inside to lift a great pass on for Wiltshire racing on through the middle scissor kicks the dropping ball goalwards from outside the D, sending it narrowly over the bar. Not as intense a start to the 2nd half as the first both sides guilty of being a little sloppy on the ball. Edgar getting free in midfield with a great pass forwards for Stojko-Down who in turn finds Wiltshire pulling out right, Fox up with her, the shot on the angle claimed well by Hudson in the City goal.

City making a change Moore the player coming off replaced by Paige Gardiner with 10 minutes gone in the 2nd half having pulled up a few minutes previously. Partridge clattered into as she looks to get the ball down inside the centre circle. Waygood across to block as City find Tolentino on the right. Certainly feel that United need to find another goal to settle thing’s down, Davies with a clever through ball for Stanley breaking into the area, Waygood doing well in defence pushing her wide giving Webb the opportunity to get out to lay claim to the ball.

Edgar down in pain as she collects some City studs on her ankle as she and Stojko-Down close down to prevent Gardiner breaking the long pass up to Stanley, Waygood up against her to win the ball. Edgar left hobbling is up and getting back into position to try and run it off. Having down it once in the 1st half City manage to overload the six yard box breaking forwards in numbers 3 players lining up in front of Webb’s goal as Tolentino manages to lift a cross in from the by-line met at the far post but turned wide. Davies in the middle looking to pick out Tolentino, Edgar tracking back on the wide player winning the ball for United.

Pressing City win a corner on the left played into the box inadvertently knocked on to the far post comes down for Stanley who fires her volley wide. Wiltshire all over the place in the final 3rd for United chasing after the ball not letting City’s defence have a moments rest. Tolentino carrying City’s threat in attack looking a constant threat is fouled out wide a free-kick to the hosts. Fizzed in across the top of the box the shot struck racing through bodies low on goal, Griffin on the back post there to make the goal saving block.

Partridge having been brought down on a couple of ocassions carrying a knock does well to hook the ball on for Wiltshire attack the pair exchanging passes with Otten getting forwards to offer support the midfielder brought down United with a free-kick 30 yards out. Wiltshire taking on the shot is a comfortable catch for Hudson. Partridge being substituted for United midway through the 2nd half with Ella Marden coming on.

GOAL! United get the 2nd goal they were looking for coming from a ball winning tackle from Waygood at the back, the visitors setting up a quick counter getting the ball up the pitch for Wiltshire running on right channel getting her head on the ball before it can be cleared taking it past the defence into the box wide of goal to smash her shot wide of the advancing keeper into the bottom corner 0-2.

Webb needing to come out to the top corner of her area to get hold of the ball as City look to release Tolentino on the right. Straight away United look to adjust things getting everyone behind the ball with Wiltshire now the lone attacker. City respond with a double change bringing on Becca Stephenson and Charlotte Gillies for Davies and Sanders. City winning a corner on the left the box packed the delivery cleared at the near post, Gardiner getting hold of the ball a rash tackle upending her 30 yards out. Stanley on the set-piece hits the United wall.

Wiltshire harries the defence her pressure allowing Fox to steal onto a loose pass run on towards the City box, Marden coming round on the left, Fox finding her in the box her left footed shot on the angle, Hudson down sharply on her goal line to save. Tolentino and Steele coming off for City with a little over 10 minutes left to play with Ellen Marson and Hannah Bodily coming on the hosts look for a way back into the game.

United working hard as a unit to keep City at bay, Wiltshire tireless up front. Fox on the right the crossed ball into Marden outside the D, a clever ball as she attempts to dink it over the defence into Wiltshire’s path as she break right of goal, just runs out of room to get hold of the ball before in runs out of play. City are finding thing’s frustrating United proving hard to expose as they get players behind the ball Rouse and Waygood having been coached by manager Darren Marjoram prior to the match about not letting anything go over them have won pretty much everything thrown at them.

Wiltshire taking the ball into the corner as the game moves into stoppage time has little support but is running down the clock. City looking to push up Marden getting up to help Wiltshire on the left as a high ball is played to her controlled on the by-line, Wiltshire slips inside to shoot the ball deflected wide for a corner. Keeping it in the corner, City wrestle the ball back attempt to break in number the ball lifted on Waygood winning the header, comes back to Marson in midfield launches a hopeful ball forwards into the box claimed by Webb.

Defender Albany Hodgson coming on to bolster the midfield in the dying minutes with Fox coming off. City going for it a corner won right side fired into the box, Gardiner slipping as she goes to strike the ball right of near post, Edgar cutting it out cleared to the right, Bodily getting hold of it cutting inside to blast her shot against the upright the rebound sent over!

Full time Cambridge City Ladies 0-2 Cambridge United WFC

  Late drama but no reply for Cambridge City as they are beaten 2-0 by Cambridge United who claim their first win of the season to climb to 4th in the fledgling South East Division One table. Making a fast start to the game getting after their opponents on the ball, getting early joy with Sarah Wiltshire striking in the 4th minute to put them in front. Sticking to their game plan giving nothing away through the middle City adapting getting some joy on the flanks with Simmons and particularly Tolentino on the right Lauren Webb making a couple of vital saves Abi Davies clearing one off the line. At 1-0 City were always in it and you felt United needed that 2nd goal, came midway through the 2nd half with Wiltshire’s movement causing City’s defence problems getting in behind to nab her brace. Everyone behind the ball after that battling for the clean sheet, the post coming to the rescue at the death.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Onto this evening’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. Several performances of note and a tough one to call in some regards easy in other. For City, Erin Davies produced some good passes to release both wide players. Bella Simmons looking to get behind on the left create opportunities and Karly Tolentino was brilliant on the right if City were going to score she was the most likely carving out some great chances. For United it was a dogged performance with a well worked game plan. City getting nothing through the middle with Lauren Rouse and Grace Waygood superb in defence. Sammy Edgar with some quality passes setting up Wiltshire for the opening goal. Alysha Stojko-Down providing a good link between midfield and attack winning her fair share of tackles. The award though goes to the scorer of both United goals Sarah Wiltshire. Both well took, her energy up front along with movement to hustle the defence on the ball a constant menace working hard on her own towards the end up front to ensure United got the 3 points.

  Another enjoyable evening at the Demcom Stadium for my 2nd derby of the week but boy am I tired now. My thanks to both sides for their help with the teams. Now to decide where I’m going at the weekend the games coming thick and fast now. 

by Darren Gilham