The Tuesday Round-Up – Edition Fourteen
On Friday night rounding up all this weekends women’s football fixtures across the East, Edition Fourteen of The Tuesday Round-Up looked like it was going to be one of the most jam packed yet with some very tasty looking clashes spread right across 65 fixtures, however the penultimate Edition of 2015 saw those fixtures almost halved as games right across the region fell victim to the heavy band of rain that fell across the country on Saturday, soaking already damp ground fixtures were lost in every league from the FAWPL Southern Division all the way down to county level with every league seeing postponements as the fixtures needing to be caught up on in the New Year start to pile up for alot of teams. Half of the fixtures did survive of course and that means there is still plenty to bring you so let’s get Edition Fourteen of The Tuesday Round-Up started.
FAWPL Southern Division
Brighton & Hove Albion WFC regained top spot in the FAWPL Southern Division last Sunday in front of a record breaking crowd at the Amex Stadium beating then leaders Charlton Athletic Women 2-0. With both 2nd placed Charlton and 3rd placed Cardiff City Ladies seeing their fixtures fall foul of the wet weather, Brighton & Hove Albion WFC had the opportunity to extend their lead at the top as they hosted bottom side Plymouth Argyle Ladies who have only won the 1 league game all season that back on the 20th September. Were 1-0 down at the break Charlotte Gurr scoring late in the 1st half to give Brighton the advantage. That was the scoreline as the match went into injury time after the 90 had been played, then up stepped Lisa Fulgence coming on as an 84th minute substitute returning from a long term injury lay off. Marked her return to action for the 1st team with a quick fire brace scoring 2 goals in 2 minutes in injury time to seal a 3-0 victory for Brighton and move them 6 points clear of their rivals at the top of the FAWPL Southern Division.
Portsmouth Ladies won their 3rd consecutive league match in a row to move right up onto the tails of Cardiff and Charlton. Were hosting Tottenham Hotspur Ladies this weekend the visitors scoring on the 18th minute Jenna Schillaci putting the ball into the back of the next, Portsmouth pulled the scores level 3 minutes before half-time Ini Umotong scoring. Wasn’t until the 80th minute before the home side took the lead Lucy Quinn with the goal the lead 3-1, 4 minutes later as Sarah Kempson got herself on the score sheet. Schillaci netted again for Tottenham late on it wasn’t enough as Portsmouth held out for the 3-2 consolidating 4th spot going into Christmas.
It was a clash of the newly promoted sides to the division at Canvey Island FC with C&K Basildon Ladies hosting Forest Green Rovers Ladies. Have had contrasting starts to life in the top division in the winter football pyramid. A good start to their league campaign saw C&K Basildon Ladies pick up useful early points, since then results have varied they lay in mid-table have been clear of the sides at the bottom all season to date. In contrast Forest Green Rovers Ladies, are 2nd bottom with just the 2 wins and a draw giving them the points both wins against West Ham United Ladies. Like bottom side Plymouth haven’t won in the league since September which has seen them slip down the table. Hannah Porter gave C&K Basildon the lead with Lily Mellors and Zoe Rushen making it 3-0 to the home side before Lisa Coe pulled 1 back for Forest Green Rovers on 76 minutes. Final score 3-1 C&K Basildon record their 4th win of the season to move onto 16 points in 7th place.
Queens Park Rangers Ladies were playing their last league game of 2015 this weekend at home at The Honeycroft the visitors West Ham United Ladies, both looking for the 3 points to move them away from the sides at the bottom of the table. Danielle Puddefoot gave QPR the lead on 16 minutes as slender advantage going into the break, Sophie Fogarty extended the lead 7 minutes into the 2nd half. West Ham United pulled it back to 2-1 on 60 minutes with Romina Pinna the player on target, however coming off the bench Joanne Wilson netted in the 83rd minute to restore the 2 goal cushion QPR winning 3-1 to close the gap on West Han United Ladies in 9th to a single point.
FAWPL South East Division One
All of the leagues in the East saw at least one postponed fixture games getting called off with plenty of notice in most cases, however you have to feel sorry for Gillingham FC Ladies busy promoting their home game against Lowestoft Town Ladies, were informed extremely late that their opponents couldn’t field a team and the match was called off, a disappointment to players and fans alike, so instead the Gillingham FC Ladies squad treated the TW Foresters FC Girls squad who had come along to watch to a kick about at Chatham FC.
The other 2 fixtures did take place in the FAWPL South East Division One did survive the weather. Runaway leaders Crystal Palace Ladies at home to bottom side Bedford Ladies. The visitors opening the scoring after just 3 minutes. That however was as good as the afternoon was going to get for Bedford Ladies as Crystal Palace started to dominate, Abigail Igbavboa pulling scores level, adding a 2nd before half time, with Pamela McRoberts getting a goal in between to make it 3-1 at half-time. The home side came out all guns blazing 2nd half Gemma Bryan netting their 4th followed a minute later by Igbavboa completing her hat-trick. Rochelle Shakes scored Crystal Palace’s 6th goal of the afternoon, substitute Nicha Dyett came on to score 2 goals with Bryan scoring to more to complete her hat-trick to seal a huge 10-0 win which sees them finish 2015 top of the league undefeated.
In the other FAWPL South East Division One match Norwich City Ladies welcomed 3rd place Milton Keynes Dons Ladies to Plantation Park. The away side proving too strong on the day scoring 4 goals through Andie Dickens, Heather McDonnell, Sophie Watson and Charly Wright to wrap up a 4-0 win and take the 3 points that lift them above Luton Town Ladies into 2nd spot in the league table.
Eastern Regional Leagues
Now as we go down through the leagues from regional to county it’s when the P-P start to stack up. In the ERWFL Premier Division just one of the 4 listed fixtures survived the weekend with Colchester Town Ladies playing at home against 3rd placed AFC Sudbury Ladies. Was a welcome win for Colchester Town after last Sunday’s heavy defeat to Brentwood Town Ladies. A single won the match AFC Sudbury putting through their own net to give the 3 points to Colchester Town Ladies.
One fixture in ERWFL Division One East too, and a 2nd successive defeat for Silver End United Ladies following 6 wins out of 6 at the start of their league campaign, this one a high scoring game 11 goals shared between them and visitors Ipswich Wanderers Ladies. Rebecca Hollocks scored 4 goals for Silver End United an OG making it 5 to the home side. A hat-trick for Jessy Whurr, 2 more goals from Tarnya McKew and 1 scored by Michelle Allum saw Ipswich Wanderers edge it however winning 6-5 the 3 points lifting them up into 3rd spot in the table.
Same deal in ERWFL Division One West with only 1 fixture beating the weather, with bottom side Colney Heath Ladies still searching for their 1st league win of the season visiting Sawbrideworth Town WFC. Colney Heath took the lead in the 1st half Holly Sheridan on target, Sawbridgeworth hit back before the break to make it 1-1 at half-time, went on to score twice more 2nd half the goals from Lucy Bartholomew x2 and Shannon Hardinges, Lucy Hancock pulling one back for Colney Heath Ladies, not enough Sawbridgeworth Town WFC taking the 3 points.
Norfolk
In Norfolk Women’s Division One all 4 of the title contenders were in action this Sunday two of them playing one another as 3rd placed Aylsham FC Ladies the defending champions hosted 2nd placed Brandon Town Ladies at their new home ground. Wasn’t the start they would have wanted saw their goalkeeper Jess Tipple taken to hospital following a brave challenge that left her in a neck brace, suffering from concussion, thankfully no broken bones and Women’s Football East wishes her a speedy recovery. Brandon Town Ladies went on to win the game 6-1 Tiffany Forshaw scoring 4 goals with Brooke Wickens adding 2 more, Leanne Woodward with the consolation goal for Aylsham FC Ladies.
Brandon Town Ladies end the year unbeaten in 2nd spot in the table as the Norfolk League has now finished for 2015 resumes January 10th. Stay 2nd because leaders Thorpe United Ladies recorded an even bigger victory at the weekend. At home taking on Fakenham Town Ladies who had just the 10 players on the day. Charlotte Groves bagged herself 5 goals, with a hat-trick added by Rebekah Lake, Judith Bloomfield and Joanna Davey also scoring and OG making it 11-1 the final score, Harriet Rudd with the goal for Fakenham Town Ladies. Wymondham Town Ladies finish 2015 in 3rd spot with a 100% win record 6 wins out of 6 winning 5-1 at home this Sunday against Bungay Town Ladies. Kayleigh Holloway on target twice with the other goals from Sally Hammerton, Gemma Hamilton-Rout & Laura Hammerton. Bungay Town’s goal scored by Michelle Stanborough.
It was to Norfolk Division Two that this weekends match report on the Supporting Women’s Football Blog comes from, a trip to North East Norfolk to watch 2nd placed North Walsham Angels Ladies taking on 3rd placed Sprowston Ladies who were in a good run of form winning their last 4 league matches in a row, big test today against one of the title favourites, had just the bare 11 with no goalkeeper, first team manager Lois Irving putting herself in goal. Were organised and solid at the start making it very hard for North Walsham Angels Ladies to find and space behind as they got numbers back to defend, had few chances of their own but right at the end of the 1st half, Rebecca Kirby broke from the back to play the ball perfectly through to striker Shanice Sutton to break in behind the home defence and slot the ball home.
North Walsham responded straight away 2nd half from a corner Luci Middleton heading the ball into the back of the net, Sprowston hit back straight away Kirby getting forwards again allowed too much space and time before rifling a 20 yard strike onto the net. Luci Middleton scored her 2nd of the match getting in behind the Sprowston back line to make it 2-2, then with he light fading fast midfielder Amy Hemp tried her luck from distance twice scoring to give North Walsham Angels Ladies a 4-2 win the result lifting them to the top of the table. For the whole match report on the SWF Blog click on the link below.
North Walsham Angels Ladies v Sprowston Ladies 13/12/15
One more match played in Division Two, 4th placed Red Rose Ladies recording a big home win against Stalham Town Ladies to end 2015, Vicky Lubbock scoring 4 times, 2 more from Sophie Lubbock and a goal each for Lauren Hems, Emma Talmadge and Stacey High sealing a 9-0 win.
One more match to bring you from Norfolk in Division Three and a welcome win for Freethorpe Ladies to see them moving back up the table up into 4th spot now after a 2-1 away victory against bottom side Sprowston Ladies Reserves, both their goals scored by Laura Peachment.
Suffolk
Postponements in Suffolk too saw just the one game played in the Women’s Division a big game however with 2nd placed East Bergholt United taking on 4th placed Copleston Ladies. The points were shared in a 2-2 draw all the goals coming in the 2nd half Laura Calver and Jessica Clark on target for East Bergholt. Jade Horne with both strikes for Copleston the point lifting them back up into 3rd, whilst the point for East Bergholt moves them to the top of the table a point clear of Brantham Athletic Ladies who saw their match called off this Sunday.
Cambridgeshire
Not too many games played in Cambridgeshire this Sunday, in the Premiership, Newmarket Town Ladies were also the victim of a late call off as their opponents Huntingdon Town Ladies couldn’t field a team. One match was played in the Premiership and a single goal settled it with ICA Sports Ladies winning away to Netherton United Ladies to move them into 4th place in the table, Tash Applegate with the goal.
One match played in the Women’s Championship North too, and a huge win for leaders Bourne Ladies to move them 3 points clear at the top from 2nd placed Wisbech St Marys Ladies as they beat 2nd bottom side Hungate Rovers Ladies 12-0. Braces all round for Rosanna Baker, Tracey Duxbury-Mead and Claire Lawrenson. Kimberly Fairweather went one better getting a hat-trick with further goals scored by Toni McHamilton and Becky Cope an OG completing the scoreline.
One match played in the Women’s Championship South this Sunday too a top of the table clash with leaders St Ives Tow Ladies hosting 2nd placed Park Ladies. Open up the gap at the top to 8 points over Park Ladies as Georgia Rebane fired in 2 goals, Erin Powell scoring for Park Ladies wasn’t enough 2-1 the final score.
Essex
Premier Division leaders Chelmsford City Ladies were held to a 2-2 draw at home to bottom side Beacon Hill Rovers Ladies this weekend, Lisa Overall scoring from the penalty spot, Jessica Loble also scoring. Are now 4 points clear at the top as the teams below them continue to jockey with each other for position. 2nd placed Hullbridge Sports Ladies saw their match at home to Walden Ladies postponed whilst 3rd placed Eastern Avenue were at home to Collier Row Tigers 3 points behind them in 4th. The visitors move up into 3rd above Eastern Avenue on goal difference winning the match 3-0.
In Division One, Harlow Town Ladies lost!… Had you going there didn’t I? Course they didn’t extend their 100% winning start to the season to 12 games are 9 points clear at the top. Although this Sunday’s result was a quiet one by their recent standards give some credit to opponents Wickford Town Ladies for that. At home Harlow won the match 5-0 Philippa Stephens scoring 2, with Tia Dye, Abbie Bensted and Nene McInerney from the penalty spot all finding the back of the net. At the other end of the table it would be nice to say Waltham Forest Ladies picked up a point however it was another heavy defeat variable figures but the final score at home against Hullbridge Sports Ladies Reserves was 27-0.
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Just the one game played in Beds & Herts Women’s Division One at the bottom of the table, was another huge 3 points for Toddington Rovers Ladies recording their 2nd successive win following an opening run of 8 straight defeats. Same opponents bottom side Sandy Ladies were at home on this occasion. Won the match 4-2 with Laura Day on target 3 times for her hat-trick, Amy Summerfield with the other goal. Amber Williams and Chloe Reeves scoring Sandy Ladies goals.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two was the exception to the rule this weekend with all 4 of the scheduled fixtures surviving the weather. Was a top of the table clash this Sunday too, with league leaders Houghton Athletic Ladies hosting 2nd placed Sharnbrook WFC, a thrilling end to the match saw the spoils shared the final score 3-3 keeping both sides unbeaten records intact, Charlotte Mullins and 2 from Emily Clark for Sharnbrook, 2 goals for Becky Sullivan and 1 from Errin Davie for Houghton Athletic who remain 5 points clear at the top.
Moving up into 3rd spot are Woburn Lionesses at home to Hitchin Town Ladies this weekend, 2 goals from Emily Saunders and another scored by Emma Payne giving them the 3 points after a 3-1 win. Kayleigh Saunders with the goal for Hitchin Town. Watton Ladies were 5-1 away winner at AFC Kempston Rovers Ladies to lift themselves away from the 3 sides below them at the bottom of the table. Royston Town Ladies Reserves newly formed this season have had a tough start to life in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two 6 defeats before today they finally got a win under their belts playing at home to 2nd bottom Evergreen Eagles a high scoring match winning 5-3 thanks to goals from Amber Murray, Kelly Yarwood and Georgia Gannaway with Amy Cooper grabbing a brace the win lifts them off the bottom. Sophie Clark scoring 2 of Evergreen Eagles goals, who slip to the bottom now the only side without a win in the league.
Was a white wash in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three no games taking place.
Just 2 more fixtures to bring you both from the quarter finals of the Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup. Cup holders Stevenage Ladies were in action this Sunday away to Garston Ladies from Beds & Herts Women’s Division One, the ERWFL Premier Division leaders too strong on the day advancing through to the semi-finals following a 4-0. Another Division One side to bow out at the quarter finals stage are Bishops Stortford Ladies beaten away from home 8-0 by Watford Ladies (Development U19’s).
That’s another Edition of The Tuesday Round-Up completed blighted by postponements, the weather however is sadly beyond everyone’s control and we will see more of the same no doubt, the fixtures are racking up going to be a hectic 2016 for some. Just one more weekend of fixtures left in 2015, one more Edition to write (in 20150 let’s home for a dryer weekend, hope you’ve all got your Christmas shopping done (says someone who’s still got loads to do.) Until next Tuesday thanks for reading.