The Tuesday Round-Up – Edition Seventeen
Welcome to Edition Seventeen of The Tuesday Round-Up bringing you all of the women’s football action from Sunday 10th January. 2016 has started with disruption, postponements featuring heavily with the high volume of rain that continues to saturate pitches across the country. Over 60 fixtures scheduled to take place this Sunday just over half survived the weather, hardly surprising with the rain that had fallen on the Thursday before across the East any rain on the weekend would tip the balance, seeing alot of teams having to wait at least another week to restart their season having been out of action for 3/4 weeks over the festive periods in most cases.
Still plenty to bring you in his Edition of The Tuesday Round-Up including the 2nd Round Proper of the FA Women’s Cup although again disrupted by the weather, 4 ties did get played. Elsewhere it was hit and miss in terms of games played some leagues better than others as the county leagues resume (or at least tried to in 2016).
FA Women’s Cup
We’ll start on the South Coast, as FAWPL South East Division One side Luton Town Ladies were given a plum draw in the 2nd round Proper away to FAWPL Southern Division leaders, Brighton & Hove Albion WFC. A big test for the side currently 2nd placed in the league below. For 30 minutes the scores were level before Brighton captain Jay Blackie opened the scoring, Sophie Perry and then Charlotte Gurr struck before half-time to give the home side a 3 goal lead at the break. Wasn’t long into the 2nd half before they made it 4 with Kirsty Barton putting the ball into the back of the net.
Luton Town, goalkeeper Rachel Evans then saved a penalty, only slowing Brighton’s scoring with Deanna Cooper making it 5-0 on 73 minutes, Lisa Fulgence came off the bench on the 65th minute and got herself another goal as she continues her comeback from injury 4 minutes later. Into injury time and Evans was shown a straight red for the visitors. Enough time for one more goal for Brighton with Hollie-Una Olding scoring in injury time to finish it 7-0. The draw for the 3rd Round Proper of the FA Women’s Cup, where the 10 FAWSL 2 sides enter the competition was make on Monday and Brighton have been handed a home tie against FAWSL 2 side Oxford United WFC.
Staying on the South Coast it was an all FAWPL Southern Division clash at Furze Lane with Portsmouth FC Ladies hosting Cardiff City Ladies. Lucy Quinn scored a stunning 1st half free kick on the 18th minute to give the home side the advantage. 5 minutes into the 2nd half Sarah Kempson doubled Portsmouth’s lead as they went on to win 2-0 to reach the 3rd Round Proper where they too will face FAWSL 2 opposition an away trip to Aston Villa Ladies.
In the other all FAWPL Southern Division tie to survive the weather this Sunday it was Charlton Athletic Women who advance to the 3rd Round Proper with a convincing 9-0 win against the leagues bottom side Plymouth Argyle Ladies. Were 3 nil to the good at half-time thanks to 2 goals from Kit Graham and 1 from Gemma Shepherd. Stefanie Simmons made it 4-0 on 58 minutes with Graham completing her hat-trick 2 minutes later. Kimberly Dixon got herself on the score-sheet before Shepherd get herself a hat-trick too adding goals on the 74th and 89th minute, time for one more goal in injury time Jenny Newman as 2nd half substitute making it 9-0. Charlton have been drawn at home in the 3rd Round Proper taking on Newcastle United WFC from the FAWPL Northern Division.
Fulham FC Foundation Ladies were one of a handful of sides still left in the competition playing there football outside the FAWPL. Were handed a home tie with FAWPL Southern Division, Lewes Ladies the visitors. Their higher league placed opponents proving too strong on the day as Sian Heather opened the scoring on 3 minutes, 3 more goals were added in 7 minutes Cherelle Heather putting the ball into the back of the net on 23 and 27 minutes with Kirstie Spice making it 4 on 30, Natasha Wells scoring a minute before half-time to make it 5-0. Carried on from where they had started the 1st half as 3 minutes in Danielle Lane netted, 2 minutes later Spice scored her 2nd of the game, Khassal completed her hat-trick 10 minutes later. Kelly Newton getting a goal too with Heather finishing the scoring on the 82nd minute with her 2nd goal of the tie. Have an away trip to face either Loughborough Foxes Ladies or Guiseley AFC Vixens Ladies in the 3rd Round Proper.
The postponed ties from this Sunday will now be played this coming Sunday 17th January will all sides knowing who they will face in the 3rd Round Proper scheduled to take place Sunday 7th February. Selected ties featured sides covered by Women’s Football East below.
Brighton & Hove Albion WFC v Oxford United WFC
Aston Villa Ladies v Portsmouth FC Ladies
Charlton Athletic Women v Newcastle United WFC
Crystal Palace Ladies or West Ham United Ladies v Nuneaton Town Ladies or Blackburn Rovers Ladies
Forest Green Rovers Ladies or Gillingham FC Ladies v Swindon Town Ladies or Tottenham Hotspur Ladies
Sporting Club Albion Ladies or Long Eaton United Ladies v C&K Basildon Ladies or Coventry United Ladies
Loughborough Foxes Ladies or Guiseley AFC Vixens v Lewes Ladies
Bristol City WFC v Chichester City Ladies or Queens Park Rangers Ladies
FAWPL South East Division One
Just the one fixture survived the weather in the FAWPL South East Division One with Cambridge United WFC playing on a 3G surface this Sunday at home to the leagues bottom side Bedford Ladies. Finished 2015 strongly unbeaten in 7 matches to lift them up the league into 4th, started 2016 with a convincing win to to give them another 3 points and massively boost their goal difference. The match was the last for Welsh International striker Sarah Wiltshire who finishes with an impressive record of 10 goals scored from 5 matches played returning to Yeovil Town Ladies as they begin their pre-season preparations for the 2016 season. Wiltshire scoring a hat-trick in this Sunday’s match with Faith Hewitt and Isabella Simmons both scoring a brace, Laura Bright and Becky Taylor with a goal a piece that pushes them onto the heels of 2nd and 3rd placed Luton Town Ladies and Milton Keynes Dons Ladies whilst it’s looking increasingly bleak for Bedford Ladies at the bottom of the table.
Eastern Regional League
Getting to be a habit in the ERWFL Premier Division for Haringey Borough Women to take the 3 points from the leading team as they travelled to Billericay Town Ladies in a rearranged fixture again played on 3G. Billericay Town Ladies regained the lead from Stevenage Ladies last Sunday were due to play them this away Sunday but when that game was lost to a water logged pitch and Haringey Borough Women’s home game against Gt Shelford Ladies also getting put off they travelled to Billericay Town instead. Haringey Borough Women are a young developing side, move onto 18 points 4th in the Premier Division table winning the match 3-0 with Brooke Hills scoring twice. Anele Komani getting the other goal of the match.
Brentwood Town Ladies are one of the most inconsistent sides in the league pulling off some great results then losing the next week this Sunday were at home on their 3G pitch at the Len Forge Centre hosting 3rd placed AFC Sudbury Ladies, a closely contested game saw Brentwood Town edge it 2-1 to take the 3 points pushing them in 5th spot to within 2 points of 3rd placed Sudbury. Zoe Lipley-Hinton and Carla Rose with their goals, Sophie Jeffery on target for AFC Sudbury.
Acle United Ladies needing to get their fixtures played switched their home game early to a 3G surface with AFC Dunstable Ladies travelling up to Norfolk to take them on. The Bedfordshire side move above Acle United in the league coming away with a 3-1 victory. Amber Pearson and Bethany Stanton giving them a 2 goal lead at half-time. Pearson went on to score a 2nd goal after the break, with player coach Joanne Hooper getting the goal for Acle United Ladies.
It was a white wash for fixtures in the ERWFL Division One West, but in the ERWFL Division One East two games survived the weather, both played in Suffolk the 1st an all Suffolk affair with 4th placed Bury Town Ladies playing 3rd placed Ipswich Wanderers Ladies. Was the featured match on the Supporting Women’s Football Blog this Sunday. Played on Oakes Road Open Space Recreational Ground, was an evenly contested match both sides having good spells on the ball through out the match. Ipswich Wanderers Ladies with the narrow advantage at half-time as they won a penalty kick mid-way through the 1st half, Kristie Turner slotting the spot kick home.
Bury Town Ladies came back into the match early in the 2nd half after winning a free kick wide on the left inside the Ipswich Wanderers half, right winger Gemma Carter came across to take and aiming for the far post saw her well delivered ball drop over the keeper dipping late under the bar to make it 1-1. Ipswich Wanderers Ladies came back as the game flowing from one end to the other got their captain Tarnya McKew in behind the Bury Town defence rounding the advancing keeper, she turned the ball into the empty net beyond. 10 minutes left and Bury Town Ladies got thing’s back on level terms a counter attack that saw Carter put through into space wide right, took the shot on from a tight angle sending it across the keeper and over the line at the far post, the game ending 2-2 the points shared. For all of the match action click on the link below to take you to the Supporting Women’s Football Blog
Bury Town Ladies v Ipswich Wanderers Ladies 10/01/16
Battle of the two bottom sides in the league at Stoneylands both without a win this season with newly promoted Suffolk Women’s Division champions Long Melford Ladies hosting West Billericay Ladies. Long Melford Ladies start 2016 with their 1st league victory in the ERWFL Division One East edging the game 3-2 thanks to a hat-trick scored by Megan Partridge. Katy Judd and Michelle Stoneman with West Billericay Ladies goals.
Norfolk
This weekend saw the resumption of the county leagues across the East (although Norfolk had snuck one fixture in last Sunday). Start with some bad news from Norfolk Women’s Division One as sadly Mulbarton Belles have dropped out of the league, were bottom with struggles on and off the pitch still very sad to see as they were trying to get players in. Hope the players they did have find another club and stay in the game, and maybe in the future Mulbarton will return to the Norfolk Women’s football scene feel for everyone involved at the club.
That of course saw a readjustment in the table standings with just one of the 4 scheduled Division One fixtures taking place. Between two of the title contenders with Brandon Town Ladies at home playing defending champions Aylsham FC Ladies. Brandon Town Ladies had spoiled Aylsham FC Ladies debut at their new home venue back in December with a 6-1 win. This Sunday both sides had the chance to go back to the top of the league and it was Aylsham FC Ladies who did so winning the game 3-1 to take the 3 points, Abbie Charlton netting 2 goals with Michaela England also getting a goal. Tiffany Forshaw with the strike for Brandon Town Ladies.
In Division Two Kirkley & Pakefield Ladies retook the lead in the table last Sunday beating Bungay Town Ladies Reserves to maintain their 100% winning start to the league. Continued that form this Sunday on the road travelling to Stalham Town Ladies winning resoundingly 9-0, Sophie Martin and Samantha Brown getting a goal each with Selina Rowland getting a hat-trick to add to the 4 she scored last weekend. Nikki Wigg scored 4 times herself this match to maintain their form at the top of the league.
Their closest rivals continue to be North Walsham Angels Ladies are keeping pace with them the gap 2 points in 2nd recording a win to start 2016 remain unbeaten taking on Bohemians Ladies away from home. Won the game 5-2 with Luci Middleton getting a hat-trick, Robyn Steele and Amy Hemp with the other goals. Sprowston Ladies also start 2016 with a win to consolidate 3rd spot in the table move them 5 points clear of 4th placed Red Rose Ladies who they were playing at home this Sunday, a brace each for Millie Cursons and Beth Cornwall giving them all 3 points in a 4-1 victory, Sophie Lubbock with the goal for Red Rose Ladies.
In Division Three just the one game played and with it leaders Harleston Town Ladies extend their lead at the top of the table over Gorleston FC Ladies to 6 points maintaining their 100% winning start to the league, these 3 points coming 2 and a half months after they played their last league game back at the end of October postponements hurting them. Picked up where they left off with Lacey Andrews getting 3 goals, Solvar Bernsten and Miryam Ruiz with a goal each in a 5-3 win.
Suffolk
Might only be 7 sides contesting the Suffolk Women’s Division, but it has been an intriguing battle at the top just when you’ve think you’ve got it figured out along comes a surprise result to turn thing’s on there head. Leaders East Bergholt United weren’t in action this weekend giving 2nd placed Brantham Athletic Ladies the chance to take the lead as they travelled to Bacton United Ladies. Came unstuck as they lost the game 2-0, the goals scored by Maria and Samantha Walker to put them within 3 points of the leaders in 4th.
Witnesham Wasps Ladies close the gap on the leading pair to too keeping ahead of Bacton United Ladies in 3rd spot boosting their goal difference with a resounding 13-0 win at home to bottom placed Ipswich Phoenix. Emily Stewart hitting 5 goals into the back of the net. Emma Long scored a hat-trick, with Alice Rampling getting herself 2 goals, with a goal a piece for Lauren Jacobs, Lauren Page and Annabel Tricker.
Cambridgeshire
The league matches resume in Cambridgeshire where before Christmas the Women’s Premiership had closed up nicely at the top to ensure in 2016 the race for the title would be a thrilling one with 4 teams vying for top spot. Two fixtures took place vital games top and bottom of the league. At the top, ICA Sports Ladies who ended 2015 in great form were at home taking on Netherton United Ladies in 4th spot going into the game took the 3 points in a close contest a single goal scored in the 2nd half by Claire Knibbs taking them top of the league.
At the other end of the Women’s Premiership it was a clash of the bottom 2 Newmarket Town Ladies taking on Fulbourn Bluebirds both looking for their 1st win of the season still had to settle of a point each the match ending 1-1, enough to lift them both above Huntingdon Town Ladies who weren’t in action, now bottom of the league.
No fixtures survived the weather in the Women’s Championship South, better news weather wise for the Women’s Championship North with all 4 scheduled fixtures on. Bourne Ladies leading the pack at the end of 2015 started 2016 with another win and 3 points to move them 5 points clear of the chasing pack, were at home taking on new side Swineshead Institute Ladies. Bourne were leading 3-2 at half-time went on to score 3 further times in the 2nd half with Swinehead Institute Ladies getting one more the final score 6-3. Bourne Ladies goalscorers, Rosanna Baker, Claire Lawrenson, Charlotte Ayers, Lisa Richardson and Tracey Duxbury-Mead with 2 goals.
March Town United Ladies are up into 2nd spot in the Championship North table starting 2016 with a 4-2 away win against 2nd bottom Hungate Rovers Ladies, a brace scored by Shannon Kelly and goals too from Adele Munday and Raechel Luty giving them the 3 points. Jade Chamberlain and Chantelle Abraham netting for Hungate Rovers Ladies.
Wisbech Town Ladies are up to 3rd in the table starting the year with a huge 15-0 win at home against bottom side Tydd St Mary Ladies. Downham Town Ladies were also starting 2016 with a home game playing Stamford Ladies climb above their opponents into 5th spot in the league table thanks to a George Lingham hat-trick in a 3-2 win.
Essex
Essex Women’s Premier Division leaders Chelmsford City Ladies weren’t in league action this Sunday giving the chasing pack an opportunity to close the gap. 2nd placed Hullbridge Sports Ladies saw their match away to Beacon Hill Rovers called off are now 4th in the table as their rivals collect 3 points. Collier Row Tigers are 2nd in the table now, are on a fine run of form that now see’s them unbeaten in the league for 8 matches, were on the road this Sunday coming away from Lawford Ladies with a 2-1 victory.
Keeping pace with them in 3rd are Eastern Avenue Ladies following a 4-2 win at home against Walden Ladies, were 3 goals up after just 8 minutes thanks to goals from Hannah Warner, Beatriz Cardoso and Mollie Rose. Walden Ladies pulled one back before half time then scored 2nd half to make it 3-2 before Eastern Avenue scored again through Rose to seal the win. In the other Premier Division match Runwell Hospital Ladies who had fallen away from the chasing pack at the end of 2015 got 2016 off to a winning start a 6-1 victory at home to Hutton Ladies Reserves.
One fixture took place in Essex Women’s Division One a big win to start 2016 for new side Chigwell Ladies recording a 10-2 away win at Little Thurrock Dynamos Reserves their 5th of the season to see them move 3 points clear in 5th spot.
A giant killing for Wickford Town Ladies in the Tiptree & District Women’s Charity Cup as the Division One side beat Premier Division leaders Chelmsford City Ladies 2-0 away from home.
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
The resumption of the Beds & Herts Women’s County Leagues a host of postponements right across the three divisions with only the one fixture surviving in each. In Division One it was a fixture at the bottom end of the table but featuring a win for a side that has turned it’s season totally around. Newly promoted Toddington Rovers Ladies had found life tough going in the top tier in the Beds & Herts Women’s League starting the season with 8 straight defeats, that has all changed ended 2015 with back to back wins over fellow struggler’s Sandy Ladies. Were at home against another struggling side this Sunday Flitwick Ladies, 2 goals each for Laura Day and Amy Summerfield plus a goal each for Henny Horsler and Megan Palmer giving then a big 6-0 win and 3 more points to move them 7 points away from the bottom.
In Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two, it was another bottom of the table clash with newly formed Royston Town Ladies Reserves getting their 2nd win of the season, 2 wins in a row, had ended 2015 with their 1st win ever win beating fellow struggler’s Evergreen Eagles 5-3 back in December. Started 2016 away to AFC Kempston Rovers Ladies both side on 3 points, Royston Town Ladies Reserves edge the final result taking the 3 points to move onto 6 with a 4-3 win Hayley Graham scoring twice, Grace Leslie and Amber Murray also on the score-sheet.
In Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three, Hitchin Belles were storming along at the top of the table with 6 wins out of 6 to start their season, that 6th match was back at the start of November however and having not played a league game since have seen themselves getting nudged down the table in what is going to be a hotly contest title battle. Started 2016 as if they’d never had the lay off winning again to climb back into 2nd spot in the table winning 8-2 at home against 2nd bottom Hatfield Town Ladies Emily Field helping herself to 4 goals with Charis Wakefield getting 2 more, Emma Wells scoring a goal too along with Shannon Page. Holly Weston and Chemise Huitson with a goal in either half for Hatfield Town Ladies.
That concludes another edition of The Tuesday Round-Up thanks for reading, what we’d all like between this one and Edition Eighteen is no more rain get some fixtures played, several frustrated footballers out there, fingers crossed but it doesn’t look promising English winters aren’t they challenging.