The Tuesday Round-Up – Edition Eighteen
The start of 2016 is proving to be a very tough and testing time for fixture secretaries up and down the land the 3rd weekend of January seeing another raft of postponements across the region and the rest of the UK. So much rain has fallen pitches are water logged and sooner or later the snow and frost had to arrive to join the party. Traditionally a County Cup weekend too postponements have a knock on affect and everything has to be put back, alot of work has to go into rearranging fixtures and the worst thing about it is, come next weekend you might have to do it all over again, so as frustrating as it is to rack up the P-P’s the weather beyond everyone’s control spare a thought for those fixture secretaries who pull their hair out at this time of the year – the Great British winter! It’s why I never get carried away listing the fixtures because I know they’ll change… alot.
Anyway despite all the GAME OFF’s that came my way on Saturday evening and Sunday morning just about half of the fixtures listed on Women’s Football East did survive the weather and we have plenty of GAME ON’s to bring you… it might be messy but let’s plunge into the action.
FA Women’s Cup
Last weekend was the 2nd Round Proper of the FA Women’s Cup, the round where the FAWPL Northern and Southern Division sides enter the competition, the weather played havoc with the fixtures seeing 5 of the ties featuring sides covered by Women’s Football east get called off, to be replayed this weekend, those 5 ties didn’t fair any better this time around with 3 more falling to wet or frozen pitches this time around (will try again next Sunday). Two fixtures did survive though and one of those was at Canvey Island FC with home side C&K Basildon Ladies taking on Coventry United Ladies. It was the visitors who had the advantage at half-time with Ashleigh Neville getting the goal on the 30th minute. It wasn’t until injury time in the 2nd half before Coventry United Ladies could put the tie beyond doubt, Neville giving way to Alison Hall after 72 minutes, the substitute was on hand to score after Helen Dermody took a shot from distance that smashed against the crossbar, Hall on hand to turn the rebound in and see Coventry United Ladies through to the 3rd Round Proper where they face a short away trip to local rivals Sporting Club Albion Ladies.
It was a long trip west for Gillingham FC Ladies in the FA Women’s Cup 2nd Round Proper the FAWPL South East Division One side taking on FAWPL Southern Division side Forest Green Rovers Ladies at Slimbridge FC. Neither side had broken the dead lock at half-time. 9 minutes into the 2nd 45 and the home side took the lead through Kirsty Richardson. Gillingham came back and got themselves back on level terms, Kallie Balfour scoring to make it 1-1, the game headed into extra time, the extra 30 minutes however saw no more goals scored and the tie would be settled from the penalty spot. Both sides saw their 1st penalty saved, Gillingham goalkeeper Courtney Stanley went on to save 2 more Forest Green Rovers penalties whilst Gillingham converted their next 2, Forest Green Rovers scored their 4th to make it 1-2, Gillingham scored their 4th penalty and they were through to the next round, they did taking the shoot-out 3-1 to make it a happy journey back home to Kent. Their tie settled they are at home in the 3rd Round Proper and will face either Swindon Town Ladies or Tottenham Hotspur Ladies, who saw their game postponed for the 2nd Sunday again.
The other 4 sides hoping for better weather next Sunday are Crystal Palace Ladies & West Ham United Ladies, along with Chichester City Ladies who play Queens Park Rangers Ladies.
FAWPL South East Division One
Postponements and County Cup fixtures meant there was just the one match taking place in the FAWPL South East Division One this Sunday. Ipswich Town Ladies were at home looking to get points on the board lift them away from the bottom 2 sides Lowestoft Town Ladies and Bedford Ladies. The visitors were Denham United Ladies, in 7th spot they proved too strong an opponent on the day winning the match 2-0 with goals from Holleigh Marsh and Lauren Cox to see them move 4 points clear of 8th placed Old Actonians Ladies.
Eastern Regional Leagues
Again with it being a County Cup weekend several ERWFL sides were in cup action with just the one match taking place in the ERWFL Premier Division, this seeing 3rd placed AFC Sudbury Ladies at home to 4th placed Haringey Borough Women only goal difference separating the 2 sides going into the match. Haringey had closed the gap the weekend before with a surprise 0-3 away win against leaders Billericay Town Ladies, have a knack of beating the sides above them having ended early leaders Stevenage Ladies 1005 win record with another away win by 3 goals. Do the same against AFC Sudbury Ladies and they would move above them in the table. The scoreline was 3-0 in the finish but not to the visiting side this time, 0-0 at half-time the stale mate was broken on 65 minutes Charlene Roach getting the 1st goal, Stacey Teager doubled AFC Sudbury Ladies lead shortly after with substitute Natalie Golding adding the 3rd goal in injury time to lift them 3 points clear of Haringey. The victory didn’t come without a cost however as Roach was hurt in a after a late challenge fracturing her ankle, Women’s Football East wishes her a speedy recovery.
One other match in the ERWFL this Sunday in Division One East, Bury Town Ladies were at home taking on fellow Suffolk side Long Melford Ladies. Bury Town Ladies had started the day 4th in the table with Long Melford Ladies back in 6th. Laura Brame opened the scoring for Bury Town Ladies, then Gemma Carter fresh from scoring 2 goals against Ipswich Wanderers Ladies last Sunday followed that up by getting 2 more goals against Long Melford Ladies, Nadine Basson added a 4th goal for the home side, Megan Partridge scoring a late consolation goal for the visitors the final score 4-1 lifts Bury Town Ladies up into 3rd on goal difference over Ipswich Wanderers Ladies.
Norfolk
In Norfolk it was the Women’s County Cup quarter finals weekend, 4 ties scheduled one had been called off early in the week between Lynn Ladies & Acle United Ladies. Aylsham FC Ladies game at home to Toftwood Ladies was also postponed. That left 2 quarter final ties, last season beaten finalists Thorpe United Ladies were at home to Division Two side Stalham Town Ladies, won the match convincingly by 7 goals to nil to book their place in the semi-finals where they will be at home to either fellow Division One side Lynn Ladies or defending cup holders Acle United Ladies.
Red Rose Ladies are the other side through to the semi-finals of the Norfolk Women’s County Cup. Was an all Division Two clash with them at home playing Bohemians Ladies. Red Rose Ladies won the match 4-1 and have been drawn away to either Division One leaders Aylsham FC Ladies or Division Three side Toftwood Ladies, the semi-finals scheduled to be played Sunday 21st February.
A couple of league matches were taking place in Norfolk too this weekend, and it is to one of these that the featured match report on the Supporting Women’s Football Blog comes from. In Norfolk Division one it looked like it would be a competitive battle for the title in 2015/16 and that is proving to be the case with 4 sides all fancying their chances of becoming champions. 4th placed Wymondham Town Ladies have a 100% win record in the league this season 5 wins out of 5 have played less league games than those above them, were at home to 3rd placed Brandon Town Ladies the newly promoted side having lost just the once themselves. Had brought just the bare 11 with them, both sides had players missing Wymondham Town named 3 on the bench. A tight and competitive affair the game was played at a high tempo, Brandon Town Ladies keeping it tight at the back dropping deep to prevent Wymondham the opportunity to get in behind. Both sides creating chances with both goalkeepers making saves, neither side could find the single goal that probably would have won the match, points shared 3 points no separate the top 4, Wymondham Town Ladies crucially have 2 games in hand on the 3 above. For the whole match report click on the link below to take you to the SWF Blog
Wymondham Town Ladies v Brandon Town Ladies 17/01/16
The other league match going ahead this Sunday was in Division Three with leaders Harleston Town Ladies at home to Freethorpe Ladies. Harleston Town Ladies have won 6 out of 6 before this Sunday in the league made it 7 wins out of seven, Lacey Andrews and Nicole Hollands both scoring a brace to win the match 4-0 to move them 9 points clear at the top.
Suffolk
It was league action all the way in the Suffolk Women’s Division this Sunday and all 3 listed fixtures survived the weather. Leaders East Bergholt United were at home playing 2nd bottom side Leiston St Margarets Ladies. Jessica Quinsee was on target 4 times, with Georgina Longden also putting the ball into the back of the net twice as they win 6-1 to stay top and extend their lead over 2nd placed Brantham Athletic Ladies to 3 points.
As East Bergholt United Ladies won, Brantham Athletic Ladies dropped 2 points in the title race as they were held 1-1 at home by Witnesham Wasps Ladies. Lucy Elmes had given Brantham Athletic Ladies a 1 goal advantage at half time. Witnesham Wasps Ladies came back 2nd half to level through Lauren Page to ensure the points were shared. In the other match Copleston Ladies got back to winning ways were leading 1-0 at half-time at home to Bacton United Ladies, the visitors scored twice in the 2nd half, but so to did Copleston to win 3-2 move above Bacton United Ladies into 4th. Copleston Ladies goalscorers, Sophie Crane and Jade Horne who scored 2. Samantha Walker and Eleanor Catchpole scored the 2 goals for Bacton United Ladies.
Cambridgeshire
In Cambridgeshire it was the 2nd Round of the Invitation (or County) Cup, 8 ties. Two fell to postponements, Huntingdon Town Ladies v ICA Sports Ladies & Comberton Ladies v St Ives Town Ladies. Two more ties ended up being awarded to the home side without a ball being kicked, Bar Hill Ladies and holders Cambridge United WFC going into the quarter final draw.
4 ties were played was a big ask for Championship North side March Town United Ladies at home to ERWFL Premier Division side and last season’s runners-up Gt Shelford Ladies. Emma Searle scored for March Town United Ladies however it wasn’t enough as Gt Shelford Ladies found the back of the net 4 times through, Rachel Pearce, Cindy Ponder, Alison Wright and Jordanne Sillitoes to progress through to the quarter finals. Cambridge City Ladies also scored 4 goals to make it through to the quarter finals were at home to Championship South side Milton Ladies. Grace Stanley scored a hat-trick in the match with Saskia Capetti also scoring to see the Premiership side though.
Championship South side Isleham United Ladies were hosting Riverside Rovers Ladies last season’s runaway Premiership winners who have now moved over to play in the East Midlands Women’s Regional League set up. The visitors were comfortable winners scoring 10 without reply to make the quarter finals. The other team to book a quarter final place this Sunday are Newmarket Town Ladies, the Premiership side taking on Championship South side Park Ladies at home. Won the match 2-0, Joely Kirby and Sian Tatum the players getting on the scoresheet.
One other side playing in the Cambridgeshire leagues was also in County Cup action this weekend another quarter final game, this one though in Northamptonshire, Netherton United Ladies were at home against higher league opponents Moulton FC Ladies, had a 2 goal lead early on in the tie but eventually went down losing 4-2 to go out of the competition.
There was also one league match taking place in the Championship North this Sunday. Since going top of the league back at the end of November, Wisbech St Marys Ladies haven’t played a competitive game since and have slipped to 4th as others got games played and points on the board. Were on the road a local derby against rivals Wisbech Town Ladies who had moved above them into 3rd spot. A single goal settled the match Faye Kowalewsky on target for Wisbech Town Ladies the victory seeing them up into 2nd spot in the table.
Essex
County Cup quarter finals weekend in Essex too with 3 of the 4 scheduled ties taking place. Holders C&K Basildon Ladies match against Hullbridge Sports Ladies getting put back a week due to their FA Women’s Cup tie taking priority.
Was the leaders of the ERWFL Premier Division v the leaders of the ERWFL Division One East with Billericay Town Ladies at home taking on Writtle Ladies. A high scoring match a real thriller with 9 goals shared between the 2 sides, Billericay Town Ladies just edging Writtle Ladies out by 5 goals to 4. 5 different goal scorers for Billericay Town Ladies with Kirsty Knight, Lindsey Morgan Frances Murphy, Hayley Piggott and Paris Smith all on target. Georgina Tricker and Sophie Vale shared the Writtle goals bagging 2 each.
Essex Premier Division side were at home against ERWFL Premier Division opposition, Colchester Town Ladies the visitors. Colchester Town Ladies progress to the semi-final draw with a 6-2 win. Another Essex Premier Division side was also taking on ERWFL Premier Division opposition, Collier Row Tigers were on the road taking on Brentwood Town Ladies. Paidamayo Dedza scored twice for Brentwood Town Ladies with 2 further goals scored by Ashley Debnam and Chelcee Grimes to seal a 4-1 to take them through to the semi-finals.
Was also the quarter finals of the Essex Women’s Trophy this weekend with 3 of the 4 ties getting played. No one in Essex has beaten Harlow Ladies yet, so they thought they’d have a crack at it themselves as they were drawn to play their own U18s side. The U18s took the lead before the 1st team came back to score 5 the U18s scoring once more to make the final score 5-2.
Wickford Town Ladies were big winners in their quarter final tie drawn at home against fellow Division One side Little Thurrock Dynamos Ladies found the back of the net plenty on times reaching double figures the final score 10-1. In the other quarter final tie Division One side Leigh Athletic wee knocked out of the competition losing 7-0 away to Trinity U18s.
One league match to report on from Sunday taking place in Division One, Chigwell Ladies were away playing Southend Town Ladies won the game 2-1 the result giving them their 6th win of the season to consolidate 5th spot in the table and make the gap between them and 6th placed Little Thurrock Dynamos Ladies Reserves 6 points.
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Not much to report in the quarter finals of the Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup as their was a total wash out all 4 games getting postponed, will all try again next Sunday.
In the Hertfordshire County Cup it’s all very confusing anyone who takes notice of the fixtures I tweet on a Saturday may have noticed 2 fixture one being a semi-final between Hemel Hempstead Ladies & Watford Ladies Development u19s the other being a 1st Round tie between Garston Ladies FC 96 & Welwyn Garden City Ladies all very confusing and I am trying to get to the bottom of it sure Hertford Town Ladies and Royston Town Ladies who are waiting to play the winner in the upcoming rounds are curious too, as it was both games got postponed so nothing will get settled for at least another week.
One match took place in the Beds & Herts Women’s Division One, and it was a big game too with leaders Harvesters FC travelling to 3rd placed Bishops Stortford Ladies and in a highly competitive league Harvesters FC go 3 points clear at the top winning the match 5-1 denting Bishops Stortford Ladies title hopes in the process. Harvesters FC goals were scored by Shivani Bedi, Megan Samuel and Sophie Lawrence with Katherine Hatton scoring a brace. Elle Georgiou netting for Bishops Stortford Ladies.
Two matches survived the weather in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three, Panshanger Ladies on the road to take on high flying Hitchin Belles unbeaten so far this season with a 100% win record laying 3rd in the table. Found themselves in trouble at half-time with Panshanger Ladies taking a 2 goal lead into half-time with Ellie Burke and Allyson Santini the players to put the ball into the back of the net. Hitchin Belles responded 2nd half coming back scoring 3 goals in quick succession to give themselves a 3-2 advantage Shannon Page with 2, Sophie Fairburn with the other goal, held on to take all 3 points making it 8 wins out of 8.
In the other Division Three match it was a meeting of the bottom two, new sides Shefford Town & Campton Ladies (bottom) & Hatfield Town Ladies still looking for their 1st win of the season. Hatfield Town Ladies were the visitors took the lead on 28 minutes Chemise Huitson getting the goal, but were to go 2-1 down as Shefford Town & Campton Ladies hit back. Hatfield Town Ladies turned it around as Amy Dunton-Payne scored her 1st goal for the club to make it 2-2 then on 78 minutes Huitson scored her second of the match to give Hatfield Town Ladies a 3-2 they went on to win and get their 1st win and 3 points of the season, the win lifting them up a place as they move above Welwyn Garden City Ladies.
Another Edition of The Tuesday Round-Up concluded, latest league tables and results can be found through the links on the website. Fixtures will need to be adjusted with all the postponed cup games taking priority over league fixtures will update once everything is sorted. Several cup ties decided well done to all the winners best of luck for the next round. January is racing by would be nice if it could end a little drier… a little warmer too. Know there are several teams yet to kick a ball in anger in 2016 hope you do soon, until then thanks for reading.