The Tuesday Round-Up – Edition Twenty Five
Sunday 6th March
Welcome to Edition Twenty Five of The Tuesday Round-Up. The 1st Sunday of March and it was scheduled to be a busy one too. January and February have been awful weather wise and the level of postponed fixtures across the East has been huge, was hoping March would be a little kinder but sadly it wasn’t as a wet start to the weekend saw nearly half of the fixture list kicking there heels once again. Still of the games that were played there were some very important ones taking place the semi-finals of the FAWPL League Plate and ERWFL League Cup. A quarter final in the FAWPL League Cup and several important league matches across the East. Sad news too as another women’s football team has folded. Busy a game on a Tuesday night puts me under pressure to get The Tuesday Round-Up done so let’s get cracking.
FAWPL League Cup
Tottenham Hotspur Ladies are already into 2 cup finals this season the Ryman Cup and Capital Cup, took another step to potentially reaching a 3rd this Sunday in the quarter finals of the FAWPL League Cup. Faced a tough challenge having drawn FAWPL Southern Division leaders Brighton & Hove Albion WFC. Tottenham were knocked out of the FA Women’s Cup in extra-time last Sunday at home to FAWSL 2 side Aston Villa Ladies that match had took it’s toll with several 1st team regulars unavailable. Brighton too named a youthful side resting a few 1st team regulars themselves.
The match was played at Brimsdown Rovers FC, both sides created chances but neither could break the deadlock. Late into the match 3 minutes on the clock, Tottenham were awarded a free kick a chance for defender Alex Keown to launch the ball from distance into the Brighton area. Lucia Leon was there to latch onto the ball her 1st stab and goal blocked by Leah Samain making her debut for the Brighton 1st team in goal, however Leon had a 2nd bite to slot the ball home and did scoring the winning goal to put Tottenham Hotspur Ladies into the semi-finals where they will face Nottingham Forest Ladies an away trip to be played Sun 20th March.
FAWPL League Plate
It was the the semi-finals of the FAWPL League Plate being played this weekend. Enfield Town Ladies from the FAWPL South East Division One were at home at The Queen Elizabeth Stadium were the underdogs as they welcomed FAWPL Northern Division side Newcastle United WFC making their 3rd long journey down south for a cup competition had seen off Gillingham FC Ladies from the FAWPL South East Division One in the quarter-finals with a 3-0 away win. Enfield Town Ladies had reached the semi-final beating another FAWPL Northern Division team Loughborough Foxes LFC 1-0.
Newcastle United WFC had chances to take the lead, but so to did Enfield Town Ladies and it was the home side who took the advantage into the break with Alena Beganovic scoring on 39 minutes. It wasn’t until 6 minutes from time before the 2nd goal came, Chloe Bassett drilling the ball home to make it 2-0 to Enfield Town Ladies and send them through to their 1st ever National Final in what is their 30th anniversary season.
They will be joined in the final by Coventry United Ladies the FAWPL Southern Division side travelling to the South West to play Keynsham Town Ladies from FAWPL South West Division One. The away side got off to a great start Ashleigh Neville scoring to give Coventry the on 6 minutes, 2-0 up after 12 minutes Marie Gauntlett with the goal. Amber Hughes scored on the half hour mark to give Coventry a 3-0 half time lead. The goals continued to come 2nd half Gauntlett getting her 2nd of the match on the 60 minutes with Hughes getting her 2nd a couple of minutes later and own goal put them 6-0 up then 10 minutes from time Hughes completed her hat-trick Coventry winning 7-0 and reaching the League Plate final without conceding a goal.
The FAWPL League Plate Final between Enfield Town Ladies and Coventry United Ladies will be played on Sunday 24th April at Hednesford Town FC.
FAWPL Southern Division
3 matches played in the FAWPL Southern Division all featuring sides at the wrong end of the table. 2nd bottom Forest Green Rovers Ladies were hosting Queens Park Rangers Ladies the home side had the advantage at half-time leading 1-0 thanks to an Annie Martin strike. But for the 2nd league game in a row Queens Park Rangers came back from a goal down to win the match, Jo Wilson was brought down inside the Forest Green Rovers a spot kick awarded up stepped Emma Whitter to score and put Queens Park Rangers back on level terms on 60 minutes the winning goal coming 15 minutes from time with Juliette Denny on target to see the 3 points won and Queens Park Ranger climb up to 8th in the table.
Lewes Ladies were also on the road this Sunday away to bottom side Plymouth Argyle Ladies. Defeat last weekend had left Lewes Ladies in 10th spot 6 points above Forest Green Rovers Ladies. Natasha Wells found the back of the net midway through the 1st half to give the visitors a lead at half-time. Paige Walder added another goal on 57 to make it 2-0 the 3 points assured on the 90th minute with Danielle Lane netting, Plymouth Argyle pulled 1 goal back deep into injury time Ezme Wells with the strike, a consolation as Lewes open up a 9 point gap above the relegation zone up to 9th.
With Queens Park Rangers and Lewes Ladies both winning this Sunday that saw West Ham United Ladies drop to 10th in the league. were at home at AFC Hornchurch with 5th placed Portsmouth FC Ladies. The visitors getting off to a flyer, Molly Clark scoring in the opening 10 minutes, Leeta Rutherford made it 2-0 shortly after. Ellie Bloomfield getting a goal too midway through the 1st half giving Portsmouth a 3-0 lead at the break. Sarah Kempson was on target twice in the 2nd half the final score 5-1 the win lifting Portsmouth above Cardiff City Ladies and Coventry United Ladies into 3rd place.
FAWPL South East Division One
One fixture survived the weather in FAWPL South East Division One with Gillingham FC Ladies hosting Denham United Ladies at Chatham Town FC. The hoe side found themselves a goal down at 15 minutes after Denham United were awarded a penalty, Alissa Down scoring it to put the visitors ahead held onto the advantage going into the half-time interval. Gillingham FC Ladies came out strong at the start of the 2nd half creating chances before Jade Keogh struck to put them level on 50 minutes, 2 minutes later they had the lead Paige Baker-Carroll scoring one then finding the back of the net 7 minutes later to get her brace put Gillingham 3-1 up. Ten minutes left to play Kallie Balfour netted to make it 4-1 Lydia Wills starting on the bench today came on on in the 73rd minute scored in the final minute to seal a 5-1 win move Gillingham 3 points closer to the teams above them in 5th with games in hand.
Eastern Regional Leagues
The FAWPL League Plate semi-finals weren’t the only ones taking place this weekend, on Sunday it was also the semi-finals of the ERWFL League Cup. Newly promoted from the Essex Women’s Premier Divison, Silver End United Ladies were the underdogs in their semi-final the ERWFL Division One East side drawn at home against Premier Division title hopefuls Stevenage Ladies. After a goalless 1st half, Silver End United went a goal down Jessica Nash scoring for Stevenage Ladies. Silver End United turned it around in the final 5 minutes having worked hard to get back onto level terms, then snatched a last minute winner to take the game 2-1 to reach the final, Rebecca Hollocks the heroine scoring both of the goals.
They will be joined in the ERWFL League Cup final by Colchester Town Ladies after they beat AFC Sudbury Ladies coming out on top in a 7 goal thriller. It’s the featured match from this Sunday on the Supporting Women’s Football Blog. Both sides competing in the Premier Division, the game could have gone to either side. It was the away side AFC Sudbury who took the lead midway through the 1st half Stacey Teager turning a cross home at the near post. The lead didn’t last long with Colchester coming back Chelsea Forde bundling the ball over the line after AFC Sudbury fail to clear from a corner. Could have gone into the break with a 2-1 lead were awarded a penalty kick late in the half. Kerry Stimson smashing her powerful shot against the bottom of the post to miss.
The 1st half was lively, nothing compared to the 2nd, Colchester are awarded a 2nd penalty early in the 2nd half as Stimson is brought down running into the box. Paige Wakefield takes this spot kick scores 2-1. Doesn’t take AFC Sudbury long to get it level again a break up the left Sophie Jeffery out muscling Victoria King for the ball drives on into the box and drills a shot across goal comes back off the far post Jeffery’s momentum has carried her into the middle of goal to turn the rebound in. Colchester are soon back in the lead Stimson linking with Alexandra Brewis-Shephard her return ball putting Stimson through on goal to score. Straight from the other end AFC Sudbury get back to 3-3, Teager with her 2nd goal of the game. 10 minutes left the match could go either way Stimson is put through on goal again lifts her shot over the advancing keeper to make it 4-3, hold onto the lead this time and win the game 4-3 to set up a final with Silver End United Ladies. For the whole match report on the SWF Blog ckick on the link below
Colchester Town Ladies v AFC Sudbury Ladies 06/03/16
In the ERWFL Premier Division Billericay Town Ladies open up a 3 point gap over Stevenage Ladeis at the top with a big home win against 2nd bottom side Great Shelford Ladies winning the game 6-0 with 5 different goalscorers a brace from Lindsey Morgan was backed up with goals each for Nicola Dunston, Hayley Piggott, Marie Barker and Sarah Bovington have 2 league matches left to play, Stevenage have 4 games in hand.
4th placed Haringey Borough Women were at home at the weekend taking on Brentwood Town Ladies, ended a run of 4 league matches without a win to get the 3 points this Sunday Stephanie Cooper and Klesha Darroux both on the scoresheet as they beat Brentwood Town Ladies 2-1, Ashley Debnam with their goal.
AFC Dunstable Ladies current run of good form continues now 5 matches unbeaten in 5 league match. Won again this Sunday away to Great Wakering Rovers Ladies. Winning the match 3-1 the goals scored by Charlotte South, Paige Kavanagh and Kemina Webber to lift them 3 points clear in 5th spot in the league table.
Elsewhere in the ERWFL, the Division One Cup Group Stages continue. In Group A Ipswich Wanderers Ladies record their 1st win in the competition to lift themselves up into 3rd spot in the table, away playing Stevenage Ladies Reserves, Kristie Turner gave them the lead scoring from the penalty spot. A stunning strike from Leah Littlechild got Stevenage back on level terms however Ipswich Wanderers, Tarnya McKew scored in the closing minutes to seal the win.
Also in Group A the leaders of the ERWFL Division One West and East meet in the Cup, Hutton Ladies at home to Writtle Ladies. The visitors had the better of it scoring twice to win the match 2-0, to move a point behind Group A leader Little Thurrock Dynamos Ladies. Abigail Fry and Leanne Stubbings the plays to score.
In Group B, leaders Offley & Stopsley Ladies made it 3 wins out of 3 edging out Royston Town Ladies at home by the odd goal in 7 winning 4-3 to put them 3 points in the lead. Up to 3rd place in the Grouo B table are Hoddesdon Owls Ladies winning their 1st game in the group this Sunday, at home taking on Long Melford Ladies, goals from Rebecca Scola and Daniela Martucci got them the 3 points winning the game 2-0.
Norfolk
Norfolk was hit heavy with the postponements this weekend with only 2 matches surviving. In Norfolk Women’s Division One, 3rd placed Aylsham FC Ladies will look back and wish theirs had fallen foul to the weather too. Were on their travels playing at Kings Meadow against 2nd placed Wymondham Town Ladies, who remain unbeaten in the league with games in hand on leaders Brandon Town Ladies, Sally Hammerton bagged herself a hat-trick with a brace a piece for Kelly Ayers and Amber Cantwell, Laura Hammerton also finding the back of the net in an emphatic 8-0 victory.
Aylsham FC Ladies might have thought conceding 8 goals was bad but it was worse for Morley Ladies in Norfolk Women’s Division Two as they were thumped 16-1 at Kirkley & Pakefield FC Ladies. Nikki Wigg struck to find the back of the net for 5 of the Kirkley & Pakefield goals Jody Wells scored 4, with 3 for Selina Rowland the other goals were shared by Sophie Marti, Gemma Farman, Sue-Lyn King, and Abbie Knights plus an own goal. Candice Halstead got the Morley Ladies goal. Kirkley & Pakefield FC Ladies stay 2nd a point behind North Walsham Angels Ladies after they were awarded a home win against Bungay Town Ladies Reserves.
Suffolk
In Suffolk there was just the one league match taking place with Brantham Athletic Ladies at home to Witnesham Wasps Ladies, scored a goal in both the 1st and 2nd half to win the match 2-0. Kirsten Hutchings and Jessica Ryan the players on target. The win sees Brantham Athletic climb above Bacton United Ladies into 2nd place.
Cambridgeshire
Was also meant to be the semi-finals of the Cambridgeshire Women’s league Cup this Sunday but sadly the ties between Cambridge United WFC Reserves & Fulbourn Bluebirds + Huntingdon Town Ladies & Cambridge City Ladies were postponed.
In the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership there was just the one fixture, but a huge one for Newmarket Town Ladies as they picked up their 1st win in the top division. Away to Bar Hill Ladies, with their U18s fresh from winning a place in their League Cup final on Saturday the 1st team celebrated by beating Bar Hill Ladies away from home. Abbie Griffin, Kirsten Hummell and Dominika Szary all scoring in a 3-1 win. Anna Jephson with the goal for Bar Hill Ladies.
One match took place in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship South with Downham Town Ladies on the road taking on 2nd bottom Hungate Rovers Ladies. George Lingham hit a hat-trick along with goals fron Zoe Sharp and Chelsea Thomason to win the match 5-0 the victory lifting Downham Town Ladies up to 2nd in the table.
All 3 scheduled league matches in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship took place at the weekend, Little Paxton Ladies have dropped out of the league which has seen a small amount of adjustment to the table. St Ives Town Ladies are still top but the lead is now down to a single point with 2nd place Park Ladies closing the gap and giving their goal difference a massive boost with a large home win against Isleham United Ladies, Kirstie Smith top scored with a hat-trick, with Ebony Bliss, Casey Ward and Erin Powell getting a brace, Madison Jackson and Gemma Hutton also scored in an 11-2 victory. Laura Todd scored both of Isleham United goals. Park Ladies have a game in hand on the leaders.
4th v 3rd as Milton Ladies played host to Riverside Rovers Reserves and Milton Ladies leapfrog Riverside Rovers into 3rd spot courtesy of a 4-0 win Kirsty Lemmon-Sparks scoring 3 times with Felicity Price also on the scoresheet. Another big winner at the weekend were Comberton Ladies at home to bottom side Cambridge Rangers. Kerri Hilton-Taylor was on fire putting the ball into the back of the net 6 times, Megan Jeray also scored as Comberton won 7-2.
Essex
Very quiet in Essex this weekend, with all but one league and cup fixture surviving that was in the Essex Women’s Premier Division with Collier Row Tigers at home to Walden Ladies. Had slipped to 5th in the table but are now right back in the hunt for the title winning comprehensively 10-0 to climb back up into 3rd spot 2 points behind leaders Chelmsford City Ladies.
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
Sherrardswood Ladies level on points at the top of Beds & Herts Women’s Division One with Harvesters FC Ladies had the opportunity to go 3 points clear this Sunday were playing 3rd placed Hertford Town Ladies at home. Hertford Town had played just the one league match so far in 2016 de to cup commitments and postponements prior to that were going strong in the league undefeated in 7 matches with 6 of those wins. Laveena Betts and Donna Watts got the goals for Hertford Town Ladies as they beat Sherrardswood Ladies 2-0 the win putting them onto 22 points 3 behind the leading pair with games in hand.
Battle of the top 2 in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two, with leaders Sharnbrook WFC 5 points clear of 2nd placed Houghton Athletic Ladies going into the game. Thing’s didn’t go to plan for Houghton Athletic travelling to Sharnbrook as they suffered a heavy defeat to see gap extended to 8 points. Sharnbrook taking the lead midway through the 1st half, Gemma Franklin netting the goal, Charlotte Mullins scored just past the half hour mark, Franklin scoring again in 1st half injury time to make it 3-0 at half time. Mullins was on target 6 minutes into the 2nd half scoring her 2nd goal of the match. Sarah Fuller got herself on the scoresheet on the 60th minute with Tracey Hutchinson getting a goal 8 minutes later. Sian Cunningham made it 7-0 in the late minute to see Sharnbrook extend their lead at the top of the table.
Bottom club Evergreen Eagles picked up a point for the 2nd successive Sunday a high scoring draw as they held 4th placed Watton Ladies the match ending 4-4.
In Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three, leaders Hitchin Belles made it 10 wins out of 10 in the league to stay top, were at home hosting bottom side Shefford Town & Campton Ladies. The usual suspects with the goals with Emily Field and Shannon Page both putting the back home to win the game 2-0.
Previous league leaders Icknield Ladies had suffered there 1st league defeat in 7 matches last time out dropping to 2nd on goal difference behind Hitchin Belles they keep the points tally neck and neck 30 each getting 3 points away to Hatfield Town Ladies. Won big to take the 3 points, Zoe Molloy netting a hat-trick, Cyeanna Eaton a brace with a goal each for Louise Grocott, Sandra Knias, Jodie Molloy and Jackie Sheridan in a 9-1 win.
The team who beat Icknield Ladies last Sunday were Bedmond Ladies the win lifting them up into 4th in the table and into the mix for promotion. Their opponents Evergreen Ladies had suffered defeat at that weekend away to Hitchin Belles now they were away to Bedmond and win for either would give them home of catching the leading pair. Evergreen Ladies got the 3 points to move back up into 3rd place in a high scoring match coming out on top of a 5-3 scoreline. Their goals scored by Emily Jones, Rebecca Freeman, Natalie Maher, Louisa Johnson and Krystie Jacobs.
End with some sad news as there has been another side drop out of the leagues, in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three, Welwyn Garden City Ladies have folded which sees an adjustment to the table Women’s Football East wishes everyone involved the very best and hope you find a new club to enjoy your football with.
That concludes another edition of The Tuesday Round-Up plenty of goals scored this Sunday. Another two cup finalists sorted. League battles not going to plan at the top for a few as the business end of the season arrives, still lots to play for. Just want to see some sunshine. Results are all updated in the leagues, cups and the league tables themselves to follow will update as soon as I can, off to watch West Ham United Ladies v Tottenham Hotspur Ladies at Upton Park tonight been looking forwards to this visit. Until next Tuesday thanks for reading.