Sunday 16th March

Cambridgeshire Women’s Invitation Cup

 A busy weekend last time out meant the football got squeezed out of the schedule after a late call off, so good to be back at it this Sunday was we move well and truly into the business end of the season, with the cup final places up for grabs, headed to Newmarket to watch one of the semi-finals of this season’s Cambridgeshire Fa Women’s Invitation Cup as Newmarket Town Women played host to Cambridge United Women.

 On paper a good looking last 4 in the competition with Histon Ladies hosting Cambridge City Women in the other semi-final. like Newmarket, Histon are enjoying a strong season in ERWFL Division One North 3rd and 4th in the table respectfully, having both reached the Invitation Cup final themselves in recent seasons, could prove tough opposition to their Cambridge opponents who have been dominant in the competition.

 Newmarket Town Women reaching the Invitation cup Final for the 1st time back in 2022 losing at the Abbey Stadium to Cambridge City Women. Are enjoying a decent season in ERWFL Division One North, now the longest established side in the league, up into 3rd spot among a trio of sides hoping to chase down leaders, Harpenden Town Women who hold a decent advantage. A Development side backing up the first team along with an U18s side Newmarket have a proud history of bringing through youth players into the senior women’s sides.

Have advanced into the last 4 of this season’s Invitation cup without kicking a ball, granted home wins over Manea Sirens A team and Leverington Sports Ladies respectfully in the previous rounds. Millie Docking, Newmarket’s leading scorer, dual signed with Cambridge United with 14 goals from her 20 appearances this season. Katie Spiers close behind on 12 from her 18 games with Holly Corley, captain Katie Walker and Abbi Griffin (another ex-Cambridge United player before returning to Newmarket) all on 5 a piece.

Cambridge United WFC long established in tier 4 of the women’s football pyramid, now enjoying closer ties with the men’s club, the leading club women’s football in the county. Have enjoyed success in the Invitation Cup, Cambridgeshire’s Senior County Cup competition, dominating it along with Cambridge City Women. The senior team not always taking part in the competition, their U18s entering the competition last season, reaching the final missing out to Whittlesey Athletic Ladies. Enter this season’s competition with a mixture of U18s who play in the JPL league set-up and first team players. Allowed 5 regular first team players, plus any who have played less than 50% of the clubs fixtures, or have been out injured for a month or more.

9th in the FAWNL South East Division One table, amongst a cluster of sides jostling for mid-table places in what has proven to be a highly competitive league this season. Bella Simmons top scorer with 14 goals from her 20 games, attacking midfielder, Alysha Stojko-Down, has 9 goals from her 18 matches. Ran out 10-0 winners away to Chatteris Town Lillies Ladies in the Invitation Cup before going onto beat holders Whittlesey Athletic 2-0 at home in the quarter finals.

The Tristel Stadium, home of Newmarket Town FC the venue for today’s semi-final, the cork based artificial pitch seeing alot of action, hosting a number of teams and training sessions. overlooked by a covered seated stand beside the changing rooms and clubhouse with the bar open along with the kitchen hatch serving hot food and drinks. Spring is almost here and the weather calm and pleasant, overcast with some cloud cover but no rain forecast during the match.

Newmarket Town Women starting XI – Dominika Szary, Holly Dryland, Ellie Sturgess, Ailie Rennie, Liv Caffarelli, Abi Gibson, Katie Walker (C), Abbie Corbyn, Abbi Griffin, Niamh Bridgeman & Katie Spiers. Subs – Holly Corley, Eden Kirby-Cook, Evonne Yerrell & Kara Wayman.

Cambridge United WFC starting XI – Sophie Shults, Flo Hjaltun-Rayner, Olivia Welham, Lauren Rouse, Gisella Otten (C), Alysha Stojko-Down, Charlotte Gillies, Ella Marden, Becca Stephenson & Erika Lempek. Subs – Millie Docking, Emelia Reinhardt, Katie Walter, Holly Plummer & Sydney Daniels.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

 Ironic that Newmarket’s leading goal scorer, is on Cambridge’s bench this afternoon, but such is the nature of a dual signing. The hosts themselves bringing players through to the 1st team from the Development and U18s this season, have a good blend of youth and experience, while for Cambridge the set-up of the side calls for the same balance. Newmarket to kick-off the 1st half wearing yellow coloured shirts with blue shorts and white socks with Cambridge lined up opposite in their away kit, a floral patterned sky blue shirt with sky blue shorts and socks. The ball rolled back into the middle hit long bouncing into the opposition box for Cambridge goalkeeper, Sophie Shults to get an early touch.

The ball played out to defender, Lauren Rouse moving right launches it forwards down the wing for Charlotte Gillies to chase down, knocks it on pace as she drives forwards squaring the ball across the top of the D, picking out the run of Becca Stephenson, recently signed on dual registration from Needham Market, left of the D 20 yards out, gets her shot away as a defender lunges into to try and block, the ball swerving wide of the left upright.

A lively start to the match, Cambridge looking to press Newmarket on the ball, get play turned around quickly, Gillies and Stephenson making positive runs in the flanks, Holly Dryland tackling Stephenson as she attacks on the left lifting the ball forwards, looking for Niamh Bridgeman in attack, the pass intercepted by Cambridge’s captain, Gisela Otten at the back.

The ball being pinged about the park a high tempo start to the game, Newmarket come left, Flo Hjaltun-Rayner, moving in to tackle, Abbie Corbyn on the wing, getting it forwards into Erika Lempek, another new signing for Cambridge, out on the wing looks to control the ball spin off her marker, is instead fouled by Liv Caffarelli winning the free-kick. Stephenson getting about the final third looking for the ball for the visitors shifting play out to Gillies running in behind on the right wing clips a cross long across goal, collected safely by Newmarket goalkeeper, Dominika Szary.

Caffarelli at the back for Newmarket getting a foot in to dispossess Stephenson as she gathers the ball into her feet inside the left channel. The Newmarket defence busy as Cambridge regain possession in the middle, come back at them. Hjaltun-Rayner on the right playing the ball forwards for Gillies, Ellie Sturgess getting back on her to slide in take the ball out for a throw-in.

Serena Cobb linking up with Alysha Stojko-Down in the middle for Cambridge the ball fed forwards into Lempek back to goal left of the D, turns well on the ball driving towards the box, attempting to lob Szary as she comes racing out to close her down, the goalkeeper getting something on the ball. Newmarket captain Katie Walker carrying the ball on through the middle has Corbyn ahead of her, giving her the ball, plays in on for Katie Spiers up top pulling away to the right trying to get into the box, Olivia Welham the 3rd of Cambridge’s recent signings putting in the tackle at left back to deny the shot.

Walker sending a shot over from all of 25 yards out as Newmarket get players forwards probing the top of the Cambridge area. The ball rarely still, Cambridge nipping in to win the 2nd ball, laying it forwards Cobb on for Gillies right side driving down the line Sturgess with her sliding in to play the ball out for a corner kick. The corner put into the near post cleared back to the corner taker, fed back inside to Rouse, top of the area, Dryland going in to close her down in a 50/50 challenge, comes back to Gillies out on the right, flashes a teasing cross through the six yard box, missed by two Cambridge players running in at the far post.

The ball, zipping about the pitch, Gillies with pace out on the right, Sturgess closing her down to prevent the cross. Ella Marden linking up with Stephenson on Cambridge’s left flank, sending the ball down the line for Stephenson to chase down, racing to the by-line turns into the box, her cross, blocked by Caffarelli turned behind for a corner kick. A fantastic ball curled in from the corner, Cambridge unable to get a head on it at the far post to turn home, the hosts bring the ball down and launch a rapid counter the ball fired long up the left with Spiers pulling into space to receive the ball, Cambridge stretched at the back, Welham does well to get across to tackle Spiers send the ball out for a throw.

Cambridge’s turn to break getting the ball into Stephenson moving left linking up with Marden and Lempek, top of the box, challenged by Caffarelli, the ball cleared back to the left won back by Cambridge the shot blasted in on the angle, wide at the far post. A lively opening 15 minutes to the tie.

 GOAL! Cambridge get the ball forwards into Stephenson’s feet on the left wing a burst pf pace to drive on down the line squaring a cross into the area, near side Lempek looking to hold off a defender back to goal, Szary making the call to come and lay claim to the ball doesn’t get there as the pass is squeezed inside for Gillies to take a touch central and stroke the ball into the empty net 0-1.

Abi Gibson on the ball through the middle for Newmarket sends it on for Spiers in attack, looks to turn off, Otten, Cambridge’s captain, stretching out a leg to deny her the ball. Quick to get the ball forwards a long pass finding Stephenson breaking away on the left, taking the shot on from the angle, rising, Szary throwing up her gloves tipping the ball over for a corner kick. The visitors remain lively in attack, Stephenson moving across the top of the box taking the ball on for Gillies on the right forwards for Lempek right of the D, the flag up however as she strays offside.

Newmarket’s long clearances posing an issue for Cambridge to deal with, Spiers looking to capitalize in attack for the visitors pull into the channels, Rouse challenging as she links up with Corbyn on the left. Spiers letting another long ball run on past her in behind to see Bridgeman bursting clear into the box right of goal, sends her shot straight at Shults for a comfortable save, a warning for Cambridge nevertheless.

Newmarket pressing high get caught on the counter attack, the ball lifted on for Gillies to break clear away to attack on the right, racing for the box, Sturgess does brilliantly to recover having the pace to get back at the winger chase her down and clear the ball. Newmarket advancing on the right Abbi Griffin putting a long angled cross into the area, Corbyn racing in beyond the far post, does well on the volley stretching out a leg to deflect the ball onto Hjaltun-Rayner to see it behind for a corner kick.

Curled into the six yard box from the left, Shults rising amongst the crowd to punch the ball away to the right, hurts herself in the process, but after a pause in play is able to continue. Walker winning the ball in midfield for Newmarket playing it out to Griffin on the right swings a dangerous cross into the Cambridge box, Spiers stretching for it in the middle can’t quite reach it, Corbyn running in beyond the far post, throwing out a leg and direct the ball back across goal, out for a goal kick.

Walker chips the ball up to Corbyn out on the left outside the area, closely marked by Hjaltun-Rayner, the ball escaping beyond the pair loose inside the box, Bridgeman alert in behind to try and attack it, Shults getting down to gather the ball into her body before she can get a touch.

A defensive coming together from Newmarket high up the pitch on the left sees, Lempek race away with the ball at her feet into the channel striking the ball from 20 yards out her effort racing wide of Szary’s left post. Stephenson getting hold of the ball centrally for Cambridge looking to travel with the ball moving in field, Griffin putting the tackle in for Newmarket.

Cobb getting forwards to win the ball for Cambridge keep the pressure on in the final 3rd out to Stephenson on the left up with Marden, inside for Lempek, Walker back to defend for the hosts.

 GOAL! Approaching the half hour mark and Cambridge double their lead the ball from Cobb rolled into Lempek, back to goal in the left channel feds it out to Stephenson racing past her on the left bearing down on the area, Szary rushing out to the corner of her box to try and close the angle, Stephenson knocking the ball past the keeper, running on beyond her to fire the ball into the goal beyond to net her 1st Cambridge goal. 0-2.

Newmarket conceding a 2nd goal look to get the ball forwards quickly their long balls still causing Cambridge a few issues, Hjaltun-Rayner enjoying a good battle with Corbyn as she looks to get on down the hosts left wing, the Cambridge full back winning the ball twice in quick succession.

Cambridge winning a corner on the left, have played in some teasing deliveries, again curled in Otten rising centrally to head the ball down towards goal, Szary with a sharp save stopping it on her goal line.

Sturgess has been kept on her toes by Gillies on Cambridge’s right, stretching out her leg to take the ball from the winger as she looks to power forwards. Cambridge with a corner on the right in short to Gillies top of the area fired into the six yard box, blocked, Newmarket launching it clear, high up the pitch, Welham the last defender has to win it, or risk, Spiers going through one on one with the keeper, the defender composed to win the ball.

Cambridge getting Stojko-Down onto the ball central, plays a through ball up to Stephenson making a central run in behind, Szary comes racing out of her box needing to get there, just about snatching her clearance into the middle, Cambridge snapping back to win the ball out to Gillies on the right 25 yards out tries to capitalize on the keeper being out of position, fires her angled shot wide across goal.

Late in the first half Cambridge winning a free-kick deep on the left, fired in long to the far post, Gillies trying to meet it on the volley a difficult chance can only turn the ball behind for a goal-kick.

Half-time Newmarket Town Women 0-2 Cambridge United WFC

 Cambridge leading 2-0 at the break getting forwards well to keep the Newmarket defence busy, winning the 2nd ball in the middle and turning play around quickly. The barely rarely still. Charlotte Gillies opening the scoring in the 16th minute, Becca Stephenson put through to double the lead on the half hour mark. The game played at a high tempo Newmarket’s long clearances causing a few issues defenders on both sides putting in a number of crucial tackles and interceptions. Cambridge in a good position will be looking for an early goal in the 2nd half to take full control of the semi-final, Newmarket still firmly in the game however will be looknig for the early break through themselves to put themselves right back in the game.

Changes for both sides at half-time, Newmarket bringing on Holly Corley for Bridgeman. Cambridge making a double switch in attack bring in Millie Docking and Emilia Reinhardt in place of Gillies and Lempek. Cambridge to kick off the 2nd half, the ball rolled into Otten, sends it long, Szary gathering it into her gloves for the hosts. Walker bringing the ball on for Newmarket central playing a diagonal ball forwards looking for Spiers, pulling left, the pass cut out by Rouse at the back for Cambridge.

Otten stepping in to tackle Spiers as the Newmarket attacker attempts to drives forwards with the ball through the centre. Rennie with the ball at her feet at the back for Newmarket sending on long up the right for Dryland breaking forwards on the flank driving on with the ball clips a cross low into the near post, caught by Shults.

Cambridge continuing where they left off first half looking to get the ball forwards with pace, Docking and Reinhardt looking to break in behind, Stojko-Down looking to play in Marden in the left channel, Caffarelli getting her foot in to cut the pass out for the hosts behind for a corner eft side. Another vicious delivery curled in centrally just over Otten rising in the middle of the six yard box, Szary beyond pushing the ball out to the top of the area.

Cambridge lively Reinhardt with pace to burn bursting in behind the defence top of the area, Szary rushing out to try and close her down, Reinhardt attempts the lob Szary getting a glove up well to deflect it away to the right, caught out of position as Reinhardt goes after it right of goal, defenders racing back to cover the exposed goal, Reinhardt shoots low for the bottom left corner, the shot blocked on the line turned behind for a corner kick.

Curled into the six yard box, dropping down into the mix scrambled away to the left. Cambridge pushing hard Otten winning the ball high laying it into the left channel for Marden looking to get away down the wing, Dryland back to challenge, however the attack halted by a raised flag.

Reinhardt’s pace a threat for Newmarket as she races through in behind as the visitors capitalise on a poorly struck free-kick, Szary again out to close her down sliding in Reinhardt stabbing the ball past the advancing keeper, but so to the right post.

GOAL! No sooner has Reinhardt had one opportunity to score she is presented with another for Cambridge as Welham wins the ball at the back for the visitors, played forwards into Reinhardt looking to pull off the Newmarket defence right channel racing into the box, let’s fly before Szary can set herself sending the ball past her into the back of the net to add Cambridge’s 3rd on 57 minutes 0-3.

Cambridge getting the ball back in the middle Cobb combining with Stojko-Down on for Stephenson advancing down the right wing to the touch line puts in the cross, Caffarelli turning it behind for a corner kick. Swung into the near post from the right cut out cleared to the top of the area Cobb inside the D getting hold of it for the visitors sliding the ball forwards for Stojko-Down breaking clear right side of goal, Szary out to close her down sliding in the pair colliding the ball knocked on across goal, cleared off the line. Both Stojko-Down and Szary up okay after their collision.

Newmarket making a treble change bringing off Caffarelli, Corbyn and Spiers, with Bridgeman back on along with Eden Kirby-Cook and Kara Wayman on the hour mark. Reinhardt up top for Cambridge charging in behind inside the right channel, forcing Szary to come racing out of her box to try and close her down just about gets there the ball skipping up off her turned on into the box eventually put behind for a corner even as Cambridge complain to the referee over a potential hand ball outside the area but no given.

The corner fired into the near post met by Stojko-Down who heads it wide. Cambridge’s turn to make a treble switch bringing off Hjaltun-Rayner, Rouse and Welham, on come Katie Walter, Sydney Daniels and Holly Plummer. Stojko-Down playing the ball forwards to Marden left side, Rennie defending the ball out for a corner kick. Swung into the six yard box, Szary up well amongst bodies to punch the ball clear.

Walker sending the ball out to Griffin pulling right for Newmarket knocks the ball forwards before clipping a cross into the box, Shults up to claim it centrally. Griffin winning Newmarket a free-kick out wide on the right, takes it herself a great delivery in across the six yard box at an inviting height but no one can get a touch as the game moves into the final 20 minutes.

Stephenson caught as she looks to bring the ball on through the middle for Cambridge. Stojko-Down with a effort from range struck wide of the right post. Newmarket fighting hard getting bodies up looking to find a way through on goal, Walker getting onto the ball pressing forwards left channel, Walter coming in to close her down for Cambridge. Dryland coming off for Newmarket, as they send on Yvonne Yerrell. Griffin looking to link up with Gibson for the hosts taking the ball right Plummer tackling for Cambridge.

The game entering the final 10 minutes Cambridge making a double substitution bringing Gillies and Lempek back on in place of Marden and Stephenson. Lempek involved straight away as she looks to break clear off the defence on the right channel, it’s Gibson who gets back to make the challenge for Newmarket.

Newmarket not sitting back trying to keep Cambridge contained feel they can get something from the game pushing players on Griffin right linking up with Bridgeman the ball helped inside to Corley top of the D, moves to the left unleashing a shot, Shults getting down to make the save.

Rennie at the back for Newmarket with a well timed tackle on Lempek as the Cambridge attacker drives for the box left of the D. Reinhardt coming to the left sending the ball inside for Lempek initially missed by the defence Rennie is around on the cover to get to the ball first roll it back to her keeper to clear.

Stojko-Down with another strike from distance powered wide of the left post as the ball is cleared up to her. Spiers back on for Newmarket late on. Reinhardt fouled on the left as she brings the ball forwards. Stojko-Down over the set-piece launched towards the far post, Szary up well to claim the ball.

The crowd appealing for a hand ball as Newmarket attack on the left the cross turned behind inside the box for a corner instead. Curled into the near post Cambridge cleared to the top of the area 25 yards out Spiers onto the ball looking to tee up Walker left of the d 20 yards out leaning back as she shoots fires her effort high.

Into stoppage time Stojko-Down is fouled by Walker picks herself up to take the set-piece to the left angling the ball in towards the far post Otten pulling off the defence misses it as it flies past the keeper out for a goal kick.

Full Newmarket Town Women 0-3 Cambridge United WFC

 Cambridge advancing to the Invitation Cup Final, where they will face Histon Ladies as the tier 6 side beat Cambridge City 4-1 to reach the final. Being played at Cambridge City FC’s new ground in Sawston on Weds 30th March. Cambridge leading 2-0 at the break, making a strong start to the 2nd half looking for an early goal to extend their lead and settle things down. The game nevertheless played at a frenetic pace, the ball never still. Newmarket battled well tried to get themselves a foot hold back into the game but Cambridge had the experience on the pitch to keep things tight in defence.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto this Sunday’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match award. plenty of contenders once again. Several performances to mention, first up Newmarket captain, Katie Walker, fighting for the ball in the middle of the park looked to get forwards link up with the attack. Ellie Sturgess had a battle on her hands with Charlotte Gillies on the right but got in a number of tackles and covered the ground well. Abi Gibson too winning her fair share of tackles in the middle. For Cambridge their captain too with a strong game, Gisela Otten winning the ball at the back, reading the game well. Serena Cobb and Alysha Stojko-Down pressing the ball winning it high in the middle keeping Cambridge constantly on the front foot. Charlotte Gillies carrying a threat on the right with her pace driving with the ball opening the scoring. Flo Hjaltun-Rayner at full back winning her fair share of the ball, played some great balls forwards. Emilia Reinhardt made a real impact coming on 2nd half her pace troubling the Newmarket defence and gave Cambridge the momentum going on to add the 3rd goal. The award today goes to Becca Stephenson, already has one for Needham Market this season. Got Cambridge on the front foot early on getting hold of the ball and driving forwards whether it be down the left channel on centrally looked to make things happen link up her fellow attackers and getting her 1st Cambridge goal too.

 An enjoyable afternoon at the Tristel Stadium at fast paced game my thanks to both sides for their help with the team details as always much appreciated, entering the business end of the season the cup finals beginning for me this coming Sunday.

by Darren Gilham