The Tuesday Round-Up – Edition Twenty Nine
Sunday 3rd April
Welcome to Edition Twenty Nine of The Tuesday Round-Up, into April a defining month in the women’s football season across the East. Cup Finals to be contested. With a few other finalists to be determined. Pretty much all the leagues across the region have been hotly contested all season and gradually some have fallen away from the title hunt, games though are running out for others to catch the leaders. Not just the battle for the title but promotion too. Finally have an Edition of The Tuesday Round-Up where certainly a few sides can be put out of the running. Others are almost there and one league has a Champion! Plenty to cover April started with bright sunshine a real frustration for those that did see their game called off, but those were few and far between, which of course means we have alot to cover once again so let’s plunge on.
FAWPL Southern Division
In the FAWPL Southern Division, Brighton & Hove Albion WFC are almost there have one league match left to play and a win away to Tottenham Hotspur Ladies this coming Sunday will see them crowned Champions with none of the chasing sides being able to catch them. Maintain an 8 point lead at the top of the table on Sunday. At home for their final FAWPL league game this season taking on a side who needed a win to keep their own slender hopes of pipping them to the title alive. Portsmouth FC Ladies were in 3rd place in the table 10 points behind Brighton but with 2 games in hand, needed a win and Brighton to lose both their remaining 2 matches to catch them, unlikely as that was it was a win or they were out of the running.
Brighton were in no mood to fall at the final hurdle however, Amy Taylor scoring twice to put them 2 up inside the opening 20 minutes. Molly Clark pulled a goal back for Portsmouth shortly after but conceded again in the final minute of the 1st half to go in 3-1 down at the break, Charlotte Gurr the Brighton scorer. No more goals were to follow 2nd half as Brighton celebrated. Win their final game and there’s no one to catch them despite the sides below them all having games in hand.
Portsmouth FC Ladies weren’t the only side hoping to see Brighton beaten this Sunday, 2nd placed Charlton Athletic Women. 8 points behind, but again with 2 matches in hand could do with the result going Portsmouth’s way. Were taking on a side from the South Coast themselves with Lewes Ladies the visitors to the Sporting Club Thamesmead Stadium. Of course forgetting the Brighton v Portsmouth match Charlton had to get the right result at home, was a disastrous start conceding in the opening 2 minutes, Lewes ladies going ahead through a Sian Heather strike. Lewes lead right up till the end of the 1st half, Kit Graham scoring to put Charlton back on level terms going into the dressing room at half-time. The stalemate held even as Lewes were reduced to 10 players with 10 minutes left, Paige Walder shown a red card. Plenty of injury time was played, and deep into it 90+5 Charlton popped up with a winning goal, Grace Coombs scoring to win the match and take all 3 points.
Cardiff City Ladies are now the only side who can overhaul Brighton’s points tally, winning on Sunday to climb up to 3rd spot above Portsmouth are 10 points behind Brighton with 12 points left to play for even winning those 4 matches win be futile if Brighton win their remaining match. Still like Charlton it was a case of winning your own match 1st and this Sunday they were away to Tottenham Hotspur Ladies whom they will face in the FAWPL League Cup Final next month. One goal was enough to win the 3 points coming for the Welsh side, Alys Hinchcliffe netting from a free kick in the closing seconds of the 1st half.
Coventry United Ladies also climb above Portsmouth to take 4th spot with a comfortable 5-0 away win at Queens Park Rangers Ladies. The visitors 1st goal came just after the half hour mark, Jade Brook on target with Marie Gauntlett putting Coventry 2-0 up 5 minutes before half-time. Amber Hughes extended Coventry’s lead 15 minutes into the 2nd half with Gauntlett scoring her 2nd of the game 2 minutes later. Christina Torkildson making it 5-0 with 15 minutes left on the clock.
FAWPL South East Division One
Leaders Crystal Palace Ladies keep up their unbeaten lead record but were made to work for it at home against Denham United Ladies on Sunday. The visitors taking a 1-0 lead into half-time Alissa Down scoring screamer of a free kick from 25-30 yards out. Francesca Ali came off the bench to join the action for Crystal Palace early in the 2nd half and was on hand inside the box to score the levelling goal for the hosts. Denham United came back to retake the lead Elisha Allen with a long run to round the keeper inside the box and score. 2-1 down going into the last 15 minutes Crystal Palace scored again Ali with her 2nd of the match. Went on to break Denham hearts and cue wild celebrations as they scored in the dying moments of the 90 to win 3-2, Gemma Bryan’s strike smashing in down off the cross bar and over the line. Have a 9 point lead with 5 matches left to play.
The side most likely to catch them in the FAWPL South East Division One are 3rd placed Gillingham FC Ladies. Have 8 matches left to play due to postponements and cup football early in the season even winning all those games still need to see Crystal Palace’s unbeaten run end. Were on the road at the weekend a long journey north up to the top of the Suffolk Coast to play 2nd bottom side Lowestoft Ladies. Took the early initiative going 2 nil up on the 5th and 6th minute respectfully, Paige Baker-Carroll and Megan Maslak with the goals. On 20 minutes Kallie Balfour made it 3-0. Jade Keogh and Lauren Davis both scoring in the final 5 minutes of the 1st half to take full control of the match. 2nd half saw an improved Lowestoft performance couldn’t keep Gilllingham from scoring again but restricted them to 1 more goal Baker-Carroll with her 2nd of the match on the 63rd minute seeing Gillingham win 6-0 give their goal difference another boost.
4th versus 5th in the FAWPL South East Division One was this weekends featured match on the Supporting Women’s Football Blog, a trip to the Stockwood Park Athletics Stadium to watch Luton Town Ladies play Cambridge United WFC. Two competitive sides this was a fiery encounter with several strong challenges early on that set the tone with the referee letting it go. Luton were to take the lead a well delivered corner to the far post met by the head of the falling Nicola Henman was directed back on target Cambridge failing to keep it out on the post. Was from a corner themselves that Cambridge got it back to 1-1 at half-time, a well delivered ball from Laura Mills which goalkeeper Hollie Staples could only knock down at the far post with Cambridge’s Laura Bright on hand to bundle home. 2nd half Luton were to regain the lead Natasha Fensome getting onto the ball on the edge of the area and driving across goal shooting back across to score. Tensions boiled over ending in a mass confrontation players from both sides joining in took the referee a minute to sort out the repressions seeing Luton’s Zara Carroll sent off. Despite being down to 10 from the remainder of the 2nd half Luton defended well to hold on to the lead and take all 3 points. The full match report can be found on the website below this post.
Elsewhere it was a trip up to Norfolk for Enfield Town Ladies to play Norwich City Ladies. Nuala McKevitt scored the only goal of the match to see Enfield Town Ladies leave with the 3 points in the bag and move up a place to 7th in the table.
2nd placed Milton Keynes Dons Ladies were involved in a Cup Final at the weekend defending the Berks & Bucks Women’s County Cup against Maidenhead United Ladies whom were also their opponents last season. Was late into the 2nd half before the deadlock was finally broken Andie Dickens heading home in the final 10 minutes for Milton Keynes to see them win. Congratulations to Milton Keynes Dons Ladies on their cup success.
Eastern Regional Leagues
Win the ERWFL Division One Cup group stages out of the way it was back to league action across the 3 divisions. In the ERWFL Premier Division 2nd placed Stevenage Ladies close the gap to leaders Billericay Town Ladies to 2 points with 3 matches in hand with a 3-1 away victory at 2nd bottom side Great Shelford Ladies. A hat-trick scored by Donna McGuigan securing the win. Great Shelford Ladies goal was scored by Samantha Tant her 1st for the club.
Continuing their astonishing form in 2016, AFC Dunstable Ladies are now up to 4th in the ERWFL Premier Division table following another win as they extend their unbeaten league run to 6 matches 5 of those wins. The latest at home this Sunday taking on Acle United Ladies who travelled with just the bare 11 players. Amber Pearson scoring for Dunstable inside 10 minutes the goal proving to be enough to take all the points.
Haringey Borough Women were 4th themselves at the start of play this weekend, but drop to 6th place their opponents moving above them as they travelled to Colchester Town Ladies with just 10 players available. Kerry Stimson scoring a hat-trick for the home side with Chelsea Forde and Charlotte Bryant also on target in a 5-1 win. Klesha Darroux scoring the goal for Haringey Borough Women.
We have our 1st league Champions of the season in the East. In the ERWFL Division One East, Writtle Ladies have gone the entire season, much like the previous two seasons before with a 100% winning league record. Had 3 more matches to play in the league before the weekend 2 of which were against their nearest rivals Silver End United Ladies, their fellow Essex side 3 points behind with just the 2 matches left both against Writtle, needed victory as they welcomed them onto their patch. Writtle had other ideas Courtney Clarke scoring twice with Georgina Tricker also bagging a goal to win the match and open up a 6 point lead can’t be caught now and will be looking to finish without a loss in their last 2 matches away to Bury Town Ladies and home against Silver End United.
Congratulations to Writtle Ladies, ERWFL Division One East Champions.
Where as their are just a handful of fixtures left to be played in the ERWFL Division One East, their counterparts in Division One West have plenty of football left to play having seen alot of postponements early in the year. 7 sides contesting the league leaders Hutton Ladies have played out their league fixtures 12 played on 20 points have 2 sides with games in hand below who can catch them to win the title. Offley & Stopsley Ladies laying in 2nd place were 4 points back with just this weekends fixture to go, were playing bottom side Colney Heath Ladies at the weekend a reversed fixture saw them travel to Colney Heath to play the match scored the only goal of the game to make it a winning finish end on 19 points, 2nd place for now.
The two sides with a chance of catching Hutton Ladies to take the title met at the weekend, Stevenage Ladies Reserves in 3rd place on 16 points had 2 games in hand needed to win both to guarantee the title. Were taking on 4th placed Royston Town Ladies who have only played 8 league fixtures to date. on 15 points with 12 to play for. Beat Stevenage Ladies Reserves and they’d end their rivals title bid. The scores were all level at half-time 1-1, a different story 2nd half with Royston Town Ladies scoring 4 more times to win the game 5-1 leave Stevenage Ladies Reserves out of the running, Leah Littlechild scoring their goal in the 1st half. Royston Town Ladies goals came from Paris Coldicott-Stevens, Samantha Tinsley, Georgia Gannaway and 2 goals for Stacey Little.
Also in the division, Hoddesdon Owls Ladies have a faint shot at the title themselves climbing up to 5th place over opponents Sawbridgeworth Town WFC this Sunday. Taking their recent Division One Cup form into their league campaign had won 3 group successive group matches to finish 2nd in their group. Were at Sawbridgeworth Town WFC at the weekend. Daniela Martucci earning herself a hat-trick scoring all their goals in a 3-1 win. Dempsey Favell with Sawbridgeworth Town WFC’s goal.
Norfolk
In Norfolk Women’s Division One they have been chasing the leaders all season, their earlier run in the FA Women’s Cup meaning they had fixtures to catch up on. This Sunday Wymondham Town Ladies went top of the league. Unbeaten after 11 played conceding just 5 goals were away to Aylsham FC Ladies at the weekend. Despite taking the lead through a Sally Hammerton goal Wymondham went into the break 3-1 down, Aylsham’s goal scoring machine Abbie Charlton with all 3 goals. Wymondham fought back 2nd half goals from Kelly Ayers and Brooklyn Cheal-Ferris getting it back to 3-3 before Alice Collins scored what would be the winning goal to take it 4-3 and go top 2 points clear of Brandon with 2 games left to play. Are away to 4th placed Thorpe United Ladies this coming Sunday if Wymondham win it’ll will see them crowned champions. Thorpe United however have played just the 9 games with 5 left could with a win push it all the way to the end, a big game, Wymondham want to finish the season unbeaten.
At the opposite end of the table in Division One, Fakenham Town Ladies are enjoying a timely purple patch of results at the end of their season near the bottom the entire campaign a draw and 2 wins have seen them climb up to 5th in the table following a 3-2 home win over Lynn Ladies last time out in the league were on the road this Sunday taking on Bungay Town Ladies. Climb above them as they win again by 3 goals to 2. 4 of the goals coming in the 1st half Emily Leach with a goal for Bungay, Fakenham scoring 3 with Rochelle Woods on target for 2 goals, Natalie Wright scoring too. Leach pulled it back to 3-2 for Bungay 2nd half but it wasn’t enough as Fakenham Town Ladies made it 7 points in their last 3.
No league action in Norfolk Women’s Division Two this Sunday, although 4 sides were in action playing one another in the semi-finals of the Norfolk Ladies Plate, a new competition this season. In the 1st semi-final North Walsham Angels Ladies were at home playing Morley Ladies. North Walsham could only field 10 players on the day, but having already secured promotion to Norfolk Division One had the firepower to best Morley on the day winning the game 4-0, 2 goals in each half, Luci Middleton smashing the ball into the back of the net to score a hat-trick with Emma Allsopp to reach their 1st ever final in just their 2nd season.
Joining them in the Norfolk Ladies Plate Final will be, Red Rose Ladies, who unless I’m told different are also into their 1st ever final too. Were away to fellow Division Two side Stalham Town Ladies. The game was all square at half-time 1-1, Amber Mayhew scoring for Stalham. Red Rose Ladies winning it 2-1 with a goal in the 2nd half, Sophie and Vicky Lubbock with their names on the scoresheet. The Norfolk Ladies Plate Final is to be played on Sun 1st May at Plantation Park.
In Norfolk Women’s Division Three, leaders Harleston Ladies were playing their penultimate match of the season knowing they have already secured promotion to Division Two. Had gone unbeaten for so long 11 games 10 of those wins until losing at 2nd placed Gorleston FC Ladies two weeks ago. That defeat was followed by another this Sunday as they travelled to play Freethorpe Ladies who were also playing their penultimate game. Picked up a fantastic 3 points as Chloe Barber netted 3 times for the home side to win the game beating Harleston Ladies 3-2, Lacey Andrews with both of their goals.
In 2nd place Gorleston FC Ladies are closing the gap on Harleston Ladies at the top, still with a 100% win record having been left with alot of matches to catch up on earlier in the season were at home to 3rd placed Red Rose United at the weekend. Goals from Kayleigh Byrne, Kelly Allen, Molly Sims and a hat-trick from Samantha Hunn saw them win the match by 6 goals to 2 and in the process secure promotion to Division Two. Holly Baker and Charlotte Gardiner-Banks with Red Rose United’s goals.
Suffolk
In Suffolk it’s still all to play for in the title race with 4 of the 7 sides contesting the league still in with a chance of claiming the champions crown. The leading pair of Brantham Athletic Ladies and East Bergholt United weren’t in action this Sunday. That gave their rivals a chance to close the gap. In 3rd place Witnesham Wasps Ladies were taking on bottom side Ipswich Phoenix Ladies for the 2nd time in a fortnight at home that time around won 9-0. On the road this weekend were in merciless form as they prepare for a midweek League Cup Final match against Brantham Athletic Ladies scoring 6 goals in either half won the game 12-0, Emily Steward scoring 8 of the goals taking her tally to 38 in all competitions for the club this season so far. Emma Long scoring a brace with Lauren Page and Alice Rampling also getting goals.
They are still in 5th place in the Suffolk Women’s Division league table have been behind with their fixtures all season however Copleston Ladies are still very much involved in the hunt for the title, whereas the top 3 sides have 3 matches left to play Copleston Ladies have 6 left to play and moving onto 23 points are 7 points off the leading pair after this Sunday’s result. Travelled to play Bacton United Ladies in 4th place. 2 goals from Sophie Crane plus a goal each for, Amy Trenter, Kristie Turner, Elysia Young and Jade Horne saw them take the points in a 6-2 victory.
Cambridgeshire
Even as I am putting together The Tuesday Round-Up for Cambridgeshire news comes through of another side dropping out of the leagues in the East and it is sad news indeed to here Huntingdon Town Ladies have pulled out of the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership this season, the 2nd side to do so. Having seen them in action it is a real shame but no surprise having been struggling to field a full team in recent weeks. Is heartening to hear the club is looking to regroup and not stay away from the women’s football scene for too long and I wish everyone involved with the club all the best, and hope sincerely to be writing about Huntingdon Town Ladies in whatever guise they return in on The Tuesday Round-Up in the future.
That sad news of course especially this late into a season brings about huge changes to a league table, in this case the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership as Huntingdon’s results are struck off and the table adjusted. Would have started by saying ICA Sports Ladies win to go back to the top of the Premiership beating Bar Hill Ladies at home 6-2. They did win 6-2 Lorna Hart scoring a hat-trick, with a brace for Sarah Rouse and one goal for Emily Woosnam. Bar Hill ladies 2 goals scored by Nadine Wejkins and Natalie Wells. However ICA Sports drop to 2nd in the adjusted table 2 wins against Huntingdon struck off.
That sees Cambridge United WFC Reserves stay top of the table now with a huge 5 point lead at the top of the Premiership having not played Huntingdon. Were away to Netherton United Ladies at The Grange at the weekend. Netherton took the lead Sasha Haw scoring the goal to see them take a half-time lead. Cambridge United WFC Reserves got themselves back on level terms 20 minutes into the 2nd half the goal scored by Emma Roberts to see the points shared
Also in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership, Newmarket Town Ladies are enjoying a good spell of form have seen points lost having played Huntingdon however that form has seen them pick up a 3 point haul against one of the sides hoping to contest the title as they came away from Cambridge University Women with win, Nadine Basson on target with the winning goal. All means the title mix up looks like this with it being a 14 match season leaders Cambridge United WFC Reserves have one game left can get 28 points. ICA Sports in 2nd have 4 games left can potentially get 32 points. In 3rd Cambridge City Ladies have 6 left to play and can earn 33 points if they win them all. In 4th Cambridge University Women have just the 3 games left and 26 points if earned is unlikely to get them the title.
One game took place in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship North at the weekend with 5th placed Stamford Ladies travelling to 2nd bottom side Hungate Rovers Ladies move up to 3rd with a thumping 7-1 win, whilst Wisbech St Marys Ladies were awarded an away win over Downham Town Ladies.
New leaders in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship South as Park Ladies win the battle between 2nd and 3rd to climb above leaders St Ives Town Ladies. Park Ladies were a point behind the leaders with a game in hand going into the match at home against 3rd placed Milton who had 4 games in hand 10 points back on the leaders going into the game. Milton took the lead in the 1st half held the advantage going into the 2nd half. Park Ladies came back 2nd half with Danielle Green and Ebony Bliss scoring before Kirstie Smith settled it from the penalty spot to win the game 3-1 and sent Park Ladies to the top of the league.
Also in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship South it as the clash of the bottom two, Isleham United Ladies at home to Cambridge Rangers bottom of the league. Isleham won the match 5-0 Shona Kelly and Laura Todd amongst the goals.
Essex
Going into the closing fixtures the battle for the Essex Women’s Premier Division looks to be between two sides as they play out their penultimate league games, leaders Chelmsford City Ladies a point clear of 2nd placed Hullbridge Sports Ladies with both having just one match to play. Chelmsford City Ladies were away to Hutton Ladies Reserves on Sunday, won the match 2-1 with a goal each for Ciara Meeking and Lisa Overall to stay a point clear of Hullbridge Sports Ladies who faced a tough trip away to 3rd placed Collier Row Tigers who were playing their last league game of the season couldn’t catch Chelmsford City but could stop Hullbridge Sports doing so. 2 goals put into the back of the net by Broghan Kelly plus another from Danni Dorrington saw Hullbridge Sports Ladies win the game 3-2 and guarantee a minimum 2nd place finish.
Just the one game played in Essex Women’s Division One with 3rd placed Chigwell Ladies travelling to Valley Green. racking up a 13-1 win Chigwell keep the pressure on 2nd placed Chelmsford City Reserves the gap just a point however Chigwell have played two game more.
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire
The Beds & Herts Women’s Division One has new leaders going into April as Sherrardswood Ladies who have played all their league matches are displaced to 2nd on goal difference by Harvesters FC Ladies who beat Letchworth Garden City Eagles Ladies 3-0 away from home this Sunday, all 3 goals coming inside the opening 25 minutes, a Kayla Johnson goal sandwiched between an Ellie Lovelock brace to take the 3 points.
Hertford Town Ladies in 3rd place move to within 3 points of both Harvesters FC Ladies and Sherrardswood still with plenty of games in hand following a comfortable 6-0 home win over bottom side Flitwick Ladies. A goal from Kelly Shephard plus a hat-trick scored by Kerry Oldham along with 2 unfortunate own goals by Flitwick saw them to victory have 5 matches to play. Another side with plenty of games in hand is 5th placed Garston Ladies. Were held to a 1-1 draw with 2nd bottom side Sandy Ladies at the weekend, Joanne Sharp scoring for Garston. Chloe Reeves with the goal for Sandy Ladies.
In Beds & Herts Division Two, Garston Ladies FC 96 close the gap on the leading trio to get themselves in with a good shoot at earning promotion 5 points separating the top 4 now all to play for. Garston Ladies FC 96 were away playing bottom side Evergreen Eagles at the weekend winning the game 4-0 they have a game in hand on 3rd placed Houghton Athletic Ladies and 2 on 2 placed Hitchin Town Ladies with the gap 4 points. Elsewhere in Division Two a 35th minute strike on goal from Jay Birse was enough to earn the win for Woburn Lionesses at home against Royston Town Ladies Reserves to end a run of 3 successive defeats.
A new name at the top of Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three as Evergreen Ladies beat 2nd placed Icknield Ladies to climb to the summit as 3 sides fight for promotion. All Tied on 33 points Evergreen Ladies have top spot. Evergreen Ladies were 3rd going into the weekends fixtures hosting 2nd placed Icknield Ladies had the lead on the half hour mark thanks to a goal scored by Emily Jones, doubled the advantage 2nd half with Louisa Johnson on target to see the 3 points won and set up what is going to be an exciting contest at the top of the league till the end of the season.
Bedmond Ladies consolidate 4th spot in Division Three with a 4-2 away win against Panshanger Ladies who scored through Sophie Whitman and Georgina Harvey. Elsewhere in the division the bottom 4 sides all faced each other with Bedwell Rangers making a late surge up the table with a 3rd successive league win on Sunday at home to Hatfield Town Ladies. An early goal scored on the 4th minute by Jessica Sullivan gave Bedwell rangers the lead were pegged back to 1-1 before taking a 2-1 lead into the dressing room on the stroke of half time Ailish Beadle scoring the goal. 2nd half was a totally different story as Bedwell Rangers took control of the game going on to score 6 more goals to win the game 8-1, Beadle and Sullivan adding another goal each to claim a brace, so too did Leah Tomlin with 2 second half strikes as well as a goal each for Sarah King and Hannah Manton.
Kings Langley Ladies were taking on bottom side Shefford Town & Campton Ladies who at home scored twice for only the 2nd time this season, they lost 3-2 that time this time despite an improved performance lost the game 4-2 with Kings Langley Ladies earning all 3 points with goals from Amber Harris and Mary Hogan plus a brace scored by Kimberley Nield.
That concludes another packed Edition of The Tuesday Round-Up not many games left to play now, April is often and will be a defining month in the football season. One league title sorted, several others very close to breaking the finishing line tape, will they surge over the line or stumble? With any competitive sport you can never say it’s over till it’s over. Going to be exciting and rounding it up exhausting, but intriguing I am sure, and it will all be covered on here, until the next Edition of The Tuesday Round-Up enjoy your football and thanks for reading.