Thursday 30th April

Cambridgeshire Women’s Junior Invitation Cup Final

Heading back into Cambridgeshire this Thursday evening for the 2nd game of a cup final double bill. Histon Ladies beating Cambridge United WFC on penalties to lift the Women’s Invitation Cup, it’s time for the Junior Invitation Cup to take centre stage as Soham Town Rangers Ladies into their 1st ever final take on Newmarket Town Women Development.

  Cambridgeshire FA long having a junior women’s county cup competition to run along side the senior cup giving side lower down the pyramid a genuine opportunity to compete for silverware. 

  Soham Town Rangers Ladies enjoying a rapid growth since their formation two season’s ago coming to the town having previously been Isleham United Ladies, playing in Cambridgeshire Women’s Division Two last season won promotion up to Division One bringing players into the club with pedigree in the women’s game within Cambridgeshire and regional level. Soham Town Rangers FC embracing their women’s side that growth has continued with the formation of a new Reserves side this season playing in Division Three.

  The 1st team competing in Division One are holding their own in the league currently 6th and looking to consolidate a mid-table finish. Winning through to their 1st ever cup final taking on 5th placed Newmarket Town Women Development the pair meeting just 5 days ago in the league drawing 3-3. Carla Penny is an accomplished finisher and has been amongst the goals since joining Soham Town last season, leading scorer this campaign netting 21 goals to date. Kara Firek has 7 goals to her name and Rachel Pearce 6.

  Newmarket Town Women Development reach a cup final for the 2nd successive season having emerged triumphant in the League Cup last season beating Leverington Sports Ladies 2-1. Into the Junior Invitation Cup this time around. Newmarket as I’ve mentioned on numerous occasions  a club very much built on youth bringing players up through the various age groups into the 1st team playing in the ERWFL. The Development side an integral part of this finishing runners-up in Division One too last season. The nature of the side will see a turn over of players but the pathway remains strong.

 Currently 5th in the table with games in hand, could challenge for a top 4 finish, but have a busy May ahead of them this week alone hardly ideal preparation for a Thursday evening final with the calendar full a game against Soham on Sunday followed by a Tuesday evening home clash with Cambridge City winning 3-0 to climb above Soham into 5th spot. Cerys Bithell leading the goal scoring charts with 19 goals to date, Evie Stackhouse is closing in on double figures on 9 alongside, Jess Linger. Keely Cole has 7 goals too from her 11 appearances for the Development side. Are able to use up to 4 1st team players under the competition rules but with several Development players having featured for the 1st team this season and u18 players emerging the squad is strong.

Road to the Final

  Contrasting routes to the final of the Junior Invitation Cup, Soham at home to Division Three newcomers, Linton Granta Women in the 1st round of the competition, ran out 5-1 winners to progress to the quarter finals with Elli-Mai Quinn-Nicholls netting a brace along with goals for Jodie Copping, Jessica Brand and Kara Firek. Newmarket awarded the home win to progress versus Cambourne Town Women.

 Newmarket progressing in the last eight win another home win awarded having been due to face Cambridge City Women Development. Soham on the road taking on Division Two side, Willingham Wolves Women, Carla Penny amongst the goals bagging herself a hat-trick, captain Laura Mcallister on target for 2 more with Rachel Pearce and Maddie Cooper also celebrating a goal each in a 7-2 win.

 The semi-finals for the Junior Invitation Cup played 11 days ago, Soham on the road to face Division Three side Burwell Ladies the away side emerging victorious in a close game winning by a single goal scored by Rachel Pearce. Newmarket getting to play a game at last taking on Leverington Sports Ladies at home, having won 7-3 against the same opponents 6 days before. Eden Kirby-Cook firing Newmarket into the lead 1st half, pegged back to 1-1 at the break a hat-trick scored by Evie Stackhouse seeing Newmarket into the final winning the game 4-1. 

 This evening’s final being played at Soham Town Rangers FC, the grass pitch a good size, parking beside leading into the stadium the kitchen hut open serving hot food and drink, the clubhouse open too. A main stand featuring elevated seating with covered standing area beside and and both end of the ground. The sun setting behind the tall trees at one end of the ground still warm after another sunny day to end the month, no rain in the forecast. 

Soham Town Rangers Ladies starting XI – Caitlin Fulford, Chloe Dunn, Elli-Rai Quinn-Nicholls, Lizzie Quigley, Jodie Copping, Katie Levitt, Erin Clarke, Laura Mcallister (C), Rachel Pearce, Carla Penny & Kara Firek. Subs – Elsie Holroyd-Davison, Ester McTrusty, Michela Edwards, Evie Luker & Maddie Cooper.

Newmarket Town Women Development starting XI – Mairi Robinson, Jess Linger (C) Molly Charles, Olivia Caffarelli, Jazmine Sarpong, Lily Grundy, Bryony O’Connell, Eden Kirby-Cook, Cerys Bithell, Alex Shelford & Evie Stackhouse. Subs – Holly Corley, Abbi Griffin, Keely Cole, Lexie Moody & Millie Gray.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

 Should the scores remain level after 90 minutes then the game will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

  The sun setting behind the tree line may pose a few issues Newmarket with it at their backs as Soham kick-off the first half wearing green and white vertical striped shirts with green coloured shorts and socks, Newmarket lined up opposite wearing yellow coloured shirts, blue shorts and white socks. The ball put back to Soham captain, Laura Mcallister in midfield Newmarket rush forwards to pressure the ball. Cerys Bithell with the blocking tackle the ball away for a throw on the left.

 Rachel Pearce seeing the ball into her feet turning to send the ball on for Chloe Dunn looking to get on up the left flank for Soham, Jess Linger captaining Newmarket this evening with the tackle at right back to send the ball out of play. From high up the pitch Soham look to work the ball across the top of the area, Jazmine Sarpong stretching out a leg in defence to put it into the middle Newmarket launching a rapid counter attack the ball out to Eden Kirby-Cook attacking through the left channel, Soham goalkeeper, Caitlin Fulford moving out of her six yard box to get hold of the ball first.

  Pearce putting the ball on for Kara Firek in attack for Soham winning her side a corner kick, on the left players come forwards played in low to the near post cleared back to the corner taker from the angle putting the return cross behind. 

 GOAL! The deadlock broken early inside 4 minutes as Newmarket send the ball out into the left channel Kirby-Cook linking up with Evie Stackhouse the pass inside to Alex Shelford central 20 yards out lines up the shot driven in low, Fulford saving with her leg turning the ball back out of her six yard box to the left of goal, Stackhouse running in on the follow-up latching onto it to smash the ball into the back of the net to open the scoring 0-1.

 The perfect start for Newmarket taking the lead inside the opening 4 minutes a blow for Soham as they look to get on the attack from the restart Pearce to Emily Clarke the midfielder putting the ball on for Firek attacking the right channel, full back Molly Charles on her shoulder challenging Firek shoots from 20 yards out her strike wide at the near post. 

 Newmarket looking to get the ball out wide and into the channels quickly have willing runners all over the pitch, Lily Grundy finding Bithell wide on the right her touch takes the ball infield surges towards the top of the D her shot charged down by Soham’s Jodie Copping, the ball loose, a tangle of bodies seeing players from both sides down eventually cleared.

 Shelford coming over to the left taking the ball on from Bryony O’Connell, on for Stackhouse, Elli-Rai Quinn-Nicholls who used to keep goal for a spell at Newmarket, outfield tonight in defence lunging in to play the ball out for a throw. Tentative in spells the ball popping about the pitch open play spread, Newmarket getting it on quickly keeping their opponents penned in a little, Copping cutting the ball out in defence into the middle for Carla Penny looking to get Firek away, Olivia Caffarelli with a vital interception at the back for Newmarket as they are pushed up to halfway.

   Lizzie Quigley closing down Bithell as she drives inside from the right the ball into Pearce in the middle linking up with Penny as they look to get Soham moving forwards, the ball lifted on for Firek up top, the Newmarket back line stepping up to catch her offside. Bithell send a cross into the box far side Stackhouse on the turn shooting for the near post saved by Fulford getting down behind it the ball then cleared behind for a corner kick on the left. Fired into the six yard box half cleared to the top of the area, knocked back in as players rush out, Fulford down to smother the ball.

  Grundy finding Stackhouse with the pass into the left channel, taking on the shot charged down deflected in behind by the defender into the keepers gloves. Firek coming over to the left side taking the ball on from Penny wrong footing Caffarelli to get away make a run towards the box, Sarpong across on the cover closing her down tackling before she can line up a shot the ball away for a corner on the left. 

 Soham with the short corner the deep cross into the top of the area cleared by Sarpong, Newmarket looking to counter quickly, Copping with the tackle to halt the attack. Linger getting her leg in to intercept the ball as Pearce bringing the ball on up the left looks to thread it through to Firek in attack. O’Connell sending the ball on for Bithell charging on down the right taking the shot on on the move, rolls on through to the keeper. 

 Newmarket on the front foot getting players on Shelford, Kirby-Cook, Stackhouse and Bithell all looking to make themselves available for the ball keeping the Soham defence busy. Mcallister tacking Shelford outside the D as she moves the ball on across to the right looking for an opening. Firek looking to pull off the shoulder of the Newmarket centre backs, Sarpong hard to shake off however as Penny puts the ball through to her central, shoulder to shoulder getting it away to safety.

  A throw to Newmarket on the right hooked on towards the by-line by Stackhouse for Bithell to chase down seen out by Dunn for a goal-kick. Bithell getting into the middle outside the D linking up with Shelford for Newmarket, Copping tackling for Soham. A good tempo to the game dictated by Newmarket push on Grundy with O’Connell the ball sent into the box looking for Stackhouse to make the run from the left, Fulford out smartly to the top of her area to claim for Soham.

 20 minutes played Soham getting the ball into Pearce looking for options, Katie Levitt on the move right side the ball played in across the top of the area cleared by Sarpong. Pearce nipping in to snatch the ball in the middle out to Levitt on the right put on quickly looking to release Firek, again the offside flag goes up against her. Linger sending a diagonal ball from deep on the right up towards the top of the box, Quinn-Nicholls heading it clear for Soham.

 Mcallister bringing the ball on left for Soham put on up the flank for Firek, Caffarelli tackling for Newmarket play turned around quickly, O’Connell out too Stackhouse left side her cross flashed into the box,, headed away to the right by Mcallister. Bithell in the middle turning the ball into the box for Shelford to the left of goal her effort fired wide past the far post. Half an hour played, Dunn with the challenge to deny Bithell on the right as Linger plays the ball down the line.

  Clarke finding Levitt on the right taking the ball on Charles stepping up to close her down, O’Connell sending the ball up towards the Soham box, Copping intercepts forwards into Mcallister, looks to get it to Penny, Grundy tackling for Newmarket, time on the ball at a premium. Quinn-Nicholls seeing the ball safely back to the keeper as Newmarket attack the channel. A change for Soham with Ester McTrusty coming on replacing Dunn. 

 Play paused due to a pitch invasion over on the far side of the pitch a momma duck and her brood of baby ducklings, escorted from the playing area, a first for me in a cup final game.

 A little under 10 minutes left in the first half Newmarket on top getting players on Soham working hard at the back to keep them out. Quigley getting in a block, Copping winning her fair share of tackles. Bithell lively looking to get on with the ball, winning a throw high on the right. Soham countering Mcallister with Pearce on the left getting a throw, on for Penny racing on with the ball to get into the box left side, Sarpong across getting on her shoulder initially holding the attacker up, Penny managing to get a shot away lacks pace as goalkeeper, Mairi Robinson has it covered down low at her near post to claim.

  The ball helped on up the pitch right side for Soham off of a free-kick sees Firek run in behind, Robinson alert though out quickly to the top of her area to smother the ball before the attacker can pounce. The Newmarket goalkeeper busy all of a sudden as she makes a blocking save as a shot is struck in from the angle to the right, Penny onto the loose ball sending it wide at the near post.

 GOAL! Space opens up in front of Linger as she take the ball on plays a delightful diagonal ball into the box, Bithell running in central meeting it sending it on past the keeper to double Newmarket’s lead with 3 minutes of regular play left in the first half 0-2. 

 Soham conceding late in the first half get the ball on for Firek right channel as she beats the offside flag this time, Sarpong and Charles both getting back at her before she can make it count. 

 

 GOAL! Newmarket with the sucker punch right at the end of the first half Bithell receiving the ball central on the move playing it to the left for Stackhouse continuing her run into the D to take on the return pass left of the D, pulls the trigger driving the ball in past the keeper to the left of her goal to make it 0-3.

  Newmarket on top half hearted appeals for a penalty as Quigley goes in to challenge Stackhouse. A wild volley over from Shelford as the ball in cleared out to her from a cross on the left. Kirby-Cook on for Stackhouse left her cross long cleared by Quigley.

Half-time Soham Town Rangers Ladies 0-3 Newmarket Town Women Development

  Two goals from Cerys Bithell putting Newmarket in full control of the final as the two teams head back to the changing rooms. The perfect start too as Newmarket struck home the opener inside 4 mins, Evie Stackhouse the scorer. Newmarket using the whole pitch effective in the channels getting the ball on quickly with willing runners have caused problems for Soham whose own opportunities up the other end have been limited as a result still a 1-0 down would have been comfortable in looking to get back into the game, two late goals putting a very different complexion on the game. Now alot of work to do to get back into it.

  Switching sides for the 2nd half coming over to the stand side, Newmarket out early keen to get the game restarted, Soham you would think will need a goal back sooner rather than later if they are to fight their way back into the game and as it opens up more, Newmarket’s young attackers will be able to exploit the space.  Newmarket making a change at the break, Abbi Griffin coming on replacing Kirby-Cook. Soham unchanged, McTrusty on late in the first half. Newmarket getting the 2nd half underway the ball into linger at the back played long up towards the top of the area, defended by Copping.

 Soham get the ball on for McTrusty attacking on the left, holding the ball up lays it back up the line to Mcallister to fire a ball in across the top of the area, knocked down into the area, Robinson sharp out to snatch it up into her gloves before Firek can steal in. The game continuing very much as the first half Newmarket looking to get the ball into the channels at every opportunity, winning a throw on the right, Griffin operating on that flank coming inside a shot turned wide at the near post. 

 Penny up to Firek on the right Charles getting the foot in to prevent her skipping inside with the ball. Another pitch incursion the ducks are back, play stopped no one wants to see a duckling squashed by the ball, McTrusty ushering them off the pitch momma duck not happy reluctant to go, the referee taking charge, Williamson escorting the brood off the pitch. Play resuming.

 Pearce sending the ball on for Penny coming left on for McTrusty driving down the wing. Linger back at her preventing the cross back up to Penny, Grundy closing her down. Griffin providing the outlet on the right ready to take the ball on as Newmarket battle to close Soham down in the middle. Caffarelli with a vital interception through the middle as Mcallister looks to send Penny in behind the defence. The ball popping about as players rush to close it down, Newmarket not giving Soham time on the ball. Clarke into Penny bursts on with the ball into the left channel looking to play McTrusty on but no cross as Linger comes in with the tackle.

  McTrusty giving Soham a little more thrust in attack making a run central pressuring Sarpong, but she stays strong to keep her away from goal. Oh no the ducks are back don’t know where to go no one tod them a final was on. The referee once again taking charge with a helpful spectator stationed in the corner to prevent any further incursions. Soham with a corner on the right a good ball into the near side helped on across goal attacked by Mcallister diverting it goal wards striking Grundy as she goes to block skipping up and taken well by Robinson. Grundy down but after treatment okay to continue.

  McTrusty firing an early cross into the top of the area knocked into the box by Firek, Robinson out quickly too the top of her area to lay claim to the ball. Changes for Soham with Elsie Holroyd Davison and Maddie Cooper on replacing, Quigley and Mcallister. Cooper straight into the action holding the ball up on the right wining her side a corner kick. The delivery lifted into the box headed clear by Sarpong. 

  Soham looking to throw more players forwards, Pearce getting the ball on linking up with Penny moving left on for McTrusty she comes inside doesn’t get a shot away before being closed down by Sarpong. Newmarket making changes bringing off Stackhouse and O’Donnell on come Holly Corley and Lexie Moody on with a little over an hour played.

GOAL! Griffin in the clear in space on the right picked out with the cross-field ball takes it down before firing an cross into the top of the area, Bithell left of the d striking the ball caught sweetly rising, Fulford throwing an arm up to try and stop it, doesn’t get enough on the ball dropping over her into the back of the net to see Newmarket extend their lead and Bithell to claim a cup final hat-trick 0-4.

  The game getting a little scrappy stretched at times Soham trying to get the ball forwards, Firek taking it on form Cooper right channel Caffarelli across to put in the challenge. Griffin disciplined out on the right waiting for the ball to come to her taking it on to the by-line digging a cross out, taken by Fulford at her near post low. Penny taking the ball on central picks out McTrusty 20 yards out left of the D, Linger in to block her strike deflected behind for the corner kick. 

 Pearce to sent the ball in from the left, attacked by Copping heading it down towards the left post blocked by the defender on the line. The game opening up often condensed on the far side, Griffin staying out of it ready to go as the diagonal ball gets sent out her way taking it on strikes on the angle from 25 yards her vicious strike dropping back into play off the crossbar. 

  Penny central seeing the ball into her feet holding it up before threading it in behind for McTrusty, Robinson rushing out to the top of her area to kick the ball clear. Quinn-Nicholls defending at the back for Soham seeing the ball safely back to her keeper as Bithell looks for Corley left side. Into the final 20 minutes, Cooper right on the ball for Soham into Firek inside to Penny, Linger defending for Newmarket volleying the ball away.

  The offside flag raised to deny Newmarket a 5th goal as the ball is fired in across goal from the left. Firek looking to find a way through the Newmarket defence but can’t get the better of Sarpong. Quinn-Nicholls there to clear top of the box as Corley sends a cross in from the left in ahead of Griffin. Shelford off for Newmarket, Keely Cole on. 

Into the final quarter hour Griffin onto a diagonal ball getting on into the box right, Copping across to make the challenge the ball deflected back to the keeper. Griffin again out on the right flashing a cross in along the top of the area, no one can make contact, Newmarket keeping it on the left. Quigley back on for Soham, Caffarelli and Sarpong stand up well to trap Cooper offside as McTrusty looks to play it over the top. 

 Griffin wide shooting across goal 25 yards out Fulford dropping forwards onto the ball. Soham clearing the ball off their line as Newmarket attack left side into the box Fulford diving it at the feet of the attacker the ball looping up across goal cleared by Copping. Linger pushed up into midfield now adding to the attacking threat. Fulford coming out to the right of her area to dive in for the ball as Newmarket attack from the left collides with the attacker both down appeals for a penalty but nothing doing. 

 Both players treated with 85 minutes on the clock both ok to continue. Fulford plucking a looping cross down into her gloves as Moody plays it in from the left. Newmarket in charge late in the game players coming on looknig for a 5th goal winning a corner on the left an in swinger dealt with Fulford at her near post. Grundy finding Griffin on the right fires a dangerous ball in across the six yard box no one getting a touch sent back in from the left the keeper claiming it.

  Holroyd Davison with the ball left side on for McTrusty, closed down by Grundy back inside to Pearce across to Firek in the right channel tackled by Sarpong. Countering the ball into Griffin right her early cross taken cleanly by Fulford. Griffin central bringing the ball under control top of the D shifts it to left to shot lacking the power behind it Fulford down behind it. Into stoppage time. Corley left inside for Linger looks for Griffin right, Holroyd Davison with a foot out too intercept. Newmarket finishing strong to win the Junior Invitation Cup and make it back to back trophy winning season’s

Full -time Soham Town Rangers Ladies 0-4 Newmarket Town Women Development

 Newmarket effectively in control of the game from start to finish, taking an early lead got players on well used the channels had willing runners keeping Soham penned back limiting their chances as a result doubling the lead then the hammer blow of 3rd on the stroke of half-time. Could be patient 2nd half Soham looking to try and get a goal back never gained any momentum pegged further back on the hour as Cerys Bithell completed her hat-trick. 4-0 Newmarket made changes to keep thing’s fresh and refused to let their opponents get a foot hold in the game. A tough defeat for Soham losing their 1st cup final but are an emerging force for women’s football in Cambridgeshire and will be challenging for more finals.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto this evening’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match, this one  a fairly simple call but there were of course several performances of note across the pitch. A tough game for Soham, busy in defence and Jodie Copping got in the blocks and tackles throughout. Kara Firek leading the line worked tirelessly to try and find an opening. Easter McTrusty making impact coming on from the bench to take the ball on in attack. Newmarket were energised despite this being their 3rd game in 5 days, using the width of the pitch got after the ball, Jazmine Sarpong was in mood to let anyone get past her defending strongly throughout. Jess Linger defended well at full back using the ball well going forwards. Lily Grundy keeping Newmarket on the front foot getting onto the ball in the middle, Evie Stackhouse and Alex Shelford with some good attacking runs looking to create opening, Stackhouse with the opening goal. The award go to the Cerys Bithell no mean feat to score a hat-trick in a cup final her goals putting Newmarket in control of the game took them well. 

 Congratulations to Newmarket Town Women Development on winning the 2025/26 Cambridgeshire Women’s Invitation Cup.

 That’s the cup finals completed in Cambridgeshire another entertaining game. My thanks to Chris Abbott and the rest of the staff at Cambs FA for all their assistance and allowing me to cover the games. Thanks to both teams for the team details. Onto Carrow Road, this Sunday for the Norfolk Women’s County Cup final.

by Darren Gilham