Sunday 18th October

FAWNL South East Division One

Continues to be a start, stop beginning to the season for myself alot going on but good to be back at it this Sunday and finally getting to see Cambridge United WFC in their new home as they host newly promoted Dartford FC Women in FAWNL South East Division One.

 The FAWNL representing the 3rd and 4th tiers of the women’s football pyramid, the 3rd being the Northern and Southern Premier Divisions with the 4th tier split between 4 regional sections, Northern, Midlands, South West and South East Division One, ex England striker, Ellen White amongst the names joining the FAWNL board as the FA looks to grow the game beyond the FAWSL and Championship, making it stronger and more competitive year on year the 4th tier very much part of those plans.

 Have followed and supported Cambridge United WFC since the creation of Women’s Football East over a dozen years now, and they are the only side to have been a constant at that level during that time, going all the way back to when the FAWNL was still the Combination league and they were just Cambridge Women. Not fully part of the Cambridge United FC family, playing some of their games at the Abbey Stadium the one thing the women’s side has never had in all that time is a home within Cambridge itself, have seen them play at Ely, Mildenhall and most recently St Neots but like so many others felt they needed to be in the city proper to truly grow a fanbase. Now they are at last, at Grange Road, traditionally a rugby stadium now shared with Cambridge United WFC.

 A new era, beginning with a new manager at the helm, following a dismal run in the 2nd half of last season that saw Cambridge take just 4 points in 2026. Ethan Scott comes in to take charge of the 1st team, having been Andy Cook’s assistant at Norwich City Women playing a crucial role in helping the Norfolk side again a long time stalwart of tier 4 finally win promotion to tier 3. A bizarre decision by Norwich you think to let Cook and Scott go, but to Cambridge’s advantage as look to finally build a squad capable of achieving the same feat themselves. A huge turn over in players over the past few season’s and this season no exception, Defender’s Hope Strauss and Ceri Flye following Scott to Cambridge along with midfielder Olivia Cook, Sophie Jeffery joins from AFC Sudbury. Ella Gambell impressing with Wroxham in the ERWFL Premier Division makes the step up to join Cambridge, Renai Bennett, Cheyanna Norman and goalkeeper, Keileigh Dixon also coming in with Kaci-Jai Bonwick the latest addition joining this past week. Alot of new faces, am familiar with them all and know what they can bring, tier 4 more competitive than ever you need to hit the ground running. 2 wins from their opening 2 matches, a disappointing run of 3 defeats has seen Cambridge fall to 9th in the table will be looking to get back to winning ways at Grange Road.

 Now from a side I know quite a bit about to one that is a newcomer to myself and Women’s Football East, with Kent side Dartford FC Women achieving promotion to the 4 tier of the woman’s football pyramid for the 1st time in their history. Clinching the London & South East Regional Premier Division title by a single point beating Saltdean United Women by a single goal on the final day of the season become Champions. Have been knocking on the door in recent season’s but as is the case with so many leagues only one side able to go up achieved it this time around. Ironically that close tussle with Saltdean United seeing them promoted to at one of the best regional side runners-up as the FA looks to balance the league with the expansion of the leagues above. 

 Won 19, drew 2 and suffered just one defeat during their promotion winning season, Abbey Davies top scorer with 12 goals with Paris Smith also into double figures, with goals spread throughout the squad. Jess Francis-Weir, Sarah Sparrow and Katie O’Brien amongst the new faces joining the squad as they make the step up to the FAWNL. Have yet to record  win in the league but are proving hard to break down drawing 4 and losing 2 games so far by small margins, Currently in the bottom two though and like Cambridge could do with the 3 points to get themselves up into the mix in the middle of the table. 

 The Grange Road Stadium, the new home for Cambridge United WFC, traditionally a rugby venue with an new artificial pitch with a traditional wooden seated stand running along one side of the ground with the clubhouse with covered seating before and above on the opposite side. The dugouts as far apart as I’ve ever seen at the venue so the risk of a flare up from the benches very low. The bar and café open inside the clubhouse, Cambridge United WFC looking to make it a matchday experience to attract fans new and old with food trucks and stands serving food and drink, activities and merchandise for sale. Well into October beginning to feel like autumn, a chill in the air with a cloudy sky with rain in the forecast. Took to the stand for my first outing to Grange Road.

Cambridge United WFC starting XI – Lauren Webb (C), Sophie Jeffery, Josephine Jarvis, Hope Strauss, Abbie Jackson, Lauren Tomlinson, Tally Miles, Renai Bennett, Ella Gambell, Jade Bell & Mollie Coupar. Subs – Daisy Jeckell, Isabel Beeson, Olivia Cook, Cheyanna Norman, Eleanor Townsend, Shannon Shaw & Kaci-Jai Bonwick.

 Dartford FC Women starting XI – Jade Charlton, Georgie Davies, Abby Delves, Mercedes Bromfield, Dulcie Galbally, Xayla-Rae Alberts (C) Ellie Dolby, Gabriela Howell, Shauni Griffiths & Liz Adams & Abbey Davies. Subs – Maya Lewis-Powell, Paris Smith, Katie O’Brien, Rochelle Mayne, Sarah Sparrow, Leila Awan & Molly Smith.

 Cambridge goalkeeper, Lauren Webb named as the clubs new captain under Ethan Scott. A new start and new look side in front of her sadly minus defender Ceri Flye, instrumental in Norwich’s success has unfortunately suffered an ACL injury and wish her well on the road back to recovery. Cambridge with the kick-off in their traditional home colours amber shirts with black shorts and socks, Dartford lined up opposite wearing white shirts with black sleeves, black shorts and socks. The hosts with the kick-off lining up to make a fast start to proceedings the ball played back to Abbie Jackson in defence as everyone races forwards she sends it long into the right channel, Dartford seeing it out of play safely for the throw in. 

 The hosts keeping players up as the throw drops to attacker Jade Bell right side of the area drops it down to Ella Gambell wide on the right moving into the corner linking up with the throw taker, full back Josephine Jarvis, the latter delivering a lopping cross into the Dartford penalty area, Renai Bennett looking to attack it central, under pressure can’t get a telling touch with her header as Dartford scramble it away to safety. The visitors quick to get on the counter attack the ball out to the right Dulcie Galbally playing it on for Shauni Griffiths carrying the ball on down the wing her cross into the Cambridge area cut out by defender, Hope Strauss.

  Both likes looking to get the ball on quickly play with intensity Cambridge breaking left Lauren Tomlinson linking up with Sophie Jeffery, her cross charged down. As a collective both teams pushing up when they have the ball, Abbey Davis flagged offside for Dartford as she runs in behind from the left looking to get onto the end of a diagonal ball from midfield. Georgie Davies getting on up the left for Dartford exchanging passes with Griffiths whipping a long cross into the Cambridge box, Jeffery clearing it for the hosts.

 

 The ball moving quickly a few mis-timed tackles coming in Tomlinson upended in midfield presenting Cambridge with a free-kick, if anything both sides need to settle down both clearly wanting to keep the tempo up forward passes rushed at times. Strauss across to the put in the challenge as Galbally comes on with the ball right side out for a throw. Bell seeing the ball down into her feet holding it up as Cambridge come forwards playing it back too Tally Miles in the middle she clips a diagonal pass into the left channel looking to play the on rushing Jeffery in, the ball into the area however too close to the keeper as Jade Charlton advances to claim hold of the ball.

  Cambridge getting the ball on through the middle into Bell spins off her marker central laying the pass on for Mollie Coupar up ahead of her positioned left of the D, Mercedes Bromfield at the back for Dartford closing her down the ball away to the left retrieved by Tomlinson playing it on for Jeffery down the line swings her cross into the near post, attacked by Bell ten yards out sends her header wide of the left post. 

 Gambell looking to get hold of the ball for Cambridge in the middle bundled over winning a free-kick right of the centre circle, Miles over the set-piece looks to drop a long ball in at the far post, a cluster of players running in to attack it, no one getting a telling touch as it runs out for a goal kick. Bromfield with a vital interception at the back with Dartford’s defence pushed up from a previous attack, preventing Cambridge’s Bell stealing in behind as the hosts turn play around quickly.

  The free-kick’s mounting up, Tomlinson up ended in midfield again, earning Dartford’s Gabriella Howell the first yellow card of the match. Bennett to play the ball on into the Dartford area, defended out behind for the first corner of the game. The initial ball in defended cleared out to the right, Gambell retrieving it for the hosts putting it on down to the line for Coupar to play the early cross into the box, Abbey Davies deflecting it behind for another corner. On the right this time Cambridge play it short into Tomlinson right corner of the box, the move breaking down however as Dartford close the ball down well look to get on the break, players racing back, Strauss recovering the ground to challenge Liz Adams see the ball out for the throw.

  The intensity of the contest is making it physical as Dartford rush on to try and close the ball down. Tomlinson onto Miles central the ball on through the middle up to Bell a good flick on sending the ball through for Coupar to attack left channel, Ellie Dolby lunging forwards with her leg getting in to block her strike, deflecting the ball away for a corner on the right.

GOAL! Cambridge with plenty up for the corner the delivery going long across the six yard box however the hosts quick to retrieve it out on the right knocked forwards for Coupar to carry it to the by-line digging a cross out lifting the ball into the near post, Charlton throwing her hands up longing to stop it, can only parry it on beyond her to drop invitingly into the six yard box, with Strauss positioned central seeing the ball drop to her, smashes the ball in high into the back of the net and runs away in celebration as she fires Cambridge into the lead 1-0.

 Cambridge opening the scoring with the game closing in on the 20 minute mark, bring the ball on up the left the cross long into the box Jarvis getting hold of it up on the right with Gambell, Georgie Davies putting in the tackle to win the ball back for Dartford bringing the ball on up the left looking for Griffiths with the pass, Jarvis getting back at her to defend as Howell looks to get past her on the overlap. Alberts defending at the back for Dartford with Cambridge getting players up well on their left, Tomlinson pro-active getting after the ball linking up with Bennett and Jeffery.

  Dartford moving forwards with pace getting players on in attack, Delves up with Galbally into the right channel looking to send the ball on into the box for Adams, Webb up quickly to get to the ball snatch it up into her gloves first. Gambell onto the ball for Cambridge with a driving run through the middle has Bell making a move into space in the right channel picking her out with the pass, fires it on into the box for Coupar running on central, can’t get a telling touch, as Bromfield closes her down well. 

 Charlton down for Dartford the keeper in need of treatment, the referee signalling a pause in play an opportunity for both sides to pause with nearly half an hour played take on fluids and instructions from the bench. Charlton okay to continue play can resume. Abbie Jackson in strong to win the ball at the back for Cambridge played long up to Coupar turning provider for Bell this time as the attacker receives the ball top of the area, putting her foot through it drags her shot wide of the left post.

 End to end play often condensed as players squeeze up Dartford always looking for the break through the middle, direct Webb needing to rush out to the top of her area as Adams looks to steal in on the ball, clears colliding with the attacker in the process, down play stopped, but is soon back up on her feet ready to play on. The heavens open a few drops of rain hitting the stand roof one second a moment later it’s a deluge supporters quickly retreating for cover, no such luck for the players. 

 Tomlinson getting back to help her defence as Dartford look to get on through the middle, Howell to Adams on for Griffiths as she looks to get on the move. Tomlinson with a pop from range left side, Charlton central down behind it to make the parrying save the ball loose for the moment but no one form Cambridge ready to pounce as the keeper pulls it safely into her body. The rain heavy the ball slick Dartford playing Griffiths in on the right wing taking the shot on from the angle driven into the near post, Webb like Charlton with the parrying save the ball again loose in the box but like Tomlinson’s strike earlier no one up to attack on the follow up.

 The pace of the attacks remains high Miles swinging the ball on for Bell positioned to the left, has Jeffery racing on past her on the overlap plays the pass into her feet, her momentum taking her to the by-line seeing her cross turned behind for the goal kick. The rain easing off as the first half draws to a close, Cambridge get on up the left, Dolby preventing the cross. Look to get moving in the opposite direction, Strauss clearing for Cambridge. 

Half-time Cambridge United WFC 1-0 Dartford FC Women

 A high tempo first half drawing to a close the rain gone as quickly as it came as both side head back to the changing rooms, Strauss’ strike in the 19th minute the difference between the sides. Have been few clear cut chances, Cambridge with a couple of decent half chances, both sides closing the ball down through out looking to get the ball on. Dartford breaking quickly not getting as many into advanced positions Cambridge’s defence winning the majority of crosses doubling up well on the flanks to support their attack. Could have down with being slowed down at times with the game toing and froing be interesting to see if both sides maintain that pace in the 2nd half, still only a goal in it.

 Rain starting to fall again as Dartford head out onto the pitch first at the start of the 2nd half ready too get the game underway, the visitors making a change with Mya Lewis-Powell coming on joining the attack replacing Delves. Cambridge unchanged. The ball played long out to the right Cambridge able to see it out safely for a goal kick. Dartford starting the first half with purpose looking to get after the ball take the game to Cambridge Bromfield putting in on for Dolby lobbing the ball on through into the box for Adams to attack but Webb can see the ball bounce wide of her left post out for a goal kick.

  Cambridge mounting an attack on their left Tomlinson up high with Jeffery linking passes the latter seeing her cross taking a deflection off Dolby into her keeper’s gloves. Lewis-Powell adding to Dartford’s attack breaking on through the middle with Griffiths her early cross cut out by Miles for Cambridge. Gambell getting on up Cambridge’s left with Coupar forcing an error at the back too win a corner kick. Swung into the middle of the area cleared down to the top, Coupar attacking it her shot charged down, the ball out to the right lofted back into the area pulled down into her gloves by Charlton.

 Tomlinson getting on well for Cambridge from the middle coming left with Coupar in attack getting her side a corner kick. Played short from the left back to the taker the cross dropping down into the six yard box, Strauss looking to attack it quickly charged down by Bromfield. Miles on for Bell plays the ball out to Tomlinson left side, Dolby getting across to close the ball down see it out for a goal kick. Tomlinson known for her long throws sending one into the top of the area from the left, Jackson seeing it into her body turning to strike the ball on the angle left of goal her effort rising but not enough pace on it to threaten the keeper as Charlton pulls it down safely into her body. 

 

Cambridge enjoying a good spell in attack with Dartford opening up looking to  get players on to join the attack, Gambell hooking the ball on into Coupar pulling free to the left 20 out sending the ball on into the box for Bell, getting her shot away, Charlton down sharply behind the low effort to save knocking the ball away, before being cleared by Georgie Davies. The hosts building momentum looking to add to their tally, Alberts tackling Tomlinson as she drifts inside with the ball. Free-kicks given away by the visitors beginning to show a little frustration towards the referee.

 A 2nd change for Dartford with Howell coming off, Paris Smith entering the action with 57 minutes played. Gambell pushing up on the right combining with Bell in attack to win Cambridge a corner kick, the delivery into the mix defended cleared back to the right, Cambridge sending the cross back across the face of goal, Jackson looking to attack it at close range, Charlton with the blocking save the ball hastily cleared. The two benches in line with the penalty areas as a pose to the half way line, Dartford’s growing increasingly frustrated as another set-piece goes against them as they push players up around the 18 yard line looking to push the Cambridge defence back.

 Jackson and Strauss both winning crosses fired in from the flanks. Adams played on on the right by Lewis-Powell her cross flung into the box, cleared by Cambridge’s, Jeffery. Lewis-Powell adding an injection of pace into the Dartford attack presses on right side, clipping a cross long into, Jarvis holding off a challenge to get the ball clear. Another Dartford player going into the referee’s book as tempers flare. The game remains high intensity, Dartford pushing for a reply. A 3rd change for Dartford, Bromfield coming off with more changes at the back as Leila Awan enters the action in midfield. 20 minutes left on the clock. Cambridge resilient at the back defending looking for an opportunity to get forwards find a 2nd goal as Dartford work had to pull the scores level.

  Decisions continue to go against them frustrating the visitors as Tomlinson gets fouled again bringing the ball away to the left. Cambridge make their first change a debut for Kaci-Jai Bonwick as she comes on in midfield replacing Bennett. Smith into Lewis-Powell driving on into the right channel with Adams up in support playing the ball into her Jeffery moving in to make the challenge sending the ball out for a throw. Cambridge busy at the back dropping off as Dolby gets on up the right with Lewis-Powell her cross intercepted by Strauss. 

 The ball popping back and forth in the midfield, deflects on over the top of the Cambridge defence to see both Lewis-Powell and Adams race in behind to attack it, Lewis-Powell latching onto it inside the box striking the ball across the keeper, to the left, past Webb, the keeper turning to see the ball cannon off the base of the post back out into play cleared by Jarvis. The visitors pushing for a goal getting players on a diagonal ball swung into the box, Jeffery in close on Adams to defend as she looks to get onto the end of it. 

 Strauss intercepting the ball through the middle as Galbally sends it on. A 2nd change for Cambridge with Tomlinson giving away replaced by Olivia Cook. Dartford making their 4th change bringing on Molly Smith in place of Galbally. The hosts winning another corner on the right curled into the box, Georgie Davies up to defend it for Dartford falling to Bell outside the area, looking to hit it one the volley sends it over the bar. 

 Abbey Davies sending the ball on up to the top of the area knocked down into Smith left of the D looking to get the ball under control releasing a low shot, doesn’t get enough pace on it as Webb gets down behind it comfortably. Cambridge prepared to concede ground determined at the back as Dartford press for a goal, risk leaving space at the other end. Space squeezed the final ball not clinical enough, Strauss sending it clear. The counter on the ball fed on through the left channel, Bell threatening to burst in clear into the box, Georgie Davies getting back on her with a superb tackle to deny the shot.

  Molly Smith onto Paris Smith taking the ball to the by-line on the left, the cross headed out by Jeffery for Cambridge. Into the final 10 minutes Dartford making a 5th change, Griffiths coming off, with Katie O’Brien coming on. Cook getting hold of a loose ball at the back from Dartford 20 yards out right side blasts her strike wide of the near post. Bonwick defending for Cambridge at the top of the area as Paris Smith brings the ball inside from the left channel.

 Dolby playing the ball on for Awan as she comes over to the right for the visitors, Strauss over to close her down winning the ball back for Cambridge. Miles looking to feed the ball on through the middle into Cook as she makes a right channel run to get into the box, Charlton up to close the angle down getting to the ball first. Jackson holds onto the ball at the back for Cambridge as Lewis-Powell looks to steal in through the middle.

 Gambell taken out as she looks to get Cambridge on in attack out to the left, Miles over the set-piece fired in long to the far post, Charlton collecting it safely for Dartford. The game entering stoppage time no let up in the games intensity, Dartford giving it their all looking for a late reply with a throw high on the left, Molly Smith heading the ball on into the box, Strauss under it to clear for the hosts. Lewis-Powell bursting into the box onto the end of a long diagonal ball from the left, volleying wide from close range, the offside flag up early against her. 

 Quite a bit of stoppage time being played the crowd getting restless as Cambridge drop deep in defence determined to keep their 1 goal lead intact. Dartford swarming around the box frustrated finding no way through. The final whistle seeing the 3 points secured, crucial ending a 3 game losing run a 3rd win of the season lifting Cambridge back into the mix in the middle of the FAWNL South East Division One table. Dartford missing out by a single goal again stay in the bottom two.

Full time Cambridge United WFC 1-0 Dartford FC Women

 Hope Strauss’ 1st half strike proving to be the difference between the sides in a highly competitive game played at a furious pace from start to finish. Lacked quality at times as both sides sought to keep the ball moving. Dartford trailing at the break coming out fast in the 2nd half making regular changes as they looked to build momentum in attack, Cambridge not getting a 2nd goal to give themselves some breathing room naturally dropping deeper in defence as they looked to keep the clean sheet in attack. Lewis-Powell striking the post for the visitors the closest they came to drawing level. The host defence winning the ball well at the back satisfying when you win by a single goal. Dartford still searching for their 1st win in the league frustrated in the 2nd half giving their all not finding the break through.

 Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Onto this Sunday’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match, a close result picking a single name out tough, defences on top for the majority with few clear cut chances. A few performances to mention, firstly for Dartford. Georgie Davies with some good tackling at the back getting after Cambridge as they attacked the channels. Shauni Griffiths getting hold on the ball central looking to get the ball on in attack. Mya Lewis-Powell coming on 2nd half adding pace and determination to the Dartford attack looking to get onto the ball create chances. Cambridge will be pleased with their defensive performance the 2nd goal not coming 2nd half were determined to keep a clean sheet, the whole defence playing their part, Josephine Jarvis and Sophie Jeffery at full back also joining the attack well. Lauren Tomlinson getting about the middle with some good tackling. Abbey Jackson winning the ball the award going to her partner in defence Hope Strauss won the ball throughout at the back and on hand to score the all important winning goal.

 Great to finally get to Grange Road to see Cambridge United WFC  in their new home and see some action from the FAWNL a highly competitive tussle. Dartford pushed for a reply just couldn’t get the break through. My thanks to both teams for their assistance this afternoon as always much appreciated.

by Darren Gilham