The Round-Up
FAWPL – Sunday 6th November
The focus in the FAWPL was on the last 16 of both the Cup and Plate competitions with 13 sides from the Southern and South East Division One vying for a spot in the quarter-finals.
FAWPL Cup 3rd Round
FAWPL Cup holders Tottenham Hotspur Ladies are through to the quarter-finals maintaining an unbeaten record in all competitions seeing off a potential 2nd half comeback from South East Division One opponents, Gillingham FC Ladies. At home Tottenham were leading 3-0 at half-time Lucia Leon opening the scoring with Maya Vio scoring their 3rd goal an own goal in between. Gillingham pulled it back to 3-1 in the 2nd half Felicity Gibbons scoring on 62 minutes, Amy Taylor scoring to make it 3-2 with just 3 minutes left, a late fightback stiffled out by Tottenham as Wendy Martin scored late in the game to make it 4-2 and see Tottenham continue the defence of the cup.
Tottenham beat Cardiff City Ladies in last seasons final and the Welsh side also join them in the quarter finals with a comfortable home win over previously unbeaten Chichester City Ladies from FAWPL South West Division One. On home soil Cardiff got off the the perfect start Kerry Bartlett putting them ahead inside 2 minutes. Chichester responded well getting it back to 1-1 insdie the opening 10 minutes Chloe Dowdell putting the ball into the back of the net. After that Cardiff took a firm grip on the tie Laura Willaims with 2 quick fire goals on 15 and 17 minutes. 10 minutes later Cori Williams made it 4-1 to Cardiff from the penalty spot. Chloe Chivers and Abbie Britton adding their names to the scoresheet to see Cardiff lead 6-1 at half-time. A quieter 2nd half Chivers added another goal to the total striking the ball home from distance to see Cardiff into the quarter-finals with a 7-1 victory.
Charlton Athletic Women were at home on Sunday in the 3rd Round of the FAWPL Cup taking on fellow Southern Division side, Portsmouth FC Ladies. It was the visitors who held the advantage at the break with Samantha Quayle giving Portsmouth the lead on the 29th minute. Charlton responded 2nd half Kit Graham scoring just 2 minutes into the restart added her 2nd goal to put Charlton into the lead 5 minutes later. Giorgia Dunne scoring to put the home side 3-1 up 4 minutes later. Graham completed her hat-trick on 70 minutes. Gemma Hillier pulled it back to 4-2 for Portsmouth 10 minutes from time as they exited the competition.
News from Portsmouth earlier in the day with the announcement manager Craig Taylor who took up the role at the start of the season is stepping down from the role. Jay Sadler taking on the role as caretaker manager.
In the final 3rd Round FAWPL Cup tie it was another all Southern Division clash and it was Crystal Palace Ladies who were celebrating reaching the quarter finals of the competition beating Coventry United Ladies at home on Sunday a close game, a single goal winning the match 10 minutes from time, Rochelle Shakes the goalscorer to send Crystal Palace Ladies through.
The draw for the FAWPL Cup quarter finals was made on Monday the game scheduled to be played Sunday 11th December.
Liverpool Marshalls Feds Ladies v Cardiff City Ladies
Charlton Athletic Women v West Bromich Albion Ladies
Tottenham Hotspur Ladies v Crystal Palace Ladies
Chester Le Street Ladies v Blackburn Rovers Ladies
FAWPL Plate 3rd Round
At this rate Lewes Ladies will reach the final of the FAWPL Plate without kicking a ball as for the 2nd time in a row in the competition their opponents pulled out of the scheduled tie late on forfieting the game. Lewes were due to face St Nicolas Ladies from FAWPl South West Division One their opponents unable to field a team. Lewes Ladies awarded the home win to move into the quarter finals.
Elsewhere in the 3rd round of the FAWPL Plate fortunes weren’t so good for the remaining Southern Division sides left in the competition. Queens Park Rangers had gotten their 1st win of the season in the previous round of the Plate were drawn away for a local derby against Actinians Ladies from South East Division One who have ejoyed a great start to the season, their good form continuing as captain Sinead Friel and Melissa Jung put them into a 2-0 lead. Sara Ezzahiri pulling a goal back for QPR late into stoppage time not enough as Actonians advance into the quarter finals.
West Ham United Ladies exit the FAWPL Plate at the 3rd Round stage too, at home on Sunday playing South West Division One side Keynsham Town Ladies, Whitney Locke had given them a lead to take into the dressing room 2 minutes before the half-time whistle. Geovana Christina dos Santos Alves getting it back to 1-1 for Keynsham early in the 2nd half Stacey Pearson giving the visitors the lead on 62 minutes. Yasmin Pratt scored to make it 3-1 for Keynsham with 10 minutes left on the clock. Shannon Albuery pulling it back to 3-2 with 5 minutes left for West Ham United, wasn’t enough as Keysham held on to win to move into the quarter finals.
In the final 3rd Round tie to bring you from the FAWPL Plate it was an all South East Division One clash with Stevenage Ladies at home taking on Luton Town Ladies. Goals from Jess Mckay and Joanne Rutherford seeing the visitors advance to the quarter finals with a 2-0 win.
The FAWPL Plate quarter final draw was also made this Monday the ties to be played Sunday 11th December are as follows.
Luton Town Ladies v Lewes Ladies
Keynsham Town Ladies v Leicester City Women
Actonians Ladies v Radcliffe Olympic Ladies
Tranmere Rovers Ladies v Huddersfield Town Ladies
FAWPL South East Division One
There were also three matches scheduled to be played on Sunday in FAWPL South East Division One, heavy rain in Norfolk on the Saturday saw Norwich City Ladies games against AFC Wimbledon Ladies called off.
With the 2nd placed side not in action at the weekend that gave an opportunity for league leaders, Cambridge United WFC to extend their lead at the top of the table. The visitors to Mildenhall town FC, Enfield Town Ladies the A10 derby always a close game between the 2 sides. Nicole Perschky opened the scoring giving Cambridge the lead midway through the 2nd half. Donjeta Krasnici getting Enfield back on level terms just before half-time. Substitute, Evie Gallop restored Cambridge’s lead with 20 minutes left to play Rosie Kmita firing home 5 minutes later to make it 3-1. Kally-Ann Jo Westgrath scored for Enfield on the 85th minute, Cambridge held out for the win and the 3 points that take them 5 points clear at the top of the league.
Milton Keynes Dons Ladies are up to 3rd in the FAWPL South East Division One table with a big home win at the weekend taking on Denham United Ladies. Goals from Hannah Barrett and Heather McDonnell saw them leading 2-0 at half-time before going on to add 5 more goals in the 2nd half. Charley Clarke making it 3-0 an own goal adding to the score line. Leah Cudone (pictured left) getting in on the goal scoring action with a brace to make it 6-0. McDonnell with her 2nd of the match seeing Milton Keynes Dons Ladies move above Actonians Ladies into 3rd.