The Round-Up

Beds & Herts – Sunday 8th January

Beds & Herts Women’s Division One

Sandy Ladies ended 2016 3 points clear at the top of Beds & Herts Division One a good end to the year have struggled in the league the season before. Were looking to build on last seasons form starting at home to Houghton Athletic Ladies newly promoted to the top Division this season in 7th place with 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses a win would have pushed them into the midfield pack with games in hand. Ciara Craig scoring twice for Houghton Athletic in the match it wasn’t enough to take anything from the game as Sandy scored 3 times to win all 3 points to open up a 6 point gap at the top. A brace from Kirstie Gavin with Amber Williams also on target in a 3-2 win.

 Bishops Stortford Ladies move up a place from 4th to 3rd with an away victory in Sunday. Were playing Sharnbrook WFC in 6th place in the Division One table the home side scoring a goal in each half through Gemma Franklin and Haley Traette-Reynolds. Bishops Stortford scoring 4 goals to win the match, Lauren Maynard with a brace along with a goal a piece for Brogan McHale and Kathryn Stanley. Move level on 15 points with 2nd placed Sherrardswood Ladies and have two games in hand on leaders Sandy.

Beds & Herts Division Two

3 games in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two to start the year. Is one of the most competitive leagues around with just 4 points separating the top six sides after this weekends results. Leaders Flitwick Ladies were held to a goalless draw away to Royston Town Ladies Reserves on Sunday that kept the gap between the side to 4 points, Royston Town however have 3 games in hand on the leaders.

So to do Watton Ladies after they beat 2nd placed Panshanger Ladies on Sunday to climb from 6th up to 4th in the Division Two table. A goal for Samantha Elgar, Francesca Smithers netting a brace matched by a hat-trick for Chloe Jones saw Watton Ladies start 2017 with 3 points. Chemise Huitson scoring a consolation goal for Panshanger Ladies in the 2nd half.

Goals galore in the other game in Beds & Herts Division Two at the weekend with 3rd placed Garston Ladies FC 96 travelling up to Hitchin Belles. Garston had just the 10 players available but that didn’t stop them from finding the back of the net, Lauren Berryman scoring a hat-trick. Dion Lewis also scoring. Hitchin Belles had their shooting boots on to however with both Shannon Page and Charis Wakefield both scoring 2 goals each to see the match end all square at 4-4 the points shared Hitchin Belles on 13 points in 6th now along with Royston Town and Watton having games in hand can’t be dismissed from the title challenge. A point above the trio, Garston Ladies FC 96 also have a couple of games in hand on leaders Flitwick.

Beds & Herts Division Three

It is in Beds & Herts Division Three where I have to report another side lost to the league, probably not a surprise either as Hertford Town Ladies Reserves have disappeared from the table. Had managed just a handful of fixtures, newly formed at the start of the season it is always tricky getting a reserves side up and running always set up with the best intentions players available at the beginning of the season then the numbers fall. A shame but then not to be to critical I know Hertford Town Ladies are committed to the game and the 1st team is finding its feet now in the ERWFL.

 Three matches also in Division Three this Sunday to start 2017. League leaders Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses Blues new to the league ended 2016 with a 100% winning record 6 wins from 6 started 2017 on the road playing bottom side Hatfield Town Ladies who had played just 3 league games before the New Year. Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses Blues extending their lead at the top of the table to 9 points with a crushing win. Lauren Stewart the pick of the goalscorers with 4 to her name. Amy Gibbins wasn’t far behind with a hat-trick moving her into double figures for the season. A goal each for Casey Chapman, Madison Drewett, Millie Glenn and Carrie Mancini sealing an 11-0 victory.

2nd placed Evergreen Eagles Ladies also finished 2016 in Division Three with a 100% winning record had played just the 4 games however were on the road themselves at the weekend taking on 3rd placed Potters Bar United Ladies new to the league this season, 3 points the gap between the sides a single goal scored by Janiece Allen was enough to see Potters Bar United win to end Evergreen Eagles unbeaten record and move level on points have however played 2 games more.

Ending the Beds & Herts Round-Up with an away win for 4th placed Crawley Green Ladies beginning 2017 with an away trip to Shefford Town & Campton Ladies a place below them in the table. Nina Service giving Crawley Green the lead inside the opening 10 minutes she went on to score her 2nd of the game 2 minutes from the end of the 1st half to move her onto 11 goals for the season so far. 2-0 the advantage at half-time Shefford Ladies did pull a goal back midway through the 2nd half however Crawley Green held onto their lead and get the 3 points.