The Round-Up

FAWPL – Sunday 26th February

FAWPL Southern Division

The battle for top spot in the FAWPL Southern Division continues to be hotly contested with just a point separating the top 4 sides cup matches for previous leaders Tottenham Hotspur Ladies have seen them overhauled at the top by Cardiff City Ladies, now this weekend with the Welsh side also not involved in a league fixture the Southern Division has another side taking over top spot with Charlton Athletic Women going a point clear at the top after a big away win against bottom side Queens Park Rangers Ladies at the weekend. 

   The visitors went in front inside the opening 5 minutes QPR captain Elly Maggs putting through her own net. 1-0 the lead for much of the 1st half Gemma Shepherd made it 2-0 in the 37th minute as she continues her goal scoring exploits after recovering from a hip operation earlier this season, will be hard pressed to catch up with top scorer Kit Graham as she scored in the final 2 minutes of the 1st half to see Charlton Athletic lead 3-0 at half-time. Both strikers scored again in the 2nd half, Graham netting her 2nd early on. Goalkeeper, Alex Baker saved a penalty before Shepherd hit her 2nd goal of the game with 20 minutes left. Graham going on to complete her hat-trick in the last 5 minutes to take her tally to the season to 30 goals. A 6-0 win for Charlton Athletic to send them top of the league.

 Also moving up a place in the Southern Division table are Coventry United Ladies pushing Tottenham Hotspur Ladies down to 4th place, go 3rd both on 31 points along with Cardiff City Ladies in 2nd. Were at home at Pack Meadow on Sunday playing Lewes Ladies. Goalless at the break Coventry United broke the deadlock early in the 2nd half with Nikki Miles putting the ball into the back of the net to give the home side the lead, added a 2nd goal 7 minutes later, Jade Brook scoring a 3rd goal for Coventry just 3 minutes later to put them in control of the game with half and hour left to play. Lewes pulled a goal back late into the match Leeta Rutherford the scorer as they lost 3-1. Have games in hand on Charlton as do Cardiff and Tottenham, games between the top 4 will be crucial in determining the title winners in the coming weeks.

Equally tight at the bottom of the FAWPL Southern Division with a point separating the bottom 3 going into the weekend with QPR Ladies losing heavily the other 2 sides down there met in a 6 pointer with 2nd bottom West Ham United Ladies travelling to play Swindon Town Ladies. The home side starting the better taking the lead midway through the 1st half with Michelle Rich scoring. Chyna Collings doubling their lead just 4 minutes later. West Ham United pulled a goal back with 7 minutes of the 1st half left Molly Peters on target to reduce the deficit. The 2nd half was a tense affair with West Ham United pushing to find an equalising goal Swindon holding out until the final 2 minutes of the game, Whitney Locke levelling the scores for the visitors to see the points shared.

FAWPL South East Division One

 Is equally tight at the top of the FAWPL South East Division One but this Sunday saw the 2 sides leading the table pull away from the rest. Leaders Milton Keynes Dons Ladies extended their winning league run to 5 matches to remain 4 points clear at the top with a home win against Enfield Town Ladies at Newport Pagnell FC , Hannah Barrett with her 14th goal of the season scoring the only goal of the match.

 Gillingham FC Ladies in 2nd keep up their unbeaten record in the league having climbed up into 2nd have games in hand on the leaders as they recorded their 7th straight league win on Sunday at home to Denham United Ladies goalless after the 1st 45 minutes Gillingham took the lead 4 minutes into the 2nd half with Jenny Newman putting them ahead, Charlotte Gurr adding a 2nd goal to make it 2-0 us 2 minutes later and see them collect another 3 points.

3rd placed Cambridge United WFC were playing their 1st league match of 2017 this weekend after being involved in various cup matches the run having seen them lose the lead in the FAWPL South East Division One table, keen to get back to winning ways were hosting 4th placed AFC Wimbledon Ladies. A tight 1st half with neither side getting a goal it was AFC Wimbledon who took the lead early in the 2nd half winger Katie Stanley’s cross flying into the back of the net to put them 1 up, the lead didn’t last long with Cambridge United hitting back straight away striker Nicole Perschky putting Laura Mills cross from the right in at the near post. The game finishing 1-1 the points shared.

 6th placed Luton Town Ladies were at home on Sunday taking on bottom side Norwich City Ladies at the Stockwood Park Athletics Stadium. Lucy Webster with a superb individual goal giving Luton Town the lead on the 13th minute. Striker Jo Rutherford doubling the lead for the home side 2 minutes later. Holding the 2-0 advantage for much of the match Luton Town eventually put the result beyond doubt with 15 minutes left Rutherford with her 2nd of the game scoring the goal. Norwich pulled a goal back with less than 10 minutes left, Kyla Love netting the goal. 

Another 6 pointer at the bottom of the FAWPL South East Division One as Lowestoft Town Ladies and Stevenage Ladies met for the 2nd time in a fortnight, both side involved in the relegation battle it was Lowestoft Town Ladies who won the vital 3 points at Stevenage back on the 12th February, captain Hannah Waters with the only goal of the game. After the game manager Gary Bailey stepped down from the role with assistant Reece Buck taking charge of the 1st team. This time at Crown Meadow the game was again decided by a single goal the 3 points going Stevenage Ladies way this time courtesy of a winning strike from their captain, Donna McGuigan. Stevenage’s 3rd win of the season in the league moves them 3 points clear of Lowestoft.

Capital Women’s Cup

  Involved in the FA Women’s Cup last weekend making history with a victory over FAWSL 2 opposition, Tottenham Hotspur were looking to continue their unbeaten record this season by reaching the final of the Capital Women’s Cup in what would be a repeat of last seasons final with Charlton Athletic Women winning through last weekend. Looking to stop them were Crystal Palace Ladies and they came very close taking them all the way to penalties and a dramatic shoot-out. At home Crystal Palace took the lead in the semi-final Ellie Bailes putting them 1-0 up on 16 minutes held the lead going into the half-time break. Tottenham getting themselves back on level terms 16 minutes into the 2nd half Renee Hector on hand inside the box to turn Eartha Ponds free kick home after it came back off the bar. 1-1 after 90 minutes the game went straight to penalties. 3-3 after the regulation 5 penalties each both keepers making a save the shoot-out headed to sudden death both sides scoring the 1st Megan Lynch saving for Tottenham, Chantelle Yardley did the same for Crystal Palace straight after then stepped up to score for Crystal Palace at 5-5 Lynch saved another penalty for Tottenham and it was captain Jenna Schillaci (pictured) who sent Tottenham through to the final as they won the shoot-out 6-5.