The Round-Up
Sunday 10th September
The Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Women’s Football league begins with 25 sides across 3 Division’s. 9 in Division One with last season’s Champion’s Bishops Stortford Ladies moving up to the ERWFL. Northwood Ladies are a new face I know little about. Watton Ladies are promoted as Division Two Champions with Flitwick Ladies also promoted.
8 sides in Division Two, Letchworth Garden City Eagles and Hitchin Town Ladies dropping down from Division One. Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses Blues and Evergreen Eagles promoted from Division Three. A new name in Division Two in Welwyn Pegasus Sapphires formerly Panshanger Ladies.
3 new faces in Division Three making up the 8 sides with a 2nd Welwyn Pegasus side the Azures joining along side Bedford Ladies new Development side and Bedwell Rangers Ladies. Evergreen Ladies and Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses Clarets dropping down from Division Two.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division One
St Albans Ladies hit the ground running in Beds & Herts Division One with a double figure home win on the opening day of the season. Got off to flyer against newly promoted Watton Ladies. Ellen Slater scoring in the 4th minute, Holly Rossington making it 2-0 2 minutes later Michaela Johnson then scored twice with Chloe Reeves on target for a 5th goal before half-time. More goals flowed 2nd half Johnson completing her hat-trick early on, Slater with her 2nd putting a penalty into the back of the net. Ellie Lovelock with a brace. Kiran Reyat scoring a goal too with Reeves going on to score a hat-trick the final score 12-1.
Sharnbrook WFC got their season off to a great start to away from home on Sunday against Sandy Ladies. Taking the lead in the 34th minute Hoffi Pursey scoring the goal. 1-0 the narrow lead to the visitors at break a different story 2nd half Charlie Mullins doubling the lead in the 58th minute Sharnbrook the ran riot Emily Clark netting 2 goals, with Emma Butler on target with 13 minutes left. Pursey with her 2nd goal of the game in the last 5 minutes Stephanie Hettle making it 7-0 in injury time.
Northwood Ladies started their Division One campaign at home to last season’s League Cup Winners, Houghton Athletic Ladies. 2 goals each for, Leanne Jones and Francesca Webster seeing Northwood win the 3 points in a 4-1 victory. Sinead Borsah scoring the goal for Houghton Athletic.
Flitwick Ladies back in Division One started the campaign with a tough game at home to Sherrardswood Ladies. Goalless at the break the sides both scoring 2nd half to take a share of the points, Sky Evans scoring for Flitwick, Sherrardswood’s goalscorer their captain Katy Jones.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two
Welwyn Pegasus Sapphires are a new name this season but containing a host of familiar names having formerly been Panshanger Ladies. Welwyn Pegasus have two sides entering the Beds & Herts Leagues this season, the Azures in the league below but by no means are they a 1st and Reserve/Development side. The Sapphires do contain a large majority of Panshanger’s 1st team squad from last season but with so many player on their books the new look and name change making perfect sense, and I like the names refreshing and new.
A positive start for the Sapphires beginning their season away to Royston Town Ladies Reserves. Chemise Huitson scoring a brace in the game with another goal from Ellie Burke to see them start with a 3-0 win.
A Hitchin derby to start the season with Hitchin Town Ladies relegated last season hosting Hitchin Belles. A 2nd half brace for Amy Jack sealing a 2-0 win for Hitchin Belles to start their season flirted with the title last season, are they ready to mount a stronger challenge this season?
The Blues and the Clarets have swapped leagues with Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses Blues new last season winning the Division Three title with ease whilst the Clarets in Division Two were relegated. The Blues started the season away to fellow promoted side Evergreen Eagles returning to Division Two after being relegated the previous season. A tight game the sides earning a share of the points drawing 1-1. Samantha Feeney scoring for Evergreen Eagles, Bethany Young for Woburn & Wavendon.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three
Bedford Ladies playing in the ERWFL Premier Division have established a new Development side this season entering Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three began the season with a convincing win away from home against Bedwell Rangers Ladies also new to the league this season. Kirsten Peters opening the scoring for Bedford in the 9th minute. Paige Abraham and Jessica Bunnage scoring in the 15th and 24th minute. Katy Peters and Becky Lenton making it 5-0 at half-time. Kirsten Peters scoring twice more in the 2nd half to complete her hat-trick with Bunnage adding her 2nd to see Bedford start with an 8-0 win.
Shefford Town & Campton Ladies started their 3rd season in Beds & Herts Division Three with a win away from home to Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses Clarets and only their 2nd ever 3 point haul. A good win too with Louise Grocott scoring a brace, with goal each for Chloe Tate and Helen Coster to put them 2nd in the table. 4-1 the final score Maya Santos scoring for Woburn & Wavendon.
Welwyn Pegasus Azures followed the Sapphires in the league above with an away win on the opening day of the season in their 1st ever competitive match taking on Potters Bar United Ladies. Goals from Janiece Allen and Samantha Coughlan in the 1st half. Allen adding a 2nd goal 7 minutes into the 2nd half and a goal form Senal Chapman in the final 15 minutes seeing the away side win 4-2. Mandy Morgan with both the goals for Potters Bar United.
In the last match to bring you in Beds & Herts Division Three, 1st half hat-trick for Sophia Pidgeon saw Wheathamstead Wanderers Ladies start their season with a win at home to Evergreen Ladies. 3-1 the final score Kirsty Stephan with the goal for the visiting side.