The Round-Up
Sunday 28th January
Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup
Semi-finals time in the Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup, delayed a week due to the poor weather affecting the region last weekend. It was a repeat of last years final with Stevenage Ladies winners last season at home to Royston Town Ladies. A league between the sides FAWPL South East Division One side, Stevenage had the better of the 1st half but were unable to find the back of the net against their ERWFL Premier Division opponents. A goal early in the 2nd have set Stevenage on their way to victory, Ashleigh Deacon putting the ball into the back of the net, more chances followed before Stevenage doubled their lead, Leah Littlechild getting the goal. A penalty scored by Chloe Gunn sealing a 3-0 win and sending Stevenage into their 4th successive final the aim this year to try a successfully defend the trophy.
Stevenage’s opponents in this season’s Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup final will be Hoddesdon Town Owls Ladies reaching the final for the 1st time. The ERWFL Division One South side at home to Beds & Herts Women’s Division One leaders, St Albans Ladies in the semi-finals. St Albans 8 months unbeaten going into the match. Two goals from Natasha Crick with a goal each for Kristina O’Connell, Rosy Wodhams and Charley Handley seeing Hoddesdon win the game 5-2 to reach the final. Eleanor Lovelock and Jordan Williamson with the 2nd half strikes for St Albans.
The Hertfordshire Women’s County Cup Final will be played on the 11th March at the County Ground in Letchworth. Women’s Football East will be there.
Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup
It was quarter finals weekend in the Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup competition again delayed due to the poor weather last weekend. Bedford Ladies already through due to Sandy Ladies folding earlier in the season that left 3 ties to be contested.
It was as far apart in the women’s football pyramid as you could get in one quarter final with Luton Town Ladies, Bedfordshire’s premier women’s side playing in FAWPL South East Division One and holders of the County Cup away to Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three side Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses Clarets on Sunday. Luton winning comfortably to progress, Natasha Fensome top scoring in the game with 5 goals. Nicola Henman netting a hat-trick, there was a brace each for Kim Farrow and Dionne Manning. Also getting a goal each in the game were, Lisa Nixon, Rachel Kosky, Jess McKay, Stephanie Gale and Zara Carroll the final score 17-0.
Luton Town Ladies Development side were also in action in the quarter finals of the County Cup drawn away to Beds & Herts Women’s Division One side Houghton Athletic Ladies. Luton were leading the game 1-0 when the game was stopped due to a serious injury to Houghton’s Ciara Craig an ambulance called the game abandoned. Terrible news and Women’s Football East wishes Ciara all the best for a speedy and full recovery. The game rescheduled.
ERWFL Premier Division side AFC Dunstable Ladies were also taking on Beds & Herts Women’s Division One opponents in the quarter finals of the County Cup, Sharnbrook WFC the visitors to Creasey Park. Goals from Danielle Carty and Charlene Moreton securing a 2-0 win for Dunstable to send them through to the semi-finals.
The semi-final draw for the Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup is as follows :-
Luton Town Ladies v ADC Dunstable Ladies
Bedford Ladies v Houghton Athletic Ladies or Luton Town Ladies Development
Both games scheduled to be played Sunday 18th Febraury.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division One
One game played in Beds & Herts Women’s Division One this Sunday with 3rd placed Sherrardswood Ladies playing their 1st game of 2018 at home to bottom side Watton Ladies. Both Laurie Marris and Laura Cousins getting 2 goals each in the 1st half before going on to complete their hat-tricks in the 2nd. Manjinder Atwal also on target in the 2nd half with Sherrardswood running out 7-2 winners, moving them 5 points behind 2nd placed Northwood Ladies with 2 games in hand.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two
It was 3rd v 4th in Beds & Herts Division Two on Sunday with Royston Town Ladies Reserves away to Hitchin Town Ladies. It was the hosts who opened the scoring Jessica McNamara putting them 1-0 on 11 minutes. Just past the half hour Royston came right back into the match equalising then going into the lead just 3 minutes later scoring from two free-kicks, Grace Leslie and Harriet Smith the scorers. Hitchin were quick to reply however the lead lasting just 4 minutes as Emma Chaffey got it back to 2-2. That the half-time score. One the hour Hitchin retook the lead Dani Friel scoring. The 3 points made safe 2 minutes from time Megan Franklin scoring from 30 yards to make it 4-2 the 3 points enough to move Hitchin above Royston into 3rd on goal difference.
Evergreen Eagles also move up a place in the Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two table after winning at home on Sunday going above opponents Hitchin Belles into 6th. Samantha Takis putting Evergreen 1-0 on 20 minutes it was 2-0 2 minutes later Samantha Feeney getting the goal. Holly Williams making it 3-0 on the half hour. Abbey Williams extending the lead 20 minutes into the 2nd half. Takis scoring her 2nd of the game 20 minutes from time to seal a 5-0 victory.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three
In Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three, 2nd placed Wheathamstead Wanderers Ladies cut the gap to leaders Bedford Ladies Development to 5 points with a comfortable home win on Sunday. Taking on Shefford Town & Campton Ladies the winning margin 6-0. Sophia Pidgeon scoring all 6 of Wheathamstead’s goals moving her on to 24 goals from 10 appearances. Wheathamstead in good form have 2 games in hand on the leaders.
Also in action on Sunday in Division Three were the bottom two Bedwell Rangers Ladies looking to extend the gap from bottom side Potters Bar United Ladies. Holly Walker scoring in the 10th minute for Bedwell. Jessica Sullivan also getting a goal in the 1st half went on to complete her hat-trick in the 2nd half. Leah Tomlin and Faye Prout also getting a goal each with Bedwell winning the game 6-3 their 3rd win of the season moving them 8 points ahead of Potters Bar United, their goal scorers Carly Gilbey and Mandy Morgan who scored a brace.