The Round-Up
Sunday 18th February
Essex Women’s County Cup
Semi-finals this Sunday in Essex in both the Women’s County Cup and Trophy competitions. In the County Cup holders C&K Basildon Ladies are as strong as they have ever been leading the FAWPL Southern Division a bye in the quarter finals they began the defence of the County Cup at the semi-final stage at home to Little Thurrock Dynamos Ladies playing 3 league below in the ERWFL Division One South. A big test for Little Thurrock Dynamos an occasion to be enjoyed nevertheless.
Captain Zoe Rushen scoring in the 10th minute to give Basildon the lead, the hosts created further chances didn’t add to their tally a 1-0 advantage at half-time. Therese Addison scoring early in the 2nd half doubled Basildon’s lead before Jay Blackie went on to score a hat-trick. A strong finish to the match seeing Addison and Rushen both score another each with April Bowers also getting on the scoresheet. 9-0 the final score with Blackie adding her 4th of the day in the closing stages.
C&K Basildon’s opponents in this season’s Essex County Cup final will be Brentwood Town Ladies after they over came fellow ERWFL Premier Division side, Writtle Ladies on penalties after the sides drew 2-2 after extra-time. 1-1 in the regulation 90 minutes a close game all the way, Writtle taking the lead in extra-time Brentwood Town scoring late on to level it up at 2-2 and take the game into penalties. Marie Barker and Jessica Mills with their goals. Goalkeeper Kelly Warner making to saves in the shootout as Brentwood won 4-2 to reach the final of the competition.
The Essex Women’s County Cup Final to be played at Aveley FC on Thursday March 29th with a 7:45pm kick-off hopefully Women’s Football East will be there.
Essex Women’s Trophy
The semi-finals of the Essex Women’s Trophy were also played this Sunday a new look to the competition this season and it was to one of these where I travelled, Conker Park to watch Silver End United Ladies from the ERWFL Division One North take on the Current holders of the Trophy, Frontier Ladies winning the competition in their 1st season. Just a place between them in the women’s football pyramid it looked to be a close game on paper. Silver End started the better of the 2 sides winning a series of corners before Frontiers got into the game themselves. The score 0-0 until late in the 1st half Silver End capitalised on a error from the Frontiers goalkeeper Rebecca Tyson slipping as she went to strike the ball, Megan Jiggins putting the ball into the empty net from outside the area. Late into the 1st half Silver End doubled their lead, Jiggins again getting in front of the keeper from a corner to turn the ball home to make it 2-0.
Frontiers pushed hard for a goal in the 2nd half eventually getting it back to 2-1 as striker Sharon Ferguson cleverly lobbed goalkeeper Hannah Streetley from distance. Streetley though produced an excellent save to deny Ferguson the equaliser from a corner inside her six yard box. Silver End going on to win the match 2-1 an book their spot in the final.
Silver End United Ladies will meet Hutton Ladies in the Essex Women’s Trophy final after the ERWFL Division One South side beat Essex Women’s Division One side Rayleigh Town Ladies 6-1 at home to book their final berth on Sunday. Hayley Critchell netting a brace for Hutton along with a goal each for Lucy Blurton, Amy Crumpler, Patrizia Leo and Kaitlin Sugg in a 6-1 win. Megan Harley with the goal for Rayleigh Town.
The Essex Women’s Trophy Final is scheduled to be played Sunday 8th April a 3pm kick-off at Saffron Walden Town FC.
Essex Women’s Premier Division
3 league games played in the Essex Women’s Premier Division this Sunday. 3rd placed Lawford Ladies closing the gap on the top two, Frontiers Ladies and Hatfield Peverel Ladies with a 5-1 away win against Chelmsford City Ladies. Daisy Canny scoring another hat-trick to take her onto 21 for the season. There was also a goal for Jasmine Cox and Tyler Christou against her former club also scored a goal. Georgia Sleep with the goal for Chelmsford City.
Chigwell Ladies 2nd bottom in the table earned a point at home to Eastern Avenue on Sunday in the Premier Division. The hosts leading 1-0 at half time Eastern Avenue coming into the game 2nd half despite a shortage of players to draw 2-2 with goals from Katie Peers and Teliscia Linton. Victoria Parker and Kimmilee Day from the penalty spot scoring the goals for Chigwell.
9th versus 8th in the other Premier Division match played this Sunday with Runwell Sports Ladies hosting Beacon Hill Rovers the scores tied at 1-1 at the break, Rachel Selfe on target for Runwell Sports. Mia Claydon scoring for Beacon Hill Rovers her 1st goal for the club. The game won 10 minutes from time the 3 points going to the hosts as Sophie Olley found the back of the net to score the winner for Runwell Sports who move to within a point of Beacon Hill Rovers.
Essex Women’s Division One
Two matches played in Essex Women’s Division One on Sunday, Southend United Ladies move into 2nd spot in the table level on points with leaders Hullbridge Sports Ladies as they won away to Benfleet Villa Ladies. Georgia Raby netting a brace for the visitors, with Melissa Burton also getting a goal in a 3-0 win all the goals coming in the 2nd half.
FC Clacton Ladies were at home on Sunday taking on bottom side Chelmsford City Ladies Reserves. A comfortable win for Clacton collecting the 3 points with an 8-2 result lifting them up a place to 9th in the Division One table. Monique Black and Kelsey Honeywood scoring the goals for Chelmsford City.