The Round-Up

Sunday 5th November

FAWPL Southern Division

Eight straight wins at the start of the season had seen Charlton Athletic Women running away with the lead in the FAWPL Southern Division since then 2 successive defeats in the league have followed giving hope to the chasing pack as they look to close the gap. This weekend Charlton Athletic were at home hosting in form Coventry United who came into the game unbeaten in 5 league matches winning the last 4 to move up to 4th in the table. Charlotte Gurr struck 20 minutes into the 1st half to give Charlton the lead her 14th goal of the season. Into 1st half stoppage time the lead was doubled the Kit Graham taking her tally to 12 for the season finding the back of the net. Charlton successfully defending their 2-0 lead in the 2nd half to return to winning ways in the league and remain 4 points clear at the top of the table.

Lewes FC Women remain Charlton’s closest challenges although they had to come back from a 2-1 deficit at half-time away from home to win the 3 points on Sunday. Making the long trip to Wales to take on Cardiff City Ladies. The hosts getting off to a great start captain Cori Williams latching onto a poor back pass to score. The lead wasn’t to last long Lewes levelling the scores before the 10th minute their captain Kelly Newton with the goal to make it 1-1. That looked to be the score heading into the half-time break but for a terrific 25 yard free-kick from Williams finding the top corner to send Cardiff into half-time with a 2-1 lead. 8 minutes into the 2nd half it  was Newton’s turn to find a 2nd goal levelling the scores for Lewes for the 2nd time in the game. With 10 minutes left Lewes went on to score what would prove to be the winning goal. Georgia Bridges introduced from the bench after 3 months out scoring to make it 3-2.

   C&K Basildon Ladies continue their great league form in 3rd place in the Southern Division table travelling west to play Swindon Town Ladies on Sunday. The hosts bottom of the table battled hard in the 1st half holding their opponents to a goalless draw at the half-time break. Into the 2nd half and Basildon’s pressure finally told Angela Addison breaking the deadlock with the opening goal of the game. Therese Addison also scoring to make it 2-0 to the visitors the points put beyond doubt by April Bowers netting Basildon’s 3rd.

  Amanda Chimbima got Queens Park Rangers Ladies off to the perfect start at home to Chichester City Ladies on Sunday scoring in the 2nd minute her 1st goal for the senior team. QPR working hard held onto their lead despite Chichester creating numerous chances to equalise. The visitors awarded a penalty in the 32 minute Kerrie Ryan sending her effort up over the bar. Chichester continued to create chances 2nd half and into the last 5 minutes of the game QPR conceded the equaliser, Gemma Simmonds scoring for Chichester. The points shared as QPR held on for the draw to take what might yet be a vital point in their battle at the bottom of the table.

FAWPL South East Division One

 In FAWPL South East Division One, AFC Wimbledon Ladies had since losing on the opening day of the season gone on to win 8 straight league games to power their way to the top of the table. That run was finally brought to an end on Sunday away to Stevenage Ladies. The Hertfordshire side leading their opponents 1-0 at the break thanks to a fantastic strike from Ellie Searle. Chloe Gunn doubling Stevenage’s lead in the 2nd half. Wimbledon bringing Ingrid Asplund and Sian Wylde off the bench as they looked to get back into the game a dramatic final 10 minutes, Asplund scrambling the ball home in the 84th minute to make it 2-1, Wimbledon levelling it up with 3 minutes left Wylde getting the goal. Stevenage got the ball up the other end and the cross fired into the area Nicole Emmings getting on the end of it to score the winning goal to lift Stevenage into 7th spot taking 7 points from their last 3 league games.

That defeat for Wimbledon saw 2nd placed Milton Keynes Dons Ladies close the gap on the leaders to just a point with victory on the road at the weekend away to Norwich City Ladies who are looking for points at the wrong end of the table working hard in the 1st half Norwich kept Milton Keynes at bay the sides drawing 0-0. A single goal scored in the 2nd half enough to claim victory for the visitors Amelia Hazard with her 4th goal of the season the scorer.

  Leyton Orient WFC were away to Denham United Ladies on Sunday the 3rd placed side also winning to close the gap on the leaders, goals from Belen Ripoll Douton and Sophie Le Marchand clinching the 3 points.

Ipswich Town Ladies are another side looking to chase down the leaders in 4th position they had to do it the hard way away to Actonians Ladies this Sunday the home side taking an early lead in the match Sinead Friel scoring the goal. As the 1st half drew to a close Ipswich found the equalising goal Zoe Cossey putting the ball into the back of the net. Cossey going on to score another in the 2nd half on 64 minutes, what would prove to be the winner, 2-1 the final score.

 Luton Town Ladies were away to Enfield Town Ladies on Sunday and despite creating numerous opportunities the visitors couldn’t breach the hosts defence the 2 sides taking home a point each the game ending goalless.

   Cambridge United WFC climb back up into 5th spot in the FAWPL South East Division One table with victory away to bottom side Haringey Borough Women on Sunday. Emma Jenkins scoring in the 8th minute to give Cambridge the lead. Jenkins added another goal on 37 minutes to make it 2-0 and move her onto 5 goals for the season. Nuala Wayne also moving onto 5 goals for the season as she scored 2 minutes later to see Cambridge leading 3-0 at the break. A early chance for Cambridge to extend their lead from the penalty spot Lauren Cartwright’s shot was saved. Laura Baker did make it 4-0 for Cambridge however scoring on the hour mark, then Cartwright scored from open play to make it 5-0 on 67 minutes. Lauren Gibson introduced to the action in the 61st minute went on to score 2 goals for Cambridge moving her onto 7 for the season in the final 20 minutes Cambridge winning 7-0.

The Round-Up

Sunday 1st October

FAWPL Southern Division

Charlton Athletic Women remain 5 points clear at the top of the FAWPL Southern Division as they extend their 100% winning start to the season to 7 games. In Wales this Sunday away to Cardiff City Ladies. Charlotte Gurr scoring a 1st half 20 minute hat-trick for Charlton all free-kicks putting the visitors in control of the game 3-0 the advantage at the break. Cardiff scored 10 minutes into the 2nd half Cori Williams with the goal but couldn’t find another to pressure Charlton winning 3-1.

  Lewes FC Women extend their winning run to 6 games in league and cup to keep hold of 2nd in the FAWPL Southern Division table. Winning by their biggest margin so far at home to West Ham United Ladies who announced their intention to apply for a place in the new look FAWSL 1 this week. Work to do on the field before then however as their run is the complete opposite to Lewes now 6 straight defeats in the league. Looked to be heading in goalless on Sunday until Leeta Rutherford found the back of the net for Lewes with 2 minutes of the half left to play. Katie McIntyre doubled the lead for Lewes 10 minutes into the 2nd half. Rebecca Carter coming off the bench scoring to seal a 3-0 win with 5 minutes left to play.

In cup action last Sunday, Crystal Palace Lades returned to league action with a tough home game against Portsmouth FC Ladies. Gemma Bryan is in a hot streak of form and that continued as she scored a goal in each half for Crystal Palace on 26 & 82 minutes to see them secure another 3 points with a 2-0 win that keeps them ahead of C&K Basildon Ladies in 3rd place on goal difference.

  C&K Basildon keep pace with Crystal Palace picking up their 4th league win of the campaign at home to Queens Park Rangers this Sunday a single goal enough to take all 3 points scored in the opening 15 minutes by captain Zoe Rushen.

 Chichester City Ladies climb up to 5th in the FAWPL Southern Division table coming out on top in a high scoring game away to bottom side Swindon Town Ladies. Charley Wilson-Blakely put Chichester into the lead 20 minutes into the 1st half. Hollie Wride firing home to make t 2-0 8 minutes later. Wilson -Blakely netting for her 2nd goal with 10 minutes of the 1st half left. Cherelle Khassel scoring a couple of minutes later to see Chichester leading 4-0. Swindon reduced the deficient with a goal in 1st half injury time Abby Picton scoring. Didn’t take long into the the 2nd half for Wilson-Blakely to complete her hat-trick. 5-1 the lead Swindon mounted a comeback Mia Mugford scoring in the 54th minute. Two quickfire goals in the 62nd & 64th minute from Annie Martin & Sophie Barrett pulling it back to 5-4 game on. 16 year old Alex Collinghan scoring her 1st senior goal for Chichester to make it 6-4 then Khassel scored her 2nd of the match to see Chichester win the game 7-4.

 An indifferent start to the season for Coventry United down in 8th place in the Southern Division table built on last weekends point earned away to Crystal Palace with a big win away to Gillingham FC Ladies this weekend. Alison Hall putting the visitors in front in the 11th minute. Goals from Marie Gauntlett and Amber Hughes midway through the  1st half seeing Coventry leading 3-0 at the break. In control of the game the goals continued to come 2nd half. Hughes scoring her 2nd goal of the game 5 minutes into the 2nd half. Gauntlett also with her 2nd of the game on 54 minutes. Helen Dermody and Leah Seivwright extending the lead to 7-0 with a goal each going into the final 15 minutes, Gauntlett going on to not only complete her hat-trick but score 4 goals in the match the final score 9-0.

FAWPL South East Division One

The battle at the top of FAWPL South East Division One is very intense. 5 straight league wins keep AFC Wimbledon Ladies at the top of the table the latest coming away from home against Stevenage Ladies this Sunday. An early goal from Laura Quinn-Low giving AFC Wimbledon the lead. Quinn-Low netting another goal late in the 1st half, time for Stevenage to find a reply a goal line scramble seeing captain Donna McGuigan reducing Wimbledon’s advantage back to 2-1 at the break. Continued to be a close game 2nd half Rebecca Sargent making sure of all 3 points for Wimbledon scoring their 3rd goal in the final 10 minutes.

Newly promoted Leyton Orient continue their fine start to the season a 4th straight league win to keep them 2nd 2 points behind AFC Wimbledon. Travelled up to Norfolk this Sunday to play Norwich City Ladies. Sophie Le Marchand putting Leyton Orient into the lead on 16 minutes the advantage didn’t last long Norwich equalising 5 minutes later Millie Davies scoring to make it 1-1. That the score going int half-time. Leyton Orient retook the lead 6 minutes into the 2nd half Lisa Holmbeck on target, that was quickly followed by 2 more goals Sarka Stryhalova and Danielle Griffiths extending the lead to 4-1. Charlotte Broad scored for Norwich with 15 minutes left to reduce the lead, before Stryhalova hit her 2nd goal of the game to see Leyton Orient secure a 5-2 win.

 Looked like it would be a close contest on paper and so proved on the pitch with a single goal winning the match between Ipswich Town Ladies at home to Actonians Ladies. 3rd placed Ipswich keeping pace with the leaders with the 1-0 win the goalscorer Roxanne Small.

A hat-trick for Cambridge’s Amber Cantwell this weekend

4th placed Milton Keynes Dons Ladies also clinched another 3 points at the weekend but left it very late to do so away to Luton Town Ladies. The home side taking the lead in the match Jess Mckay with the goal to see the lead 1-0 at half-time. New signing Laura Mills from Cambridge United WFC scored her 1st goal for her new club to make it 1-1 in the 2nd half them deep into injury time Charly Wright fired home a free-kick to score the winner for Milton Keynes to see them keep it a 3 way tie on 13 points between 2nd & 4th.

Cambridge United WFC have been the draw specialists in South East Division One so far this season hard to beat have just the one win prior to this weekends home match were taking on bottom side Haringey Borough Women. Both Kelley Blanchflower and Amber Cantwell new signings this season scored their 1st goals for Cambridge both netting a hat-trick in the game. There was also a hat-trick for another new addition Amy Howlett. Defender Emma Jenkins also  on the scoresheet with her 3rd of the season. Captain Laura Bright and substitute Lauren Gibson also scoring a goal a piece in a thumping 12-2 win that see them climb to 5th in the table. Julia Carruthers and Shanice Nourrice scoring Haringey’s goals.

The last game to bring you from South East Division One saw Enfield Town Ladies hosting rivals Denham United Ladies. A goal late in the 1st half from Annie Hewitt saw Denham United take a lead into the dressing room at half-time. Enfield hit back 11 minutes into the 2nd half Danielle Smith levelling the scores the way in remained both sides gaining a much needed point taking them further away from the bottom two.

The Round-Up

Sunday 17th September

FAWPL Southern Division 

Crystal Palace Ladies leading the FAWPL Southern Division table were at home on Sunday looking to extend their unbeaten run against Coventry United Ladies who were looking for a positive result after suffering to successive narrow defeats in the league. Prolific striker Gemma Bryan was making her 50th appearance for Crystal Palace who despite creating chances couldn’t get the better of a resolute Coventry United defence the sides contesting a goalless draw. Crystal Palace remain unbeaten in the league on 10 points after 4 played.

New leaders at the top of the FAWPL Southern Division table as Charlton Athletic Women maintaining their own 100% winning start picked up maximum points at home to Queens Park Rangers Ladies on Sunday. Were leading 1-0 at half-time skipper Kim Dixson putting Charlton in front on 20 minutes. Charlotte Gurr go thing’s rolling for the home side as she doubled the lead just 4 minutes after the restart. Ellie Dorey scoring soon after to make it 3-0. Moving into the last 15 minutes of the game Charlton went on to score 4 more goals, Katie Flack on the scoresheet. Once again Kit Graham coming on as a 2nd half substitute collected a quickfire double with Hope Nash scoring in between her goals to see Charlton to a 7-0 win. 4 wins from 4 at the top of the table.

3 wins on the bounce for newly promoted Gillingham FC Ladies see them climb up the Southern Division table into 3rd position after a comfortable win at home to bottom club Swindon Town Ladies on Sunday. Jenny Newman opened the scoring for Gillingham after 12 minutes. Striker Kallie Balfour scoring two goals before half-time to see the home side leading 3-0 Balfour completing her hat-trick 15 minutes into the 2nd half captain Jade Keogh scoring to make the final score 5-0 in the final five minutes. Swindon’s search for league point and goal goes on.

Portsmouth had started the season well two victories in their opening matches lost 1-0 last time out at home to 10 player Charlton grabbing an injury time winner. Were away to Lewes FC Women this Sunday and it was late agony again as they lost a close and competitive match by a single goal scored by Lewes in the 85th minute Rebecca Carter grabbing the winner. A successive 1-0 win for Lewes against tough opponents sees them moving up the table. Into 5th position have announced this week the signing of goalkeeper Faye Baker formerly with Brighton along with Avilla Bergin the Northern Ireland International winger spending last season with Charlton.

Another side on the up in the FAWPL Southern Division are Chichester City Ladies, the South West Division One Champions into the top half of the table after picking up a 2nd successive league win at home to West Ham United Ladies on Sunday. The sides level at 0-0 at half-time. Cherelle Khassel giving Chichester the lead 2nd half. A brace from Charley Wilson-Blakely putting them 3-0 up then an assist for Jade Widdows to shoot and score from the top of the box to seal the 3 points winning 4-0 move up to 6th

FAWPL South East Division One

 3 wins from 3 saw Luton Town Ladies top of the league going into the weekend as they travelled down to Sutton United FC to play AFC Wimbledon Ladies who were on the move up the FAWPL South East Division One table with 2 successive wins after an opening day loss. Caroline Bisson scoring in the 14th minutes giving the home side a narrow advantage at half-time. Two quickfire goal 15 minutes into the 2nd half from Katie Stanley and Bisson with her 2nd putting Wimbledon in control of the game. Luton pulling a goal back through captain Zara Carroll. Wimbledon winning a 3rd straight league game 4-1 the final score Kelly-Jade Whelan with the late strike. Join Luton on 9 points moving in to 3rd spot.

  3 sides tied on 9 points at the top of the South East Division One table with Actonians Ladies moving back to the top over Luton with the superior goal difference gained from their opening games. Were amongst the goals again this Sunday at home to Norwich City Ladies. Actonians taking an early lead Norwich drawing level at 1-1 in the 12th minute Chelsea Garrett with the goal. After that Actonians took control Carla Williams, Alessandra Barreca and Mariko Eagles all scoring a brace in the game with Katrina Duncan also netting a goal, 7-1 up, Norwich pulled a goal back deep into stoppage time Aimee Durrant scoring a 7-2 win for Actonians.

Newly promoted Leyton Orient WFC are starting to find their feet at this level now 3 wins in succession in league and cup that sees them climb up to 4th in the South East Division One table. Have opening their season against some strong opponents too. This Sunday travelling up to Suffolk to play Ipswich Town Ladies who were undefeated with 2 wins and a draw from their opening 3 league games. Two goals midway through the 1st half from Lisa Holmbeck and Chanel Richards seeing the visitors leading 2-0 at half-time. Ipswich unable to pull a goal back in the 2nd half as they suffered their 1st defeat of the season.

Another side picking up a 2nd successive league win to start moving up the South East Division One table are Milton Keynes Dons Ladies. Away to Enfield Town Ladies on Sunday. The visitors leading by a single goal at the break. 2 more goals followed 2nd half for Milton Keynes Dons to secure a 3-1 win, Amelia Hazard with a brace along with a goal for Charly Wright seeing the 3 points secured. Donjeta Krasnici with the goal for Enfield who suffer a 3rd successive league defeat.

  Cambridge United WFC are now the only side undefeated in FAWPL South East Division One however they left it extremely late to evade their 1st defeat of the season away to Stevenage Ladies on Sunday. Cara Breckenridge with the goal to hand Stevenage Ladies the lead were holding on to the narrow advantage right up until the end of the game Cambridge winning a corner the ball sent in bundled into the back of the net by defender Emma Jenkins to see the points shared. 3 draws and win from their opening 4 games. Both making new signings this week with Ashleigh Deacon with Cambridge last season joining Stevenage. Cambridge signing Kelley Blanchflower the attacker helping Tottenham Hotspur Ladies to the FAWPL Southern Division title last season.

  Denham United Ladies got their 1st win of the season on Sunday as they travelled to bottom side Haringey Borough Women. A point from their opening game 2 losses have followed for Denham. A difficult start to life at a higher level for Haringey 3 straight defeats, a competitive contest between the sides especially 1st half Chontelle Lawrence giving Denham the lead on 14 minutes Haringey came back to level at 1-1 Jenny Banfield scoring to give Denham a 2-1 lead at half-time. Haringey getting it back to 2-2. Sophie Cheadle then found the back of the net twice for Denham to put them 4-2 up Annie Hewitt securing their 1st 3 points of the season in the last minute seeing Denham climb to 8th in the table.

The Round-Up

Sunday 10th September

After a the distraction of last weekends FAWPL Cup Determining Round it was back to league action for the clubs in the Southern Division and South East Division One with a full programme of fixtures across both leagues.

FAWPL Southern Division

Three sides in the FAWPL Southern Division looking to maintain a 100% winning start after 3 games played, two of those sides met on Sunday, Portsmouth FC Ladies at home to Charlton Athletic Women. A great start to the season for Portsmouth winning away from home at Coventry United Ladies 2 weekends ago building on their opening day win at home to Cardiff City Ladies. The visitors in trouble early on as they were reduced to 10 players inside the opening 10 minutes Grace Coombs shown a straight red bringing down Shannon Albuery in the area a penalty awarded was missed by Molly Clark. Despite the player advantage for Portsmouth the sides were goalless at the break and the 2nd half was heading that way right up until stoppage time when Kit Graham introduced from the bench for the 3rd successive league game also scored for the 3rd time netting her 4th of the season to win the game for Charlton in the 93rd minute to keep their 100% winning start intact.

   Charlton are 2nd behind Crystal Palace Ladies on goal difference in fine goal scoring form too scoring 30 goals in their opening 4 games. Striker Gemma Bryan has almost half that total herself netting 14 in 4 games so far. Away to Swindon Town Ladies this Sunday, Bryan was on target as early as the 5th minutes going on to score another 3 goals before half-time. Stefanie Simmons also on the scoresheet to see Crystal Palace leading 5-0 at half-time. Both Bryan ad Simmons added another goal in the 2nd half to secure a 7-0 win. A concerning start for Swindon Town bottom of the table without a win have conceded 28 in league and cup and to make thing’s worse have yet to score a goal themselves. Plenty of time to put that right.

C&K Basildon Ladies are up to 3rd spot unbeaten in their 3 opening league matches were hosting West Ham United Ladies at Canvey Island FC this Sunday. Goalless at half-time Angela Addison put Basildon into the lead 2nd half, with jay Blackie and captain Zoe Rushen also getting a goal each to secure all 3 points. 

A 2nd successive defeat in the league for Coventry United Ladies travelling down to The Dripping Pan this Sunday to play Lewes FC Women who won their 1st 3 points of the season that takes them up from 9th into 6th position. Were in front inside the opening 2 minutes Rachel Carter finding the back of the net. Coventry had a goal ruled out 10 minutes later. Created chances but in windy conditions were unable to breach the Lewes back line a chance 2nd half awarded a penalty, Helen Dermody smashing the ball into the post. Lewes winning 1-0.

  Newly promoted Gillingham also move up the table into 4th from 7th with their 2nd league win of the season away to Queens Park Rangers Ladies. Jenny Newman on the half hour mark giving the visitors the lead. Danielle Farmer making it 2-0 with 6 minutes of the 1st half left. Queens Park Rangers were reduced to 10 13 minutes into the 2nd half Mara Deluca sent off. Gillingham captain Jade Keogh making it 3-0 soon after. The final score 4-0 to Gillingham with Newman scoring her 2nd of the match in the final 15 minutes.

  At the other end of the Southern Division table on Sunday it was a meeting between two sides still looking to pick up their 1st point of the season with newly promoted Chichester City Ladies travelling into Wales to play Cardiff City Ladies. It was the home side who took an early lead Cori Williams scoring a penalty. Chichester replied quickly to get back on level terms Jess Lewry on target. The visitors going on to go 3-1 ahead with goals from Charley Wilson-Blakely and Jenna Fowlie. Cardiff getting a goal back through Caitlin Morris before Wilson-Blakely added another to see the lead for Chichester at half-time 5-2. That the final score no more goals 2nd half Chichester winning their 1st 3 points to lift them up to 8th.

FAWPL South East Division One

In FAWPL South East Division One 3 sides went into the weekend at the top of the table with 2 wins from 2, after the weekends results just one of those retained a 100% winning start. Luton Town Ladies are top with maximum points from their opening 3 matches. At home at the weekend taking on newly promoted Haringey Borough Women. Both Jodie Bellinger and Joanne Rutherford grabbing a brace in the match along with a goal for Rebecca Wilson-Kane in a 5-1 victory.

  Ipswich Town Ladies were denied a 3rd successive league win as the 2nd placed club was pegged back level with a late goal from opponents Cambridge United WFC. Travelling to Mildenhall Town FC. Cassie Craddock giving Ipswich a 1-0 lead at half-time. Amy Howlett scored for Cambridge to level the scores 2nd half. Ipswich retaking the lead with Amanda Crump scoring. Cambridge coming back again with Nuala Wayne scoring to level it up at 2-2, 7 points for Ipswich lose their 100% winning start but remain unbeaten, so to Cambridge on 5 points in 5th position. Also this week Ipswich Town Ladies announced last season’s captain Aimee Harrison is to miss the season, but for the very best of reasons as she is pregnant, Women’s Football East adds it’s congratulations to Aimee and her partner.

  Actonians Ladies suffered their 1st loss in the league to end their 100% start away to Milton Keynes Dons Ladies who got their 1st win of the season on Sunday. A brace for new signing Dawn Mallet along with a each for Charly Wright and Anna Loftus to see the home side into mid-table with a 4-0 win.

  Also moving up the table into 6th are newly promoted Leyton Orient WFC picking up their 1st league win at this level and a very convincing one too taking the confidence of winning away in the Determining Round of the FAWPL Cup away to lead leaders Luton last weekend into this Sunday their 1st home game of the season were hosting Enfield Town Ladies. Leyton Orient got off to a blistering start Chanel Richards in target to score in the opening minute. Sophie Le Marchand making it 2-0 on 3 minutes. Danielle Griffiths scoring their 3rd before 10 minutes were on the clock. Egle Trezzi on 15 minutes saw Leyton Orient 4-0 up at half-time. More goals followed 2nd half Richards with her 2nd 5 minutes after the restart. Hayley Barton scored on 65 minutes to see the lead extended to 6. Ella Meadowcroft getting a 2nd half brace late on with Le Marchand securing her own brace in between Meadowcroft’s goals. 9-0 the final score.

Recovering from an opening day defeat, AFC Wimbledon Ladies have now won 3 on the bounce in league and cup to climb up to 4th in the South East Division One table. Away to Denham United Ladies this Sunday a 2nd minute goal from Rebecca Sargent gave Wimbledon the lead with Caroline Bisson scoring on 18 to make it 2-0 at the break. Went on to win 3-1 in the 2nd half Sargent with her 2nd of the game. New signing Kara Howes with her 1st goal for Denham United Ladies.

 Stevenage Ladies got their 1st win of the season on Sunday hosting Norwich City Ladies. Leah Littlechild putting the home side into the lead. Kristi Burling made it 2-0 before Norwich pulled a goal back right at the end of the 1st half Aimee Durrant scoring. Stevenage went on to secure the 3 points with captain Donna McGuigan making it 3-1. Littlechild with her 2nd of the game late into the 2nd half Stevenage celebrating a 4-1 win.

The Round-Up

Sunday 27th August

August Bank Holiday Sunday saw the FAWPL enter its 2nd round of matches with a full programme in the Southern and South East Division One with 3 sides in both leagues keeping up a 100% winning start.

FAWPL Southern Division

Crystal Palace Ladies started with a huge 9-0 home victory over QPR to see them top of the table in the Southern Division after the opening weekend. Were on the road this Sunday playing newly promoted South West Division One Champions, Chichester City Ladies. Ciara Sherwood opened the scoring for the visitors in the 12th minute, Nikita Whinnett doubled the lead 6 minutes later. Chichester pulled a goal back before half-time through Charley Wilson-Blakely making it 2-1 at the interval. Sherwood only just back with the team after being away on International duty with Northern Ireland scored her 2nd of the game early in the 2nd half to restore Crystal Palace’s 2 goal advantage. Gemma Bryan adding a 4th goal with a little over 10 minutes left. Chichester grabbed a 2nd goal late in the game Gemma Simmonds the scorers to pull it back to 4-2. 2 wins from 2 a great start to the season for Crystal Palace who maintain top position.

 Charlton Athletic Women are 2nd after a narrow 2-1 win away to Gillingham FC Ladies at the Priestfield Stadium on Sunday. Taking on their local rivals Charlton took the lead on the half hour mark Charlotte Lee netting the goal. 1-0 the advantage at half-time Gillingham responded 2nd half Kallie Balfour scoring to make the scores level after 49 minutes. Charlton with a number of new faces in their line-up got themselves back into the lead midway through the 2nd half Charley Clifford scoring what would prove to be the winning goal and see Charlton keep up their 100% start.

Also keeping up their 100% winning start are Portsmouth FC Ladies picking up an impressive win away to one of the title favourites Coventry United Ladies. Both having started the season with convincing wins it was Portsmouth who stated the game on the front foot Samantha Quayle giving them the lead in the 10th minute. Portsmouth were 2-0 up just 3 minutes later new signing Rachel Panting scoring. Coventry pulled it back to 2-1 just past the half hour mark Stephanie Smith with the goal. 2-1 the advantage to Portsmouth going into the 2nd half both sides had further chances but no more goals were scored Portsmouth claiming the 3 points their 1st on the road since October.

A 7 goal thriller at the West Ham Training Ground with West Ham United Ladies coming out on top at home to Cardiff City Ladies who begin the campaign with 2 straight losses. The advantage 2-1 to West Ham at half-time thanks to goals from Paige Anderson-Smith and Amber Stobbs. Both sides scoring twice more in a thrilling 2nd half, Molly Peters and Anderson-Smith with her 2nd of the game enough to secure West Ham’s 1st 3 points of the campaign winning 4-3. A goal for Chloe O’Connor along with a brace for Cori Williams for Cardiff City’s goals.

Queens Park Rangers, Elly Maggs

Lewes FC Women came back from a goal down to secure a point at home to Essex side C&K Basildon Ladies at The Dripping Pan on Sunday. After playing a goalless 1st half it was the visitors who would take the lead Angela Addison sending the ball into the back of the net inside the opening 5 minutes of the 2nd half. The lead however lasted a little over 10 minutes as new signing Amy Taylor put Lewes back on level terms capitalising as Basildon failed to clear the ball from their box striking the ball sweetly on the half volley across the keeper into the back of the net. Lewes had a shout for a penalty that wasn’t given as the sides shared the points.

 It is probably too early in the season to say a game is a 6 pointer however having both been involved in the relegation battle that ultimately wasn’t last season QPR Ladies and Swindon Town Ladies both started their season with a heavy defeat. Playing each other this Sunday QPR at home in Uxbridge to Swindon Town Ladies got their 1st 3 points on the board with a 2-0 win. Captain Elly Maggs netting both goals her 1st just before half-time the 2nd midway through the 2nd half to see the points secured moving QPR up into 8th position.

FAWPL South East Division One

Only two games into the FAWPL season and in South East Division One, Actonians Ladies have a massive +17 goal difference. Beginning their 3rd season at this level progressed rapidly after starting well then slumping into trouble in their 1st season to a confident top half performance last season have started this campaign with 2 wins from 2. Both games at home against the newly promoted sides, thumping Haringey Borough Women 13-0 on the opening day were taking on Leyton Orient WFC this Sunday who had started the season with a solid performance to earn a point away to Cambridge United WFC in their opening fixture. 

Brimming with confidence from their opening day win Actonians got themselves into a 3-0 half-time lead. Adding 2 more goals 2nd half, Alessandra Barreca adding 2 more goals to the 5 she scored on the opening day, goals too for Sinthujah Sooriyakumar (I always cheer when I get the spelling right and no red line flags up underneath her name!) Jessica Byrne and substitute Katrina Duncan the final score 5-1. Egle Trezzi scoring the goal for Leyton Orient in the 2nd half.

Luton Town Ladies are 2nd in the table maintaining their 100% winning start away from home playing Enfield Town Ladies on Sunday. Found themselves 1-0 down at Donkey Lane early on as Nuala McKevitt scored to put Enfield in front, came back to lead 2-1 at half-time with Dionne Manning and Joanna Rutherford both scoring, no more goals 2nd half as Luton went on to claim the 3 points.

Also keeping up their 100% winning start to the season are Ipswich Town Ladies coming out on top of a close contest at home to Stevenage Ladies with Lindsey Cooper scoring the only goal of the game 10 minutes into the 2nd half to win the 3 points for the Suffolk side after their 3-1 win away to AFC Wimbledon Ladies on the opening weekend.

AFC Wimbledon Ladies recovered from that opening day defeat to win their 1st 3 points of the season at home at the weekend playing rivals Milton Keynes Dons Ladies who were held to a draw on the opening day against Denham United Ladies. Caroline Bisson scoring for Wimbledon in the 6th minute Rebecca Sargent scoring a 2nd goal on 17 minutes the lead was 3-1 to AFC Wimbledon at half-time with Kelly-Jade Whelan adding a 3rd goal with 3 minutes left on the clock. Milton Keynes scored another but the 3 points were secured with Whelan adding her 2nd and Wimbledon’s 4th with 10 minutes left to play. Charly Wright and Charly Clarke scoring for Milton Keynes. The two sides meet again this weekend drawn together in the Determining Round of the FAWPL Cup.

Building on their opening day draw at home to Leyton Orient WFC, Cambridge United WFC picked up the 3 points away from home to Denham United Ladies at the weekend. New signing striker Emma Whitter scoring her 1st competitive goal for her new club in the 17th minute to put Cambridge in front. Denham came back into it drawing level shortly afterwards Jenny Banfield making it 1-1. Cambridge were soon back in front with Nuala Wayne netting on 23 minutes to see Cambridge leading 2-1 at the break. 15 minutes into the 2nd half Wayne was on target again with her 2nd to give Cambridge a 3-1 lead and take all 3 point lift them up into 4th position.

 A 1st half hat-trick from Chelsea Garrett saw Norwich City well on the way to their 1st 3 points of the season at home at Plantation Park in their 2nd game of the campaign at home to newly promoted Haringey Borough Women. Scoring in the 7th, 25th and 35th minute Garrett putting Norwich in control aided by Aimee Durrant the winger scoring a brace her 1st to make it 2-0 on the 23rd minute added a her 2nd in 1st half injury time to make it 5-0. Charlotte Broad scored early in the 2nd half with Natasha Snelling coming off the bench in the 54th minute making it 7-0 3 minutes later. 7-0 the final score Norwich have already scored more than half the goals they did in the whole of the last campaign as they climb up to 5th place.

Next weekend the action turns to the Determining Round of the FAWPL Cup.