Category Archives: The Round-Up

The Round-Up – ERWFL 28/08/16

The Round-Up

ERWFL – Sunday 28th Aug

    ERWFL Premier Division

The ERWFL started its season last Sunday with a new look, 12 sides contesting the Premier Division with a single Division One of 11 sides below. A full programme of fixtures in the Premier Division this Sunday.

Bedford Ladies are setting the early pace at the top, relegated from the FAWPL South East Division one their appears to be no relegation hang over have hit the ground running scoring 7 goals at home on the opening day beating Histon Ladies 7-3, they were on the road this Sunday taking on newly promoted, Royston Town Ladies. Rattled in 7 goals for the 2nd game in a row, Natasha Fensome and Kaiya Gunn both scoring a brace amongst the goal scorers as they show great form at the start of the season. Gemma Croucher and Stephanie Hicks the goal scorers for Royston Town Ladies who are without a point from their opening 2 games.

Bedford Ladies aren’t the only side in the Premier Division showing great form at the start of the season, Haringey Borough Women had a good opening day result away to one of the title favourites Billericay Town Ladies beating them 4-1. At home for the 1st time this season on Sunday were taking on Brentwood Town Ladies. Jessica Appeagyei and Julia Carruthers were amongst the goals last Sunday continued their goal scoring form at home with Appeagyei netting a hat-trick and Carruthers picking up a brace for the 2nd successive game to beat Brentwood 5-1. Bobbi Cubberley on target for the visitors.

sa-wells  Keeping pace with leaders, Bedford and 2nd placed Haringey Borough Women are Norfolk side Acle United Ladies. A 5-2 win on the road against AFC Dunstable Ladies on the opening day were on their travels this Sunday too a trip to Suffolk to play AFC Sudbury Ladies who had also won on the opening day. A positive start to the game for the visiting side with Jody Wells ( pictured right) keeping her feet inside the box to evade the on rushing, Penny Everett in the Sudbury goal to go after the ball and send it into an empty net. Acle captain, Rebecca Burton made it 2-0 bundling the ball home following good work in the midfield from Alice Ladbrooke to win the ball set up the attack. Sudbury with a few 1st team regulars out weren’t at their best however got a life line late in the 1st half the referee seeing a push in the box from a corner, awarding a penalty which was dispatched coolly by Charlene Roach.

sa-roach  Acle applied more pressure on the Sudbury back line at the start of the 2nd half however it was the home side who were to score getting it back to 2-2 awarded a free-kick just outside the area left of goal. Roach (pictured left) over the ball went for goal sending it in high awkward dipping late Acle goalkeeper, Joanne Hooper couldn’t keep it out. With players beginning to tire in the 2nd half Acle retook the lead from a corner Wells initial delivery to the far post headed away she was given the ball again with players trying to clear the area sent the ball back in towards the far post with Burton on hand to turn the ball over the line for her 2nd of the game. Wells added her 2nd of the game and Acle’s 4th late on time and space to shoot from distance rifling the ball home. Final score 4-2 to Acle you can read the match report in full on this website or by clicking on the link below to take you to the Supporting Women’s Football Blog. 

AFC Sudbury Ladies 2-4 Acle United Ladies – Match Report

Colchester Town Ladies sat out the opening weekend of the season, playing their 1st match of the campaign this Sunday on the road taking on Great Wakering Rovers Ladies who had started the season with a 1-1 against Brentwood Town Ladies. Winning the ERWFL League Cup last season, Colchester have seen alot of change over the close season coach Rosi Webb moving to Billericay Town Ladies, several of the clubs senior players have also moved on to sign for new clubs with captain Alexandra Brewis-Shephard retiring. Joe Sheehan is the new manager in charge with a rebuilding job to do. An inexperienced squad fielded a side of teenagers all bar on at the weekend. Started the season with a victory with Nancy Butler and Miagh Downey scoring in a 2-1 win.

An early kick-off this Sunday for AFC Dunstable Ladies at Creasey Park taking on newly promoted Writtle Ladies playing their 1st league match at this level. Have been an unstoppable force in their rise up the leagues losing just the one game in 3 seasons. AFC Dunstable were looking to recover from a 5-2 opening day defeat against Acle United. Amber Pearson top scorer for Dunstable last season with 18 goals got her account started this season scoring on the half hour mark, Courtney Clarke netting for Writtle in the 1st half too to see the scores level at half-time. The winning goal came 5 minutes from time substitute Stephanie Chandler hitting the goal for Dunstable to see them get their 1st 3 point haul on the table.

Dropping points on the opening day wasn’t the plan for Billericay Town Ladies, were looking to bounce back as they travelled to Cambridgeshire to take on Histon Ladies at the Glassworld Stadium. The visitors taking all 3 points in a 3-2 win, a brace from Paris Smith plus a goal for Charlotte Hopwood. Alison Wright and Kate Saunders on target for Histon Ladies.

ERWFL Division One

Has been a staggered start to the season in ERWFL Division One 11 teams contesting the single division in 2016/17, 6 of those sides played on the opening weekend with Silver End United Ladies winning big beating Hoddesdon Town Ladies 7-1 to lead the table. 4 more sides got their season started this Sunday whilst, Little Thurrock Dynamos Ladies have to wait another week to get their campaign underway.

Wymondham Town Ladies, Norfolk Champions last season had started the season with a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Ipswich Wanderers Ladies. At home at King’s Head Meadow for their 1st home match of the season were welcoming Hertfordshire side, Colney Heath Ladies to Norfolk as they began their league season. Was a tough start of the visitors who found themselves up against a Wymondham side in fine goal scoring form. Gemma Sanders was the scorer of Wymondham’s 1st ever goal at this level last Sunday, set the ball rolling this Sunday to striking home on 6 minutes. Had to wait till the stroke of half-time to add a 2nd Brooke Cheal-Ferris on target. 

Alice Collins with a double on early in the 2nd half on 50 and 55 minutes made it 4-0. Amber Cantwell making it 5-0 with 74 minutes played no let up from the home side new signing Summer Moor joining from Long Stratton scoring her 1st competitive goal for the club with 3 minutes left on the clock, Kayleigh Holloway making it 7-0 at the death. The result coupled with no game for Silver End United sees Wymondham at the top of the table.

  Goals were the order of the weekend in ERWFL Division One in both of the other games taking place too. Hertford Town Ladies, Beds & Herts Women’s Division One Champions last season had started well with an opening day home win over Stevenage Ladies Reserves. Were on the road this Sunday taking on Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership Champions, Cambridge City Ladies starting their league campaign. With a strong youth set-up the young side had risen rapidly together as a team through the leagues winning the league crown in their 1st season playing in an adult league. Opted for promotion to the regional set-up knowing they would be losing several players from the squad going off to university. Prepared to promote from the U16 side have had a busy close season alot of new faces joining the side so much so they are entering a Development side in the Cambridgeshire Championship South this season. 

 The game was goalless at half-time, Cambridge City coming out the stronger 2nd half a side featuring 6 new signings plus 2 more on the bench one of those, Sarah Mosley previously with Cambridge United WFC Reserves scoring on her competitive debut. Two goals each for Carla Penny and Grace Stanley seeing Cambridge City start with a 5-0 win. 

Plenty of goals in the final match in this weeks ERWFL Round-Up with Offley & Stopsley Ladies and Hutton Ladies beginning their season. At the Offley Recreation Centre the goals were in abundance but after the dust had settled after the final whistle the points were shared the two sides contesting a 3-3 draw. Rianne Townsend-Brown scoring twice for Offley & Stopsley with Charlotte Poynter also bagging herself a goal. 3 goal scorers for Hutton Ladies with Kate Lowen, Amy Crumpley and Jessica Tuffen the players on target.

  Very early days in the league think it will take a little while to settle down but I suspect there are going to be plenty of interesting games and results along the way.

The Round-Up – FAWPL 28/08/16

The Round-Up

FAWPL – Sunday 28th August

Welcome to the 2nd edition of the new 2016/17 new look Round-Up featuring all of the women’s football action in the aforementioned leagues above. Broken down into more concise league categories now we start with the FAWPL Southern and South East Division One Divisions.

 FAWPL Southern Division

   This weekend saw all the sides playing in the FAWPL across the country hold a minutes silence before their matches in honour of Portsmouth FC Ladies President, Dave Coyle who passed away after a long battle with cancer earlier in the week. Been involved with the club for over 25 years and a well respected figure within the women’s game.

   Charlton Athletic Women lead the way in the FAWPL Southern Division after the weekends results having started with an opening day win at home beating newly promoted Swindon Town Ladies 4-0 were at Sporting Club Thamesmead again this Sunday playing C&K Basildon Ladies who themselves had started with an opening day victory beating Portsmouth FC Ladies 2-0.

shepherdThe visitors were soon behind with Charlton opening the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes, Gemma Shepherd. Katie Flack doubling the advantage 10 minutes later. 2-0 the score at half-time Kit Graham scored Charlton’s 3rd early in the 2nd half. 3 more goals followed for the home side with Charley Clifford getting on the scoresheet on 64 minutes before Shepherd (pictured left) went on to score her 1st hat-trick of the season netting in the 70th and 78th minutes to complete a comprehensive victory that sees Charlton top of the table 2 wins from 2 scoring 10 goals without reply. 

 

Lewes Ladies were the leaders after the opening day results with a fantastic 7-2 win at The Dripping Pan over West Ham United Ladies. At home again for their 2nd league match of the season were taking on Cardiff City Ladies who were playing their opening match of the season. A good win to start the season Lewes knew they would face a sterner test against Cardiff the Welsh side once again amongst the title favourites. A goalless 1st half, Lewes started strongly 2nd half putting the Cardiff back line under pressure without finding the break through went a goal down as Cardiff took the lead through Kerry Bartlett. Lewes kept attacking finding an equalising goal with 15 minutes to play, Katie McIntyre with the strike to beat Cardiff goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan the final score 1-1 Lewes drop to 2nd in the table.

Crystal Palace Ladies newly promoted to the FAWPL Southern Division after winning the South East Division One title with ease and an unbeaten record began life in the higher tier with a 1-1 draw at home last Sunday against Coventry United Ladies. Were on the road this Sunday travelling to Uxbridge FC’s, Honeycroft Stadium to play Queens Park Rangers Ladies who were beginning their league campaign this weekend. QPR manager, Martino Chevannes with a new look squad to begin the season with many from last season moving on. A tough battle played at a fast pace the score 0-0 at half-time Crystal Palace creating but not converting their chances. The visitors found the back of the net late in the 2nd half 18-year-old Leanne Bell scoring with less than 10 minutes left, her strike enough to see Crystal Palace secure their 1st 3 points in the FAWPL Southern Division see them up to 3rd in the table. 

Another side getting their league season underway this Sunday were Tottenham Hotspur Ladies were taking on Swindon Town Ladies newly promoted to the league as FAWPL South West Division One Champions who had started their season with a tough away trip to play Charlton Athletic Women losing the game 4-0 faced another tough away journey to Brimsdown FC. Tottenham dominated the 1st half however the lead was just by a single goal at the break, Bianca Baptiste scoring on the half hour mark. Swindon got themselves back on level terms as Georgia Walters turned a rebound off the crossbar home on 64 minutes. Tottenham continued to press retaking the lead inside the last 15 minutes before going on to score twice more to win 4-1, new signing Nikita Whinnett formerly with Charlton Athletic Women getting her 1st competitive goal for the club sandwiched between a Wendy Martin brace.

An emotional day for Portsmouth FC Ladies playing their 1st league match at home of the season with the sad news that club President, Dave Coyle had passed away, 25 years with the club after a long battle with cancer. Were taking on West Ham United Ladies who had started the season with a heavy defeat away to Lewes. Portsmouth losing on the opening day themselves got off to a fantastic start, Sarah Kempston firing them ahead on 6 minutes. Went on to dominate the 1st half former West Ham United Ladies player, Emma Sherwood putting them 2-0 up on 22 minutes. Kempston added her 2nd of the match closing in on the half hour mark to see Portsmouth lead 3-0 at half-time. West Ham managed to pull a goal back 15 minutes into the 2nd half, Chloe Burr with the goal, Portsmouth going on to win 3-1 to collect their 1st 3 points of the season.

FAWPL South East Division One

  5 matches in the FAWPL South East Division One this Sunday and it’s all change at the top with opening day leaders Norwich City Ladies not in action, drop down to 4th in the fledgling table with Gillingham FC Ladies taking over top spot. 

Runners-up last season and amongst the favourites to take the title this time around, Gillingham were playing their 1st competitive match of the season at their new home the Corinthians Sports Club taking on another of the title contenders Milton Keynes Dons Ladies. Got off to a fantastic start with April Bowers giving them the lead in the 5th minute. Amy Taylor doubling the advantage as the game closed in on the half hour mark. Captain, Lauren Williams making it 3-0 4 minutes before half-time to give Gillingham a comfortable lead at half-time. Milton Keynes Dons pulled a goal back in the 2nd half to see the game finish 3-1. 

Enfield Town Ladies looked to be heading to the top of the FAWPL South East Division One table away from home taking on Ipswich Town Ladies, their captain Regan Coleman having given them the lead 2 minutes before half-time at Felixstowe & Walton FC, but they were denied making it 2 wins from 2 in their opening matches as Ipswich were awarded a penalty deep into time added on at the end of the game. Molly Hall stepping up to take and bury the penalty into the back of the net to earn the home side their 1st point of the season. Coming away with a point Enfield are up to 2nd.

  A 1-1 draw with Gillingham FC Ladies on the opening day of the season, Luton Town Ladies were in contention for the title themselves for a large part of last season, will be aiming to do so again this time around and like Gillingham got their 1st win of the season this Sunday. Away from home taking on Actonians Ladies a single goal enough to take all 3 points with Michelle Byrne the player on target in the 2nd half to put Luton into 3rd spot.  

Denham United Ladies suffered a 3-0 defeat at home to Milton Keynes Dons Ladies on the opening day. Back at the Middlesex Stadium for another home game were taking on newly promoted ERWFL Premier Division Champions, Stevenage Ladies, who lost narrowly on the opening day themselves going down 2-1 at home to Enfield Town Ladies. Suffered a heavier defeat this time around as Denham got their 1st 3 point haul on the board,  winning the match 5-0 with Lauren Cox and Alissa Down both scoring 2 goals each the 5th scored by Annie Hewitt.

Cambridge United WFC also picked up their 1st 3 points of the season having suffered an opening day loss, at home were playing Lowestoft Town Ladies. Nicole Perschky scored late in the 1st half to give Cambridge the 1st half lead. Went on to double the advantage early in the 2nd half with Becky Taylor on target to win the match 2-0. Lowestoft with Stevenage yet to pick up a point. Early days mind, just Norwich and AFC Wimbledon Ladies have a 100% win record in the league both winning on the opening day. Could take some time for the league to settle down.

The action next weekend in the FAWPL turns to the Preliminary Round of the FAWPL Cup and Plate to see which competition each club will be contesting for.

The Round-Up – ERWFL New Season

The Round-Up

ERWFL – Sun 21st August

A new season of East Region Women’s Football League (ERWFL) began this Sunday with a new look to the league layout. 12 teams contesting the ERWFL Premier Division this season all hoping to follow Stevenage Ladies and achieve promotion to the FAWPL. However, below are gone the 2 Division One’s, East and West last season to be replaced with a single Division One which was to also have 12 teams competing in it this season with a few new sides promoted from the county leagues below. Very sadly it is down to 11, with Hullbridge Sports Ladies from Essex pulling out, folding after 2 very successful seasons having won 2 successive promotions wish everyone at the club the very best going into the future.

ERWFL Premier Division

   Was a torrid season for Bedford Ladies last time out finishing bottom of the FAWPL South East Division One relegated after a 2 season stay. Hoping for better fortunes as they start the new season in the ERWFL Premier Division, Suzie Darby takes over the captains armband with last seasons captain, Rebecca Vass joining Milton Keynes Dons Ladies. After a season at local rivals Luton Town Ladies, Natasha Fensome has rejoined the club as they began their season at home against, Histon Ladies who were formerly, Great Shelford Ladies. Bedford hit Histon for 7 as they took the 3 points to see them top of the league after the opening day. Fensome the 1st player on Women’s Football East this season to have a hat-trick recorded against her name scoring 3 with captain Darby along with another new signing Hannah Bodily scoring a goal a piece, substitute Chelcie Alleyne bagging a brace in a 7-3 victory. Sophie Hopkin scored for Histon along with Jordanne Sillitoe who started on the bench coming on to net 2 goals.

Also recording an opening day win were Norfolk side, Acle United Ladies travelling to AFC Dunstable Ladies on the opening day. The home side had a tremendous run of form towards the back end of last season and had the early lead against Acle who aren’t always the best starters to a match. Acle fought their way back into the game and on 20 minutes drew level, Grace Birchall scoring on her debut for the club, got even better 5 minute later as she scored again to give Acle the lead a missed penalty from Dunstable saw Acle hold a 2-1 advantage at the break. 10 minutes into the 2nd half Megan Cletheroe extended Acle’s lead. Dunstable were to pull a goal back before Acle went on to win 5-2, Jody Wells netting on 70 minutes, Alice Ladbrook on 80 to seal the win.

Billericay Town Ladies have been perennial runners-up in the ERWFL Premier Division over the last few seasons and will once again be amongst the favourites to chase down the title having strengthened their squad over the close season. Didn’t have the start to the season they were looking for as they lost at home to Haringey Borough Women on Sunday. The visitors with a young squad had some up and down results last season, but pulled off a surprise or two along the way. Beat Billericay 4-1 with goals from Jessica Appeagyei and Anele Komani, aswell as a brace from Julia Carruthers to sit 3rd in the table after the opening round of results. Lucy Wyatt on target for Billericay.

AFC Sudbury Ladies finished in 3rd place last season their 1st in the ERWFL Premier Division and will be hoping to be amongst the title chasers this season too. Started with a home match on Sunday taking on newly promoted Royston Town Ladies. A single goal was enough to secure the 3 points and it was scored by Sudbury’s, Sasha Diston. In the other opening day fixture in the Premier Division it was a local derby between Great Wakering Rovers Ladies and Brentwood Town Ladies. Both sides are still on the look out for additional players to bolster their squads for the new season. Visitors, Brentwood held the advantage at half-time leading 1-0 with Carla Rose the clubs assistant manager scoring the goal. Great Wakering battled hard to keep in the match pulling the scores level to earn a point in a 1-1 draw. Colchester Town Ladies and newly promoted Writtle Ladies sat the weekend out.

ERWFL Division One

With the loss of Hullbridge Sports Ladies, 11 sides will compete in ERWFL Division One this season. A few sides from last season have folded, West Billericay Ladies gone before the season finish have been joined by Sawbridgeworth Town WFC, Bury Town Ladies and Long Melford Ladies, plenty of talented players amongst those sides will see most pop up with a new club this season. This league is the setting stone from the county league set-up and the new faces include the Champions of Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Beds & Herts, Wymondham Town Ladies, Cambridge City Ladies and Hertford Town Ladies respectfully, all of whom have also started up a reserve/development side this season too.

cs7  6 sides in action on the opening weekend and Silver End United Ladies surged to the top of the table the Essex side recorded a 7-1 win at home against Hertfordshire side, Hoddesdon Town Ladies. Rebecca Hollocks, (pictured left) Silver End United’s captain starts her season with a hat-trick. Lynsey Bowmen adding a brace with Rebekah Henderson and Jodie Osbourne scoring a goal a piece. Megan Davies on target with a late consolation goal for Hoddesdon Town Ladies who have seen some upheaval over the close season with manager Reece Buck joining the coaching staff at Stevenage Ladies taking a few of Hoddesdon’s senior players with him. New manager Andy O’Neill taking charge of a new look side for the season.

Hertford Town Ladies have enjoyed successive league titles in the Beds & Herts Women Football League and now begin life in the Regional set-up planning to continue their recent success. Started with a home game against Stevenage Ladies Reserves and got life at a higher level off to a great start winning the game 4-2, Lisa Kline on target scoring an opening day hat-trick plus a goal from Laveena Betts. Daniela Martucci joining Stevenage from Hoddesdon scoring both of their goals. 

The 3rd game on the opening day in Division One also saw a win for the home side with Ipswich Wanderers Ladies, hosting Norfolk Champions, Wymondham Town Ladies. Michelle Taylor-Allum bagging a brace to see Ipswich Wanderers lead 2-0 at half-time. Wymondham got it back to 2-1 in the 2nd half, Gemma Sanders netting the goal on 68 minutes, not enough as Ipswich Wanderers won their 1st 3 points of the season. Cambridge City, Colney Heath Ladies, Hutton Ladies and Offley & Stopsley Women all join the action this coming Sunday. Little Thurrock Dynamos Ladies not getting their season going until Sept 4th.

That concludes the 1st ERWFL Round-Up of the season still very early doors and both the Premier Division and Division One will take a while to settle see who will emerge as the contenders for the title race, could well be a surprise name or two amongst them, and all of it will be covered on Women’s Football East.

 

 

The Round-Up – FAWPL New Season

 The Round-Up 

FAWPL Sun 21st August

Welcome to the new season and with it a new look to The Round-Up. A change of format for the 2016/17 season as we drop The Tuesday Round-Up covering every match played over the weekend from all of the leagues above, instead a smaller more compact and personal Round-Up featuring the leagues that matter to you. Do not worry you will still see every game covered across the East just in a smaller package 7 Round-Ups a week when the whole region gets into swing instead of one. This one starts with covering the action from Sunday August 21st across the FAWPL Southern and South East Division One Divisions their season kicking-off this weekend.

FAWPL Southern Division

Lewes Ladies are the side sitting proudly at the top of the FAWPL Southern Division after the opening round of fixtures this Sunday. At home at The Dripping Pan hosting West Ham United Ladies with former Brighton & Hove Albion WFC manager, James Marrs now in charge. The visitors looked to be in full control of the match as they stormed into a 2-0 lead inside 15 minutes, Katie Bottom and Whitney Locke with the goals. Danielle Lane pulled it back to 2-1 for Lewes on 21 minutes before Rachel Palmer found the back of the net from a free-kick outside the box. Game on a complete turn around as Kim Stenning struck to give Lewes a 3-2 lead, Palmer with her 2nd goal just before the half-time whistle a 4-2 lead for Lewes. The home side went on to extend their advantage in the 2nd half with Kelly Newton scoring on 48 minutes with both Lane and Stenning finding the back of the net for a 2nd time to see Lewes who spent most of last season in the bottom half of the Southern Division table, top looking down at the rest.

The FAWPL Southern Division could have a number of possible title contenders this season and one of the  favorites for the title are Charlton Athletic WFC, runners-up last season starting their campaign this season at home to newly promoted, Swindon Town Ladies. A convincing 4-0 win sees them pick up there 1st 3 points 2 goals scored in each half. Katie Flack getting there season rolling on 11 minutes, wasn’t long before striker Gemma Shepherd got in on the scoring opening her seasons tally on 17 minutes, forming a formidable attacking partnership with Kit Graham she had to wait until 9 minutes into the 2nd half to score her 1st goal of the season with Charley Clifford adding the 4th goal 20 minutes from time.

  Joining Lewes and Charlton with an opening day win in the Southern Division are, C&K Basildon Ladies as they begin their 2nd season in the league were at home at Canvey Island FC playing Portsmouth FC Women with Craig Taylor now managing the 1st team. Zoe Rushen is C&K Basildon Ladies new captain following the retirement of long serving Claire Lacey. Rushen got her clubs season started scoring to give them the lead at half-time, however it wasn’t until 3 minutes from time the 3 points were sealed Lily Mellors with the goal late on to see C&K Basildon earn the win final score 2-0.

 cc-bryan3 One more game at the weekend at the Bromley Arena as the other newly promoted side to the league, Crystal Palace Ladies took on last seasons FAWPL League Plate Winners, Coventry United Ladies. Unbeaten as they won the FAWPL South East Division One title last season, Crystal Palace Ladies got off to a flying start taking control of the game early on Gemma Bryan  (pictured right) was on hand to steer a Rochelle Shakes cross home inside opening 20 minutes. Slow to get started the visitors picked things up late in the 2nd half, Samantha Smith getting forwards from midfield to head home a Gina Burton cross on 37 minutes. 1-1 the score at half-time.

cc-smith  Coventry United Ladies had an opportunity early in the 2nd half to take the lead from the penalty spot  as Crystal Palace goalkeeper Chanelle Yardley brought down Alison Hall as she came to the edge of her area to clear the ball. Yardley made amends saving the spot kick guessing right diving to her right to grab hold of Marie Gauntlett’s shot. A spell of dominance followed for Crystal Palace in which they were to score again to take the lead, Bryan racing clear of the Coventry United defence to send the ball in off the post from outside the box. 20 minutes left and Smith was to add her 2nd goal of the game too taking aim from 30 yards out sending the ball arrowing into the top corner. That was to be the final score 2-2 the points shared on the opening day. This was were the Supporting Women’s Football Blog began the season and the full match report can be found on this website or by clicking on the link below

Crystal Palace Ladies v Coventry United Ladies

3 sides in the Southern Division sat the opening weekend out, Queens Park Rangers Ladies and Tottenham Hotspur Ladies along with Cardiff City Ladies who were due to play Forest Green Rovers Ladies who have sadly taken the tough decision to pull out of the league having lost alot of senior 1st team players and not wanting to expose a young squad to such a high level of football, wish the everyone involved at the club all the best for the future and hope to see them back soon.

FAWPL South East Division One

Was a full fixture list in the FAWPL South East Division One to start the opening weekend. Several sides in contention for the title and promotion in this league this season, no overall clear favourite and could well be a dark horse too. No easy game that is for certain. We’ll start with a local derby as Norwich City Ladies travelled over the Suffolk border to play Lowestoft Town Ladies at Crown Meadow. Chelsea Garrett got the visitors off to a fantastic start scoring on 7 minutes 2-0 was the score at the break Ebony Wiseman on target on 38 minutes. Norwich hammered home there advantage early on the 2nd half Ellen Swift with 2 goals on 50 and 58 minutes to make it 4-0. Lowestoft captain, Hannah Waters pulled a goal back for the home side with 20 minutes left. Norwich making it 5-1 in injury time with substitute Millie Bales bagging the goal. The +4 goal advantage seeing Norwich top of the league.

Milton Keynes Dons Ladies have strengthened their squad over the summer have a new 1st team manager too, James Honeyman. Started with an away trip to Denham United Ladies and got their season off to the perfect start taking all 3 points with a 3-0 win the goal scorers Leah Cudone, Kerry Newman and Charly Wright. Ipswich Town Ladies scored 3 goals on the opening day of the season too and still didn’t anything from the game as they travelled to one of the two sides newly promoted to the league, AFC Wimbledon Ladies. Natasha Thomas got Ipswich off to a great start scoring on 2 minutes held the lead for over half an hour before Wimbledon got themselves back level Laura Low scoring in the 35th minute 1-1 at half-time it as a crazy start to the 2nd half a minute on the clock Sian Wylie put Wimbledon into the lead. Ipswich responded immediately, Hollie Clement striking from distance to make it 2-2, 3 minutes later and Wimbledon  were back in front Jess Trimnell with the goal went on to add another on 75 to put Wimbledon 4-2 ahead. Samantha Walker scored on her debut for Ipswich with 5 minutes left however Wimbledon held on to record an opening day win playing their 1st FAWPL match.

 Stevenage Ladies are the other newly promoted side to the league were at home on the opening weekend taking on Enfield Town Ladies both sides with a new manager at the start of the season, Gary Bailey taking over at Stevenage with Marc Nurse formerly of West Ham United Ladies taking over the reigns at Enfield Town. It was the visitors who came away with the 3 points, Elizabeth Kent and Ellie Taladiana with the goals. Stevenage missed an opportunity to score from the penalty spot before, Rebecca Scola a 2nd half substitute scored late on for Stevenage Ladies having joined the club from Hoddesdon Town Ladies. Final score 2-1 to Enfield.

  2-1 was the winning margin for Actonians Ladies too, away from home taking on Cambridge United WFC at their new home for the 2016/17 season Mildenhall Town FC.  Cambridge started the brighter but were to fall behind as Actonians found the back of the net from a set-piece. Becky Taylor drew the scores back to 1-1 before the break scoring from a corner. The game was to see a long delay at half-time due to an injury to Actonians player Anais Escalona an ambulance called a stoppage off over an hour saw play resume at 4pm, Actonians going on to score the winning goal 7 minutes from time Jessica Byrne and Carla Williams the players on target for Actonians. Women’s Football East wishes Anais Escalona all the best and hope she makes a speedy and full recovery. One more game from the South East Division One between two of the sides who will be looking to chase down the title this season with Luton Town Ladies hosting Gillingham FC Ladies. After a goalless 1st half Luton were to get their noses in front at the start of the 2nd half, Dionne Manning making her debut for the club scoring the goal. The lead wasn’t to last long Gillingham equalising on 56 minutes, Felicity Gibbons having returned to the club after a spell with Brighton and WSL side Millwall Lionesses finding the back of the net. 1-1 the final score the points shared.  

Updated league tables, fixtures and results can be found throughout the site the new season has begun in earnest.