Friday 17th May

Cambridgeshire Women’s League Cup Final

Beginning another long weekend of cup final football action this Friday evening with a trip to Newmarket Town FC’s, Tristal Stadium to watch the final of this season’s Cambridgeshire Women’s League Cup, between the top two in the Women’s Premiership, runners-up Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds play league winners, Whittlesey Athletic Ladies going for an impressive treble having won the Women’s Invitation Final just over a week ago.

The Cambridgeshire Women’s League Cup contested by the sides playing across all three divisions in the county, this time around the final featuring the two sides who have proved to be strongest in the top flight within that set-up. The competition proudly sponsored by The Alan Boswell Group that has been involved with the league in Cambridgeshire in various guises for close to 20 years now.

Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds one of the longest established sides within the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership under the leadership of Ashley Hunt and Ryan Lee have grown throughout the season finishing strongly with 7 wins in a row to pull 12 points clear of the pack to secure 2nd spot behind winners, Whittlesey Athletic Ladies. Both are to step back from the dugout after this evenings final with the club bringing in Shane Lebbon to manage the side, has a wealth of experience coaching within the woman’s game in Cambridgeshire having previously been with Newmarket Town Women, coaching at all levels, developing and bringing youth players into the 1st team. 

Fulbourn with a strong attacking quartet, scoring plenty of goals between them this campaign, Ellie Woodley on target to score 41 goals so far this season in 21 games. Captain, Marie Stubbings, often amongst the goals has 21 to her name while Ebony Crook and Eve Seyf has scored 18 and 14 respectfully. Face a tough test in this evenings final having lost heavily to Whittlesey in both there matches this season.

They aren’t the only club to lose heavily to Whittlesey Athletic Ladies this season however, with the club reforming it’s women’s side this season, pulling in players from a strong talent pool in the Peterborough area, easily equipped for tier 6. Can’t enter at that level however and have to be promoted from a county league, going straight into the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership, hit the ground running and never looked back a 100% record on their way to the league title after 16 of there 18 league matches, strong in the cup competitions too as they proved in the final of the Women’s Invitation Cup final last Thursday, beating Cambridge United WFC’s U18s 2-1 to make it a league and cup double.

Emma Pollard opening the scoring for Whittlesey back then has enjoyed another 50 plus goals season in front of goal, 58 last season as she helped Cardea FC Ladies to a league and cup double too, has 52 this season in just 15 matches. Tara Parker with 15 goals and Taylor dean also into double figures on 10. A cup hangover (maybe) saw them lose their 100% record last Sunday, a 1-0 defeat away to Cambridge University Women. Tonight though a chance to complete the treble.

 Road to the Final

 Both sides receiving a bye in the 1st round of the League Cup. The goals flowing for both in the 2nd road. Fulbourn especially as thy were at home taking on Division Three side Cambridge Rangers WFC Reserves. Ellie Woodley alone firing home 7 goals. Ebony Crook and Marie Stubbings getting 4 apiece. with a brace each for Eve Seyf and Katie Luddy in a 19-0 romp. Whittlesey at home against fellow Premiership side Cambridge University Women, Emma Pollard smashing home 4 goals, Jenna Nairn was to net a brace with Hannah Murphy, Taylor Dean and captain, Leah Barnes all getting a goal each in a 9-0 win.

Fulbourn continuing their goal scoring form in the League Cup as they took on Chatteris Town Lillie Ladies, from Division Two in the 3rd Round of the competition. Woodley and Crook both scoring a hat-trick, surpassed by Stubbings who grabbed another 4 goal haul with Hollie Turner also on target in an 11-0 win. Whittlesey handed the away win having been drawn against Division Three side, Willingham Wolves Women.

Into the last 8 of the League Cup, Fulbourn on the road this time taking on Division Two side, Waterbeach Colts WFC. Their attackers continuing their strong form in front of goal, Crook getting herself a hat-trick with Seyf firing in a brace, Woodley scoring too in a 6-1 victory. Whittlesey away to in the quarter finals up against Division Two title chasing Godmanchester Town Ladies, a rare game where Pollard didn’t score, they progressed into the semi-finals courtesy to a 2-0 win, Taylor Dean and Jenna Nairn with the goals.

Into the semi-finals an all Premiership line-up, Fulbourn at home taking on Newmarket Town Women Development, Woodley’s goals seeing them into the final, scoring a hat-trick to advance with a 3-1 win. Whittlesey at home too taking on Leverington Sports Ladies, who had improved over the 2nd half of the season pulling away from the bottom of the table. Goalless at the break, Whittlesey would break the deadlock in the 2nd half to into win the game 3-0 with goals from Murphy, Pollard and Megan Strickland.

Newmarket Town FC’s Tristal Stadium hosting some big matches this weekend, not only this evening’s Cambridgeshire Women’s League Cup Final, but a huge game for the men’s first team on Saturday as they take on Mulbarton Wanderers in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division Play-off final. Onto Sunday the ground hosting this season’s ERWFL Finals Day. The ground featuring a state of the art cork based artificial playing surface. A seated stand on one side beside the clubhouse and changing rooms with the bar and kitchen hatch open. A warm evening, dry with a few clouds around but no rain likely.

Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds starting XI – Julie Brown, Nat Wells, Seema Grewal, Jess Anderson, Jess Adams, Mollie Turner, Dani Quinn, Marie Stubbings, Ebony Crook, Eve Seyf & Ellie Woodley. Subs – Rachel Fallow, Sarah Bodger, Gaby Gallegos Garrido & Amy Smith.

Whittlesey Athletic Ladies starting XI – Zoe Shepherd, Megan Strickland, Maisie Homden, Hannah Johnson, Alice MacNicol (C), Hannah Murphy, Jenna Nairn, Taylor Dean, Mia Wilson, Tara Parker & Emma Pollard. Subs – Grace Spencer, Katie Barber, Jorja Badcock & Olivia Smith.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

  An injury blow for Whittlesey with captain, Leah Barnes out on crutches. Played a big part in there Invitation Cup success, however they do welcome back Hannah Murphy and Hannah Johnson to the starting line up with Jorja Badcock on the bench. Alice MacNicol captaining the side as they get the League Cup final underway kicking off the 1st half wearing an all blue kit. Fulbourn lined up opposite wearing sky blue coloured shirts with claret trim and sleeves, claret shorts and sky blue socks. The ball rolled back to Hannah Johnson in defence, fed up to Jenna Nairn looks to pick out Emma Pollard in attack pulling into the left channel, Jess Adams intercepting the ball for Fulbourn.

Fulbourn looking to press the ball win a series of throw ins on there left looknig to get forwards. Playing the ball into midfield, Hollie Turner into Eve Seyf looks to play Ellie Woodley in behind, MacNicol closing her down to tackle regain possession for Whittlesey. Fulbourn positive pushing on up the right, Seyf combining with Woodley out wide, her cross clipped into the area, cleared by Hannah Johnson for Whittlesey.

Seyf making a nuisance of herself on the right in attack looking to see the ball into her feet, skip past her marker, turning inside is brought down, winning Fulbourn a free-kick in an inviting position 25 yards out. Ebony Crook over the set-piece, floated the ball in towards the far post, runners closing in however Whittlesey goalkeeper, Zoe Shepherd takes the ball cleanly above her head.

Fulbourn have Whittlesey penned back in their own half as Seema Grewal plays the ball into the middle helped on up to Seyf in attack as captain Marie Stubbings making a move to race in between the centre backs threads the pass on for her to attack, Shephard quickly out of her area gets there in the nick of time to kick the ball clear the ball out for a throw on the right.

For all there forward play at the start of the game Fulbourn have to be wary of the counter attack, Emma Pollard ready and waiting up top for the ball to be cleared into her path, Nairn lifting it into the left channel Pollard, clips it across to the right for Hannah Murphy into the right channel attempts to send, Tara Parker into the box, Adams close on the attacker getting her foot in to stop the ball reaching its target.

Fulbourn quick to turn play around launch the counter attack, Dani Quinn playing the ball forwards Crook left helping it on for Seyf racing in behind the Whittlesey defence into the box the keeper coming to close the angle, Seyf shoots, the ball racing wide of the right post, a corner given the keeper with the merest of touches keeping it out. The corner whipped into the six yard box by Crook, over Quinn jumping central, cleared back out to Crook on the right, sends her cross over.

Parker loosing her boot as she is fouled trying to break clear wide on the left on halfway. Whittlesey bringing players up as the ball is lifted into the top of the Fulbourn box, Quinn heading the ball away. Fulbourn move the ball right Crook over on that side putting it on for Woodley central, in turn playing it forwards into Seyf, close control wriggles her way through the defence into the area, one on one with the keeper as Shephard comes to close her down, stays big as Seyf looks to place her shot past her, the keeper getting her left glove on the ball making a superb save to concede the corner. Curled in near post defended by Maisie Homden. A pause in play with MacNicol down inside the box with a knock, but okay to play on.

GOAL! The deadlock is broken, Whittlesey having had to work hard at the back in the opening 10 minutes to keep a lively Fulbourn out hit their opponents on the counter, Nairn playing a great ball into Pollard left channel combines well with Parker in attack the pair playing the ball back and forth making their way forwards Pollard inside to Parker getting the return pass slipping the ball into the box behind the Fulbourn defence for Parker bursting into the area, before smashing her shot into past the keeper into the back of the net 0-1.

Two good chances for Fulbourn not taken, Whittlesey clinical in their first meaningful attack open the scoring. Energised now get forwards Nairn combining with Pollard in the middle spots Homden on the move left wing breaking down the wing in behind with the ball, pushed to the by-line, can’t keep her cross in play. Murphy playing the ball onto Taylor Dean, who is fouled inside the Fulbourn half beside the centre circle on the right. Nairn to send the ball long towards the far post, MacNicol up from the back tries to get her head on the ball but can’t quite reach it as it runs behind for the goal kick.

Stubbings putting Woodley in on the right plays the ball down the line for Seyf to attack a race for the ball with Homden the defender seeing the ball out for a corner kick. Crook lifting an in swinging ball in high central, Shephard up well to make a comfortable claim. Fulbourn getting the ball moving in the final 3rd, Seyf feeding the ball out to Woodley wide right this time, looking to take the ball on, Homden with her the full back challenging to win the ball back.

 GOAL! Whittlesey always looking for Pollard up top whenever they regain position and the attacker is always looking to make herself available pulls left as Nairn wins the ball in the middle, picks her out with the past, Pollard racing away down the win, pace to cut back into the area before flashing a ball in across the face of goal, Julie Brown in goal looking to get something on it, the ball deflected into the onrushing Parker for her to turn the ball home for her 2nd of the game 0-2.

Nairn comes close to putting Pollard through to score Whittlesey’s 3rd moments later lifting the ball into the left channel, Pollard seeing it drop over her shoulder top of the area, ready to latch onto her shot, Brown reacting sharply out to the top of her area, making the blocking save with her legs to deflect the ball away from danger.

GOAL! Whittlesey upping their game midway through the first half winning a corner on the right, players up rom the back, the initial corner lifted into the near post defended cleared out to the right lands at Dean’s feet, blasts the ball back into the box, blocked coming back out to the right a measured cross curled in across the goal the the far post with MacNicol in position to nod the ball down into the back of the net. 0-3.

A huge blow to Fulbourn with 2 good chances to take the lead, find themselves 3 goals down in the opening 23 minutes. Whittlesey lively as Murphy finds Dean out wide on the right her cross in towards the top of the area intercepted by Fulbourn’s Jess Anderson. Woodley central threads the ball on for Stubbings looking to break in behind, Johnson having dropped off, having a crucial half yard head start on the attacker getting to the ball first to put out for a throw in the corner. Fulbourn press well to bring themselves a corner.

Played into the near side helped on across the six yard dropping far post, Homden covering the post sees it out for another corner on the right. Crook’s delivery knocked down into the area, Seyf looking to latch onto it central, Murphy charging the ball down for Whittlesey.

Parker fouled on halfway as she looks to break away with the ball. Nairn to play the ball from right to left in towards the far post, Murphy jumping but over the attacker, nevertheless retrieves the ball on the by-line to spin back inside and flash the ball in across the face of the Fulbourn goal. Pollard with the ball at her feet right, Nat Wells sliding in slows her down by Pollard stays on her feet to cut the ball back into the area from the by-line, Parker looking to hit it first time, fires her strike wide.

Stubbings 30 yard out central with Crook to her left the pass into her played forwards with Woodley looking to surge into the box, MacNicol getting in close to prevent the shot, Woodley’s attempt deflected off her legs up over the crossbar.

Nairn winning the ball for Whittlesey central attempts to pick out Pollard pulling into the left channel once again, her touch a little too heavy this time allowing Adams the opportunity to get her foot through the ball before she can take it on. Woodley fouled outside the box on the left for Fulbourn the free kick fired in towards goal, Shepherd reacting late saving the ball with her legs, Whittlesey looing to mobilise a counter attack, Quinn stopping the advance for Fulbourn.

Fulbourn undeterred by falling 3 goals behind still going forwards looking to create something, win a throw high on the right, put into Seyf’s feet turns well to put a cross into the top of the area, Stubbings running in making contact with her knee places the ball wide of the near post. MacNicol just about gets there to tackle Woodley top of the area as Crook looks to play her in on goal.

Nairn strong to win the ball turns to pick out Pollard going left, has Homden on the sprint to get ahead of her on the overlap, Brown has to come racing out of her area to kick the ball clear. Whittlesey press on the right Dean with Wilson a corner kick won, Lifted in near side defended knocked out to the right, Murphy latching onto the shot, the ball fired into the crowded near post area, blocked turned behind for another corner, again defended at the near post back to the corner taker the cross turned over the bar.

Whittlesey bringing of Wilson, send on Katie Barber. Woodley left on for Seyf ahead of her, Johnson on her shoulder to pressure the shot, put straight at the keeper. Seyf getting about the pitch in the final 3rd stealing into the box on the right as the diagonal ball comes into her, can’t dig the shot out of her feet however instead putting the ball in central for Woodley, Whittlesey quickly into her to close the ball down.

Quinn getting up the pitch to win the ball for Fulbourn central plays it forwards into Woodley before making a run to the right, Woodley linking up with Seyf beside her who in turn picks out Quinn wide inside the box, her shot curled in across goal wide at the far post. Fulbourn pressing for a goal late in the first half, Crook on to Woodley left forwards into Seyf looking to race into the box Johnson looking to stay on her shoulder, Seyf gets her shot away looking to go across goal into the bottom corner, Shephard diving down to her left making another fine save getting her gloves on the ball.

Grewal getting forwards on the right picking out Woodley ahead of her turns to release Seyf down the right wing before making a run into the D, Seyf looking to find her with the cross, MacNicol in to close her down the shot blocked taking the sting out of it runs safely through to the keeper.

Pollard’s pace attacking down the right wins Whittlesey a corner, an in swinging delivery across the six yard, MacNicol nodding in down into the mix at the far post, the ball scrambled over the bar. Fulbourn get on the move left Grewal inside for Woodley, running in behind, Johnson looking to stay on her into the box, Shepherd coming the other way to block the ball deflected out to the left, Stubbings looking to race onto it, Strickland sliding in to get to it first clear the threat.

Half-time Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds 0-3 Whittlesey Athletic Ladies

  The sides head into the changing rooms at the break with Whittlesey holding a 3-0 advantage. Could have been a very different score line had Fulbourn put away their early chances, the difference between the sides in the first period Whittlesey clinical when they’ve had their chances, making them counter looking a threat on the break. Fulbourn undeterred have kept getting forwards looking for an opportunity to score and have forced goalkeeper, Zoe Shepherd into making some excellent saves. Still a lot of work to do if they are to get themselves into the game 2nd half, will have to come forwards and Whittlesey with the advantage an be patient with Pollard up top ready to spring into action.

The floodlights taking full effect as the sides emerge for the 2nd half. Fulbourn to get the 2nd half underway have changed their keeper, with Rachel Fallow in in place of Brown, Whittlesey immediately into hustle the ball, nick possession to lift the cross field pass out to Pollard on the right, sends it across the top of the area for Homden getting on down the wing, Grewal challenging to get the ball away from danger for Fulbourn.

Homden needing to defend up the other end putting the ball out for a throw as Seyf looking to march on down the wing. The ball taken to the by-line fired in central, Woodley looking to attack it, Strickland clears back to the right for Whittlesey, lifted into the near side right of goal Johnson defending the ball back out wide before the cross is flashed in wide across the face of goal.

Fulbourn prepared to push on take on the Whittlesey defence, Stubbings with room in the middle picking out Seyf with her pass on the right, knocking it on down the line, Homden getting across her body to shield the ball out of play for a goal kick. Fulbourn pushed up the ball coming into Wells deep on the left lifts the ball high into the box at the near post, Shepherd up well to take with Seyf closing in.

Stubbings across to put in the challenge on Dean as the Whittlesey forward looks to advance on the right. Again Fulbourn press the ball well in the final 3rd without finding a way through then Whittlesey with a couple of passes forwards spring the counter, Pollard looking to race on with the ball into the left channel, however Anderson gets out to close her down tackles to win the ball back.

Dean on for Pollard on the right travels with the ball squaring a dangerous ball into the top of the six yard box, a vital touch from Fallow getting her gloves on the ball knocking it down to claim, especially with Barber running in behind the keeper ready to turn the ball home.

MacNicol down again for Whittlesey, having pulled up a couple of times in the first half, needs to come off this time, Whittlesey sending on Jorja Badcock. Fulbourn pushing on looking to cause problems for the Whittlesey defence winning a throw high on the left the ball flighted into the area, headed away by Johnson. Nairn getting the ball into her feet playing it into Murphy on for parker outside the box right of the D, moves inside looking for room to shoot, Anderson staying on her as Adams closes ranks the moment lost. 

 Seyf getting on with the ball right side for Fulbourn sends the cross into the box turned behind by Strickland for a corner kick. Flung in near post players up to attack it, knocked on across goal out beyond the far post. Whittlesey dropping back inviting Fulbourn on allowing Quinn and Turner to press higher. Parker back on the cover to clear a Fulbourn free-kick launched up field for Pollard to chase down on the right, her initial cross into the box blocked comes back out to her Wells moving in to close her down Pollard playing the ball off the defender for a corner. Curled into the six yard box from the right, Pollard the player under it at the far post turns her header wide.   

  GOAL! Whittlesey powerful on the counter attack, Nairn seeing what’s ahead of her s she wins the ball back in the middle, lifting her pass up towards the right of the D for Pollard to attack, in a race with Wells, the defender trying to play it back to her keeper, but rushing out the other way they get too close, Fallow slicing the ball inside towards the penalty spot, Pollard reacting faster ducking inside to get onto the ball and side foot it into the empty net 0-4.

  Whittlesey extending their lead midway through the 2nd half, Pollard getting herself on the score sheet. nip in to regain possession high Parker on the ball feeding it up to Pollard, Anderson lunging in to make the tackle. Barber advancing on the right as Whittlesey look to up the tempo comes inside heading for the box, Wells closing her down as Anderson makes the blocking tackle. Dean with Homden up on the left the ball played into the box headed away for a throw in the corner.

 GOAL! The throw in played into Pollard who turns on the ball and breaks into the box, left corner, angles her powerfully hit strike across the keeper into the corner of the net to make it 5. 0-5

 Whittlesey with two quick fire goals from Pollard pulling into a 5 goal lead. Making a change with 20 minutes to play as Dean comes off, Olivia smith on. Fulbourn having pushed on don’t let their heads drop, continue to attack looking for a goal of their own, Quinn letting fly from 20 yards out right of the D sees her shot come back of the post, Fulbourn pushing up winning a corner on the left. Knocked on across goal to the far post running out to Quinn on the angle her shot blasted in blocked by the Whittlesey defence. 

  Turner playing the ball on for Stubbings central in attack looks to twist and turn find a way through the Whittlesey defence, Johnson closing her down. Wells putting the challenge in to put the ball out for a throw on the right as Barber drives down the right wing for Whittlesey. Badcock seeing the ball into her feet in attack central has Barber running past her rolls the ball into her path her 20 yard shot blocked at close range by Anderson. Badcock up with Pollard the ball played into the attacker 20 yards out, puts her shot straight at the keeper. 

  GOAL! Fulbourn awarded a free-kick inside the Whittlesey half to the right of the centre circle the ball floated into the area headed out to the right drops straight to Quinn beyond the far post, puts her foot through the ball and blasts her shot from an acute angle into the back of the net, their endeavour getting them a deserved goal 1-5.

 10 minutes left on the clock, Fulbourn pulling one goal back scoring against Whittlesey at last but their opponents still have a commanding lead. Wells firing the ball inside to Turner in the middle on for Quinn linking up with Stubbings through the middle, Murphy back to defend for Whittlesey. Nairn’s balls forwards up to Pollard so dangerous, the striker getting on the move, Anderson quick to close her down, nick the ball for Fulbourn. 

  Wells coming forwards has Seyf up ahead of her, the ball played on Seyf feeding it to Woodley left of the D, turns playing it across to Crook on the right, Homden cutting out the cross, back with Crook her 2nd attempt behind for a corner kick, the ball dropping in near post headed on across the six yard falling before Seyf, can’t get it out from under her feet before Whittlesey close her down.

 Fulbourn keep going Wells playing the ball up to Seyf left level with the box fires an inviting cross in along the face of the Whittlesey goal, Woodley racing in far post can’t quite get there. For a moment it looked as if Fulbourn had won a penalty, as they attack right t left Stubbings playing the ball into Seyf central is brought down, the foul however right on the line a free-kick awarded nevertheless. The set-piece struck low hitting the wall deflected behind for a corner on the right The delivery teasing flashing in  through the six yard box no one can get a touch.

  Seyf, cleaned out by Johnson out wide on the left another free-kick awarded. Fulbourn with the late pressure the ball in to the near post cleared by Strickland for a throw out on the left. The ball put across the top of the area Fulbourn pushing up the wing to get a corner on the right as the game moves into stoppage time, curled in near side, a turn on the ball and shot, the ball blocked on the line back out to the right then fired back in across the face of goal. 

 Whittlesey adsorbing a late Fulbourn push make a double change, Pollard and Nairn coming off, Wilson and Grace Spencer on. Woodley letting the ball roll cross her 30 yards out, sends a shot arrowing in straight at the keeper. Seyf sending a cross into the box from the left attacked at the far post, Homden with the block on the post. The final whistle blows and Whittlesey have done it won a league and cup treble with their newly reformed team.

Full time Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds 1-5 Whittlesey Athletic Ladies

  An impressive achievement for Whittlesey to win the league and two cup finals. Were clinical on the night putting away their chances. Counter attacking well and working hard at the back pushed back at times. A great effort from Fulbourn never gave up two great chances to take the lead themselves were hit on the counter to concede the opener, Whittlesey upping their game to put two further chances away before the break with goal keeper, Zoe Shephard called into action to keep the clean sheet on a couple of occasions. Fulbourn not prepared to settle back 2nd half gave it a go to try and find away back into the match, Whittlesey could bid their time however wait for the right moment to pounce get up the other end and Pollard was on hand with a quickfire double to put the game beyond doubt Fulbourn remained positive getting the goal their attacking play deserved and never let Whittlesey settle.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Onto this evening’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match, again it’s a fairly straight forward one and too a player that has won a few of these before. A few performances to mention first, for Fulbourn they worked hard up top t find a way through no one more than Eve Seyf who got about the flanks looking to take the ball down create openings unlucky not to score,. Marie Stubbings too covering a good amount of ground to make herself available for the ball and help out in midfield. Dini Quinn making some great runs forwards took her chance well, also tracking back the other way to help the defence. For Whittlesey, Tara Parker was lively up top looking to get into the box on hand to score the opening goals. Zoe Shephard made some vital saves in the first half to keep the Fulbourn out. Jenna Nairn winning the ball played some fantastic passes forwards. The award winner once again Emma Pollard, played a part in all the goals assists and putting two away in the 2nd half. Running into the channels made herself a read outlet throughout.

 Congratulations to Whittlesey Athletic Ladies on winning the Cambridgeshire Women’s League Cup and for claiming an impressive treble, there aren’t many sides that can claim that.

  A good evening out at Newmarket, an entertaining final. Whittlesey strong all season finishing in style one game left to play. Fulbourn with a spirited performance can be proud, gave it there all. Ashley and Ryan leave the team in great shape, improved ready to challenge for honours next season. My thanks to both teams and referee Carlton Joseph for the help with the teams this evening. Back to Newmarket on Sunday for the ERWFL Finals Day, into the final run 5 games to go… 

by Darren Gilham