Sunday 12th April

Hertfordshire Women’s Senior Challenge Cup Final

Onto the 2nd part of this Sunday’s Hertfordshire FA Women’s County Cup finals double bill the main event the Senior Women’s Challenge Cup, at Harpenden Town Women into their 1st County Cup final taking on 5 times winners, Stevenage FC Women.

Hertfordshire FA splitting their county cup into two competitions in 2024 with the national and regional sides contesting the Senior Challenge Cup and the the sides from tier 7 the county league sides mostly competing for the new Trophy competition won by …. this morning. As explained previously in enhances both competitions gives the lower placed league sides a competitive competition to play in and for the most part reduces one sides games and eye-watering scores which serve no purpose plus frees up weekends which can clog up the early part of the season.

Stevenage FC Women bringing in ex-Arsenal Women and England international, Sian Lingham as head coach at the beginning of this season as the club sets it’s budget and sights on winning the ERWFL Premier Division title and returning to the FAWNL after a 4 year absence. That they have achieved and in some style unbeaten in 20 games played winning 18 of those to clinch the title with ease. That league form transcending to the cup competitions and a potential treble on the cards winning through to the finals of the County and League Cups.

Have brought in players with extensive experience playing at a higher level most notably new captain, Sarah Wiltshire most recently at FAWNL South East Division one side, Cambridge United WFC. Has been in red hot form in front of goal closing in on 50 goals for the season! 49 so far across all competitions. Whilst at the other end Stevenage have the meanest defence conceding just 11 goals. Amy Makewell the only other player into double figures with 11, with Gemma Croucher on 9. Stevenage dominant in the county cup in recent season’s winning it 5 times since 2015, including a run of successive final appearances from then up to 2023, today their 10th final aiming to lift the trophy for a 6th time.

Harpenden Town Women in comparison into their 1st ever County Cup final, formed back in 2022 have enjoyed a fast rise up the pyramid promoted to the ERWFL in their debut season. Into Division One North enjoyed close tussle for the title just missing out on promotion by a single point to Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women the following year. Made up for it the following year by clinching the league title by 3 points over Histon Ladies to achieve promotion to tier 5. The ERWFL Premier Division a steep jump for most sides coming up Harpenden have held their own currently 9th with 2 games to play.

Have saved their best form for the cup competitions making it a cup double in fact as not only have they reached their first ever County Cup final but so to the League Cup final where again they will be playing champions, Stevenage on May the 10th at Bedford Town FC. Sophia Amanor the top scorer for Harpenden in their promotion winning season rattling in 34 goals. This time around despite the jump in level Amanor has once again been potent in attack once again firing in 34 across all competitions.

Road to the Final

  The Women’s Senior Challenge Cup contested by the clubs playing regional football and above in Hertfordshire. 11 sides in total. A bye for Harpenden in the first round back in October. Stevenage away to Hitchin Belles Women recently promoted to the ERWFL, Got off to a flyer with Sarah Wiltshire rattling in the fastest ever hat-trick in the game inside 3 minutes! Ashleigh Goddard also finding the back of the net for 3 goals in the first half, Amy Gooderham netting twice with a goal each for Gemma Croucher, Amy Makewell and Eva Delaney plus an opposition own goal seeing Stevenage win 12-0.

Into the New Year and the quarter finals of the Challenge Cup, Stevenage drawn away from home to play fellow Premier Division side, St Albans City Women, goals from defender, Rebecca Edge and Wiltshire plus a brace from another new addition to the squad form Cambridge United WFC, Alysha Stojko-Down securing a 4-1 victory. Harpenden also away in the last 8 taking on ERWFL Division One North side, Colney Heath Ladies. Sophia Amanor smashing the ball into the back of the net for 4 goals, Belle Shannon and Ellie Deville also scoring in a comfortable 6-0 result.

Into the last 4, Stevenage at home taking on local rivals Royston Town Women back to back winners of the Challenge Cup, up at the top end of the Premier Division too in recent season’s, a single goal just before the hour enough to seal the win Amber Pearson on target to send Stevenage into another Challenge Cup Final. Harpenden at home facing Stevenage FC Women’s Development side, sitting 2nd in Division one North, Amanor again amongst the goals netting twice with Ella mercer and Belle Shannon also finding the back of the net to send Harpenden into their 1st Challenge Cup final.

The County Ground, Letchworth again the venue for this afternoon’s final. A familiar place for Stevenage serving as their home ground in recent season’s and having the home dressing room today. Off to the café to get some much needed food between finals the sun still bright but cloud are scattered about the likelihood of showers this afternoon increasing. A good crowd building spectators taking up position all around the ground.

Stevenage FC Women starting XI – Faye Hazelton, Lucy Webster, Hannah Savage, Rebecca Edge, Elly Wade, Harley Carr, Rosy Wodhams, Amber Pearson, Gemma Croucher, Amy Makewell & Sarah Wiltshire (C). Subs – Sophie Shults, Leonie Telford, Alysha Stojko-Down. Eva Delaney & Ashleigh Goddard.

 Harpenden Town Women starting XI – Daisy Strouts, Kacey Warren, Rebecca Dowdall, Lucy Ford, Amana Oguntuga, Zoe Allen, Belle Shannon, Chloe Dinsey, Ella Mercer, Ellie Deville & Sophia Amanor. Subs – Neave Wilson, Leah Shellard, Isobel Hughes, Seryan Kabongo & Erin Shacklock. 

If the scores should remain level after 90 minutes the game going straight into a penalty shootout.

A switch of ends at the start of the game with Stevenage to kick-off the first half wearing white coloured shirts with red sleeves, red shorts with white trim and white socks. Harpenden lined up opposite wearing green and yellow vertical striped shirts, green shorts and socks. The ball played back into the defence Harpenden rush on looking to close the ball down, Sophia Amanor up with Ellie Deville right side siding a cross charged down the ball out for a throw in.

From the throw high on the right Harpenden look to cause problems working a cross into the near post Amanor closing goalkeeper Faye Hazelton down stretching to try and get to the ball as the keeper gets something on the ball to take it away from her, Amanor going down awkwardly looks to be in some discomfort a concern for Harpenden so early on the contest, a pause in play as she receives treatment inside the six yard box, up on her feet but hobbling gingerly looks to try and run it off as play resumes.

A physical battle shaping up Gemma Croucher with her arm already bandaged tangling with Harpenden’s Amana Oguntuga as she looks to get the ball under control on the right going to ground getting accidentally stood on, again a long pause as she is carefully accessed but indicates to the bench she will be okay to play on.

Lively Harpenden looking to get after the ball close Stevenage down, Croucher playing a diagonal ball on for captain, Sarah Wiltshire making a run to the right, Harpenden goalkeeper, Daisy Strouts alert out to the top of her area to clear the ball for a throw.

Stevenage off the throw working a dangerous ball in across the face of goal, Rosy Wodhams making a back stick run attempting to get it under control as it skips up on the by-line but can’t redirect it on target. Harpenden get the ball into Oguntuga right side plays it forwards to Deville the cross coming into the box from deep, claimed well by Hazelton.

GOAL! Stevenage get the ball moving forwards pushing players on as Amy Makewell links up with full back Hannah Savage on the left flank the ball fed into the box, cut out by defender, Rebecca Dowdall, Makewell latching onto the ball top of the area lashing a shot back in on goal, Strouts diving to her left pushing it out to the opposite side, chaos as Wiltshire gets hold of it firing the ball on the angle back across goal Croucher not quite able to get to it, Stevenage quick to get it back left side put back into the mix the cross back out to the right side, Amber Pearson getting her foot through the ball to blast it in at the near post to open the scoring 1-0. 

Stevenage into the lead inside the opening 11 minutes, an early blow for Harpenden, Ella Mercer pushed up latching onto a loose ball at the back form Edge to the right 35 yards out turns to shoot sending the ball wide of the near post. Croucher bringing the ball on coming inside from the left placing her pass on for Makewell as Stevenage surge forwards, Makewell sending it on for Wiltshire in the right channel plays it into the right for Pearson, Belle Shannon diving in to challenge for Harpenden.

Both sides busy Harpenden working hard to get after Stevenage close the ball down get it into their attacking players, Mercer on for Deville central turns well on the ball driving forwards before attempting the through ball for Amanor looking to run off the defence, instead, Elly Wade steps up to intercept for Stevenage. Busy, play turned around Harpenden sending Deville away on the right flank making a run to try and get into the box, Savage getting her body in between her and the ball to turn it back to her keeper to kick clear.

Oguntuga putting the ball on up the right for Deville squares her cross into the middle, Amanor inside the D seeing her attempt charged down by Wade, the rebound also blocked as it’s smashed in from 25 yards out. A competitive game Harpenden causing Stevenage a few issues as they look to try an impose their presence on their opponents, Oguntuga away with the ball on the right bursting forwards her cross flashed into the near post Wade tracking Amanor shoulder to shoulder the defender with the challenge taking the ball off Amanor behind for a goal kick.

Harley Carr playing the ball on for Wodhams for Stevenage as she breaks forwards looks to play Wiltshire in on the right channel, Kacey Williams stepping in to cut the pass out for Harpenden at the back. Makewell’s turn to try and pick out the run from Wiltshire into the box on the right, Strouts getting to the ball first her kick charged down by the striker, the rebound favouring Harpenden.

Chloe Dinsey getting the ball on for Harpenden putting it to Mercer moving right her shot from distance on the angle claimed by Hazelton at her near post. Lucy Webster sending the ball on for Wilshire on the right turns onto her left foot as she breaks into the box and takes on the strike half blocked by Warren, half hearted appeals for hand ball as the ball is diverted back to the keeper.

Stevenage building a little momentum as the game approaches the half hour mark Carr into Wiltshire taking the ball right flashes a cross into the six yard box, both Croucher and Makewell making runs to attack the ball just over both, wide past the far post, Wodhams retrieves but is closed down before she can get a meaningful ball back into the mix. Zoe Allen left into Dinsey central for Harpenden lays it forwards for Amanor looks to take on the ball drive towards the box, closed down by Edge the ball cleared.

Up the other end Wiltshire after the ball into the right gets her side a corner kick, the delivery into the near side initially cleared, coming back to Pearson at the top of the area right of goal sends a shot looping in up over the crossbar. An intriguing match up, Oguntuga wriggling free of her marker on the right, her cross fired into the near post Wade tracking back on Amanor as she looks to attack it turned behind for a corner kick. The corner cleared back to Mercer on the right sees her 2nd attempt to put a cross in charged down by Savage out for a throw in the corner.

Possession back with Harpenden in the middle Mercer opening up her body to lay the ball forwards into Amanor, inside the D turning on the ball to unleash a shot in low, Hazelton down sharply to make the save with her legs. A chance up the other end as Wiltshire sends the ball on for Croucher making a run into the box wide right, Strouts coming out to try and close her down Croucher already moving away from goal tries to get the ball back past her, but so too wide of the near post.

Savage looks to break away for Stevenage left side running into the corner, Oguntuga going with her the pair coming together going down awkwardly the cross findings it’s way into the six yard block play goes on as a scramble ensues the ball blocked at close range popping up for Wiltshire right of goal, sending it back in, Strouts getting hold of it. Play stopped then as both Savage and Oguntuga have stayed down, looked to be a nasty one, Savage the first back to her feet, Oguntuga however in alot of discomfort feeling her ankle, hopping to the side-line doesn’t want to come off but waved back on as play resumes she knows she can’t continue the change has to be made. Leah Shellard coming on in her place on the right.

The substitute nips in to get hold of the ball on the right, drives forwards on the flank, Edge getting back at her to tackle deny the cross, the ball popping loose back for Mercer to put one into the box from deep long to the far post no one can get there. Shannon into Dinsey on for Deville left of the D, looks to get it down turn to shoot, Edge in to close her down with the blocking tackle. Dowdall stepping in to win the ball as Wiltshire breaks on into the right channel. Webster with a strong run from the back for Stevenage carrying the ball forwards the final pass looking for Wiltshire pulling right intercepted by Ford.

Into injury time at the end of the 1st half several minutes to be added due to the injuries, Harpenden with a free-kick out on the left put in from deep, Hazelton punching the ball clear out of her box falling to Mercer 25 yards out has Dinsey to the right laying the ball into her digs out the shot dropping wide of goal. A late break from Stevenage as Makewell takes the ball on playing in Wiltshire to the right, checks back inside to shoot on the angle, into the near post Strouts behind it blocking with her chest collecting the ball on the bounce. Harpenden mount on last attack Allen into the box as Amanor helps the ball on left side in front of goal slides in accidentally on Wade as the defender gets the ball clear, up okay as the whistle blows for half-time.

Half-time Stevenage FC Women 1-0 Harpenden Town Women

 A competitive 1st half drawing to a close, Amber Pearson’s 11th minute strike the difference between the sides, has been a physical contest, Harpenden working hard to get after Stevenage on the ball stretched at the back as a result sometimes, Stevenage yet to capitalise getting layers forwards well, Harpenden keeping numbers up to attack the ball in the final third a few half chances and Amanor forcing Hazelton into a crucial save to keep the clean sheet. A single goal in it still very much all to play for players to bring off the bench you feel there are more goals waiting in the 2nd half.

No changes for either side at the break, the sun still shining the threat of a shower looking to have passed as Harpenden get the 2nd half underway the ball hit long into the left channel, Webster dealing with it for Stevenage. Stevenage get the ball on through the middle, Croucher with Wodhams into Wiltshire up top looks to spin off, Ford try and get into the box right side, the defender getting back on her shoulder forcing her off the ball.

A lively start to the 2nd half, both sides after each other in the centre, Carr wining it for Stevenage on for Makewell, her pass out wide to Wiltshire cut out by Allen.

GOAL! Harpenden pour players forwards as they break through the middle Deville linking up with Amanor pulling left of the D, comes back inside to fire the ball in across the top of the area picking out Shellard positioned to the right of the D, digs the shot out to see it loop up past the keeper into the back of the net to level up the score 1-1.

Harpenden back on level terms five minutes into the 2nd half. The game end to end as Harpenden halt a Stevenage surge through the middle, the ball out with Allen on the left plays it on for Deville her cross cleared by Wade.

 Webster defending for Stevenage inside the box as Harpenden win a throw high on the left looks to dribble the ball out of the area almost runs into trouble as Amanor closes her down her attempt at goal blocked the ball cleared.

 

Harpenden confident as they come forwards with Allen on the ball taking the ball inside on for Mercer making a central run ahead of her, tackled by Wade top of the D. Mercer getting the ball out to Shellard wide right pressing on with the ball, Edge moves out to close her down, going down in the tackle and staying down in alot of discomfort another long pause in play as she receives treatment, doesn’t look like she can continue as she is helped off the pitch taken off on comes Leonie Telford, into right back seeing Webster move inside.

An hour gone the game resumes Hazelton hitting the ball long to Wiltshire breaking right channel, looks to make a nuisance of herself but can’t get a shot away. Deville tackled as she takes the ball on from Allen left side, wide all of 3 yards out Shannon over the ball takes on the shot over the wall but over at the near post. Wiltshire winning a corner on the left as her cross is blocked. Emotions high from the Harpenden bench as Savage is upended in front of their bench the free-kick going against them. From deep launched up into the area, Wiltshire looking to bring it down an awkward angle to try and carve out a shot, Ford into close her down the ball away.

Hazelton out to the right of her box to get down and claim the ball as Amanor looks to power her way clear on the right. Deville squeezing the ball away out on the left turning inside, Telford back on her the cross deflected long across the top of the area Amanor over in the right corner lacking support works the ball well to gain a corner kick. Curled into the near post, Wade getting something on it to get it away for Stevenage. Pearson coming on well through the middle sends the ball into Makewell inside the D, lets it run past her with Wiltshire pulling off her to get in behind the defence, Strouts out smartly to gather it up first.

Shannon looks to hit the ball on the run from range as Mercer lays the ball into her path for Harpenden the attempt blazing over. The game moving into the final 15 minutes but again there will be several minutes of stoppages to add, Makewell chasing the ball down on the by-line holding it up as Croucher gets on in support top left of the box the ball played into her, Deville back to help in defence for Harpenden closing her down. Pearson from 30 yards out frustrated as she slices a shot wide.

GOAL! Pearson chasing down the ball on the right the game stretched players racing to get into the box the cross in from the by-line flashing in across the face of goal, Wiltshire throwing herself at it at the far post to turn the ball over to restore Stevenage’s lead and score her 50th goal of the season in the process 2-1.

Stevenage making a chance immediately after with Makewell giving way for Eva Delaney. The great stretched Stevenage counter Wodhams looking to release Delaney out on the right into space, the pass a little strong, Delaney nevertheless stopping it from going out of play and then sending a diagonal ball back towards to top of the area for Wodhams to attack her shot saved by Strouts legs as she gets down to block. 

 Pearson trying her luck out wide on the left angling a shot in with pace towards goal her effort brushing off the top of the crossbar. Harpenden making a change bringing off Mercer, on comes Erin Shacklock. Amanor getting the ball on for Deville breaking on into the right channel, savage in to challenge her for Stevenage. Amanor with the ball in the right channel held up plays it back inside for Shannon 25 yards out strikes the shot in on goal, her attempt narrowly over the crossbar. Another change for Harpenden, Deville the player taken off, Seryan Kabongo entering the action with 85 minutes played.

  Wiltshire sending a cross form a deep position on the left into the box, Wodhams forwards keeping it in play wide of goal but can’t do anything with it before being closed down by Warren. A frantic finish to the match Harpenden keen to get the ball forwards, Webster cutting a ball out as they look to go left. Harpenden with a free-kick from halfway lifting up to the top of the area, Kabongo trying to get hold of it, closed down.

  Amanor booked as she is deemed to have kicked the ball away after the offside flag goes up against her as she surges on in the right channel. All action as Amanor gets the ball inside the D from the right, Kabongo looking to take it on Wade diving in with the tackle the ball away for the throw. Hazelton kicking the ball long up field looking for Wiltshire pulling of the last defender, Warren keeping close attention to the bouncing ball. 6 minutes of stoppage time to be played Harpenden pushing hard to find an equaliser, Amanor strong winning a corner on the right. The in-swinger taken comfortably by Hazleton. Shannon with a wild punt from range 30 yards out the ball swerving through the air running wide of the right post.

 GOAL! Harpenden pushing p[layers on with the clock ticking down 3 minutes of injury time played overload the right Shellard and Amanor linking up with Kabongo who out wide 20 yards out smashes her foot through the ball driving it on low across goal and into the bottom corner to cue wild celebrations 2-2!

  GOAL! Just as Harpenden have done enough to force the game into a shootout, Stevenage hit back straight away breaking on in attack the ball Croucher putting the ball on for Wiltshire into space on the right taking the ball on sends a vicious cross into the six yard box, Pearson sliding in at the near post to send it home and put them back into the lead, 3-2!

 Seconds left, Wiltshire looking to run the ball into the corner to eat up valuable time. Pearson coming off, with Alysha Stojko-Down on to see out the game. Harpenden getting a last gasp corner, everyone up into the box including the keeper as Crick fires the ball into the box from the left, cleared up to Telford looks to try and get it down try to get a strike at the empty net, Kabongo covering the ground to get back on her. The last action of the game as Stevenage come out on top in a dramatic finish to the game to win the Challenge Cup for the 6th time  

Full time Stevenage FC Women 3-2 Harpenden Town Women

 Well that was certainly a dramatic end to the Challenge Cup Final, Harpenden giving it a real go the score-line much closer than some predicted, as will give Harpenden plenty of encouragement despite losing it in such a fashion. Stevenage make to earn the win but were as determined themselves holding a slender lead at the break, were pegged back by Harpenden early on the 2nd half coming back to take the lead with Wilshire scoring her 50th goal of the season, Harpenden made changes kept coming pushing hard and found the equaliser in stoppage time, but you’re never more vulnerable than when you score and Stevenage hit straight back getting the ball on and in across the face of goal for Pearson to slide in and score the winning goal. The two sides meeting again in the League Cup Final, Harpenden knowing they can compete, Stevenage on course for the treble will know they can’t be complacent.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Time to choose the 2nd Women’s Football East – Player of the Match of the day, again a tough one to call, and exciting cup final both sides playing their part. A few performances to mention, firstly for Harpenden, Sophia Amanor is a handful to deal with up top strong holding up the ball and prepared to take players on whilst readily setting up others. Ella Mercer go forwards well to support the attack pressing the ball high along side Chloe Dinsey. Kacee Warren at the back with a number of useful tackles. For Stevenage Elly Wade was strong at the back closing the ball down, putting her body in to block and intercept. Gemma Croucher busy getting about the pitch taking the ball and players on. Sarah Wiltshire making several great runs lively getting into the channels, looking to find and opening as scored her 50th Stevenage goal in just her 1st season with the club. The award going to the match winner, Amber Pearson, opened the scoring used the ball well and got on to support the attack.

 Congratulations to Stevenage FC Women on winning their 6th Hertfordshire Women’s Challenge Cup and completing a double. 

  Another enjoyable day down in Hertfordshire, two great finals, and the weather was mostly fine. Good to catch up with both sides and thanks to Stevenage for supplying me with the team info. Thanks too, to Hertfordshire FA’s, Seb Hutchinson for his assistance today much appreciated.

by Darren Gilham