Sunday 8th September

Cambridgeshire Women’s Division Two

The new season of county league action gets into full swing this weekend across the East. Beginning with a trip into Cambridgeshire for the Division Two opening clash between March Town United Ladies & Willingham Wolves Women.

33 sides competing across 3 divisions in Cambridgeshire. All three look hard to call in terms of title challengers and it will be intriguing to watch it all unfold over the coming season. 11 sides contesting Division Two in the county, Chatteris Town Lillies Ladies will be amongst the favourites to finish top, but who else might emerge as a title challenger is yet to be determined, could very well be one of the sides promote to the league this season.

It has been quite a while since I last visited March Town United Ladies and much has changed within the club since then a new management team bought in at the end of last season managed by Andy Wheatley, assisted by James Moon, Ben Green & Gray Sharman. Lost several players over recent seasons which has impacted their form in the league adding new players as they look to be competitive towards to top end of the league, Maisie Homden joining March having been at Whittlesey Athletic last season, Kacey Sharman an attacker joining from Peterborough United. Along with pacy striker, Tanaya Mayoh, back in the game after a spell away as does Chloe Granger. Rachel Sharman also new to the March squad.

Willingham Wolves Women have improved year on year since joining the Cambridgeshire Women’s football league in 2021, moving up the Division Three table recording a 3rd placed finish last term. This seeing the club promoted to Division Two for the upcoming campaign, a strong test. Have built up a large women’s squad. Willingham Wolves FC boasts a strong youth section right across the board. The wet weather a prominent feature for much of last season seeing the usual pitch the women play on out of action from October onwards. Will require drainage works in the future will finances have been secured for other improvements to their ground.  

  March Town United FC the venue for todays game on Robin Goodfellows Lane. Known as The Hares. The stadium with a unique layout, boasting the 2nd oldest wooden stand in the country, the grass pitch nestled inside an oval layout, having once hosted, cricket, cycling and greyhound racing back in the 1960’s. The contrast a modern entrance housing bar and kitchen hatch along with the changing rooms. The pitch looking superb in great shape. Showers in the area a heavy downpour on the way the the ground, both the sun cream and umbrella are on hand this afternoon. 

March Town United Ladies starting XI – Peggy Thurlby, Amy Hall, Jessica Lavender, Cassie Houghton, Chloe Wheatley, Maisie Homden, Lauren Martin, Lauren Peeling (C), Kacey Sharman, Sidnee Adams & Millie Jolley. Subs – Rachel Sharman Chloe Granger & Olivia Perkiss.

Willingham Wolves Women starting XI – Abi Dowell-McGrillan, Cheryl Darby, Gracie Webster-Spriggs, Honor Freeman (C), Casey Mcmichael, Natalie Townley, Jazz Brinkman, Kirsty Wicks, Harri Morse, Holly Etteridge & Danielle Foster. Subs – Sophie Catchpole, Libby Willis, George Scott-Wilds & Eva Krawetkowska.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

 It’s the hosts, March to kick off the first half wearing their home colours, amber shirts with black shorts and socks. Willingham too usually play in amber shirts, but are still awaiting the arrival of their new away strip so will be in white coloured shirts this afternoon, with black shorts and socks. The ball rolled back into midfield passed to the right, Maisie Homden looking to take it forwards linking up with Kacey Sharman on the wing, Cheryl Darby closing down for Willingham to prevent an early cross going into the box.

 March with a positive start getting on down the right winning a throw high brings them an early corner, the delivery short not troubling the Willingham defence. Millie Jolley up front for March seeing the ball into her feet looking to turn slide the ball in for Sharman on the move down the right, Darby in to cut it out for the visitors. Willingham looking a little nervous at the start passes going awry, March snapping in to regain possession get back on the front foot. Jazz Brinkman getting the ball under control for Willingham in the final third right channel attempting to thread it through into the box for Danielle Foster, Peggy Thurlby in goal for March out to gather unthreatened.

  Sharman on the right along with Sidnee Adams on the left flank looking to provide width and passing options as the March defence wins the ball back get the ball forwards quickly trying to catch their opponents with a high line, Adams stabbing a ball on over the top, Gracie Webster-Spriggs adjusts well as she is turned around to get the ball clear before Jolley can attack it. Out for a throw on the left March looking to lay it on into the box, Casey Mcmichael heading it behind for a corner.

  March’s corners not finding their mark in the early stages of the game. Natalie Townley sets Foster away down the left in attack pace to take the ball forwards, Cassie Houghton back at her to tackle for March. March launching a rapid counter on their right Homden bombing on to support Sharman, Darby getting in the way to challenge for Willingham. The visitors not settled, March looking the sharper. 

  Holly Etteridge up in attack for Willingham closing down to win the ball off the March defence 25 yards out carries the ball in behind looking to attack the goal, a recovering defender getting something on Etteridge’s shot as she goes to pull the trigger taking the sting out of the shot runs safely through to the keeper. 

 GOAL! No sooner have Willingham got a sniff at goal March break up the other end to score the opening goal the ball coming out to the right side Adams up with Jolley the ball clipped in across the top of the D, Sharman stealing the ball off the defence to carry it on into the box and from the angle strike her shot into the bottom corner across the keeper 1-0.

 Willingham on the offensive from the restart Kirsty Wicks on for Foster down the left angles her early shot in towards the near post, Thurlby behind it has her angles covered. March captain, Lauren Peeling lifts a pass from the middle out to Adams advancing well on the left, one tough to clip the ball on over the top, Mcmichael looking to get there ahead of Jolley, her keeper, Abi Dowell-McGrilen with a good starting position will the call, coming to collect the ball. 

 Jessica Lavender, tackling Etteridge as she gathers the ball on the right plays it forwards for Adams racing up the left flank for March, whips a dangerous cross into the area across the penalty spot, Jolley isn’t too far away from getting a touch to divert it towards goal. March winning a free-kick on halfway lifted forwards, a vital touch from Mcmicheal at the back to win the ball or Jolley was though to attack the Willingham goal. March snapping back to win the ball high, Lauren Martin with Peeling lifted forwards again Mcmichael with the defending for Willingham getting her head on the ball to get the ball away.

  Sharman playing the ball into the box form the right, Mcmichael heading it behind to concede the corner. The delivery played up towards the top of the area near side, Mcmichael getting hold of it for Willingham carrying the ball out of the area…

 GOAL! … sent forwards into the path of Foster out on the left on the attack bringing the ball on 25 yards out fizzes the pass across the area looking Etteridge on the left in the clear right of the D, controls and takes aim a vicious strike with a got bit of swerve behind it deceiving the keeper as it evades her to burst the back of the net, Willingham back on level terms 1-1.

  Willingham levelling 18th minute, making a change after the goal bringing on Libby Willis in place of Townley.

GOAL! Having just gotten themselves back on level terms Willingham concede straight away, the ball from Jolley fed out to Adams on the left on her own all of 30 yards out isn’t closed down at all and with room to line up a shot accepts the invite, hits a fantastic ball looping up towards goal heading for the top right corner, has the keeper in trouble, dropping over her to send March back into the lead 2-1.

  March pressing the ball in the centre Martin playing in into the left channel with Peeling getting on, looking to run in behind, Mcmichael looking to shield the ball calling for her keeper to come and collect top of her area, Dowell-McGrillan scooping the ball up into her gloves. Etteridge coming off for Willingham, George Scott-Wilds onto the pitch. Wicks off too replaced by Sophie Catchpole. Is hot under the sun when it can break through the clouds and a drinks break is called with 25 minutes played. 

 March resume with a throw on the right headed on by Peeling into the area, dropping central, Jolley interested, Dowell-McGrillan gathering it into her body well. Willingham captain Honor Freeman lunging in to stop Jolley as she looks to turn on the ball outside the D. The ball lifted on for Foster to bomb on down the left attacking sends a cross/shot in on the angle towards the far post, Willis racing in that side can’t reach it, however goes after the ball on the by-line wide to win her side a corner kick. Played long beyond the far post met by Morse blasts the ball back in across goal out the far side the referee signalling for another corner 

 The second delivery curled into the six yard box at the near post Scott-Wilds looking to get it down under control and get a shot away is quickly closed down by the March defence, Wheatley lifting it away to safety. Willingham gaining a bit of momentum in the last five minutes. March dangerous on the counter however as Peeling gets up on the right to support Sharman putting the winger on down the line Freeman going with her the pair into the box, Sharman stealing inside knocking the ball into the six yard box, Dowell-McGrillan dropping forwards to lay claim to the ball.

  Sharman causing Willingham issues attacking on the right, beats the offside trap to carry the ball on towards the box striking her shot over the bar from the angle. Willingham’s defensive line holds this time as Homden looks to play Sharman in over the top, held up by the raised flag. Wicks back on for Willingham, replacing Darby. The visitors with the ball up on the right turned inside for Catchpole 25 yards out left of the D, turns to shoot, gets no power behind it, runs safely through to Thurlby. 

 An injury for Willingham forcing a change, Scott-Wilds needing treatment off Townley back on. Townley with the ball from Brinkman right side played forwards as Foster makes a run across her to carry it away to the right wing turning to strike the ball lifts her strike onto the roof of the net. Etteridge back on up top for Willingham sees the ball into her feet on the right, looking to turn inside, Lavender comes back at her tackling well to clear the ball. Into the final minute of the first half. March press the ball in the middle on for Adams left looks to take it past Webster-Spriggs the full back getting back at her to nudge the ball out for a throw in.

 

Half-time March Town United Ladies 2-1 Willingham Wolves Women

  March head into the changing rooms at the beak leading Willingham 2-1. The hosts with the better start to the game getting after the ball positive down the flanks, capitalising on Willingham’s nervous start, unsettled early on the visitors took a while to settle. March getting forwards to take the lead through Kacey Sharman. Willingham did well to get the game back on level terms a vicious strike from Holly Etteridge, but were guilty of switching off straight after to allow March to retake the lead a superb finish from Sidnee Adams. Chances for both in front of goal March holding the slender advantage. Feel there are more in it 2nd half which way they will go is up for debate. 

  Willingham to get the 2nd half underway, making full use of their substitutes throughout the first half. March with a change at the break, Peeling coming off with Rachel Sharman coming on going up top with Jolley deeper. Lavender wearing the armband. The ball rolled back to Freeman in defence clips it out to the left wing, Homden seeing it out of play for March. Willingham looking to make a positive start to the 2nd half getting up on the left

  The ball passed inside for Foster central to burst in behind closing in on the box, pulls the trigger her shot racing wide of the right post. Townley up on the right for Willingham put on for Willis onside racing on into the box after the ball, Thurlby advancing to lay claim to the ball.

GOAL! March pressing the ball in the middle Jolley forwards into Rachel Sharman, Adams up with her putting pressure on the Willingham defence, Freeman under pressure stabs the ball away from Sharman as she falls, Adams latching onto it 20 plus yards out to rifle a powerful shot in on goal, Dowell-McGrillan with little time to react getting her gloves up to block the ball but can only deflect it on over into the goal beyond 3-1.

 The perfect start to the 2nd half for march getting themselves a 2 goal cushion, and that moments after Willingham had a chance to level up the other end. Rachel Sharman sees a Willingham goal kick presented to her 30 yards out, quickly closed down she drags her shot wide of the left post. Homden with a mazy run on the ball as she gets on the move for March on the right laying it inside for Rachel Sharman inside the D, looks to control, turn, is closed down well by Morse for Willingham. 

 Willingham find Etteridge on the right in attack strong on the ball to get inside lays the ball into the box for Foster on the penalty spot back to goal lays it out to Willis racing on left of the D, moving into the box, squeezes her shot away past the advancing keeper, the ball traveling towards goal, cleared of the line by Hall. Willingham picking up a few knocks Morse needing a break Eva Krawetkowska coming on. Brinkman too replacing Catchpole. Townley winning Willingham a throw on the left, knocked on into the box cleared by Lavender for March. 

GOAL! Players drawn over to the left of the pitch as possession is fought over March physical getting hold of the ball the pass clipped cross-field finding Kacey Sharman all on her own in a central position drags the ball on to the right moving into the box, and strikes her shot low back across the keeper to join Adams on a brace 4-1.

 Willingham falling further behind look to stay positive play the ball from the middle into Willis tracking forwards on the right fires a cross along the top of the box, met by Foster inside the D, flashes a shot half a yard over the crossbar. Brinkman battling for the ball on the left surges forwards, Homden coming to close her down putting in the tackle, bashing her head hard on the turf as the pair collide. Play stopped needs to come off for a minute to recover but is okay to return. 

 Houghton with a crucial interception at the back for March as they get caught high with the visitors looking to release Foster through the middle. Jolley moving to the right with the ball lays it on into the box for Rachel Sharman ahead of her travelling into the box, Freeman come across to make the challenge put the ball out for a corner kick. From the right goes long cleared out to the top of the box, Martin onto it drags her shot wide. 

Willingham get the ball on quickly through the middle threaded in behind, Foster races clear of the defence shoots early with Thurlby rushing out to close her down, the keeper with the blocking save… 

  GOAL! … the rebound latched onto by Krawetkowska 25 yards out left of the D, a good touch to send the ball on into the box and plays a superb cross in low towards Foster still in an advanced position right of goal to knock it back across the keeper to score her opening goal of the season 4-2. 

 Willingham pulling a goal back midway through the 2nd half with their tails up Brinkman winning the ball on into the box for Foster, Wheatley putting it out for a throw on the right. Foster looking to cause trouble in the box off the throw right side, Thurlby throwing her foot at the ball attempting to clear, sliced away to the by-line, Lavender preventing it going for a corner clearing up field. Foster seeing the ball played into her through the middle turns in behind to attack the box, Thurlby racing out to close the angle getting in to make a good blocking save as Foster moves right to shoot.

 Wheatley coming off at the back for March as the hosts send Chloe Granger onto the field. Willingham winning a corner out on the right, a dangerous delivery curled across the six yard box, falls to Freeman at the far post, awkward to control however, is closed down before she can get a shot away.  A 2nd water break called with less than 20 minutes left to play, Willingham picking up as few knocks. 

 Homden doing the defending at right back for March, as Foster seeing the ball into her as she moves left looks to try and spin in behind. A corner to Willingham on the left curled into the six yard box, dropping to Wills this time can’t dig the ball out of her feet before being closed down by Martin. The ball scrambled clear. Willis getting hold of the ball central for Willingham looking to lift it on for Foster to race in clear behind the defence, almost, but for a vital interception from Houghton.

  Krawetkowska goes down for Willingham as she looks to carry the ball on into the left channel, looks to have twisted her ankle, a painful one needs to come off, Willingham sending Catchpole back on. Townley getting up into an attacking position for Willingham from the left central as she gets onto the end of a Freeman pass takes on the shot early looking to lob the ball from inside the box over the keeper, but so too over the bar.

  Another injury blow for Willingham as Foster innocuously goes over on her ankle inside the box going to pressure Thurlby on a cross. Needs to come off, Scott-Wilds coming back on. Brinkman off too with Darby back on. Into the final 5 minutes of the match. March have Adams bringing the ball on up the left clips a great diagonal ball into the box for Kacey Sharman on the angle blasts her shot in towards goal, Dowell-McGrillan throwing herself down to make the save charging the ball down rebounds back to Sharman for a 2nd bite at the cherry shoots past the stranded keeper, Willingham have got a defender back on the line to clear.

  Hall cutting a threaded ball out at the back for the hosts as the game moves into stoppage time. Martin on for Rachel Sharman up top, Freeman closing her down for Willingham. Morse looks to get away down the right for Willingham as Townley plays the ball on. Adams in to close her down on the by-line sliding in to tackle knocks the ball onto Morse to see a goal kick awarded. The final whistle blows and March celebrate as they get their league campaign off to a winning start.

Full time March Town United Ladies 4-2 Willingham Wolves Women

  A good start to the game from March on the front foot early causing issues on the flanks getting into the lead. Willingham doing well to level the scores, however were behind straight away as they gave Adams the invite to shoot. The visitors gaining momentum late in the first half giving them renewed confidence going into the 2nd half. March with a few issues to settle at half time too. Got an early opportunity to extend their lead and took it. Willingham creating some good opportunities themselves but not taking one as March got clear to power into a 3 goal lead. Some great goals scored and Willingham fought hard to pull it back to 4-2. March determined working hard in defence had a little bit more guile and experience to see the game out and claim the win.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto this Sunday’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match award. Not an easy one by any means and some god performances out there. Firstly for Willingham, Casey Mcmichael in defence with a number of vital interceptions read the game well. Danielle Foster in attack worked hard to create opportunities and be a ready outlet when Willingham attacked. Jazz Brinkman put herself about in midfield looking to mix things up. For March, Jessica Lavender was strong in the back line making several important tackles. Sidnee Adams with two superb strikes provided a good outlet on the left and played the ball well. Edging it though is the other brace scorer, Kacey Sharman set the tone early on getting on down the right for March in attack, caused issues for the defence throughout and again presented with the opportunity to take her chances put them away well.

 Good to see both sides in action a competitive contest and will look forwards to seeing how the season progresses for both sides in Division Two. Willingham stepping up a league have plenty of positives to take into the campaign ahead. My thanks to both teams for their help with the team details and must say I’m pleased Cambridgeshire have team sheets at last.

by Darren Gilham