Sunday 17th November

Cambridgeshire Women’s Division One

 Back to it after a much needed break. Has been a busy spell the rest has done me the power of good, ready to go again a plenty of exciting football to look forward to. Heading into Cambridgeshire this Sunday to watch a game from Division One with two of the potential title contenders going head to head with 4th placed Leverington Sports Ladies taking on Godmanchester Town Ladies currently 2nd.

The pair meeting in the League Cup just 7 days ago at Leverington, playing out a 2-2 draw the game settled on penalties, Leverington edging the shootout 7-6 to progress in the competition.

Both clubs originally forming under another name progressing to where they are today. Leverington Sports Ladies as they have been now for several season’s originally Wisbech Town Ladies. Moving to Leverington a small village in the outskirts of Wisbech itself, are still very much part of the town and now established in the top tier within the Cambridgeshire Women’s football leagues, getting to the final of the Junior Invitation Cup last season as well as the semi-finals in the League Cup. Sophie Swinden now captaining the side, the long time top scorer over many seasons for the club has 15 to her name already this season from 9 appearances. 

  Godmanchester Town Ladies have had a successful start to life, having come into being last season, having been Huntingdon Town Ladies previous to that, then having been formed with what was largely the old St Ives Town Ladies squad. The core of that side remains, as Godmanchester went on to win the Division Two title last season, earning promotion and reaching the Hunts FA Women’s Senior Cup in their debut season. Will fancy their chances of going all the way in the competition this season. Making some new additions to the squad, a couple from Eaton Socon Ladies, Gemma Cooksley and Hannah Hutchison , the latter top scorer so far with 8 from 8. Also added to the squad the vastly experienced Leah Cudone, returning to the game having performed at a higher level for a number of years, has 3 goals already from 3 appearances. That experience balancing with a number of promising young players coming to the club too. 

  Leverington Sports & Social Club the venue for today’s game. A hold up on the A47 meant I had to turn around and come in from the A10 getting there later than I’d have liked no time for a cup of tea! The social club with large carpark leading out to the pitches, grass and 3G. Over on the grass pitch the clouds gathering an overcast day with the temperatures starting to drop. Hoping the rain would hold off till late in the 2nd half but wasn’t to be.

Leverington Sports Ladies starting XI – Holly Bantoft, Jade Court, Sam Davis, Olivia Holden, Tianna Schunmann, Albany Hodgson, Paulina Potoplak, Ebonie Goode, Shushannah Feast, Caitlin Burdett & Sophie Swinden (C). Subs – Libbie Wykes Katie Garner, Rhianna Butler & Lacey Metcalfe.

Godmanchester Town Ladies starting XI – Sophie Marjoram, Leah Culpin, Leia Wheeler, Em Stephenson, Cherish Sibanda (C), Natasha Hochen, Sophie Crook, Leah Cudone, Holly Thompson, Kendal O’Connor & Ellie Harvey. Subs – Fran Worrell, Erica Zimmerman, Megan Stow & Georgie Astley.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

 A few players missing for both sides, Hutchinson in attack for Godmanchester amongst those. Jodie Hopkins-Duckhouse picking up an injury early in the season, missing for Leverington. Do have a player making her comeback from a long injury lay off, Albany Hodgson dual signed with ERWFL Premier Division side Wroxham, starting this afternoon. It’s the hosts to kick-off the first half wearing orange shirts with black trim, black shorts and socks with Godmanchester lined up opposite wearing blue shirts with navy across the top of the chest and shoulder, navy shorts and socks. The ball rolled back into the middle, Godmanchester rush on to close the ball down forcing Leverington to lay the ball out to the right, put up the line, Leah Culpin winning the ball for the visitors.

 A lively midfield contest right from the off both sides squeezing the play on the half way line, Paulina Potoplak attempting to lift it through for captain, Sophie Swinden making a move to pull off the centre backs, won instead by Godmanchester captain, Cherish Sibanda the ball played out to the left wing setting, Holly Thompson on her way pace closing down the area, Leah Cudone making a good run near post side Thompson attempting to slide her, Cudone after the ball under challenge from Tianna Schunmann for Leverington can’t quite get it under control, out of play for a goal kick.

Hodgson getting hold of the ball in the middle of the park for Leverington passing it on for Caitlin Burdett getting on the move down the right inside Culpin, Thompson racing back getting across the winger to see the ball back to her goalkeeper, Sophie Marjoram. Thompson looking to take the ball on the other way for Godmanchester out wide on the left is fouled on halfway. Culpin over the set-piece strikes the ball in towards the pack gathered inside the D, Hodgson winning the header to clear for the hosts. 

 Certainly competitive both sides getting stuck in, physical a few free-kicks given away, both wanting to get the ball into their attackers quickly, Swinden sending the ball out to Shushannah Feast on Leverington’s left the pair looking to combine, Leia Wheeler getting a foot in to deflect the ball out for a throw slow the advance. Cudone getting hold of the ball on half way taking it on with a forceful run towards the Leverington defence looking to plough her way through, Schunmann and Olivia Holden closing her down to challenge.

 Kendal O’Connor surging on with the ball right side for Godmanchester, hooks the ball into the middle Cudone inside the D looking to attack it, Schunmann getting a touch to knock it away from her, Sam Davis too before goalkeeper, Holly Bantoft calls for it and steps in to claim. Feast providing a good outlet for Leverington on the left receiving the ball high bringing it down powering her way into the box, Wheeler with her, Em Stephenson backing her up the pair forcing Feast to run the ball out of play for a goal kick. 

  End to end, Godmanchester turning play around Natasha Houchen finding Ellie Harvey pulling into the left channel 25 yards out sees the ball down and attempts to lay it into the path of Cudone making a run to try and get in behind, a vital interception from Jade Court to deny her a run on goal. Leverington’s turn to have a free-kick on half way out on the right launched into the top of the Godmanchester area headed clear the visitors get it up the pick rapidly one touch, Cudone after it, Bantoft out of her box quickly to kick the ball clear.

  Hodgson passing to Ebonie Goode in the middle lifted forwards into Swinden back to goal 30 out turns looking to thread it into the box for Feast coming inside from the left, a little too much on it giving Marjoram the edge as she comes to lay claim to the ball. A few spots of rain in the air, wielding a notepad and camera getting tricky with an umbrella to operate too! Swindon seeing the ball down from all of 30 yards out, letting lose a shot, her effort arrowing in straight at the keeper a comfortable height for Marjoram.

  Godmanchester with a set-piece out on the right fired in across goal, comes out to Thompson beyond the far post, sending it back into the mix, play it too close to the near post, Bantoft shifting across her goal, dropping down onto the ball. Leverington get the ball into Burdett on the right racing to the by-line fires a cross into the six yard box, cleared back out to the right, a corner conceded. The delivery played into the mix top of the area squirms through to Swinden free left of the D, can’t get the ball out from under her feet to get a shot away before the challenge comes in the ball deflected to the top of the D, comes to Court, leaning back into her strike, sends her shot over the crossbar.

  A wet conditions adding to the scrappy nature of the game both sides tussling for possession the middle seeing alot of pinging back and forth with players on both sides capable of springing into action should one favour a run in behind. Feats winning Leverington a corner out on the left. Flung into the near post defended the ball knocked up into the air across the goal face where will it drop, spins behind the right side of the far post for a corner on the right. Hodgson to send it in a fantastic in swinging ball across the six yard box over the keeper Leverington attack it far post, Feast and Swinden up together, the final touch seeing the ball put narrowly over the bar!

  Leverington enjoying a good spell getting n with the ball pushing Godmanchester back, Davis on the ball coming inside form the left encouraged to shoot from 30 yards out, her effort put straight at Marjoram. Lively as Houchen plays Thompson in on the left, pacy taking the ball on, Schunmann across from the centre of defence sliding in to win the ball. Potoplak with Hodgson in the middle, picking out Burdett on the right as Court going beyond her plays her in down the line closing in on the by-line slips as she goes to cross the ball seeing it claimed by Marjoram.

  Crook with a purposeful run on the ball driving on through the centre for Godmanchester plays it on for Cudone who looks to do the same, closed down by three Leverington defenders, can’t find a way through the ball running on into the box, gathered by Bantoft. Some hefty challenges out there but not too much aggro both sides picking themselves up getting on with it. 

 Potoplak tries to thread the ball on for Swinden pulling away into the left channel up top, Stephenson holds her ground, making the crucial interception for the visitors. Harvey attempting to find room to unleash a shot from outside the D, sees the chance gone as Court sides in on her to take the ball as she is about to put her foot through it. 

  Leverington commit too many players forwards as they lose possession on the left, Godmanchester launching a rapid counter on their right the ball lifted in central seeing 3 players running clear, Cudone amongst them bringing the ball down right channel closing in on the box, unleashes a shot on the half volley, coming at Bantoft quickly the keeper having little time to react, gloving the ball down to the right as she goes down getting enough on it to see it evade Cudone as she steams in on the follow up. 

 Leverington with a throw high on the left working the ball inside Feast from the angle driving a shot in low to the near post. Marjoram down to save the ball off her for a corner kick. Swung in low to the near post, Sibanda clearing the ball for a throw in. The end to end nature of the game meaning defender have to win the ball put over the top, Schunmann doing just that with a vital header for Leverington as Harvey looks to send Cudone in behind. Godmanchester with the pace to get in behind, Leverington taking a few chances risk getting caught out. 

  Thompson with the pace on Godmanchester’s left side taking the ball on whipping a cross into the box, over Harvey leaping for it on the penalty spot, Schunmann doesn’t get it away at the far post, O’Connor in to press the ball that side winning her side a corner. Curled in from the right everyone’s gone in at the near post however the ball dropping far side, the goal was wide open had only someone been there to attack the ball. Miserable conditions the rain intermittent, the pitch slicking up a little bobbly too challenges flying in.  

 GOAL! Wheeler on for O’Connor on Godmanchester’s right driving on sends a great ball into the box dropping central, Cudone timing her run to perfection up to head the ball turn it over the stranded keeper and into the back of the net to open the scoring 0-1. 

 The visitors taking the lead in the 35th minute, Leverington almost gifting them a 2nd goal as the keeper plays the ball out from the back moving out of goal to her right sending her kick straight into Cudone some 30 yards out, an open goal presented hasn’t time to bring it under control struck on the half volley doesn’t connect cleanly the ball screwing wide off target. 

Houchen through the middle for Godmanchester laying the ball on for Thompson to take on down the left flank, Court looking to get back on her the pair racing towards the box, Thompson can’t find a way round Court the ball eventually out for a goal kick. Holden winning the ball at the back for the hosts played into Court on halfway right side, as Leverington look to attack coming inside sends the pass into Potoplak top of the D, looking to squeeze it on for Swinden, marked by Stephenson, she Sibanda looks to close Potoplak down the ball skipping up of Stephenson, caught by Marjoram, Leverington appealing it was a back pass but nothing doing.

  Late into the first half rain falling steadily Cudone playing Thompson into space on the left, Goode coming back to defend sliding in to take the ball behind for a corner kick. Houchen to play it into the near post from the left, defended by Burdett, headed back out to the left Houchen moving the ball up the line to put another ball into the box, her strike into the side netting.

  The visitors with a free-kick on half-way with seconds left to play, into the top of the area, cleared by Court, Leverington look to counter, Swinden making the run in behind, again Stephenson holds her position to intercept the ball.

Half-time Leverington Sports Ladies 0-1 Godmanchester Town Ladies

  Godmanchester with the single goal advantage as the sides gather at their respective benches staying out on the field despite the crap weather for the half-time interval. Headed to the car myself to retrieve a bigger umbrella, the camera can only take so much. An entertaining first half a hotly contested affair, end to end at times, Godmanchester pressing the ball in the middle looking to get it out to their pacy players out wide. Cudone making some strong runs through the middle. Likewise Swinden up top for Leverington looking for space to steal in behind onto the ball. Both keepers called into action. Leverington with a good chance to open the scoring. Cudone timing her run perfectly to head home from O’Connor’s cross to see the visitors lead instead. All set up for the 2nd half the weather conditions likely to deteriorate getting very gloomy out there.

 One change at the break  for Leverington as both sides come onto the field early for the 2nd half keen to get the game restarted. Libbie Wykes replacing Court in the back line.  Godmanchester unchanged with the kick-off 2nd half. Played back to Wheeler on the right up the line into O’Connor, Davis defending for Leverington. The hosts looking to press the ball high early on, Goode moving into the right channel, Culpin across her to see the ball back for her keeper to clear.

  Harvey looking to steal in behind Leverington’s back line pushed up to half way, doesn’t quite time it as the flag goes up against her. Certainly niggly, but tempers not boiling over, the referee keeping a good eye on things. Feast brought down wide on the left. Swinden over the set-piece as Leverington push players up into the Godmanchester box, a great ball in dropping far post attacked by Potoplak into the keeper at point blank range Marjoram down sharply to make the save getting hurt in the process the ball knocked behind for a corner. Concern for the keeper for a moment, but thankfully Marjoram is up and okay to carry one. The in singer from Hodgson curled in onto the roof of the net.

 

Both sides giving away free-kicks, Leverington with one on halfway sent into the top of the opposition area by Hodgson, Sibanda with the winning header for the visitors. Goode on for Potoplak out to Feast on the left has Swinden making a run ahead of her the ball sent down the flank, Stephenson coming across to defend sliding in to take the ball off Swinden for a throw in. Burdett seeing the ball down into her feet off the throw turning inside 25 yards out moving across the top of the Godmanchester area looking to pull the trigger, Houchen moving in to put in the blocking tackle.

  Cudone playing the ball into Harvey up top back to goal lays it out to the left for Thompson to take on, her touch a little to heavy allowing Bantoft to come out and grab up the ball. Leverington turning play around threading the pass on for Swinden to burst onto central Stephenson pushing to get back on her shoulder pressure Swindon as she goes to strike the ball from 20 yards out her attempt running wide of the right post.

  Godmanchester inviting a little pressure caught in possession on the right Wykes with Burdett the shot took on the angle, Marjoram covering the near post behind the ball.

 The game opening up a Godmanchester get away down the left the early across sent in across the to of the D, Cudone latching onto it taking the ball on further to the right before angling a shot back in across the keeper, Bantoft diving right dropping onto the ball to get both gloves around it. 

  Leverington get on the attack the diagonal ball into Swinden left of the D, no room to turn, instead lays it back to Hodgson her shot dipping in on the keeper, parried away by Marjoram the right, Burdett looking to send a strike back in on the angle, saved turned over for a corner kick! Put into the top of the area from the left Hodgson looking to direct her header to the congested far post, Godmanchester scramble it away.

 

  The rain falling heavily now the wind picking up to very dark out there, O’Connor played in on the right by Godmanchester the game getting stretched takes on the early strike firing the ball in towards the near post, Bantoft getting down behind the ball to save. Leverington making a 2nd change bringing of Burdett on the right sending on Rhianna Butler. 

 

GOAL! Godmanchester winning the ball at the back as Leverington press the clearance launched up the field seeing Cudone running in clear onto the ball to close down the opposition box and keeping her composure picks her spot to send the ball past the keeper to double the score with nearly an hour played. 

 Godmanchester press the ball winning a corner on the left. Played into the near post missed by Bantoft as she tries to come through the crowd the ball escaping to run all the way across the face of goal retrieved beyond the far post the cross flashed back in far side Sibanda looking to bring it down to get a shot away, is closed down the ball scrambled away to safety. 

  Leverington winning a free-kick on the right after a handball is spotted. Hodgson to play the ball into the box a dangerous cross, Swinden racing into attack it central turning her 1st time touch over the bar. Godmanchester making a change bringing off Harvey up top, sending on Fran Worrell on to the left with Thompson moving right, O’Connor central.

GOAL! Godmanchester with pace up top as Leverington push players on needing to find a goal the ball won back put into the middle sent on to the left flank quickly, picking it up O’Connor steals in behind the defence left side Bantoft coming to close her down, O’Connor waiting till the keeper goes down to try and block shifting the ball to her left taking into the box beyond her to slot the ball low into the bottom corner to make it 0-3.

  Leverington have brought on Lacey Metcalfe to replace Goode, the 2nd goal a blow the 3rd taking the sting out of the hosts, Godmanchester with a healthy advantage with 20 minutes left to play. Conditions awful too with the wind swirling the rain about. Katie Garner into the action too with Hodgson getting a rest after being out for so long. Thompson fed the ball on the right looking to drive, Potoplak sliding in to take the ball off her for a throw in.

  Cudone receiving a pretty firm shove in the back going down, getting the free-kick even as Thompson is upended landing hard on her back, picking herself up, Cudone on the set-piece halfway to the right, launched up to the top of the box dealt with by Schunmann. Georgie Astley entering the game for Godmanchester replacing Wheeler at the back. 

  Poor conditions now the rain coming down steadily Leverington trying to find Swinden puling away to the left, taking the ball inside looking to play in Butler, incepted by Sibanda. Megan Stow coming on for the visitors to replace Cudone.

GOAL! Godmanchester finishing the stronger with the pace down the flanks the ball fed to Worrell wide on the left take the ball inside driving towards the box unleashing an early strike, Bantoft can’t get down quick enough the ball under her racing on into the back of the net to make it 0-4.

  15 minutes left to play Godmanchester in full control now, Bantoft out to the edge of her area to slide in to claim the ball as Thompson looks to spring the offside trap on the right. Thompson’s last action of the game as she comes off with Harvey sent back into the fray. Goode moving out to the left looking to link up with Feast for Leverington sending the ball on, Astley putting the challenge in the ball out for a throw. 

  Godmanchester attack on the left Worrell checking inside to cross into the box, O’Connor top of the area looking to chip the keeper can only drop the ball into her gloves. Camera’s had enough conditions too poor, as Astley plays the ball long from the back up to O’Connor in attack, Holden getting in front of her defending well to see the ball safely back to her keeper. 

  Holden in to defend again moments later on O’Connor as the attacker looks to drive central, the ball cleared out to the right, O’Connor after it angling a cross back into the six yard box, Harvey looking to meet it on the volley turns the ball over the bar. Swinden still looking for the ball up top for Leverington moving right as the cross-field ball drops into her path taking it on has runners bursting into the area, tries to place her cross, too close to the keeper at her near post however, Marjoram adjusts well to snatch the ball into her body.

  Houchen off for Godmanchester with Crook back on. One last attack for the visitors, the diagonal ball knocked up into the D from the left, Harvey up for it goes down claims for a shove even as O’Connor looks to get the ball untangled from her feet turn to shoot, Leverington defend, the final whistle blowing as the ball is cleared.

Full time Leverington Sports Ladies 0-4 Godmanchester Town Ladies

  Godmanchester with a strong finish to the match coming away with the 3 points, coupled with a 1st defeat of the season ending Fulbourn Institute Bluebird’s 100% they join them on 18 points at the top of the table. A competitive game no quarter given, end to end often a hard fought battle in the middle, several free-kicks given away, a strongly as it was contested however tempers never over spilled. Good chances for both to take the lead in the 2nd half with Godmanchester taking one to hold the advantage. Leverington came at them hard at the start of the 2nd half but with their pace on the flanks, Godmanchester countered well patient, Cudone breaking clear to score her 2nd of the match, closely followed by a 3rd goal knocking the wind out of the hosts. As the game ticked down and the weather got worse Godmanchester emerged the dominant side adding a 4th goal to seal the win.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Onto this afternoon’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. As more often than not it’s not a easy call, a trio of strong contenders, narrowing it down to one wasn’t easy. Few performances of note to mention, firstly for Leverington. Sophie Swinden working tirelessly up top ready to receive the ball looking to make runs into the channels bring others into play, unlucky not to score coming close with a couple of good opportunities. Tianna Schunmann with some vital interceptions at the back getting across to win the ball. Shushannah Feast providing a good outlet for the ball on the left flank. For Godmanchester. Em Stephenson read the game well at the back intercepting everything played too close to her. Natasha Houchen a powerhouse in the middle of the park getting hold of the ball and driving forwards getting the ball out to the pacey players on the flanks. Holly Thompson on the left with some great runs, getting in towards the box creating chances. On the opposite side Kendal O’Connor taking the ball on putting in some dangerous crosses assisting the opening goal and going to to score in the 2nd half. Scoring in both halves though the award today goes to Leah Cudone. Took her goals superbly the 2nd going along way to securing the win, not only that but made some fantastic runs from midfield looking to get onto the end of the ball and cut open the Leverington defence.

  An enjoyable return to football after a little break, could have done without the weather but there you go winter is coming. Love it no matter what. Great to see both sides in action. First trip to Leverington and won’t be the last hopefully have time for a drink next time. My thanks to both sides for the team details, I knew most of the players to be fair but those numbers make life so much easier. Will be interesting to see how it all unfolds in Division One this season.

by Darren Gilham