Anyway enough about that and onto the football a trip over to Mildenhall Town FC this Sunday to watch Cambridge United WFC take on higher league opposition, Queens Park Rangers Ladies in the 1st Round Proper of the FA Women’s Cup. 

  A league may separate the sides but on paper they are next to each other in the women’s football pyramid with Queens Park Rangers Ladies having had a difficult start to the season a new look to the side with alot of players leaving the club during and at the end of last season. Without a win in the league picked up their 2nd point of the season last Sunday against West Ham United Ladies in a 1-1 draw. Cup competitions offering a distraction from the league have won previously to advance in the FAWPL Plate before exiting in the 3rd Round. Like all the FAWPL Northern and Southern Division sides enter the FA Women’s Cup in the 1st Round Proper.

  Cambridge United WFC also have several new faces in their side at the beginning of the season, have had a fantastic start in the FAWPL South East Division One recovering from an opening day defeat to go on an 8 game winning streak to go top of the table. That run came to an end last Sunday away to Gillingham FC Ladies, however Cambridge remain top of the league and are looking to recover with a win in the FA Women’s Cup an achieve history by making the 2nd Round Proper. Entered the FA Women’s Cup in 3rd Round Qualifying beating ERWFL Division One side Wymondham Town Ladies at home. Were at Mildenhall Town FC in 4th Round Qualifying too against fellow FAWPL South East Division One side, Stevenage Ladies winning the match again 3-0 to reach the 1st Round Proper.

  The venue on a cold December day, Mildenhall Town FC, a nice ground an easy walk from the town centre, with a good sized clubhouse with bar and refreshments available. A big supermarket too nearby if like me you thought it was a 1pm kick-off and not 2pm as the club actually advertised, got a couple more Christmas presents sorted so a useful detour. A sloping pitch still in great condition despite hosting alot of games, Mildenhall Town like Cambridge United WFC top of their league.

  Cambridge United WFC starting XI – Verity Crook, Emma Jenkins, Carrie Bennett, Mollie Kmita, Laura Bright (C), Danielle Puddefoot, Dawn Mallett, Laura Mills, Rosie Kmita, Becky Taylor & Nicole Perschky.
  subs – Hollie Jardine, Kayleigh-Anne Burt, Evie Gallop, Laura Baker & Ashleigh Deacon.

  Queens Park Rangers starting XI – Callie Neat, Micaela Lopes, Marika Engels, Jean Sseninde, Ashleigh Harte, Jess Treharne, Elly Maggs (C), Hayley Sloan, Jo Blodgett, Juliette Denny & Dominika Netschova. 
  subs – Rachel Gwilliam & Liz O’Callaghan.

  A minutes silence before the match as was the case up and down the country everyone pausing to remember and honour the victims of the tragic plane crash in Colombia that saw such a tragic loss of life Brazilian club Chapeocense losing 19 players along with their coaching staff and journalists on their way to play the biggest game in the clubs history.  

  A switch of ends at before the start of the game with QPR attacking up the slope 1st half the low sun at their backs, Cambridge to kick-off the 1st half wearing amber shirts and socks with black shorts. QPR lined up wearing blue and white hooped shirts with blue shorts and socks. The ball is played out to the right wing for Laura Mills to chase after QPR’s Marika Engels at left back putting the ball out for a throw. Deep on the right Emma Jenkins comes forwards from right back to take for Cambridge gives it to Becky Taylor who rolls it back to Jenkins sends the ball back in high towards the top of the area under it is Danielle Puddefoot, recently signed on by Cambridge having been at QPR last season, attempts to lay the ball back out for Dawn Mallett looking to run onto the ball is brought down by QPR captain Elly Maggs a free kick awarded 25 yards out in a central position, Mallett to take it tries to get some curl on the ball puts it straight into the gloves of QPR goalkeeper Callie Neat.

Danielle Puddefoot up against her old QPR teammates

  QPR make ground on the right the ball is sent in low into the Cambridge area cleared out to Mills the break is on as she looks to play in Nicole Perschky making a central run, the ball deflects off a defender into the path of Rosie Kmita on the left takes on the shot from 25 yards out her effort rolling wide across the six yard box. A bright start from Cambridge pushing players on the ball is played long into the right channel Mills going after it retrieves in the corner, her cross into the area is blocked by Engels put behind for the 1st corner of he game.

  The corner comes to nothing, QPR look to get the ball up field Hayley Sloan with the pass forwards looking for Dominika Netschova the ball is cut out by Cambridge captain Laura Bright, Cambridge attack the ball played out to Rosie Kmita on the left as players break forwards the ball is sent into the box dropping inside the six yard box far post Puddefoot is there goes for the acrobatic an overhead kick, gets the ball on target is saved pushed wide by Neat getting across the post. Ashleigh Harte comes towards the near post to clear the ball for a 2nd corner kick on the right goes longer this time Mollie Kmita far side getting her head on the ball can’t direct it on target.

Cambridge’s Nicole Perschky with QPR’s Dominika Netschova

Getting hold of the ball in midfield, Mallett blasts her long range shot against an onrushing player the ball deflecting into Taylor puts it out for Jenkins getting forwards on the right, lifts a high ball into the box, Perschky gets her head on the ball, lacks the power to trouble Neat in the QPR goal. 10 minutes played and QPR are struggling to get any meaningful possession on the ball, Cambridge quick to close down all over the pitch. Win a free-kick inside their own half, goalkeeper Verity Crook to take puts it long for Rosie Kmita on the left side sends the diagonal ball into the area, Taylor jumping near post with Harte inside the six yard box the ball knocked to the floor, Perschky running onto the ball looks certain to score, Neat however is down sharply getting her gloves firmly around the ball on the goal-line with a great save.

  Jess Treharne seeing the ball into her feet inside the Cambridge half left side turns well playing Juliette Denny in behind on the left wing getting up the pitch plays the ball into the box, a looping ball taken well by Crook at her near post with Maggs and Netschova both making runs at goal. Sloan tries her luck from distance her ball into the box losing pace as Crook coming forwards scoops it up into her body. 

QPR Ladies captain Elly Maggs

  Rosie Kmita is fouled by Micaela Lopes as she attacks on the left side, the QPR right back shown a yellow card by the referee. Mallett to play the ball into the area, QPR’s Jean Sseninde gets a firm header on the ball to clear it out of the area, Mills gets hold of the ball pushes on before playing it back into the area right Maggs to it 1st concedes the corner. The ball into box is headed clear by Sseninde.

 Pushing on down the left Cambridge win another corner the ball driven in near post his headed goalwards, cleared off the line by Lopes defending the near post the ball coming back to Taylor her shot is deflected wide. All Cambridge win a series of corner kicks Neat coming for a ball near side can’t get a firm punch on the ball as it is headed wide across the six yard box. Mallett is booked as she catches Netschova as the QPR attacker attempts to bring the ball out from the back.

  Puddefoot getting the ball into her feet on the right side from a throw links up with Perschky inside the box right corner goes past her into the box getting the return ball shoots, not getting any power behind the shot rolls safely into Neat’s gloves. 

 GOAL! 34 minutes on the clock and Cambridge finally get the goal their play has deserved. Winning another corner on the left side the ball is played in high into the area near side Neat under it goes to punch the ball away doesn’t get any distance on it is headed back in towards goal by Mollie Kmita, QPR have players at that side the ball is cleared out of the six yard box comes at Taylor quickly the ball hitting her rises up the attacker adjusting well to get her foot up and over the ball to send it back in towards goal, over Neat and bounces down off the crossbar over the line 1-0.

Becky Taylor on the ball gives Cambridge the lead

  A quickly taken free-kick from Cambridge inside their own half sees Rosie Kmita with the ball out wide sends it on for Perschky on the move through the centre, Sseninde going with her gets something on the ball deflects it across with Taylor free coming on towards the top of the area shoots early, looking to put the ball into the far bottom corner, Neat diving to her right lays claim to the ball. Making ground on the right the ball is played into QPR’s Denny goes for goal from all of 30 yards sends her shot over the crossbar.

  GOAL! QPR have barely had an attack in the 1st half with a little over 5 minutes left however they get themselves back on level terms with their 1st shot on target. Getting possession on the right side the ball is played into the box by Jo Blodgett right corner good control from Denny before playing it across the D with Treharne making a great run hitting the ball 1st time turning it goalwards racing along the ground evades the diving Crook to make it 1-1. 

Cambridge’s Mollie Kmita looking to bring the ball out as QPR’s Jess Treharne goes to challenge

  The game suddenly opens up QPR enthused by the goal push on, Cambridge have opening too, Mills switching sides with Rosie Kmita plays the ball early long into the box, Kmita running clear into the area the target far side can’t get onto the end of the ball to turn it towards goal. The referee stops play with Netschova down on the far side, looks to have injured her wrist, in alot of pain can’t continue QPR make the change bringing on Liz O’Callaghan. Puddefoot brings the ball on down the right side plays it on for Jenkins getting forwards down the wing holding the ball up Rosie Kmita outside the area wants the ball getting it crosses into the area far side Mills onto the ball plays it back out to Mallett running in strikes the ball 30 yards out the shot flying over the bar.

Half-time Cambridge United WFC 1-1 Queens Park Rangers Ladies

   A totally dominant 1st half from Cambridge yet they go into the dressing room at half-time with the scores level. Have had the majority of the attack just lacking the clinical finish their play required, Taylor giving them the lead it lasted just 5 minutes with QPR scoring with their only shot on target in the 1st half. All square still all to play for in the 2nd half.

   It’s QPR to kick-off the 2nd half a shuffling of personnel, Denny looks to have taken up a central midfield role. The ball is put out to O’Callaghan on the right side gets a throw in, keeping possession QPR win their 1st corner of the match. Sent in high from the right towards the far post Crook is able to take the ball down cleanly. Cambridge break, the ball with Mallett tries to play it inside to Taylor the ball is cut out the deflection taking it out to the left side Rosie Kmita can’t bring it under control to turn the cross in goal kick. Crook with the free-kick inside her half plays it up field is knocked inside Mallett onto the ball hits a powerful shot from 30 yards out across the area running wide at the far post.

Cambridge United WFC’s, Dawn Mallett

   Mills on the ball drives forwards plays the ball into Taylor moving into the box from the right, bringing the ball under control shoots as she arrives at the top of the six yard box her effort fired wide across the face of goal. Mallett puts the ball over the top for Mills to go after on the right into the box Neat comes across, guides the ball out of play for a goal kick. Cambridge attack on the left Rosie Kmita with the ball in the corner has Carrie Bennett with her in support lays the ball back to the full back she passes in field to Mallett who lifts the ball up into the area the ball coming to Taylor inside the area right of goal nods it down for Perschky waiting top of the area central, the striker can’t keep her shot down whistles over the bar.

 Perschky is after a long ball put forwards by Bright looks to play it on into the box, Sseninde getting the interception deflects the ball into the area running away to the right Mills covering the ground attempts to get there before Neat ends up on the floor as the keeper gets it clear shouts for a penalty but nothing is given except a corner kick.

 

QPR Ladies, Jo Blodgett with Cambridge’s Dawn Mallett

  A free-kick for QPR on halfway the ball played up to Blodgett inside the area Cambridge defend the ball knocked down out of the area Treharne running onto the ball strikes it early the shot charged down outside the area rolls back to Treharne who strikes the ball over with her 2nd attempt. Bennett into Mallett inside the QPR half plays the ball up to Mills at the top of the area on the right, gets her head to the ball then gives chase it it running away to the far post inside the six yard box getting there before Harte lays it back to Rosie Kmita coming in from the left leaning back into the shot sends it over the crossbar.

  Treharne is yellow carded for going through the back of Bright the Cambridge captain down needing treatment, Midway point in the 2nd half the scores remained locked at 1-1 as the floodlights start to come on. Play resumes the ball is with Mallett, Puddefoot on the move on her left gets the ball plays it forwards for Rosie Kmita breaking into the area, Harte gets back on her with a good sliding challenge to take the ball away before she can shoot. Play is stretched Cambridge have a corner on the right, Sseninde heading it clear QPR try to counter down the left, Jenkins winning the ball back played forwards Cambridge win another corner. The ball on the right is delivered high into the six yard box both Bright and Puddefoot go up for the header, think Puddefoot gets to it 1st turns the ball goalwards is heading in, Neat with an instinctive save gloving the ball away from goal.

Callie Neat, gets a glove up to save for QPR

  Cambridge make their 1st change Puddefoot is replaced by Laura Baker in midfield. The ball is played up to Denny inside the Cambridge area right of goal, is falling back as she goes to strike the ball goalwards runs safely into Crook at her near post. QPR break through the middle Denny has the ball inside the Cambridge half lifts the ball up over the Cambridge defence with Blodgett getting into the box, hitting the ball on the run looks to put it wide of Crook, doesn’t get any pace on the ball the Cambridge keeper able to dive to her right and make the save. 

  Rosie Kmita racing with the ball up the left squares the ball into the box Maggs tracking back clears behind for a corner at the near post. The ball goes long is with Baker at the top of the area, is closed down quickly unable to turn and lift the ball back into the six yard box. Cambridge make a 2nd substitution, Ashleigh Deacon coming on for Rosie Kmita with less than 10 minutes to play.

  Bennett passes up field to Deacon on the left plays it on for Taylor to go after, QPR defend the ball out for a corner, sent high into the area Harte headers clear for the visitors. Up the other end Denny brings the ball forwards plays it out to Blodgett on the right moving into the box her ball fired is is cut out by Mollie Kmita the corner conceded. Goes long cleared back to the taker fires the ball in near post Crook saves well pushing the ball wide at the near pot as it deflects of a defender. The game moves into injury time extra-time is looming.

 GOAL! Perschky latches onto a loose QPR ball in the middle of the park playing it out wide to Mills on the right, Cambridge break quickly Mills with pace to burn carrying the ball on has passing options in the middle Deacon in particular with a great run into the box, only one thing on Mills’ mind however and she pulls the trigger from 20 yards right corner of the box sending a quality strike across the keeper and into the far corner of the goal beyond to give Cambridge the lead 2-1.

 

 GOAL! Late heartbreak for QPR conceding a goal in injury time have to push forwards looking for an immediate response the ball is won back by Cambridge with Deacon moving inside from the left lifts the ball up into the area clears everyone bouncing into the area, Taylor goes after it with Neat coming out towards the ball, Taylor gets to it 1st her touch taking the ball away from the keeper to the right of goal turns and sends the ball into the empty goal beyond 3-1.