The Round-Up

Sunday 12th November

FA Women’s Cup

This Sunday saw the 1st Round Proper of the FA Women’s Cup take place with 8 ties featuring sides across the East looking for a place in the next round of the competition when the sides from the FAWPL Southern & Northern Division league enter.

FAWPL South East Division One leaders, AFC Wimbledon Ladies were at home in the 1st Round Proper taking on Godalming Town Ladies who knocked out fellow South East Division One side Haringey Borough Women in the previous round a tougher test against the side leading the division this time around. Abbie Measures giving Wimbledon an early lead scoring in the 5th minute. Rebecca Sargent making it 2-0 closing in on the half hour. Kelly-Jade Whelan with a 3rd goal late in the 1st half. Georgia Heasman extending Wimbledon’s lead to 4-0 early in the 2nd half added another 5 minutes from time to see Wimbledon safely through.

   Dawn Mallett was the star of the show for Milton Keynes Dons Ladies netting 4 goals for the visitors in their victory over Ashford Middlesex LFC. Alice Hughes and Amelia Hazard also both getting a goal each in a 6-0 win to take Milton Keynes Dons through to the 2nd Round.

     An all Bedfordshire affair in the 1st Round Proper of the FA Women’s Cup with ERWFL Premier Division side AFC Dunstable Ladies hosting FAWPL South East Division One side Luton Town Ladies. A comfortable win for the higher league side pushing Dunstable for a goal Jess McKay eventually making the break through. Nicola Henman adding a 2nd goal for Luton before McKay netting her 2nd of the match to see the visitors leading 3-0 at half-time. Dionne Manning getting on the scoresheet in the 2nd half to seal a 4-0 win.

   It was and all FAWPL Division One clash in the 1st Round Proper of the FA Women’s Cup at Mildenhall Town FC with Cambridge United WFC, from the South East taking on Midlands side, Long Eaton United Ladies. The visitors working hard in windy conditions to press their opponents for the ball creating the opening to score midway through the 2nd half working the ball from a corner back into the box to pick out the unmarked, Jade Arber to head the ball home from close range. A narrow advantage Long Eaton defended well from the rest of the game as Cambridge pressed from an equalising goal, Long Eaton goalkeeper Lia Kellogg with some vital saves to maintain the visiting sides lead, Arber goal enough to take them through to the 2nd Round.

Another all FAWPL Division One tie saw South East high flyers Ipswich Town Ladies & Leyton Orient Women meet on Sunday the 4th & 3rd placed sides both in great form. Ipswich with he narrow advantage scoring just before the half-time interval Sophie Welton putting the ball in following a goalmouth scramble from a corner kick. Ipswich doubling their lead midway through the 2nd half with Cassie Craddock scoring the goal. Into the last 5 minutes of normal time and a frantic finish with Leyton Orient pulling it back to 2-1 Kayleigh Xidhas sending the ball home, the visitors forcing the tie into extra-time with an unfortunate own goal from Ipswich. Into extra-time, Sian Fagg keeping goal for Ipswich making a fine save to deny Leyton Orient before Ipswich restored their lead substitute Gemma Moore getting the goal. The visitors are then awarded a penalty a chance to level the scores once more Fagg makes the save. Into the 2nd period of extra-time 3 minutes left and Ipswich get a 2 goal cushion Zoe Cossey sending the ball into the back of the net to make it 4-2 and send Ipswich through to the 2nd Round.

Stevenage Ladies were at home in the 1st Round Proper of the FA Women’s Cup taking on ERWFL Premier Division side, Acle United Ladies. Chances for the FAWPL South East Division One side however they were to fall behind in the tie, Lauren Bullard capitalising in hesitation at the back to nip in and score for Acle in 23 minutes. Stevenage coming back into the tie late in the 1st half Leah Littlechild levelling it up at 1-1 before Nicole Emmings scored to see Stevenage 2-1 up at half-time. Donna McGuigan on hand to make it 3-1 to the hosts 2nd half. Amy Makewell scoring too to secure a 4-1 and see Stevenage progress.

  ERWFL Division One North side Wymondham Town Ladies have enjoyed the FA Women’s Cup in recent seasons this time around reaching the 1st Round Proper of the competition for the 1st time in their history. A trip down to the Queen Elizabeth II stadium to play FAWPL South East Division One side, Enfield Town Ladies. two leagues between the sides lower league Wymondham gave their hosts a run for their money, Laura Nicholls in fine goal scoring form putting the visitors into the lead in the 18th minute. Nadine Basson making it 2-0 to Wymondham with 6 minutes of the 1st half left. Enfield mounted a 2nd half comeback however, Nuala McKevitt scoring from a corner early in the 2nd half to make it 2-1. Lisa Kline levelling it at 2-2 with 20 minutes left then 5 minutes from time Stavroulla Panayiotou broke Wymondham hearts by netting the winning goal to see Enfield take the tie 3-2 to reach the 2nd Round.

Two sides making history in the FA Women’s Cup 1st Round Proper in an all ERWFL tie with Division One South side Harlow Ladies hosting Premier Division counterparts, Royston Town Ladies in front of a record crowd at the Harlow Arena on Sunday. The sides contesting a goalless 1st 45 minutes, Harlow broke the stalemate early in the 2nd half Lily Bruno scoring the goal. Royston came back to level the scores Becky Shephard making it 1-1. 3 minutes from time Harlow found the winning goal, Tayla Handscombe the play to score and send Harlow Town Ladies into the 2nd Round Proper.

  The draw for the 2nd Round Proper of the FA Women’s Cup was made this Monday, ties scheduled to be played Sun 3rd December with the winners receiving £900. Selected ties featuring sides from the East.

Milton Keynes Dons Ladies v Cardiff City Ladies

Lewes FC Women v Enfield Town Ladies

Charlton Athletic Women v Queens Park Ranger Ladies

Gillingham FC Ladies v Plymouth Argyle Ladies or Basingstoke Ladies

Brislington Ladies v Swindon Town Ladies

AFC Wimbledon Ladies v Portsmouth FC Ladies

New London Lionesses v Crystal Palace Ladies

Luton Town Ladies v Harlow Town Ladies

Coventry United Ladies v West Ham United Ladies

Chichester City Ladies v C&K Basildon Ladies

Stevenage Ladies v Ipswich Town Ladies