The Round-Up
Sunday 5th November
FAWPL Southern Division
Eight straight wins at the start of the season had seen Charlton Athletic Women running away with the lead in the FAWPL Southern Division since then 2 successive defeats in the league have followed giving hope to the chasing pack as they look to close the gap. This weekend Charlton Athletic were at home hosting in form Coventry United who came into the game unbeaten in 5 league matches winning the last 4 to move up to 4th in the table. Charlotte Gurr struck 20 minutes into the 1st half to give Charlton the lead her 14th goal of the season. Into 1st half stoppage time the lead was doubled the Kit Graham taking her tally to 12 for the season finding the back of the net. Charlton successfully defending their 2-0 lead in the 2nd half to return to winning ways in the league and remain 4 points clear at the top of the table.
Lewes FC Women remain Charlton’s closest challenges although they had to come back from a 2-1 deficit at half-time away from home to win the 3 points on Sunday. Making the long trip to Wales to take on Cardiff City Ladies. The hosts getting off to a great start captain Cori Williams latching onto a poor back pass to score. The lead wasn’t to last long Lewes levelling the scores before the 10th minute their captain Kelly Newton with the goal to make it 1-1. That looked to be the score heading into the half-time break but for a terrific 25 yard free-kick from Williams finding the top corner to send Cardiff into half-time with a 2-1 lead. 8 minutes into the 2nd half it was Newton’s turn to find a 2nd goal levelling the scores for Lewes for the 2nd time in the game. With 10 minutes left Lewes went on to score what would prove to be the winning goal. Georgia Bridges introduced from the bench after 3 months out scoring to make it 3-2.
C&K Basildon Ladies continue their great league form in 3rd place in the Southern Division table travelling west to play Swindon Town Ladies on Sunday. The hosts bottom of the table battled hard in the 1st half holding their opponents to a goalless draw at the half-time break. Into the 2nd half and Basildon’s pressure finally told Angela Addison breaking the deadlock with the opening goal of the game. Therese Addison also scoring to make it 2-0 to the visitors the points put beyond doubt by April Bowers netting Basildon’s 3rd.
Amanda Chimbima got Queens Park Rangers Ladies off to the perfect start at home to Chichester City Ladies on Sunday scoring in the 2nd minute her 1st goal for the senior team. QPR working hard held onto their lead despite Chichester creating numerous chances to equalise. The visitors awarded a penalty in the 32 minute Kerrie Ryan sending her effort up over the bar. Chichester continued to create chances 2nd half and into the last 5 minutes of the game QPR conceded the equaliser, Gemma Simmonds scoring for Chichester. The points shared as QPR held on for the draw to take what might yet be a vital point in their battle at the bottom of the table.
FAWPL South East Division One
In FAWPL South East Division One, AFC Wimbledon Ladies had since losing on the opening day of the season gone on to win 8 straight league games to power their way to the top of the table. That run was finally brought to an end on Sunday away to Stevenage Ladies. The Hertfordshire side leading their opponents 1-0 at the break thanks to a fantastic strike from Ellie Searle. Chloe Gunn doubling Stevenage’s lead in the 2nd half. Wimbledon bringing Ingrid Asplund and Sian Wylde off the bench as they looked to get back into the game a dramatic final 10 minutes, Asplund scrambling the ball home in the 84th minute to make it 2-1, Wimbledon levelling it up with 3 minutes left Wylde getting the goal. Stevenage got the ball up the other end and the cross fired into the area Nicole Emmings getting on the end of it to score the winning goal to lift Stevenage into 7th spot taking 7 points from their last 3 league games.
That defeat for Wimbledon saw 2nd placed Milton Keynes Dons Ladies close the gap on the leaders to just a point with victory on the road at the weekend away to Norwich City Ladies who are looking for points at the wrong end of the table working hard in the 1st half Norwich kept Milton Keynes at bay the sides drawing 0-0. A single goal scored in the 2nd half enough to claim victory for the visitors Amelia Hazard with her 4th goal of the season the scorer.
Leyton Orient WFC were away to Denham United Ladies on Sunday the 3rd placed side also winning to close the gap on the leaders, goals from Belen Ripoll Douton and Sophie Le Marchand clinching the 3 points.
Ipswich Town Ladies are another side looking to chase down the leaders in 4th position they had to do it the hard way away to Actonians Ladies this Sunday the home side taking an early lead in the match Sinead Friel scoring the goal. As the 1st half drew to a close Ipswich found the equalising goal Zoe Cossey putting the ball into the back of the net. Cossey going on to score another in the 2nd half on 64 minutes, what would prove to be the winner, 2-1 the final score.
Luton Town Ladies were away to Enfield Town Ladies on Sunday and despite creating numerous opportunities the visitors couldn’t breach the hosts defence the 2 sides taking home a point each the game ending goalless.
Cambridge United WFC climb back up into 5th spot in the FAWPL South East Division One table with victory away to bottom side Haringey Borough Women on Sunday. Emma Jenkins scoring in the 8th minute to give Cambridge the lead. Jenkins added another goal on 37 minutes to make it 2-0 and move her onto 5 goals for the season. Nuala Wayne also moving onto 5 goals for the season as she scored 2 minutes later to see Cambridge leading 3-0 at the break. A early chance for Cambridge to extend their lead from the penalty spot Lauren Cartwright’s shot was saved. Laura Baker did make it 4-0 for Cambridge however scoring on the hour mark, then Cartwright scored from open play to make it 5-0 on 67 minutes. Lauren Gibson introduced to the action in the 61st minute went on to score 2 goals for Cambridge moving her onto 7 for the season in the final 20 minutes Cambridge winning 7-0.