The Round-Up
FAWPL – Sunday 7th May
FAWPL Cup Final
Was an all FAWPL Southern Division Final for the 2nd season running in the FAWPL Cup. Last season Tottenham Hotspur Ladies beat Cardiff City Ladies to win the trophy this year defending the cup Tottenham have reached their 2nd successive final the newly crowned league champions looking to add to their league and cup double by winning the League Cup once again, their opponents Charlton Athletic Women who had the edge going into the match having defeated them in both the league and Capital Women’s Cup recently.
Proved to be a close match an intriguing contest played at The Lamex Stadium home of Stevenage FC. Goalless at the end of the regular 90 minutes the final went into extra-time again the extra period unable to see either side find the break through going all the way to penalties who would hold their nerve. Tottenham scored their 1st penalty, goalkeeper Toni-Anne Wayne saved Charlton’s 1st spot kick, the next 2 converted Tottenham leading 2-1 Wendy Martin up next saw her penalty saved. Kit Graham levelling it up at 2-2 went to 3-3, Katie O’Leary out for much of the season for Tottenham made it 4-3 with the 5th penalty kick. Wayne saved Grace Coombs spot kick to see Tottenham win the shootout and lift the FAWPL Cup!
(source Tottenham Hotspur Ladies)
Congratulations to Tottenham Hotspur Ladies on their successful defence of the FAWPL Cup.
FAWPL Southern Division
A huge game in the FAWPL Southern Division on Sunday in the battle for the league’s runners-up spot with 2nd Placed Coventry United Ladies travelling to Wales to play 4th placed Cardiff City Ladies, 4 points between the sides, a win for Coventry United Ladies would virtually see then secure 2nd. An injury blow for Cardiff City early in the match Abbie Britton breaking her tibia, wishing her well and a speedy recovery. Despite that Cardiff City went on to take the lead 1st half Chloe Chivers with the goal. Coventry pulling it back to 1-1 Alison Hall on target 5 minutes before half-time. Always likely to be a close contest a single goal was to settle it in the 2nd half and it was the visitors who were celebrating Amber Hughes scoring inside the final 15 minutes to see Coventry win 2-1. Three points clear of 3rd placed Charlton Athletic Women with one match left to play a +7 goal difference a point from their game away to Portsmouth will secure runners up spot.
Portsmouth FC Ladies were given a day to remember this Sunday as they got to play at Fratton Park once again, a great experience for the club. Safe in 8th place were hosting bottom side Queens Park Rangers Ladies nothing less than a win would do going into their penultimate game of the season. Portsmouth raced into an early lead however Samantha Quayle putting them in front in the 8th minutes was on target with a great strike in the 22nd minute, Natasha Stephens adding a 3rd goal in the 28th minute. QPR Ladies got a goal back before half-time Nikki Waterman scoring in the 35th minute. Another goal with 5 minutes left in the 2nd half wasn’t enough for QPR, Sara Ezzahiri scoring going down 3-2 will finish bottom their last game at Swindon Town Ladies could yet end up level on points with a win however Swindon Town have a superior goal difference a win for them or even a draw should West Ham United Ladies lose to Tottenham on the final day could see then finish 9th.
Lewes Ladies were comfortable in mid-table as they travelled to Essex on Sunday for their final game of the season to play C&K Basildon Ladies a place above them in 6th. Sian Heather gave Lewes the lead a minute before half-time. Georgia Bridges doubled the lead in the 58th minute to see Lewes end their campaign with a 2-0 win, the FAWPL Plate Winners enjoying a very good season moving into 6th a point a head of with a better goal difference, C&K Basildon host Charlton Athletic Women on the final day only a win would see them take back 6th place.
FAWPL South East Division One
With the title already settled in FAWPL South East Division One the battle for 2nd was where the focus was this Sunday a 3 way contest between AFC Wimbledon Ladies, Cambridge United WFC and Milton Keynes Dons Ladies. Wimbledon weren’t in action. Cambridge United WFC were hosting unbeaten Champions, Gillingham FC Ladies looking to recover from last weeks loss to Luton Town Ladies. Laura Mills gave Cambridge United WFC the lead in the 1st half. Held the advantage going into the final 15 minutes of the game, Gillingham determined to go the season unbeaten found a leveller Felicity Gibbons making it 1-1 in the 78th minute then just 3 minutes later Charlotte Gurr made it 2-1 the final score Gillingham remain unbeaten with one league game left, Gibbons and Gurr a deadly strike force netting 86 goals between them this season and Gurr wasn’t there at the start of the season.
Milton Keynes Dons Ladies 4th going into their game on Sunday were away to Enfield Town Ladies. The home side taking the lead through Juliet Thomas. Milton Keynes Dons came back to secure the win and with Cambridge United losing climb up to 2nd in the table. Goals from Hannah Barrett taking her to 18 for the season and Tayla Duffy seeing the 3 points won.
Actonians Ladies were hosting Ipswich Town Ladies on Sunday following on from a 5-1 home win in the East Anglian derby match against Norwich in midweek, Ipswich Town made it 2 wins from two. Goals from Jade Henry and Sophie Welton cancelling out Melissa Jung’s goal for Actonians Ladies an 3rd 2-1 away win at the weekend.
The away wins continued on Sunday with Luton Town Ladies taking advantage of Actonians loss to climb above them into 5th place in the FAWPL South East Division One table. Travelling to bottom side Lowestoft Town Ladies a brace for Jess McKay along with another goal for Asia Brown seeing Luton Town win 3-0.
A vital win away from home for 2nd bottom Norwich City Ladies on Sunday as they battle to avoid relegation taking on Denham United Ladies, Norwich put in a strong 1st half performance Chelsea Garrett and Paige Shorten scoring for the visitors Denham putting through their own net twice. Denham pulled a goal back just before half time adding a 2nd in the 2nd half but Norwich held on for the 3 points, Aimee Durn and Rebecca French scoring for Denham. Norwich move 4 points clear of Lowestoft who they have to play in their final 3 games. Are 4 points behind Stevenage Ladies in 9th with 2 games in hand.