The Round-Up
FAWPL – Sunday 9th April
FAWPL Southern Division
With three quarters of their league games played FAWPL Southern Division leaders, Tottenham Hotspur Ladies are looking in good shape to win the title as they continue their unbeaten league form and two of their rivals meeting at the weekend drop points.
It was a trip to the South Coast for Tottenham this Sunday taking on Portsmouth FC Ladies, Wendy Martin heading the ball into the back of the net inside the opening 15 minutes to give them the lead. Kelley Blanchflower doubling Tottenham’s advantage just past the half hour mark, took control of the match leading 3-0 at half-time Bianca Baptiste scoring in with 4 minutes of the 1st half left. Portsmouth pulled a goal back to make it 3-1 10 minutes into the 2nd half with captain Gemma Hillier on target, Tottenham responded quickly restoring their 3 goal cushion just 3 minutes later Lucia Leon with the goal, 4-1 the final score the win putting Tottenham 4 points clear of 2nd placed Charlton Athletic Women who have played 3 games more, are now 8 points ahead of 3rd placed Cardiff City Ladies and 10 clear of 4th placed Coventry United who both like Tottenham have played 15.
Charlton Athletic Women keep up the pressure in 2nd also winning away on the South Coast this Sunday a trip to The Dripping Pan to play who were unbeaten in 4 matches in league and cup. The sides contesting a goalless 1st half striker Gemma Shepherd was introduced from the bench in the 71st minute and gave Charlton the lead 4 minutes later one goal was quickly followed by 2 with Kit Graham moving onto 33 for the season scoring in the 79th minute to help secure the 3 points.
It was 3rd versus 4th in the FAWPL Southern Division as Cardiff City Ladies travelled to Pack Meadow to play Coventry United Ladies both sides needing the 3 points to keep up the pace with the top two in the division. It was the visitors who held the advantage going into half-time leading 1-0. The score was doubled early in the 2nd half. Coventry United responded quickly to reduce the deficit Alison Hall making it 2-1 left it late for find an equaliser was worth waiting for however a superb strike from Laura Cooper from outside the box into the top corner giving the keeper no chance. The points shared in the end doesn’t neither any favours.
A big win at home for Crystal Palace Ladies as they look to secure a top 5 finish in the FAWPL Southern Division following promotion last season. Have switched to a new home ground for their remaining home games a familiar one to FAWSL fans, Beckenham Town FC formerly home of Watford Ladies. Settled it quickly taking on C&K Basildon Ladies, Sarah Jones putting Crystal Place into the lead in the 4th minute. Mary Robinson doubling the score 5 minutes later before Gemma Bryan (pictured) netted her 1st of the game to see the home side leading 3-0 inside the opening 15 minutes. 3-0 the lead going into the 2nd half Crystal Place continued to dominate eventually extending their lead inside the last 15 minutes Bryan adding a 2nd goal before completing her hat-trick with 3 minutes left to play taking her to 26 for the season the 5-0 victory opening up a 6th point gap between themselves and 6th placed Lewes Ladies.
FAWPL South East Division One
In FAWPL South East Division One a similar story is unfolding at the top of the table with Gillingham FC Ladies now opening up a 7 point lead at the top as they continue their unbeaten lead campaign away to closest rivals 2nd placed Milton Keynes Dons Ladies at the weekend. The run stretching to 7 matches now. Felicity Gibbons put the visitors into the lead at Newport Pagnell FC just past the half hour mark of the 1st half. Defender Vanisha Patel making it 2-0 to Gillingham scoring 5 minutes into the 2nd half. Held on for all 3 points as Milton Keynes pulled a goal back late into the 2nd half, Heather McDonnell firing in a free-kick.
AFC Wimbledon Ladies take advantage of rivals Milton Keynes Dos Ladies loss to climb above them in the South East Division One table into 2nd, were at home on Sunday playing Enfield Town Ladies. Were leading 1-0 at the break thanks to a Kelly-Jade Whelan goal in the 14th minute, Rebecca Sargent doubled the lead 10 minutes into the 2nd half a 4 minute brace from winger Katie Stanley seeing the points secured netting in the 1st and 75th minute the final score 4-0.
Cambridge United WFC keep up the pressure on the sides above them as winning away from home this Sunday. The 4th placed side travelling once again to the Suffolk Coast to play bottom side Lowestoft Town Ladies having arrived there earlier in the season only to see the match called off due to a waterlogged pitch. No chance of that this Sunday the hottest of the year to date. With the score looking to be 0-0 at the break full back Emma Jenkins (pictured) got forwards to score a fabulous goal from outside the box striking the ball sending it into the top corner to give Cambridge the lead. The 3 points were finally secured as the game moved into the final 10 minutes, striker Sarah Wiltshire heading the ball home from inside the box. Games in hand on the 2nd and 3rd placed sides a 3 point gap between them.
3 points further back from Cambridge United WFC are 5th placed Actonians Ladies were away to 6th placed Luton Town Ladies this Sunday the visitors going in front early in the game Melissa Jung with the goal in the 7th minute. A brace from Alessandra Barreca scoring in the 22nd and 31st minute had Actonians leading comfortably by half-time. Defending a 3-0 lead in the 2nd half Luton Town managed to pull a goal back in the final 10 minute Amy Summerfield on target, however winning 3-1 Actonians open up a 5 point gap over Luton.
At the other end of the South East Division One table 2nd bottom side Norwich City Ladies have plenty of matches left in which to save themselves from the drop, need to convert those games into points however with a 6 point gap to 3rd bottom side Stevenage Ladies who travelled to Plantation Park with a few 1st team regulars missing. The gap between them remains 6 points both adding to their tally contesting a goalless draw.