The Round-Up
FAWPL – Sunday 9th October
A shorter edition of the FAWPL Round-Up this week with all of the FAWPL Division One side in action in the FA Women’s Cup 3rd Round Qualifying it’s just the Southern Division action to bring you on a weekend where Charlton Athletic Women returned to the top of the table.
FAWPL Southern Division
With 11 sides contesting the FAWPL Southern Division this season due to Forest Green Rovers Ladies late withdrawal, there is a side that will sit out the weekends fixtures. This Sunday it happened to be leaders Tottenham Hotspur Ladies and the chasing pack took full advantage with teams beginning with the letter C dominating the top half of the table as Tottenham are pushed down to 4th!
Charlton Athletic Women were the early season pace setters, return to the top of the table this Sunday going a point clear following a narrow home win over Lewes Ladies. Got off to a fantastic start at Thamesmead, captain Kimberly Dixson putting Charlton ahead inside the opening 5 minutes. Avilla Bergin doubling the lead midway through the 1st half. Lewes came back into the match 2nd half pulling a goal back 10 minutes in Georgia Bridges with the goal couldn’t find another as Charlton held on for the win. Lewes continue to slide down the table their 4 points coming from their opening 2 league matches have now lost 5 in a row.
Coventry United are another side in the FAWPL Southern Division who have led the table recently, climb back up into 2nd spot with a convincing home win against bottom side Queens Park Rangers Ladies. Stephanie Smith getting the ball rolling with a goal on 6 minutes, 2 more goals followed midway through the 1st half to put Coventry 3-0 up at the break, Ashleigh Neville on 20 minutes with Courtney Murphy adding a goal 2 minutes later. More of the same from Coventry 2nd half Alison Hall netting 4 goals in 4 minutes on 60 and 64 to put the result beyond any doubt.
Cardiff City Ladies continue to move up the table the Welsh side now up to 3rd like Tottenham in 4th and Coventry in 2nd are undefeated. Were at home on Sunday looking to follow up a midweek 4-0 away win over Swindon Town Ladies with 3 more points against West Ham United Ladies who themselves had picked up their 1st win of the season 1-0 away from home against local rivals C&K Basildon Ladies. Cori Williams giving Cardiff the lead on 13 minutes. Held onto the advantage at half-time. West Ham having brought a few new faces in that have served under manager James Marrs recently are looking stronger. Couldn’t find an equaliser against Cardiff, Chloe Chivers putting the home side further ahead before Michelle Green made sure of the 3 points scoring from a turn and hit 20 yards out to see the result end 3-0.
Off the field has been another turbulent week for West Ham United Ladies after chairman Stephen Hunt Jnr reported the mens club to the FA alleging sex discrimination against the Ladies side. That prompted the man’s club to react as they bring the Ladies side under the clubs banner, which should bring better support in the long run strengthen the Ladies club going forwards.
Battle of the newly promoted sides on Sunday as Swindon Town Ladies and Crystal Palace Ladies met for the 1st time in the league. Both having different fortunes at the start of life in the higher tier of women’s football. A single goal settled the match and it was late late heartbreak for Swindon Town as Ellie Bailes scored for Crystal Palace Ladies deep into injury time to take the 3 points.
Portsmouth FC Ladies in mid-table won in midweek taking the 3 points away from home at local rivals Lewes Ladies. Looking to build on that performance at home playing C&K Basildon Ladies, they were put on the back foot right from the start Sara Sinclair scoring in the 2nd minute for the visitors. Chances for both sides 1st half, Basildon added a 2nd goal late in the 1st half to take a 2-0 lead into the dressing room. The fightback looked on 2nd half for Portsmouth when 55th minute substitute Samantha Qualye pulled a goal back 5 minutes after coming on. Pushing for the equaliser they couldn’t find it, Basildon going further ahead deep into injury time Stacey Little with the goal in the 96th minute to see the Essex side leave the South Coast with the 3 points.