The Round-Up
Sunday 10th September
After a the distraction of last weekends FAWPL Cup Determining Round it was back to league action for the clubs in the Southern Division and South East Division One with a full programme of fixtures across both leagues.
FAWPL Southern Division
Three sides in the FAWPL Southern Division looking to maintain a 100% winning start after 3 games played, two of those sides met on Sunday, Portsmouth FC Ladies at home to Charlton Athletic Women. A great start to the season for Portsmouth winning away from home at Coventry United Ladies 2 weekends ago building on their opening day win at home to Cardiff City Ladies. The visitors in trouble early on as they were reduced to 10 players inside the opening 10 minutes Grace Coombs shown a straight red bringing down Shannon Albuery in the area a penalty awarded was missed by Molly Clark. Despite the player advantage for Portsmouth the sides were goalless at the break and the 2nd half was heading that way right up until stoppage time when Kit Graham introduced from the bench for the 3rd successive league game also scored for the 3rd time netting her 4th of the season to win the game for Charlton in the 93rd minute to keep their 100% winning start intact.
Charlton are 2nd behind Crystal Palace Ladies on goal difference in fine goal scoring form too scoring 30 goals in their opening 4 games. Striker Gemma Bryan has almost half that total herself netting 14 in 4 games so far. Away to Swindon Town Ladies this Sunday, Bryan was on target as early as the 5th minutes going on to score another 3 goals before half-time. Stefanie Simmons also on the scoresheet to see Crystal Palace leading 5-0 at half-time. Both Bryan ad Simmons added another goal in the 2nd half to secure a 7-0 win. A concerning start for Swindon Town bottom of the table without a win have conceded 28 in league and cup and to make thing’s worse have yet to score a goal themselves. Plenty of time to put that right.
C&K Basildon Ladies are up to 3rd spot unbeaten in their 3 opening league matches were hosting West Ham United Ladies at Canvey Island FC this Sunday. Goalless at half-time Angela Addison put Basildon into the lead 2nd half, with jay Blackie and captain Zoe Rushen also getting a goal each to secure all 3 points.
A 2nd successive defeat in the league for Coventry United Ladies travelling down to The Dripping Pan this Sunday to play Lewes FC Women who won their 1st 3 points of the season that takes them up from 9th into 6th position. Were in front inside the opening 2 minutes Rachel Carter finding the back of the net. Coventry had a goal ruled out 10 minutes later. Created chances but in windy conditions were unable to breach the Lewes back line a chance 2nd half awarded a penalty, Helen Dermody smashing the ball into the post. Lewes winning 1-0.
Newly promoted Gillingham also move up the table into 4th from 7th with their 2nd league win of the season away to Queens Park Rangers Ladies. Jenny Newman on the half hour mark giving the visitors the lead. Danielle Farmer making it 2-0 with 6 minutes of the 1st half left. Queens Park Rangers were reduced to 10 13 minutes into the 2nd half Mara Deluca sent off. Gillingham captain Jade Keogh making it 3-0 soon after. The final score 4-0 to Gillingham with Newman scoring her 2nd of the match in the final 15 minutes.
At the other end of the Southern Division table on Sunday it was a meeting between two sides still looking to pick up their 1st point of the season with newly promoted Chichester City Ladies travelling into Wales to play Cardiff City Ladies. It was the home side who took an early lead Cori Williams scoring a penalty. Chichester replied quickly to get back on level terms Jess Lewry on target. The visitors going on to go 3-1 ahead with goals from Charley Wilson-Blakely and Jenna Fowlie. Cardiff getting a goal back through Caitlin Morris before Wilson-Blakely added another to see the lead for Chichester at half-time 5-2. That the final score no more goals 2nd half Chichester winning their 1st 3 points to lift them up to 8th.
FAWPL South East Division One
In FAWPL South East Division One 3 sides went into the weekend at the top of the table with 2 wins from 2, after the weekends results just one of those retained a 100% winning start. Luton Town Ladies are top with maximum points from their opening 3 matches. At home at the weekend taking on newly promoted Haringey Borough Women. Both Jodie Bellinger and Joanne Rutherford grabbing a brace in the match along with a goal for Rebecca Wilson-Kane in a 5-1 victory.
Ipswich Town Ladies were denied a 3rd successive league win as the 2nd placed club was pegged back level with a late goal from opponents Cambridge United WFC. Travelling to Mildenhall Town FC. Cassie Craddock giving Ipswich a 1-0 lead at half-time. Amy Howlett scored for Cambridge to level the scores 2nd half. Ipswich retaking the lead with Amanda Crump scoring. Cambridge coming back again with Nuala Wayne scoring to level it up at 2-2, 7 points for Ipswich lose their 100% winning start but remain unbeaten, so to Cambridge on 5 points in 5th position. Also this week Ipswich Town Ladies announced last season’s captain Aimee Harrison is to miss the season, but for the very best of reasons as she is pregnant, Women’s Football East adds it’s congratulations to Aimee and her partner.
Actonians Ladies suffered their 1st loss in the league to end their 100% start away to Milton Keynes Dons Ladies who got their 1st win of the season on Sunday. A brace for new signing Dawn Mallet along with a each for Charly Wright and Anna Loftus to see the home side into mid-table with a 4-0 win.
Also moving up the table into 6th are newly promoted Leyton Orient WFC picking up their 1st league win at this level and a very convincing one too taking the confidence of winning away in the Determining Round of the FAWPL Cup away to lead leaders Luton last weekend into this Sunday their 1st home game of the season were hosting Enfield Town Ladies. Leyton Orient got off to a blistering start Chanel Richards in target to score in the opening minute. Sophie Le Marchand making it 2-0 on 3 minutes. Danielle Griffiths scoring their 3rd before 10 minutes were on the clock. Egle Trezzi on 15 minutes saw Leyton Orient 4-0 up at half-time. More goals followed 2nd half Richards with her 2nd 5 minutes after the restart. Hayley Barton scored on 65 minutes to see the lead extended to 6. Ella Meadowcroft getting a 2nd half brace late on with Le Marchand securing her own brace in between Meadowcroft’s goals. 9-0 the final score.
Recovering from an opening day defeat, AFC Wimbledon Ladies have now won 3 on the bounce in league and cup to climb up to 4th in the South East Division One table. Away to Denham United Ladies this Sunday a 2nd minute goal from Rebecca Sargent gave Wimbledon the lead with Caroline Bisson scoring on 18 to make it 2-0 at the break. Went on to win 3-1 in the 2nd half Sargent with her 2nd of the game. New signing Kara Howes with her 1st goal for Denham United Ladies.
Stevenage Ladies got their 1st win of the season on Sunday hosting Norwich City Ladies. Leah Littlechild putting the home side into the lead. Kristi Burling made it 2-0 before Norwich pulled a goal back right at the end of the 1st half Aimee Durrant scoring. Stevenage went on to secure the 3 points with captain Donna McGuigan making it 3-1. Littlechild with her 2nd of the game late into the 2nd half Stevenage celebrating a 4-1 win.