The Round-Up
FAWPL – Sunday 12th February
FAWPL Southern Division
Cardiff City Ladies took advantage of their rivals at the top of the FAWPL Southern Division being in action in the FA Women’s Cup last weekend to reach the summit of the league for the 1st time this season after a 5-0 home win against Portsmouth FC Ladies. Along with 2nd placed Tottenham Hotspur Ladies the Welsh side held an unbeaten record in the league. At home this 
Sunday they were taking on 3rd placed Charlton Athletic Women all very tight between the top 4 in the Southern Division a defeat for Charlton with 2 so far would put them 5 points behind Cardiff City as it was the visitors held the advantage at the break Kit Graham (pictured) with her 25th goal of the season scoring in the opening 15 minutes. Graham went on to score again in the final 15 minutes to seal the win and the 3 points for Charlton seeing them move a point above Cardiff into 2nd.
Tottenham Hotspur Ladies remain unbeaten in the Southern Division and thanks to Cardiff City’s defeat to Charlton return to the top of the league with a home win against Lewes Ladies this Sunday. Wendy Martin giving Tottenham the lead with a little over 10 minutes left of the 1st half, the home side frustrated by Lewes in the 2nd half finally made the 3 points secure in the last 5 minutes with Martin putting the ball into the back of the net from a corner taking her goals tally to the season to 15. Top of the league again Tottenham are now unbeaten in 23 games this season with just one of those drawn.
2-0 was also the winning score for the other side in the FAWPL Southern Division’s top 4, Coventry United Ladies away to 2nd bottom Queens Park Rangers Ladies on Sunday. Both goals coming late in the 1st half, Ashleigh Neville putting Coventry ahead on 41 minutes with Alison Hall scoring to make it 2-0 a minute later. The lead held in the 2nd half the win takes Coventry up into 3rd place, Cardiff City starting Sunday top of the league drop to 4th in the table. Still all to play for in the title race however just 3 points separating the top 4.
At the other end of the FAWPL Southern Division table it could be a vital point for West Ham United Ladies on Sunday at home to Portsmouth FC Ladies however they were denied all 3 with a late equaliser after Molly Peters had given them the lead early in the 2nd half. 1-0 the advantage going into the last 5 minutes Portsmouth captain, Gemma Hillier with the shot to score in the 86th minute to see the points shared. The point for West Ham United moves them above Queens Park Rangers at the bottom of the table. The match between C&K Basildon Ladies and Crystal Palace Ladies was postponed.
FAWPL South East Division One
An equally tight battle for the title is emerging in FAWPL South East Division One, The top 4 sides all saw their matches postponed at the weekend with leaders Milton Keynes Dons Ladies due to travel to Norwich City Ladies, 2nd placed Cambridge United WFC were scheduled to play Ipswich Town Ladies with 3rd placed AFC Wimbledon Ladies due to take on 4th placed Actonians Ladies.
That saw a great opportunity for 5th placed Gillingham FC Ladies to close the gap at the top still the only unbeaten side in the league with games in hand on all the sides above them were hosting 6th placed Luton Town Ladies at the weekend. Felicity Gibbons put Gillingham into the lead on 15 minutes, a 2nd goal quickly followed April Bowers putting the ball home to make it 2-0 on 18 minutes. Luton pulled a goal back with Joanne Rutherford scoring to make it 2-1 just before the half hour mark, Gibbons added her 2nd of the match putting the ball into the back of the net from the penalty spot. Gibbons then went on to complete a 1st half hat-trick scoring her 3rd late on to see Gillingham lead 4-1 at the break. Gillingham went on to dominate the 2nd half Gibbons with a 4th goal 5 minutes in. Charlotte Gurr into her 7th game since returning to the club scored a 12 minute hat-trick to take her tally to 18. Gibbons moving onto 25 for the season with her 5th of the game to see Gillingham lead 9-1 brought up a double figure win with Catherine Cooper netting the goal in the last 10 minutes. The huge win taking them into 4th level on points with Actonians Ladies.
Enfield Town Ladies were taking on local rivals Denham United Ladies at home on Sunday went into the match in 8th place in the FAWPL South East Division One table 2 points behind Denham in 7th. A goal in each half seeing Enfield Town win 2-0 to move above Denham in the table, Lisa Kline and Stavroulla Panayiotou with the goals.
News during the week for Lowestoft Town Ladies bottom of the FAWPL South East Division One as they announced the dismissal of manager Nathan Einecker with immediate effect for Professional Misconduct, the statement from the club can be read by clicking on the link below.
Joint manager at the club, Ricky Graves taking on sole charge of the Ladies side as they headed to Hertfordshire this Sunday for a 6 pointer at the bottom of the table taking on Stevenage Ladies. With the bare 11 travelling Lowestoft dug in a single goal scored by captain Hannah Waters saw them clinch their 2nd league win of the season to get the 3 points move onto 6 level with Stevenage and off the bottom at the expense of Norwich City Ladies.