The Round-Up
FAWPL – Sunday 16th April
FAWPL Southern Division
A limited fixture list across the East this Sunday, due to a combination of it being the Easter Weekend and sides now starting to play out their fixtures the business end of the season so big matches played. None more so than in the FAWPL Southern Division where leaders Tottenham Hotspur Ladies are now on the verge of clinching the league. They left it extremely late however to maintain their unbeaten league record at Cheshunt FC on Sunday at home to their closest rivals in the battle for the top Cardiff City Ladies.
It was the Welsh side in 3rd place in the table who got off to the better start taking the lead in the 6th minute, Cori Williams netting the goal. Held on to the narrow advantage going all the way into the final 10 minutes of the game. Nikita Whinnett (pictured) on in the 70th minute got Tottenham back on level terms scoring in the 84th minute to make it 1-1 then deep into injury time the home side won the game 90+6 when Wendy Martin struck the ball home to sealing the 3 points with a 2-1 win! A special occasion for the club on Wednesday night as they get to play at White Hart Lane against West Ham United Ladies and now they could be celebrating the title. Leading the way by a massive 11 points now with 4 left to play only Cardiff City Ladies can catch them now a win however would end even their slim title hopes and see Tottenham Hotspur Ladies crowned Champions.
Crystal Palace Ladies have almost certainly clinched 5th spot in the FAWPL Southern Division following promotion last season. An away trip to Portsmouth FC Ladies this Sunday got off to a fantastic start going 2-0 up inside the 1st 10 minutes. Gemma Bryan opening the scoring in the 3rd minute then Rosie Paye with her 1st goal for Crystal Palace heading in a corner to make it 2-0 in the 9th. Portsmouth responded soon after to pull it back to 2-1, Natasha Stephens scoring the goal. Bryan with her 2nd of the game extended Crystal Palace’s lead on the half hour 3-1 the lead at the break.
The score was extended straight away in the 2nd half as 10 seconds in Portsmouth gave away a penalty, Bryan stepping up to score her hat-trick. Portsmouth scored again in the 68th minute Samantha Quayle making it 4-2 but a 4th goal in the last 10 minutes for Bryan taking her to 26 for the season sealed the win for Crystal Palace 5-2.
A point at home for West Ham United Ladies on Sunday as they battle to avoid potential relegation. Held Lewes Ladies to a goalless draw the point taking them above Swindon Town Ladies into 9th 4 points clear of bottom side Queens Park Rangers Ladies who would have to double their points tally for the season to catch them have games in hand on both the sides above them. Remains tight at the bottom.
FAWPL South East Division One
Another side very close to clinching the title are Gillingham FC Ladies topping the table in FAWPL South East Division One. Unbeaten this season in 17 matches played travelled to 10th placed Stevenage Ladies this Sunday who themselves are looking for points to pull further clear of the bottom 2. Fought hard to keep the score at 0-0 going into the dressing room at half-time. Gillingham found the break through midway through the 2nd half, jenny Newman scoring to put them into the lead. Stevenage had an opportunity to level the scores as they were awarded a penalty kick, Gillingham goalkeeper Courtney Shanley saved it Gillingham going on to their 15th game of the season go 10 points clear at the top 2 more wins from their remaining for matches would see them win the title.
With 5 games in hand on Stevenage Ladies above them Norwich City Ladies need the points as they look to overturn a 6 point gap and avoid relegation themselves. Travelled to Mildenhall Town FC this Easter Sunday to play Cambridge United WFC fresh from winning the Cambridgeshire Women’s Invitation Cup once again last Thursday. In 4th place a win for Cambridge would lift them into 2nd spot.
It was Norwich who went on to open the scoring in the match a long distance strike from Aimee Durrant making it 1-0 in the 25th minute. Cambridge were quick to find a reply Nicole Perschky making it 1-1 5 minutes later. Soon after Cambridge were leading Carrie Bennett hitting her 1st goal of the season into the back of the net to make it 2-1 on 34 minutes. It was Norwich however who led at the break two late goals in the final 3 minutes of the 1st half from Kyla Love and Ellen Swift seeing them lead 3-2.
The lead didn’t last a minute into the 2nd half however a Cambridge getting a corner in the 46th minute levelled the scores, another player getting her 1st goal for the 1st team this season, Carolyn Sarafian volleying the ball in to make it 3-3. Took the lead for the 2nd time in the game 8 minutes later Laura Mills on target to make it 4-3. Again Norwich came back into the game Swift with her 2nd of the game making it 4-4 with 20 minutes left on the clock. Into the last 10 minutes of the game and Cambridge were awarded a penalty as Evie Gallop was brought down inside the box. Perschky to take her initial strike saved she was on hand to put in the rebound to score what would prove to be the winning goal 5-4 the final score. Games in hand on the sides below them unlikely to catch Gillingham, runners-up spot is very much on for Cambridge.