The Round-Up
FAWPL – Sunday 29th January
After two weekends of heavy postponements across the East in January, The Round-Up returns to it’s original format as more games beat the weather than not in the final weekend of the month. Outstanding cup ties that had been put back over the last two Sunday’s finally getting played 39 games were played this Sunday, as a pose to the 40 that were postponed last weekend.
FAWPL Southern Division
Was a significant amount of rainfall prior to this Sunday and it did affect most leagues across the East, in the FAWPL Southern Division the top of the table clash between league leaders, Tottenham Hotspur Ladies and 3rd placed Cardiff City Ladies both side yet to be beaten in the league was called off the pitch at Cheshunt FC water-logged.
The other 3 games scheduled for this Sunday in the FAWPL Southern Division beat the weather and it was 4th placed Charlton Athletic Women who took full advantage to close the gap on the leaders as they took on bottom side West Ham United Ladies at Sporting Club Thamesmead. Charlton created plenty of chances in the 1st half however it looked like the sides might be heading into the dressing room with the score all square at 0-0 when Charley Clifford was on hand to meet Avilla Bergin’s cross and scored to give the home side the lead. Moment later in injury time Charlton extended the lead awarded a penalty, up stepped Ruby Southgate to score from the spot her 1st goal for the club.
2-0 the lead at half-time Charlton pressed more more goals 2nd half, on the 74th minute a sight all their fans wanted to see, not so much the opposition maybe as striker Gemma Shepherd returned to the pitch after recovering to full fitness from hip surgery earlier in the season. A minute later Clifford scored her 2nd of the game to see the lead extended to 3-0. Into the last 10 minutes Kit Graham netted Charlton’s 4th goal. The final score 5-0 to Charlton with 2nd half substitute Bupe Okeowo scoring her 1st goal for Charlton. The win sees Charlton up from 4th to 2nd spot 2 points behind the leaders.
Was another London derby in the FAWPL Southern Division with 5th placed Crystal Place Ladies, hosting Queens Park Rangers Ladies. The side 2nd bottom in the table proved tough opponents to break down goalkeeper Jo Ayres making a number of saves as Crystal Palace struggled to find a clinical finish. Late on Ayres was hurt in a collision and had to be replaced with no goalkeeper on the bench the job fell of an outfield substitute. The game was heading into the closing minutes the home side were awarded a free-kick the ball played into the box was headed on and Gemma Bryan was on hand to steer the ball into the back of the net and see Crystal Palace win the 3 points with a 1-0 win.
Lewes Ladies hosted, Swindon Town Ladies at The Dripping Pan on Sunday 2 points between the sides going into the game 8th and 9th respectfully. Lewes opening the scoring on the 20th minute through a own goal after Rachel Palmer’s cross was turned into the back of the Swindon net. Danielle Lane doubled Lewes lead in the 34th minute. However Swindon pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time to narrow the deficit, Stephanie Houston with the goal for the visitors. Both sides looking for more goals 2nd half, Lewes got theirs through an unlikely source defender Rebecca Thompson volleying home from a corner to make it 3-1, her 1st goal of the season coming in the 77th minute. The 3 points seeing Lewes pull away from the bottom 3.
FAWPL South East Division One
New leaders in FAWPL South East Division One this Sunday as Milton Keynes Dons Ladies take over at the top leading for the 1st time this season with leaders Cambridge United WFC and 2nd placed AFC Wimbledon Ladies not in action. The 3rd placed side were at home at Newport Pagnell Town FC playing 2nd bottom side Norwich City Ladies. A good day at the office for Milton Keynes Dons as they won the 3 points with a convincing victory. A brace for Hannah Barrett, captain Charly Clarke also getting on the scoresheet along with teammates Leanna Doyle, Sam Gillings, Kerry Newman and Leah Cudone. The 7-0 win lifting them a point clear at the top of the South East Division One table.
5th placed Luton Town Ladies lost out in gaining ground on the sides above them at the weekend as they suffered a narrow defeat at home to Enfield Town Ladies. The sides contesting a goalless 1st half, Enfield Town went on to take the lead through an Anna Loftus goal on the 55th minute. Enfield Town captain Regan Coleman doubling the away sides lead with 20 minutes left on the clock. Joanna Rutherford pulled it back to 2-1 late on for Luton Town but it wasn’t enough to take anything from the game, Enfield move above Ipswich Town Ladies into 8th spot in the South East Division One table.
It was to Crown Meadow, home of Lowestoft Town Ladies that the football on the Supporting Women’s Football Blog came from this weekend. Bottom of the South East Division One table needing to pick up points Lowestoft Town were hosting 7th placed Denham United Ladies. Both sides wanting to use the width the large pitch offered were looking to attack from the off the ball rarely still for long. Denham had the better of the early chance forcing an excellent save from Eilish Brogan. New signing Nettie Stillinger on hand at the back to clear an Alissa Down free-kick off the goal line. 35 minutes played and Lowestoft take the lead captain Hannah Waters putting the ball into the back of the net off an Gemma Moore ball into the box. A late save with her legs from Denham goalkeeper Elizabeth Rose keeps the score down to 1-0 at half-time.
The 2nd half starting as the 1st ended both sides attacking Lowestoft quickly double their lead, Moore picking the ball up from a through on the right driving across the face of the Denham area and sends a swerving shot past the diving keeper into the back of the net. 10 minutes later and Denham comeback to level it at 2-2 with 2 quickfire goals Annie Hewitt beating the offside trap as Lowestoft attempt to clear their area from a set-piece turns back into the box and sends the ball pass Brogan to score. 2-1 becomes 2-2 straight from the restart Denham counter as Lowestoft attack the ball out to Natalie Murray on the right 25 yards out shoots early lobbing the ball over the keeper to score. Murray hands Denham the lead soon after attacking down the right the ball at her feet driving into the box sends a powerful shot past the diving Brogan to make it 3-2. Hewitt also scores her 2nd of the game given time and space to send a superb strike from distance into the back of the net. Murray turning provider to set up Denham’s 5th goal her ball into the box controlled well by Aimee Durn inside the six yard box, keeper on top of her manages to squeeze the ball past her to score the final score 5-2 to Denham. The full match report can be found in the previous post or by clicking on the link below to take you to the SWF Blog.
Lowestoft Town Ladies 2-5 Denham United Ladies