Sunday 23rd March

Bedfordshire FA Women’s Junior Cup Final

A trip down into Bedfordshire this Sunday to watch my first cup final of the season. Beds FA hosting their inaugural, Women’s Junior Cup Final, with Luton Town Ladies Reserves taking on Stotfold Women for the trophy.

Bedfordshire FA following their neighbours in Hertfordshire by splitting their County Cup competition into 2, with the teams playing at various levels across the county divided between the Senior and Junior Cups, this having several advantages, gives teams lower down the pyramid a better chance to compete for silverware, hopefully reduces landslide score lines that does no one any favours and frees up Sundays to get other matches played. The Senior County Cup final dominated between Luton and Bedford in recent season’s the final taking place at Kenilworth Road just this Thursday in front of over 1000 supporters, Real Bedford Women beating Luton Town Ladies 5-0 to lift the cup.

The new Junior Cup featuring those sides playing across the county leagues tiers 7 and below, Bedfordshire seeing a study growth in new women’s sides in recent season’s those sides playing in a combined Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire county league set-up consisting of 4 divisions.

  Luton Town Ladies Reserves the exception to that in that they play in the Greater London Women’s Premier Division. Currently 8th in the table, have had a tough campaign league wise 2 wins from their opening 11 games, have however pulled clear of the drop zone with back to back victories coming into today’s junior cup final and will be buoyed by recent performances. Sanam Shahid their top scorer with 10 goals to her name from 13 appearances, Carla Todd and Shakeela Hussain both with 6 goals each.

 Stotfold Women return to Kempston Rovers FC after almost a year back then celebrating winning the Beds & Herts League Cup. That victory in their debut season have continued to show great form coming into this season, currently 2nd in the Premier Division table 3 points behind leaders Hitchin Belles Women Blues with a match in hand. Reached the least 4 of this season’s League Cup, eventually bowing out in a penalty shootout with Ware United Ladies.  Amber Olney and Charlotte Peters providing good competition for the top scorer spot with both on 11 goals from 14 games. Millie Fraser has 8 from her 13 appearances while Amy Jack is on 6 goals.

Road to the Final

 15 clubs entering the new Beds FA Women’s Junior Cup, both Luton Town Ladies Reserves and Stotfold Women progressing straight to the quarter finals awarded home wins respectfully. Into the last 8, Luton Town Ladies Reserves were drawn at home to new side Leighton Woodside Women emerging as one of the title contenders in Beds and Herts Division Three, won 2-0, a brace from Shakeela Hussain seeing Luton into the semi-finals. Stotfold Women too were on home turf for their quarter final taking on Beds & Herts Division One side Real Bedford Women Development a potential tricky opponent, a single goal in the 2nd half from Charlotte Ryan enough to secure the win for Stotfold to advance to the last 4 of the competition. 

 Luton Town Ladies Reserves away to Beds & Herts Division One side Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses, the visitors scoring twice in the 2nd half, Luton though were on target for three goals, with Caitlin O’Connor, Monet-Grace Wille and Sanam Shahid all or target to send the home side through to the Junior Cup final. Stotfold Women also on the road for their semi-final clash taking on fellow premier Division side, Biggleswade United Women Development, goals from Bonni Woodward, Millie Fraser, Charlotte Peters and Amy Jack seeing them comfortably through to the final courtesy of a 4-0 win.

 Kempston Rovers FC the venue for today’s Junior Cup final. A large grass pitch with a slight slope from one goal mouth to the other, the clubhouse open up the steps leading to the main stand providing some seating and terracing under cover with standing viewing all round. Artificial pitches always busy beside the main pitch. The kitchen hatch open too serving hot food and drinks. An overcast day as we enter spring, not overly warm will rain showers likely during the match.

 Luton Town Ladies Reserves starting XI – Leah Robinson, Hannah Major, Erin McGovern (C), Patience Ndlovu, Chloe Gibbs, Lilac Wilson, Caitlin O’Connor, Carla Todd, Bailey Plumbridge, Shakeela Hussain & Sanam Shahid. Subs – Scarlet O’Dell, Tierra Brookes, Kimberly Newns, Keira Richards & Monet-Grace Wille.

 Stotfold Women starting XI – Orlagh Daly, Hollie Sibbett, Chloe Keller, Charlotte Ryan, Bonni Woodward, Amy Jack (C), Cleo Haynes, Millie Fraser, Leigh Burrows-Hall, Charlotte Peters & Amber Olney. Subs – Amelia Bacon, Keira How, Gracie Applin, Nieve Buckley & Maizie Marsh.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

 It’s Luton who will take the kick-off in the first half wearing orange coloured shirts with a vertical white band on the front, navy shorts and orange socks. Stotfold wearing their away colours purple shirts and socks with black shorts. The ball rolled into Lilac Wilson in midfield she launches it up into the right channel for Sanam Shahid to have an early run at the defence, Charlotte Ryan intercepting the ball at the back and clearing for Stotfold.

  Cleo Haynes getting hold of the ball in the centre of midfield for Stotfold driving forwards, has Leigh Burrows-Hall making a forward run into the right channel, looks to play the ball through to her, a little too much on it, Luton goalkeeper, Leah Robinson can come out to the top of her box to get an early feel of the ball. 

 Robinson’s kick up field, mis-read by the Stotfold back line allowed to bounce, sees Shahid suddenly interested darting after the ball, Bonni Woodward, getting her head on it to send it back to her goalkeeper, Orlagh Daly before she can pounce. Stotfold moving quickly to launch a counter attack the ball rolled on for Haynes breaking down the right side, the cross inside to the top of the area, Amber Olney looking to run onto the ball, Robinson again sharp out to the top of her box getting down to smother the ball.

  Luton making a lively start getting plays forwards quickly Bailey Plumbridge out on the right, taking the ball on seeing her cross snubbed out by Woodward. Luton winning a free-kick on halfway, players up to the top of the area as Wilson sends the ball in, Woodward winning the header turning the ball on her Daly to claim. 

  Another long kick forwards by Luton causing issues at the back for Stotfold, as Shahid looks to use her pace to get after the bouncing back, Daly calling racing out of her defence to put her foot through the ball, ends up smashing it into Ryan, the ball rebounding back of the defender to race wide of the left post for a corner kick.

 GOAL! A great ball in from the corner on the left swung into the six yard box met by Caitlin O-Connor centrally getting a touch with her head to knock the ball down towards goal evading everyone to roll over the line and open the scoring 1-0.

 Luton with an early lead making a fast start to the game inside 5 minutes, Shahid and Shakeela Hussain up top looking to drive at the defence with Plumbridge and Carla Todd pushing up on the flanks, that pushing Stotfold’s midfielder deeper, captain Amy Jack nipping in to regain possession for Stotfold on to Haynes in the middle takes the ball on lifting it up to Olney in attack, Chloe Gibbs moving in to close her down 25 yards out, her central defensive partner Patience Ndlovu on hand to clear the ball.

  Todd bringing the ball on up the right for Luton, checks inside, Chloe Keller getting back on her to get her foot on the ball knock it out of her path, jack bringing in forwards for Stotfold, into Charlotte Peters, Wilson preventing the ball going forwards setting Luton back on the attack. Stotfold looking nervous early on not settled, Luton looking to capitalise pressing high. 

 Jack fouling O’Connor as she brings the ball on right side for Luton, the free kick inside the Stotfold half, played into the box by Wilson, Todd right of goal seeing down flashing a shot low into the right post, Daly down sharply to push the ball away to her right, not cleared, Luton turning it back in across the six yard box, Plumbridge after it running in beyond the far post, Hollie Sibbett there to get the block in turn the ball behind for a corner kick.

  Haynes strong on the ball as she looks to drive through the middle for Stotfold, ends up getting fouled brought down by Ndlovu. The set-piece lifted in towards Peters positioned left of the D outside the box, gets her head on the ball, but can only drop it straight into Robinson’s gloves. 

  Plumbridge looking to burst forwards on the left for Luton, is upended winning the free-kick, takes it quickly herself playing the ball forwards onto Hussain central, shoots from outside the box and sweet strike threatening to angle in over the keeper, Daly though with a superb piece of goalkeeping, lean back throwing herself up to tip the ball over her crossbar. Another warning for Stotfold though caught off guard by the quickly taken free-kick.

  Luton snapping after the ball unsettling Stotfold forcing them deep, Jack helping her defence the midfield compressed, leaving Olney with too much to do up top when the ball is cleared up to her. Shahid caught offside as she looks to race in behind the defence as captain Erin McGovern wins the ball at the back for Luton setting up a rapid counter attack.

 Shahid with the ball at her feet powering forwards for Luton coming left plays it on for Plumbridge on the wing, held up by Sibbett, sends it back inside for Shahid central 20 yards out helps it on for Hussain to her right, Hussain taking on the shot from the top of the area right of goal, drilled in low, Daly diving across her goal to push the ball out to the left, Woodward in to close Plumbridge down as she looks to go after the loose ball.

 Luton travel with the ball through the middle, O’Connor with Wilson played on for Hussain to attack in the right channel, Woodward looking to turn, comes together with Hussain, from my angle it looked like the attacker had impeded the defender, but my angles not the one that counts, the decision going the other way, with Luton awarded the free-kick. A dangerous position right of goal the ball swung in on target high, Daly again making the save tipping the ball over the bar for a corner kick. 

GOAL! From the left the ball curled into the near post Shahid meeting it with her head turning the ball in towards goal, blocked on the line by Jack covering the near post heading the ball down into the middle of the box, The ball loose players rushing to meet it, Luton arriving first the ball stabbed off the turf to smash up against the crossbar, then as it lands Todd meets it on the follow up in front of goal to turn back across to the left of goal, Daly down to try and stop it not getting enough of the ball as it crosses the line to see double Luton their advantage 2-0.

  Stotfold conceding a 2nd goal on 16 minutes responding with a change, Keller coming off with Burrows-Hall going over to left back, Keira How coming on to take up a position on the right. Involved in the action straight away as Haynes looks to play the ball on down the right winning a throw high up the pitch. Stotfold winning a free-kick central around 35 yards out, Millie Fraser over the ball, sends it on on target but a straight forward catch for Robinson back on her line. 

  O’Connor winning the ball back on the right for Luton inside the Stotfold half puts it forwards into Hussain 30 yards out, drags the ball across her body before unleashing a strike the ball racing wide of the left post. Ryan winning the ball well at the back for Stotfold giving it to Haynes in midfield, looking to take the ball on purpose sends it into the right channel for How to attack, Luton captain, Erin McGovern lunging in on her to send the ball out for a throw in high up the pitch.

 

  Stotfold getting players up to attack the throw finds in way in centrally, hit from range by Olney, Robinson called on to make the save pushing the ball away to her right. Luton making a change bringing of Shahid in attack on comes Monet-Grace Wille. Stotfold finding a bit of momentum going forwards with Fraser sending the ball forwards into Olney moving into the left channel, has Peters up with her, Hannah Major getting her foot in to turn the ball out for a throw in.

  Luton advance up the right, O’Connor linking up with Major and Todd eventually bringing a corner kick. From the right another vicious delivery turned in near post, Jack dealing with it for Stotfold. who look to break, through the middle, Major stepping up well to make the challenge keep her side in an attacking position Burrows-Hall, needing to lunge in to put the ball out for a throw as Todd looks to take the ball up the wing.

  Haynes making several strong runs on the ball for Stotfold driving through the middle, loos for Olney ahead of her, Gibbs cutting the pass out for Luton. Wilson crossing from deep on the right for Luton up to Hussain making a run to get into the box, Ryan with a well timed tackle inside the area to take the ball from her.

  Jack passing to How getting forwards for Stotfold into the right channel forcing Luton into conceding a corner kick. Swung in high across the six yard box, Olney rising centrally getting a glancing header turning the ball wide out to the left, retrieved by Stotfold played back in central to Haynes, looks to play it into Jack right of goal, just a little too much on the pass.

  Luton remain a threat on the counter attack full of pace, Plumbridge lively out on the left flashing the ball forwards, Ryan with a vital interception at the back, or risk Hussain, breaking in behind to go one on one with the keeper. A few spots of rain in the air as Stotfold get on well down the right Burrows-Hall up with Peters and Olney winning a corner kick. 

 Into the final couple of minutes in the first half, Stotfold pushing hard late on to find a goal getting players into the final 3rd working the ball across the pitch winning a throw high on the right, have a long one in their arsenal. Ryan from the angle on the right fires a shot wide high past the far post. Stotfold looking to press high in the closing stages of the first half, Olney central with Haynes 20 yards out, goes down appears to have rolled her ankle, needing treatment isn’t good news can’t continue, comes off with Nieve Buckley sent on. 

 

  Jack and Petters combining on the left for Stotfold, with How moving across to offer her support, can’t find a way through into the Luton box as Major gets a foot on the ball to clear up field. 

Half-time Luton Town Ladies Reserves 2-0 Stotfold Women

  Luton leading 2-0 at the break as the sides head back to the changing rooms with a little rain in the air. Luton making by far the better start lively from the off running at a nervous looking Stotfold back line scoring inside the opening 5 minutes, snapped in to win the ball keeping their opponents forced back, Daly calling into action saving on a couple of occasions, before Luton snatched a 2nd goal from a contentious free-kick. Luton good value for their lead Stotfold making a change slowly working their way back into the game finding it tough to get plays on to support Olney up front in attack, the game more even in the final 2o minutes of the 1st half. A 2-0 score-line useful but another goal early in the 2nd half makes things alot more comfortable, Stotfold though know if they can score early they are right back into it too.

 Needing to protect the camera from the elements have retreated to the cover of the stand for the 2nd half. Appears to be no changes for either side as Stotfold get the 2nd half underway the ball rolled back to Woodward in defence lifts it forwards into the right as How breaks forwards, Gibbs winning the header to play the ball out for a throw in for Luton. Woodward again with the ball at the back for Stotfold sends it on into the right wing for Olney to try and chase down, gets a useful nick off a defender to see the ball run out of play for a corner kick.

 GOAL! Players up from the back, as the delivery from the corner out on the right is served on a plate in central head height, Woodward running in on it unmarked stooping her head to drill it on past the keeper before she can react to pull a goal back straight away in the 2nd half 2-1. 

 Just what Stotfold were looking for at the start of the 2nd had pulling a deficit back to a single goal. Luton complaining about a push the officials consulting but nothing doing the goal stands. Stotfold buoyed by the early goal snapping in to win the ball in the middle, Buckley with Fraser played on for Olney moving to attack the right wing, McGovern closing her down to clear the ball for Luton.

  Stotfold giving free-kicks away. Wilson over one on half way, Wilson over it clips a diagonal ball in toward the right of the D, Peters getting up to head the ball away to safety for Stotfold. O’Connor bundled over a heavy knock is down in need of treatment, but after taking a few moments is okay to continue, Robinson over the free-kick clips the ball long out to the right, intercepted by Peters however Stotfold look to counter quickly Peters attacking with the ball on the left as the keeper rushes to get back into position, Peters going on her own eventually squeezed off the ball before she can get into the box try to shoot.

 Both sides keen to get on the counter attack the game opening up a little, Luton sending Hussain away on the right channel, Woodward coming out to close her down challenging to the ball out for a throw in. Luton working the ball into the middle. Wilson 25 yards out going to line up a strike, Jack with the blocking tackle. Luton with pace on their flanks getting players up to support the attack quickly. Stotfold needing to keep players back or risk exposing gaps not as well equipped to get players forwards to support Olney up to as she looks to run the ball down, Gibbs and Ndlovu in the centre of defence able to double up on her. 

   Wilson using the ball well for Luton in the middle has good option s left and right to spray the ball about the park, Plumbridge away on the left driving for the box, Woodward on her shoulder doing enough to see her force her attempted strike wide at the near post. Stotfold unhappy to with decisions going against them coming out wrong side of a few 50/50 challenges. Peters with support from jack out on the left sliding the ball up the line for How, the flag going up against her however a close call, leads to manager Tom Olney venting his frustration and getting shown a card by the referee.

  The game livened up both sides going for it, O’Connor shifting the ball between her feet sliding Plumbridge in down the left wing driving on Woodward out to close her down challenging to send the ball out for a throw in. McGovern stopping a Stotfold attack on their right, lays the ball infield to Wilson who in turn looks for Hussain in the right channel, Ryan throwing a leg out to intercept the ball for Stotfold. 

  The game end to end, Plumbridge flagged offside on the left as Hussain looks to play her in behind. Light rain falling Luton keeping Stotfold pushed back in defence, Wilson moving the ball Plumbridge bursting away on the left, into the area bearing down on goal, Ryan racing across to put in the block does enough to put the winger off as she fires her shot into the side netting. 

  Luton attacking players up on the right, Wille with Todd into the box for Hussain, meeting it on the volley angling her attempt over the bar. Woodward going in to win a 50/50 ball with Hussain on halfway is aggrieved as they concede another free-kick. Luton come right, Todd with O’Connor the ball crossed into the near post Hussain looking to meet it on the half volley back to goal a difficult one to control turns the ball behind for a goal kick.

  How and Olney willing runners up top moving into the channels but closed down by the Luton defence before support can arrive from midfield. Wilson with the ball central for Luton sweeping the pass into Plumbridge on the left, Sibbett going in to make the blocking tackle, deflects the ball on as Plumbridge chases it to the by-line fires in a cross along the face of goal, cleared by Burrows-Hill at the far post.

 How played onto the ball up the left wing for Stotfold turns inside to loops a cross into the top of the area, Peters looking to head the ball on across goal, but grabbed up by the keeper. Hussain coming over to the left linking up with Wilson and Plumbridge for Luton the cross angled into the area cleared by Woodward. The rain falling more steadily as the game moves into the final 15 minutes, Luton bringing off Hussain send Shahid back on up top.

  Fraser on for Olney attempting to force her way into the box centrally, Ndlovu stepping in to take the ball off her feet. Luton counter with pace O’Connor up on the right linking up with Plumbridge and Shahid coming to the ball crossed into the near post Stotfold’s Ryan clears.

  Jack aggrieved this time as Stotfold give away the foul outside the box to the right of their goal as O’Connor is brought down. Wilson over the set-piece, clipped into the far post knocked down into the six yard box, Stotfold manage to scramble it clear. Stotfold off a throw on their left sees Peters play it into Fraser who hooks an inviting ball into the box bouncing near post, How looking to jump in to attack it the bounce favours the goalkeeper however as Robinson claims it high above her head.

  Into the final 5 minutes of regular play time running out for Stotfold to at least score an equaliser force the final into a penalty shootout, Luton however looking to more likely to score and put the game to bed. Stotfold up on the right to win a corner comes into the area, Jack going down even as Luton clear look to break asks the question but nothing doing however even as Woodward blasts a distance strike over from all of 25 yards out.

  Fraser pushed on further for Stotfold in the latter stages of the game as they look to find a goal. Fraser playing Olney onto the ball right side, McGovern challenging putting the ball out for a throw before the cross can be attempted. Buckley on for Olney in the left channel has How with her the pair attempting to get the ball on into the area, Ndlovu getting in between them to wrestle back control of the ball. 

 Fraser with a neat piece of control as the ball comes into her quickly 20 yards out from goal right side her low shot lacking the pace to trouble the keeper. Kimberly Newns coming on for Luton as the look to play out the remaining minutes of the game. Jack shown a yellow card for Stotfold as another free-kick goes against them time almost up Plumbridge coming off to be replaced by Keira Richards for Luton. The free-kick from deep on the right lifted into the far post claimed by Daly.

  Fraser with a speculative effort from 25 yards out for Stotfold, collected cleanly by Robinson in the Luton goal. Into stoppage time Major coming off for Luton with Scarlet ( just the one E)  O’Dell coming on. Luton looking to hold the ball up in the corner know the final whistle is imminent bring off Todd send Tierra Brookes. Stotfold can’t get the ball up the pitch for one final attack as the whistle blows and Luton rush together to celebrate winning the inaugural Bedfordshire Women’s junior Cup.

Full time Luton Town Ladies Reserves 2-1 Stotfold Women

 Luton Town Ladies Reserves winning the inaugural Bedfordshire FA Women’s junior Cup. On the whole a deserved win too, making a strong start to the game on the front foot with pace getting players forwards, taking the lead inside 5 minutes creating chances forcing errors unsettling Stotfold in the process, forcing some great saves from keeper, Orlagh Daly before going on to add a 2nd goal in the 16th minute. Stotfold struggling to get a foot hold up top did get themselves back into the match finishing the 1st half strong, losing Cleo Haynes to injury a blow for sure. Nevertheless came out strong 2nd half a well taken corner leading to them pulling a goal back early in the 2nd half. Luton continued to look for a 3rd goal to restore their 2 goal cushion always a threat on the counter attack, pushing Stotfold back limiting the numbers they were prepared to commit forwards, still there was but a single goal in it till the death one more clear chance never came.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto this Sunday’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match this is a tough one and even as I’m typing I’m still mulling it over in my mind still I think one player has won me over with her performance overall, Several contenders nevertheless, a few to mention firstly for Stotfold, goalkeeper, Orlagh Daly with a number of top draw saves in the first half to keep the score-line down keep her side in the game. Defenders, Charlotte Ryan and Bonni Woodward with a number of vital tackles and interceptions were kept busy throughout, Cleo Haynes with some determined runs through the middle, coming off injured could well have been the difference 2nd half. For Luton it was an all round great team performance getting into close the ball down get forwards with purpose keep on the front foot for large spells. Bailey Plumbridge marauding down the left wing a constant threat throughout, Carla Todd likewise right side getting on the score sheet. Sanam Shahid’s pace and runs causing the Stotfold defence concern, Shakeela Hussain finding some great positions to great opening for herself and her teammates. Caitlin O’Connor opening the scoring making some good runs from midfield getting up to support the attack. The award goes to Lilac Wilson the midfielder on hand to break up alot of play keeping her side on the front foot throughout the contest, had good passing options and used the ball well.

Congratulations to Luton Town Ladies Reserves on winning the inaugural Bedfordshire Women’s Junior Cup

 An entertaining first cup final contest of the season always enjoy my trips down to Kempston Rovers FC. My thanks to both sides for their assistance with the team details today, and to the staff at Beds FA for all their help as always it is very much appreciated. One down a whole bunch to go, can’t do them all but will sure do my best to cover as many as I can. 

by Darren Gilham