The Round-Up
Sunday 17th December
The final edition of The Round-Up for 2017 and a one off reverting back to the Tuesday Round-Up format with another weather affected Sunday wreaking havoc on the fixture lists with plenty of postponements right across the East. 16 games were played a handful across the divisions makes sense to put them all together, much better than the previous Sunday when just 2 games beat the weather.
FAWPL
Starting with the FAWPL one game played in the Southern Division and it was a great end to the year to cap off a fantastic first half of the season for Crystal Palace Ladies as they climb back into 2nd spot having been amongst the forerunners in the league all season. On the road taking on West Ham United Ladies a goal from Northern Ireland International, Ciara Sherwood midway through the 1st half saw Crystal Palace leading 1-0 at the break, despite looking comfortable with their lead the visitors didn’t double their lead until the 88th minute to secure all three points, Gemma Bryan with her 29th goal of the season. Level on points with C&K Basildon Ladies both on 28 are 5 behind leaders Charlton Athletic Women with both having a game in hand the new year promises to be exciting.
For the 2nd weekend running the FAWPL Cup 2nd Round was heavily affected by the weather several ties postponed once again now rolled over into the new year. One tie did survive the weather however and it was a cup upset with Southern Division side, Cardiff City Ladies knocked out of the competition by South West Division One side, Plymouth Argyle Ladies. The visitors travelling to Wales in excellent form unbeaten in league and cup ended the year with that record intact, a goal from Rebecca Atkins giving Plymouth a 1st half lead. Natasha Knapman doubling their advantage 20 minutes into the 2nd half. Cori Williams pulling it back to 2-1 for Cardiff City, the lower league side progressing through to the next round.
In FAWPL South East Division One, it was a winning end to the year for Enfield Town Ladies the 3 points lifting them up to 7th spot in the league table. At home on Sunday taking on bottom side, Haringey Borough Women. The hosts taking the lead 22 minutes into the 1st half through an own goal. Sheryce Slater making it 2-0 to Enfield just 4 minutes later. Leading 2-0 at half-time Enfield pressed the advantage 2nd half extending their lead in the 66th minute, Daisy Jenkins on target. Andrea Vivas scoring Enfield’s 4th goal with 20 minutes left scored again for her double towards the end of the match along with Danielle Smith the final score 6-0.
ERWFL
With all their games postponed last Sunday the ERWFL was trying again to play their League Cup and Plate ties, frozen pitches seeing games called off for a 2nd time just two ties from the 3rd Round of the League Cup were decided with the away side in both games progressing through to the quarter finals. Current ERWFL Premier Division leaders, Cambridge City Ladies were hosting Bedford Ladies both in good form a hard game to call. Cambridge City scoring through Bella Simmons it wasn’t enough as last season’s finalists were knocked out of the competition with Bedford winning the tie 3-1 to advance.
An all Essex affair at the Harlow Arena with ERWFL debutants Harlow Town Ladies entertaining Premier Division side Brentwood Town Ladies again another tough game to call but with Brentwood getting so recent momentum in the league it was the higher league side who booked their spot in the quarter finals winning the game 2-0 with Marie Barker and Georgia Holdaway scoring their goals.
Norfolk
One game in the Norfolk Women’s Football League survived the weather on Sunday, in Division Two with 4th placed Kirkley & Pakefield FC Ladies hosting Freethorpe Ladies, a great result for the visitors to end the year 2 goals for captain Claire Garner, (one from the penalty spot) along with a goal for Amy Morris seeing Freethorpe win the game 3-1 the 3 points moving them up a place into 5th in the league. Paige Baker with the goal in the 2nd half for Kirkley & Pakefield.
Cambridgeshire
Another heavily affected fixture list across Cambridgeshire on Sunday with 2 games played. In the Women’s Premiership, leaders Netherton United Ladies ended 2017 with a massive 12 point lead at the top of the table. A fantastic opening start to the season were hosting March Town United Ladies at The Grange. The visitors holding the advantage at half-time with a 2-1 lead having scored twice within the opening 10 minutes of the match, Livvi Hodges and Shannon Kelly the goalscorers. Netherton pulling it back to 2-1 with a goal from Emily Johnson in the final minute of the 1st half. The home side equalising early in the 2nd half with Georgina Parrett sending the ball home it make it 2-2. Johnson scored again to put Netherton into the lead with 20 minutes left to play. Yasmin Green making it 4-2 from the penalty spot before Johnson completed her hat-trick with 3 minutes left on the clock to see Netherton win 5-2.
In the Cambridgeshire Women’s Division One Cup, it was an all Championship South tie with league leaders Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds hosting Isleham United Ladies on Sunday. Marie Stubbings scoring a brace for Fulbourn has 25 goals for the season now from just 9 appearances. There were goals too for Emma Clarke and Yasmin Upson along with Marcela Mundz who scored her 1st goal of the season. Fulbourn advancing into the next round with a 5-0 win.
Essex
In Essex the 1st Round of the Women’s League Cup was scheduled to be played again affected by the weather just 3 ties were played on Sunday with big home wins for all 3 Premier Division sides drawn against Division One opponents. Collier Row Tigers reaching the final of the League Cup last season were at home to Brentwood Town Ladies Reserves. Laura Bunton netting 4 goals for the Premier Division outfit half their tally in an 8-0 victory the other goals shared out between Marta Choruzy, Sarah Finch, Emma Harrison and Rebecca Killington.
Another side to score 8 goals at home on Sunday in the 1st Round of the League Cup were Premier Division side, Eastern Avenue taking on Waltham Forest Ladies. Katie Peers taking her goals scored to 13 so far with a hat-trick in the game. Hannah Warner moving onto 10 goals too with a brace for Eastern Avenue. Amara Drummond, Teliscia Linton and Lorna Huddleston with her 1st goal of the season also scoring in an 8-2 victory.
A potential upset in the League Cup on the cards in the other 1st Round tie played in the League Cup on Sunday with Harlow Town Ladies struggling for points in the Premier Division hosting Division One side Rayleigh Town Ladies. In the end a comfortable and much welcome win for the home side as Harlow advanced through to the next round with a 5-0 win, Casey Lunn scoring twice with Rubie Smith, Amber Strows and captain Rebecca Pope all getting on the scoresheet.
One game played in Essex Women’s Division One on Sunday, 2nd versus 3rd with Leigh Ramblers Ladies hosting Dagenham & Redbridge Ladies both looking to close the gap on Hullbridge Sports Ladies. Both having to settle for a point each as the match ended without neither goal breached 0-0 both having lost just the once this season with be pushing Hullbridge Sports still with a 100% record hard in the New Year.
Beds & Herts
A great end to the year for Houghton Athletic Ladies in Beds & Herts Division One taking their unbeaten run to 4 matches climb up to 4th in the league with a good away win on Sunday against Garston Ladies. Both Ciara Craig and Becky Sullivan scoring a brace in the match for the visitors. Emily Wilson, along with Louise and Rachel Spendelow were also on target in a 7-1 victory.
In Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two the title race on well and truly on as 2017 ends with leaders Garston Ladies 2nd Xi beaten for the 1st time this season at home to Welwyn Pegasus Sapphires on Sunday the 3rd placed side closing the gap to just 2 points Georgina Harvey scoring a hat-trick. April Spang netting a brace along with Chemise Huitson also scoring in a 6-1 win for Welwyn Pegasus. Maxine Hotz getting Garston’s goal.
In between Garston Ladies 2nd XI and Welwyn Pegasus Sapphires are Royston Town Ladies Reserves winning away from home on Sunday to move level on points with Garston at the top of Division Two. Playing bottom side Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses Blues, Samantha Edgar netting a brace for Royston. Paige Rolfe and Jazmin Racher were also on the scoresheet in a 4-0 win.
In Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three, Wheathamstead Wanderers Ladies end the year on a high as they move into 2nd spot in the league table with a comfortable 5-0 win away from home against bottom side Potters Bar United Ladies.
A weather affected end to the year, my thanks to all that have enjoyed reading The Round-Up throughout the year plenty of excitement and action to look forwards too in the New Year. After all nothing is settled at Christmas. Enjoy your festive period and have a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.