The Round-Up

Sunday 22nd September

Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership

Five games played this Sunday in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership, first points of the season dropped by leaders ICA Sports Ladies sees the gap closed at the top to just a point. Very early days yet however with just a handful of games played in a 13 strong league a lot more football to be played.

Winning their opening 2 matches saw ICA Sports Ladies topping the Premiership table as they hosted newly promoted Ketton Ladies this Sunday. Ketton winning their debut game at this level 4-1 on the opening day back in league action having been involved in their county cup competition last weekend. A tough contest Ketton doing well to earn a point coming back to level the scores 3 times in the game which finished 3-3. Annie Posnett scoring a brace for ICA Sports her first of the season with Donna Nicholls also on target for a goal her 6th in 3 matches at the start of the season. Fran Kavanagh often amongst the goals for Ketton also netting a brace has 7 now from 3 played with Sascha Smith scoring her first of the campaign.

 Was a good opening day to the season for all 4 sides promoted from the Championship North and South last season with both Leverington Ladies and Haverhill Rovers Ladies winning their opening fixture meeting this weekend the pair looking to make it 2 wins from 2. Leverington of course the new name for Wisbech Town Ladies (Put that in because I typed Wisbech out of habit will try not to make that mistake too often as I get used to the new handle). Anyway hosting Leverington started the game well however it was Haverhill who would open the scoring against the run of play the ball fired home from a tight angle. Leverington responding straight away coming back to level the scores the ball crossed in volleyed in at the far post by Terri Ann Moeser for her first of the season. Leverington going on to take the lead, Savanna Plavecz finding the bottom corner for her first of the season. Haverhill’s turn to respond and scoring two quickfire goals held a 3-2 advantage at half-time. Needing to replace their goalkeeper in the 2nd period Leverington pushed hard for a reply striking both the crossbar and the post, Haverhill with a resilient performance to hold on to their lead, Leverington ended with 10 Polly Norman shown a red card, the hosts frustrated at the final whistle Haverhill collecting the 3 points an 2nd spot in the table their 100% in tact. Kayleigh Nolan captaining the side scoring her first two goals of the season a debut goal too for 16-year-old Georgia England.

Two wins from two now for Cambridge City Ladies new ‘A’ side as they climb up to 3rd in the Premiership table, a 3-2 away win against Netherton United Ladies last weekend they were at home to newly promoted St Ives Town Ladies Development this Sunday. A close fought game Cambridge with just the bare 11 a single goal enough to clinch the 3 points with Philippa Witherspoon scoring.

Netherton United Ladies getting off the mark at last having lost their opening two league games. On the road this weekend taking on Histon Ladies Reserves. Netherton off to a flyer scoring within the opening minute Emily Johnson played through to score. Histon reacted well getting straight back on level terms. Barely 4 minutes played and Netherton were leading again Johnson through again to score her 2nd of the game. Yasmin Green adding a 3rd goal for the visitors in the 19th minute. Johnson scoring to complete her hat-trick late in the first half had time for a 4th to see Netherton 5-1 up at half-time. Histon pulling it back to 5-2 within 10 minutes of the restart. Lissy Crutchfield bringing the ball out from the be striking from distance to beat the keeper and get her first of the season seeing Netherton leading 6-2 midway through the 2nd half. Histon kept going and got a 3rd goal. Netherton finishing strong with Green netting her 2nd of the game with 15 minutes left. Katie Cooper making it 8-3 with Johnson getting a 5th of the game in the 90th minute heading home to see Netherton win 9-3.

Peterborough Northern Star Ladies Reserves moving from the Northamptonshire Women’s County league were making their bow in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership this weekend at home to another Peterborough based side Riverside Ladies. PNS Ladies Reserves getting off to a winning start. Kayla Dortch scoring a hat-trick in a 6-0 victory. There were goals too for Larissa Frederick, Georgia Clarke and Brandi Davies.

Peterborough Northern Star Ladies, Kayla Dortch

Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship

It’s a lot busier in Cambridgeshire on the women’s football front than before not that I’m complaining with a much expanded league this season a 15 strong single division Championship looking exciting early on and seeing plenty of goals scored. A great start to the season for Cambridge Rangers Women bringing last season’s momentum into the new league making it 3 wins from 3 at the beginning of the campaign, used to a Sunday morning kick-off were in action at 10:30am away to Newmarket Town Ladies new Development side. A strong first half seeing the visitors leading the game 3-0. Talia Irvine scoring in the 2nd half for Newmarket, Cambridge Rangers added a further two goals to collect the 3 points with a 5-1 result. Vanessa Martinez Ramos scoring a brace has 4 from 2 appearances for Cambridge Rangers. Daniella Lewis with a goal too also has 4 from 3 played. With Hoi Yee Ng and Claire Kyndt scoring their first goals of the season.

Also making it 3 wins from 3 at the start of the season are Pinchbeck United Ladies. Looking good at the start of the season making new additions to their squad were at home to Burwell Tigers Ladies this Sunday. Leading 2-0 at half-time the hosts went on to score a further 4 goals in the 2nd period to win 6-0. Captain Chloe Gray scoring a brace their were goals too for Freya Peters and Courtney Walker. With China Smith and Natalie Hudson on target for their first goals.

Losing to Pinchbeck 3-0 on the opening day of the season Isleham United Ladies have responded well to win their next two league games to climb into 3rd spot in the Championship table. On the road this weekend were taking on new comers Swavesey Spartans Ladies. Meadow Wooldridge and Tegan Collier with her first of the season scoring for Swavesey. Poppy Green bagging a brace for Isleham to take her onto 5 goals for the season. Laura Todd with a goal too moving onto 7 from 3 played and Karren Overson with her first Isleham goal winning the 3 points, 4-2 the final score.

Deeping United Ladies also moving onto 6 points with their 2nd league win of the season. Losing 7-5 in a dramatic game with Eaton Socon Ladies last time out were at home again facing Hungate Rovers Ladies this weekend their opponents still looking for their first points of the season ran Deeping United close, a first goal of the season for Caroline Sutherland and a brace from Hannah Chapman a fantastic goal from a corner along with a penalty seeing her move onto 8 goals from just 3 played winning the game 3-2.

A first point of the season earned for Mildenhall Town Ladies this Sunday, the newcomers away to Park Ladies this Sunday and eventful first half between the sides seeing them drawing the game 3-3. A brace for Georgia Stimson along with a goal for Darcie Tegerdine for Park. Annalise Brown scoring the first ever Mildenhall goal, also on the scoresheet with their first goals for the club were Jasmine Luckett and Eloise Gookley. The sides battling out a goalless 2nd half to share the points.

A first win of the season coming this Sunday for newcomers Cambourne United Women away to Haverhill Rovers Ladies Development. Emily Arnold opening her account for Cambourne in the 6th minute had a 2nd goal 10 minutes later. A hat-trick completed with 12 minutes left to play. Abbie Cotton making her first start for Cambourne with a goal in the final 3 minutes to see the visitors win the match 4-2. Gemma Codling scoring both goals for Haverhill who you feel can’t be too far away from their first win of the season either.

The Round-Up

Sunday 8th September

Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership

The Cambridgeshire Women’s football league got a whole load bigger over the summer as despite the number of league dropping the number of sides competing in them swells dramatically with 10 new names across a 13 strong Premiership (previously 8) and a single Championship boasting 15 sides (previously 12 across a Championship North & South).

  Peterborough Northern Star Ladies Reserves move from Northamptonshire to join the Premiership whilst Cambridge City Ladies have added a 3rd women’s side. 4 sides promoted, St Ives Town Ladies Development, Haverhill Rovers Ladies, Ketton Ladies and Leverington Ladies (previously Wisbech Town Ladies). Going to be a competitive league. 10 of the 13 sides in action on the opening weekend.

  Winning the Championship North last season, Ketton Ladies began their Premiership campaign with a trip to Histon Ladies Reserves. A strong season to clinch the title going all the way with Wisbech Town Ladies, Ketton got off to a great start scoring 4 goals with last seasons top scorer Fran Kavanagh opening this season with a brace. 47 goals for Kavanagh last season a potent attack with Claire Lawrenson who netted 27 goals. Lawrenson too getting her account opened with a goal along with one for Ellie Marson scoring her 1st for the club. Ketton winning 4-1. Histon’s goal scored by Amanda Binge.

  Just as in the Championship North it was a hotly fought title battle in the Championship South with St Ives Town Ladies Development pipping Haverhill Rovers Ladies to the title. Both making their Premiership bow this weekend the pair on the road. Haverhill Rovers taking on Cambridge City Ladies new ‘A’ team. Haverhill entering their 2nd season together looking to push on put in a good performance against Cambridge City’s youngsters. Last season’s top scorer Joeli Kirby opening her account for the season with a goal along with assistant manager Kayleigh Steed plus an own goal securing a 3-1 win.

  St Ives Ladies Development matched Haverhill Rovers score winning away to Riverside Ladies on the opening day. Losing heavily in the Women’s FA Cup, Riverside had a few more players available this weekend saw an improved performance, Gabija Pavlova scoring for the hosts, St Ives Town scoring 3 to win the game, Jade Carpenter with a brace along with a goal for Steph Ransome.

  A good opening weekend for all the promoted sides with Leverington Ladies completing a quartet of wins. At home were taking on Netherton United Ladies who look to have improved their squad over the summer. Leverington formerly Wisbech Town Ladies, still the @FenLadies also adding to their squad getting off to the better start hitting the crossbar before Sophie Swinden top scorer last season with 43 goals made it 1-0. A slender lead at half-time Netherton improved 2nd half getting back on level terms with Emily Johnson on target. The game could have gone either way at that point, Leverington retaking the lead with Swinden netting a 2nd goal, Netherton pushed from a reply the hosts holding firm to start the season with a win.

Two goals on the opening day for Leverington Sports Ladies, Sophie Swinden (photo credit Steve Hone)

  A dramatic match to end the Premiership games on the opening day as ICA Sports Ladies and Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds shared 11 goals between them! The visitors seeing last season’s top scorer Marie Stubbing start the season with a brace, so too Ebony Rule returning to the club. Krissie Taylor also on the scoresheet. Fulbourn scoring 5 goals it wasn’t enough to see them take anything from the game as they were undone at the other end for 6. Donna Nicholls scoring a hat-trick, their were goals to celebrate too for Carmen Herridge, Danielle King and Clare Knibbs.

Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship

With the clubs arguing for it the Championship becomes one single league this season to be contested by 15 sides with 8 new sides joining the league, Isleham United Youth Ladies, Newmarket Town Women Development, Deeping United Ladies, Swavesey Spartans Ladies, Eaton Socon Ladies, Cambourne United Women, Haverhill Rovers Ladies Development and Mildenhall Town Ladies. Sad to lose Wisbech St Mary Ladies who were struggling badly towards the end of the season. 

On the whole though it was a good opening weekend for the more established clubs some of whom had a tough campaign last time out. The exception being Cambridge Rangers Women, having tough seasons in the past last campaign saw them on the tails of Haverhill Rovers Ladies and St Ives Town for a long spell before finishing 3rd in the Championship South. Began the new season with a trip to newly formed Mildenhall Town Ladies. Good to see the club forming a women’s team after hosting FAWNL side Cambridge Unite WFC for 3 seasons. The Championship a far cry from the FAWNL it proved to be a tough start for Mildenhall fielding the bare 11. Erika Balskute getting a hat-trick on the opening day for Cambridge Rangers. Vanessa Martinez Ramos scoring twice there were goals too for Daniella Lewis and Stephanie Rowan in an 8-0 win.

Cambridge Rangers top of the pile after the opening weekends results but only on alphabetical order as their 8-0 winning scoreline was matched by Park Ladies. Tough going for Park in the Championship South last season the squad certainly got a lift to start the season as they hosted new side Cambourne United Women. Georgia Stimson netting a hat-trick for Park, there was a brace for Demi Newman with Sophie Fenner, Darcie Tegerdine and Francesca Piltsch all getting a goal apiece.

  Now I tend to only tag the winning sides in each edition of the Round-Up and it’s with delight I can tag Burwell Tigers Ladies at last as they start the season with victory. Enduring a tough couple of seasons in the Championship South the squad has kept together and were overjoyed to record an opening day victory on Sunday away to new side Eaton Socon Ladies. Admittedly in was a much closer scoreline than the previous two matches with goals from Megan Seabrook, Hannah Dewey and Eve Hedley sealing a 3-2 win, but victory and the 3 points doing wonders for the confidence.

Pinchbeck United Ladies have make some good additions to their squad over the summer and with signs they were improving showing towards the end of last season in the Championship North they got off to a winning start at home to Isleham United Ladies on Sunday in their opening fixture. Courtney Walker scoring a hat-trick to see the match won 3-0.

Better results elsewhere for the new sides joining the Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship. Deeping United Ladies beginning the season with an away match against Haverhill Rovers Ladies Development regrouping after being forced to withdraw from the Suffolk Women’s Division last season. Deeping securing the 3 points courtesy of a 2-0 win with Hannah Chapman scoring both goals.

A winning start too for Swavesey Spartans Ladies as they edged the victory at home to Hungate Rovers Ladies on the opening day of the season. Goals from Meadow Wooldridge, Charlotte Frostick and Alexandra Herbert seeing the newcomers win the match 3-2.