2018 begins with Netherton United Ladies having a commanding 12 point lead at the top of the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership, losing just one of the 10 league games they played before Christmas. Those sides hoping to catch them have alot of work to do but do have games in hand. St Ives Town Ladies in 2nd place in the table were hosting Netherton United this Sunday with 4 matches in hand on the leaders. St Ives Town enjoying a good first half were leading Netherton 3-0, and despite Netherton pulling 2 goals back in the 2nd half St Ives Town found the back of the net once more to win the game 4-2 and close the gap a little. Georgia Stancombe scoring twice for St Ives Town along with a goal each for Katherine Speed and Hannah Seymour-Shove.
Another side with plenty of games in hand on Netherton United in the Premiership are 3rd placed Newmarket Town Ladies their 1st game of 2018 just their 6th league match. Were on the road taking on March Town United Ladies in 5th spot. Two strikes from Jordanne Sillitoe seeing Newmarket come away with all three points winning the match 2-1. Shannon Shaw netting the goal for March Town United
They drop to 6th after Cambridge City Ladies Development won at home to climb above them with their 3rd win of the season. Taking on 4th placed ICA Sports Ladies, a goal from Rachel Pearce along with a brace for Rachel Littlewood enough to secure all the points despite Jessica Farchica scoring twice for ICA Sports.
Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship North
Just the one game played in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship North on this 1st Sunday of January. A good result for Ketton Ladies as they move back to the top of the league with victory away to Pinchbeck United Ladies. Both Emma Ward and Fran Kavanagh scoring 2 goals each along with a goal for Claire Lawrenson to seal a 5-0 win.
Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship South
One game played in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship South too this Sunday and another good result for league leaders Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds as they pick up all 3 points away from home against Newmarket Town Ladies Reserves to open up a 6 point gap over 2nd placed Histon Ladies Reserves. Two goals for Marie Stubbings taking her onto 27 for the season along with a goal for Stacey Kemp seeing the visitors win the game 3-0.
Cambridgeshire Women’s Division Cup
A new competition introduced this season in Cambridgeshire the Division One Cup. Had very little information on this it involves the Championship sides both North & South. Split into 4 groups with A & B featuring the Championship South sides, groups C & D those in the North. Guessing the top two from each will progress to a quarter final stage but have yet to confirm that. Some group games have taken place, Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds beating Isleham United Ladies to lead Group A which also contains Newmarket Town Ladies Reserves and Burwell Tigers.
In Group D, Ketton Ladies beat Pinchbeck United Ladies to lead the way Riverside Ladies and Spalding United Ladies are also in Group D.
Group C contains, Hungate Rovers Ladies, Orton Rangers Ladies, Wisbech St Mary Ladies and Wisbech Town Ladies no games played yet.
There was one match in the Division One Cup played this Sunday however in Group B containing just 3 sides from the Championship South, St Ives Town Ladies Development hosting Histon Ladies Reserves, a narrow 1-0 advantage for St Ives Town at half-time the 2nd half saw 5 goals shared amongst the sides the teams taking a pint each from the game drawing 3-3. Molly Berryman, Connie Liddiard and captain Georgia Rebane scoring for St Ives Town. Philippa Hayden-Evans, Kirsty Lemmon Sparkes and Lauren Threadgold the goal scorers for Histon Ladies Reserves. St Ives Town lead the group having previously beaten Cambridge Rangers.
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.
After suffering their 1st league defeat of the season last Sunday Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership leaders, Netherton United Ladies were looking to put things right at home on Sunday as they hosted Cambridge City Ladies Development in the only match taking place in the league this weekend. A great start for Netherton as they opened the scoring in the 5th minute Emily Johnson scoring. Midway through the 1st half the lead was doubled with Yasmin Green making it 2-0. Johnson getting her 2nd of the game just 4 minutes later to put Netherton into a strong 3-0 lead at half-time. It was 4-0 2 minutes into the 2nd half Netherton awarded a penalty Green stepping up to score. Cambridge City pulled it back to 4-1 in the 57th minute adding a 2nd goal in the last minute, Morgan Want and Charlotte Vaskin scoring their goals. Netherton once again opening up a 9 point lead at the top of the Premiership table.
Cambridgeshire Women’s League Cup
Elsewhere it was quarter finals day in the Cambridgeshire Women’s League Cup. In the only all Premiership tie St Ives Town Ladies were on home soil facing March Town United Ladies. In great form St Ives proved to strong an opponent as they reached the semi-finals of the competition with a convincing win. Georgia Stancombe netting 5 goals in the game for St Ives. Hannah Seymour-Shove also getting herself a brace with Katherine Speed also on target in an 8-0 win.
Newmarket Town Ladies were away in the Cambridgeshire Women’s League Cup quarter finals taking on Championship South side Isleham United Ladies. Laura Bailey put through on goal to score the opening goal for Newmarket. Chloe Slater doubling the advantage. Abbi Griffin also scoring a brace in the match with Bailey getting another goal to her name. Jess Linger completing the goalscorers, Newmarket progressing to the semi-finals with a 6-0 victory.
Championship North leaders, Wisbech St Mary Ladies came into this weekends League Cup quarter final tie in confident form as they hosted Premiership side Cambridge University Women who themselves had knocked out Netherton United Ladies in the previous round. The hosts scored twice with Carlie Knight and Lauren Lewis getting the goals. Cambridge University scoring 2 goals in the 1st half with Amanda Wainwright netting both. The visitors starting the 2nd half strongly Lili Donlon-Mansbridge and Fiona Conlon scoring within 5 minutes of the restart. Donlon-Mansbridge adding another goal on the hour with Wainwright going on to get her hat-trick in the 84th minute. Cambridge University Women winning 6-2 to reach the semi-finals.
Is an all Premiership line-up in the semi-finals of the Cambridgeshire Women’s League Cup too with ICA Sports Ladies also progressing although they were run all the way to penalties by Championship South title chasers, Histon Ladies Reserves. The visitors leading 1-0 at half-time Philippa Hayden-Evans with the goal. Megan Purnell equalising for ICA Sports in the 2nd half. The tie needing to be decided from the penalty spot ICA Sports edged the shootout 3-2 to progress.
Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship South
One match played in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship South on Sunday with leaders Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds opening up a 3 point lead at the top of the table over Histon Ladies Reserves with a big home win over bottom side Burwell Tigers. Ebony Rule scoring a hat-trick for Fulbourn on her return to the side. Stacey Kemp and Marie Stubbings both netting a brace, there were goals too for Yasmine Upson, Sarah Green, Seema Grewal, Katie Luddy and Sharon Pinner an own goal too seeing Fulbourn win 13-1. Megan Seabrook-Mead with the goal for Burwell.
Cambridgeshire Women’s Division One Cup
A new competition in Cambridgeshire this season which as of yet I know very little about except as the name suggests the Division One Cup which in this case is the Championship North and South. Two 1st Round ties were played at the weekend. An all Championship South tie saw Cambridge Rangers Women hosting St Ives Town Ladies Development. The visitors progressing into the next round winning by a single goal captain Georgia Rebane the scorer for St Ives.
The other 1st Round tie saw an all Championship North tie with Ketton Ladies at home to Pinchbeck United Ladies on Sunday. 2nd in the league Ketton reaching the next round comfortably with a 10-1 win.
