Friday 8th March

Huntingdonshire FA Women Senior Cup Final

The cup finals getting off to an early start this year with a Friday evening trip to St Neots to watch this season’s Hunts FA Women’s Senior Cup Final between Eaton Socon Ladies and Godmanchester Town Ladies.

Very much a fledgling competition with this being the 3rd final to be played. Cambridge United WFC winning in inaugural competition beating St Ives Town Women with a stoppage time winner from Laura Mitchell to lift the cup. A single goal the difference in the finish in last season’s final too, albeit coming in the opening 50 seconds, Laura Rudd’s 30 yard screamer seeing Cardea FC Ladies win seeing St Ives Town Ladies finish runners-up for the 2nd successive year.

Huntingdonshire FA with a small catchment of clubs seeing a field of just 7 enter this years competition and that was further reduced with clubs sadly withdrawing from there respective leagues, one of those, St Ives Town Ladies, their 1st team at least, struggling for numbers and injuries making to tough decision to call it a day. Followed soon after by Yaxley Phoenix Ladies losing both their 1st team and development side. With two of the favourites not even getting to play their drawn matches the competition has opened the door to others. For despite these losses Huntingdonshire has huge potential for growth within the women’s game and interest is strong with the Hunts FA announcing over 600 tickets were sold leading up to this evenings final.

Eaton Socon Ladies into their 1st Hunt’s FA Women’s Senior Final a great opportunity to compete for silverware in what has been a tough season for the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership side. Due to unforeseen circumstances bringing in a new manager weeks before the start of the season. Dan Dodson looking to bring in a new style of play has taken a little bit of time for thing’s to settle but but after a poor start to the season and a good squad of talented players to work with results have started to come the bonus reaching their 1st cup final

Godmanchester Town Ladies were formed this season the side evolving from the core of the old St Ives Town Ladies Development side, initially moving to Huntingdon before establishing themselves with their new club. Are enjoying a very good season in the league. Top of Cambridgeshire Women’s Division Two look odds on to win the league with 7 matches to play, 8 points clear at the top undefeated winning all but one of their 13 games to date. Scoring plenty of goals long the way too with Kendal O’Connor leading scorer so far with 23 goals from 15 games with Ellie Harvey close behind on 20 for the season, with Francesca Worrall and Natasha Houchen also into double figures. That strong league form continuing into the cup competitions reaching a final in their 1st season.

Road to the Final

    With the quarter final draw being blown wide open by the early season withdrawals, Eaton Socon who had been handed a tough home game against St Ives Town Ladies progressed straight to the last 4. Godmanchester were drawn away to St Ives Town Ladies 2nd team which is still going. The away side winning 4-0 to reach the last 4 off the competition with holders Cardea FC Ladies and their new Reserves side the other semi-finalists.

  Eaton Socon at home again in the semi-finals drawn against Cardea FC Ladies 1st team. A 2nd half brace from Hannah Hutchinson and a stoppage time goal from Shannah Anico seeing Eaton Socon into the final winning 3-1 to knock out the holders. Godmanchester at home too taking on Cardea FC Ladies Reserves, rattling in the goals easily reaching the final with a 7-2 victory.

 The previous two Hunts FA Women’s Senior Finals taking place at Eynesbury Rovers FC, the final moved this season to St Neots Town Fc’s. Premier Plus Stadium. With a large crowd expected the ground starting to fill early, the main seated stand on one side of the ground with the kitchen hatch open for hot food and drinks along with the bar. Terraced standing behind both goals with viewing all round. The good sized grass pitch in great condition. A few welcome days of relatively dry weather leading up to the game although their was a bitterly cold breeze keeping temperatures down.

Eaton Socon Ladies starting XI – Keeley Robinson, Lily Horsler, Victoria Wilkinson, Erin Kelly, Chloe Armstrong, Gemma Cooksley (C), Mollie Childerley, Charlotte Crisp, Hannah Hutchinson, Shannah Anico & Chloe Parncutt. Subs – Melissa Davidson, Rebecca Jones, Kelly Bingham, Cara Howell & Kayleigh Clarke. 

Godmanchester Town Ladies starting XI – Jade Carpenter, Leah Culpin, Leia Wheeler, Emily Stephenson, Megan Stow, Cherish Sibanda (C), Natasha Houchen, Sophie Crook, Francesca Worrall, Ellie Harvey & Kendal O’Connor. Subs – Georgina Astley, Steph Ransome, Erica Zimmerman, Natasha Colmer & Nicolle Surtees.

  It’s Godmanchester to get the Hunts FA Women Senior Cup Final underway kicking off the 1st half wearing sky blue shirts with navy blue across the top of the chest and sleeves, navy shorts and socks. Eaton Socon lined up opposite wearing claret coloured shirts and socks with sky blue shorts. Th ball played back to the defence clipped long out to the right, Eaton Socon’s Victoria Wilkinson challenging the ball taken out of play for the throw. 

  Godmanchester pressing on the right the ball won central threaded through for Kendal O’Connor running into the right channel, Chloe Armstrong intercepting the pass at the back for Eaton Socon. A lively start to the game both sides closing the ball down, little time to pick a pass. Shannah Anico with pace to burn looking to get free on the right as the ball is squeezed in the middle launched forwards, Emily Stephenson winning it at the back for Godmanchester.

 Cherish Sibanda captaining Godmanchester combining with Sophie Crook through the middle played forwards for Francesca Worrall pulling in behind the Eaton Socon defence taking the ball into the area left of the goal, goalkeeper Keeley Robinson comes racing out to close her down going to ground making the blocking save at the strikers feet.

  Lily Horsler moving in to press the ball off a Godmanchester throw in on right looks to put Anico on down the wing, Stephenson getting across on the cover to close her down send the ball out for a throw. A high tempo both sides continue to get at one another, Eaton Socon come forwards Hannah Hutchinson on for Anico bursting down the right into the corner, holds possession sending it back into Hutchinson 25 yards out central, looks to return it to Anico as she races back to the top corner of the area, the number 9 brought down, referee Lauren Dobbs awarding the free-kick. 

 Crisp over the set piece 20 yards out right corner of the Godmanchester area whips a curling ball in low towards goal runners coming in to attack it, Mollie Childerley meeting it with a little too much power driving it wide at the near post. Eaton Socon starting to gain some momentum coming forward well, Erin Kelly on for Hutchinson out to Anico on the right Leia Wheeler getting her foot in to take the ball away from her clear for Godmanchester. Hutchinson pulling right again linking up with Anico threads the ball into the area, the Godmanchester defence across her to shield the ball out for the goal kick.

  Anico looking to play Hutchinson on this time down the right wing, Natasha Houchen tackling for Godmanchester. Jade Carpenter, keeping goal for Godmanchester comes to claim as Anico 25 yards out lifts the ball into her box. Carpenter then racing out of her area to kick the ball clear as Chloe Parncutt threatens to run in behind the defence from an over the top pass. 

 Eaton Socon doing well to win the 2nd balls stop Godmanchester finding their attackers turn play around played out to Childerley on the left, Wilkinson providing support the ball back to her played inside for Kelly to strike from distance Carpenter right behind it to save. Horsler putting herself about getting stuck in on the right linking up with Anico, Megan Stow getting across as she gets in behind to clear. Horsler with a nice piece of footwork to drag the ball back skip past her marker on the right cuts inside running into traffic can’t pick out a teammate before Sibanda tackles.

  O’Connor gets hold of the ball in attack for Godmanchester powers her way in behind the defence looking to attack the area moving central, checks inside to come back onto her right foot as the Eaton Socon defence recovers the ground, nevertheless gets her shot away a low strike angled in at right post, Robinson down smartly onto it to save.

 The tackles continue to mount up O’Connor earning herself the 1st yellow card of the game as Eaton Socon get the free-kick on halfway. Sent long in towards the area Stow heading clear, Eaton Socon keep possession a diagonal ball angled out to the right with Hutchinson giving chase to the by-line looks to play the ball of the tracking defender and gets it to win her side a corner kick. Parncutt to take the corner played in low to the top of the box the pass returned to Parncutt coming inside to sweep a cross into the six yard box, Sibanda winning it for Godmanchester. 

  GOAL! The deadlock broken in the 19th minute Eaton Socon winning the ball back on their left Wilkinson into Kelly to Parncutt the ball fed into the left channel Childerley breaking in behind the defence moving central comes back onto her left foot to smash a low shot under the diving keeper from 20 yards out and turns to race away in celebration. Next to her grandparents they were pleased with that one 1-0.

   Competitive in the middle, Crisp and Sophie Crook for Manchester getting stuck into each other as crisp comes right looking to pick out the run of Anico. Hutchinson finding room on the ball for Eaton Socon getting forwards well having the pacy Anico getting central slips the ball into the area forwards for Anico to attack left of goal a little too far ahead of her came on poke her shot wide of the post. Hutchinson then seeing the ball into her feet outside the box right corner turns to shoot, Stephenson out to block her.

  Godmanchester competing for the ball well, finding it hard to pick a pass with Eaton Socon moving quickly to get hold of the 2nd ball. Crook playing to the ball out to Worrall moves inside her inside pass cut out by Eaton Socon captain, Gemma Cooksley.

  GOAL! Out of nothing Godmanchester get themselves back on level terms, the ball played wide out to the left in the final third looking to be running out of play, chased down and kept in, Crook with it at her feet coming inside on the angle hitting the ball in towards the far post on the angle, sends it over Robinson under the crossbar to pull it back to 1-1.

  Back all square, Eaton Socon regain possession on the left the ball with Childerley forwards for Parncutt driving down the line, Leah Culpin getting in the challenge to win the ball back for Godmanchester. Kelly with Crisp in the middle the ball put forwards onto Anico up to, looks to steal half a yard on the defence get in behind, Stephenson with a great tackle recovering to nick the ball away from her.

  Stow winning the header in defence for Godmanchester the ball back into mid-field Crook out to the left wing for Worrall wins them their 1st corner of the game. The delivery swung into the near post clear by Hutchinson for Eaton Socon out for a throw. Eaton Socon build through the middle Parncutt combining with Crisp taking the ball right slide the pass in for Hutchinson 25 yards out, Stephenson quickly out to close her down tackling to win the ball back. 

  Both sides maintaining a good tempo the ball rarely still, flowing been with some robust challenges. Horsler nipping in to win the ball of Worrall breaking forwards comes inside runs into Sibanda. Godmanchester caught high lose the ball, Stephenson well positioned to halt the counter attack. Houchen with a talking too as she chops down Hutchinson on half way. Eaton Socon break left Childerley on for Parncutt, the ball rolled back to the top of the area the cross swept into the six yard box claimed well by Carpenter.

  Carpenter out of her area to hack the ball clear as Hutchinson feed the ball on for Anico on the right. Anico’s pace continues to cause Godmanchester problems as Carpenter is needed to run out to the top of the box to clear before the attacker and race onto the ball in behind. Eaton Socon looking to finish the first half strong Childerley, Anico and Parncutt combining down the left can’t quite keep the ball in play as she stretches to cross on the by-line. Godmanchester with one last attack in the half getting up the left winning a corner. A decent ball swung in central Eaton Socon thought winning the defensive header to see the sides go in level at the break.

Half-time Eaton Socon Ladies 1-1 Godmanchester Town Ladies

  Hunts FA announcing an absolutely fantastic crowd of 708 at this evenings game. Have seen an entertaining first half with the sides drawing 1-1 at the break. Godmanchester breaking trough into the box with an early chance. The game played a a good tempo with little time afforded on the ball. Eaton Socon doing well to get themselves into a good position winning the 2nd ball well building momentum before opening the scoring in the 19th minute. Godmanchester though finding a goal out of nothing to pull the scores level. Both sides scoring in the final at the 3rd attempt will be intriguing to see if the pace of play can be maintained in the 2nd half very much still all to play for.

  No changes for either side at the break, with Eaton Socon getting the 2nd period underway, played back to Kelly into her defence, Cooksley and Armstrong pressed by the on rushing Godmanchester attackers the ball hastily cleared. Harvey and O’Connor getting after the ball both sides continuing to snap into their challenges. Crisp looking for Parncutt with the pass on the left, Culpin tackling for Godmanchester.

  Eaton Socon bringing the ball on going right Hutchinson wide angling the ball in towards Anico making the run top of the area, Carpenter rushing out to put her foot though the ball. Sibanda dealing with a cross swung in from Eaton Socon’s right. Godmanchester looknig to be a little more direct push on ha opened the game up a little more Eaton Socon countering Kelly through to Anico with Hutchinson through the middle the pass played on for Parncutt making a run right of the D, Stephenson in her path to put in the blocking tackle. 

  GOAL! Eaton Socon driving at the Godmanchester defence the ball from midfield played in to Hutchinson right side of the D into the area takes the ball round a defender to shoot on the angle, drives her shot across the keeper into the bottom corner 2-1.

  Eaton Socon getting back into the lead early in the 2nd half, Godmanchester looknig for a quickly response the ball from Crook into Worrall on the left checks inside turning into the box, tackled by Horsley. Culpin bringing the ball on down the right for Godmanchester playing the pass forwards for O’Connor, Wilkinson challenging for Eaton Socon. Hutchinson giving away a free-kick Godmanchester winning the set-piece 35 yards out Houchen over the ball lines up the strike on target but Robinson behind it all the way.

    Eaton Socon with the first changes of the match making a double substitution  on 58 minutes bringing on Melissa Davidson and Kelly Bingham to replace Kelly and Crisp. Anico brought down for Eaton Socon the free-kick wide 35 yards out Childerley to send into the box, Stow heading the ball clear for Godmanchester as they break with pace the ball sent on for O’Connor on the right racing forwards, Bingham catching up with her top pf the area doing enough to take the power off her cross the ball deflected across D in favour of Eaton Socon who get to the ball 1st to clear.

  Armstrong getting across to defend on O’Connor takes the ball on down the right flank. Godmanchester pushing on Crook up with the attack the ball played into her inside the D, looks to turn off her own flick on get into the area but is tightly marked can’t get into the box. 

 Hutchinson regaining possession on the right as Godmanchester are forced into a hasty clearance taking the ball on her cross/shot on the angle claimed by Carpenter at her near post. A lot put into the game players starting to go down with cramp. Eaton Socon moving the ball well. Childerley up on the left with support from Parncutt the latter taking the ball infield before whipping a cross into the far post for Hutchinson to attack but is stopped by the raised flag, offside. 

 Midway through the 2nd half, Eaton Socon pushing looking for a helpful 2 goal cushion, Godmanchester fa from out of it. Eaton Socon turning play around as Horsley cuts out the ball at the back played forwards Parncutt pulling off the defence into the box left of goal, Carpenter rushing out to close the angle, Parncutt screws her shot wide of the post. Eaton Socon enjoying a good spell Childerley and Hutchinson both useful outlets on the flanks. Houchen taking a heavy fall down needing treatment a chance for a pause but is up ok Godmanchester making a change bring off Wheeler on comes Rebecca Jones as the game moves into the final 20 minutes.

  Bingham gathering the ball into her feet through the middle her momentum seeing her charge into the D is stopped by a somewhat clumsy challenge by Godmanchester get away with it the ball cleared. Another change for Godmanchester, Houchen having taken the knock coming off replaced by Erica Zimmerman. Harvey wit a strike on goal from the top of the area right of goal, Robinson back on her line seeing it all the way to save comfortably. A reminder to Eaton Socon that with just one goal in it the result is still in the balance.

 Anico with a burst on energy as the game moves into the final 15 minutes taking the ball right flashes a shot on the angle across the goal wide past the far post. Steph Ransome coming on for Eaton Socon to replace Armstrong at the back. Eaton Socon pushing on looknig for their 3rd goal Hutchinson wide right angling a ball into the near post, Childerley in the six yard box her attempt blocked at close range rebounds back to Bingham in the box on the right smashed her strike over the crossbar.

  Natasha Colmer coming on for Godmanchester with Harvey coming off with 5 minutes left on the clock. Eaton Socon on the whole looking comfortable continuing to push on in attack rather than begin dropping back looking to defend their lead. Parncutt breaks through the defence into the box right of goal, Carpenter out to block her. Bingham with Davidson passing on through the middle on for Parncutt, Stephenson cutting the ball out for Godmanchester. 

  Into stoppage time Eaton Socon making a double switch sending on Cara Howell and Kayleigh Clarke replacing Parncutt and Anico up top. Godmanchester going for it late on a strike from 25 yards out on the left rattling wide. Eaton Socon’s defence backed up by the midfield as they limited the spaces in behind the ball clear and the final whistle blows, Eaton Socon rush together to celebrate winning this season’s Hunts FA Women’s Senior Cup. 

Full time Eaton Socon Ladies 2-1 Godmanchester Town Ladies 

  Another new name on the cup and it’s only into it’s 3rd season. A entertaining final played at a fast tempo with both sides closing the ball down throughout, Eaton Socon winning more of the 2nd balls to get themselves on the front foot looked comfortable in the 2nd half once they got their noses back in front but would have liked a further goal to extend the advantage at 2-1 Godmanchester were never out of the game and will feel they just lacked that final killer ball to expose their opponents defence. A lot of energy put into the game and with the shape of thinks currently in Huntingdonshire theirs every reason to think these two sides could be at the beginning of a new rivalry.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Onto this evening’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. It’s a tough one but my mid was leaning towards one player and that differs from the player who got the award on the night but it was close. A few performances of note to mention first for Godmanchester, Emily Stephenson was strong at the back reading the game well getting in some vital challenges and certainly denied Eaton Socon a few more chances. Cherish Sibanda got about the pitch to win the ball helped back in defence and looking to get the ball into her attackers. For Eaton Socon, Lily Horsley was a live wire at the back snapping in with her challenges to win the ball and keep Eaton Socon on the front foot. Mollie Childerley got forwards well to support the attack on the left took her goal well. Shannah Anico’s pace causing Godmanchester problems throughout made several good runs as did Chloe Parncutt who won the award on the night, was a great outlet up top running into the channels and setting up others unlucky not to find a goal herself. Edging it for me however was Hannah Hutchinson linked up fantastically with Anico getting forwards into some great positions whether inside or out on the right in the 2nd half took her goal well.

Congratulations to Eaton Socon Ladies on winning this season’s Hunts FA Women’s Senior Cup

  Hunts FA putting on a great final, fantastic to see a great crowd of 708 enjoy a good game, show piecing women’s football in the area. My thanks to everyone for their help tonight getting the team details. Thanks also to Lucy Nicole Photography (Instagram  @lucynicolephotography ) for allowing me to use some of her pictures in the report much appreciated. The cup finals have started my favourite time of the season.

by Darren Gilham