Sunday 26th April

ERWFL Division One North

Heading into Cambridgeshire today for the final day of the ERWFL League campaign, as Histon Ladies champions of Division One North look to make it a 100% winning season with Dunstable Town Lionesses Women the only side left that can stop that from happening.

Would be a wonderful achievement and rarely done to go an entire season not dropping a single point in the league. The ERWFL typically a highly competitive. Premier Division champions Stevenage FC Women the only other side to not loose a league game this season ending with a trip to Norfolk to play 3rd placed Wroxham Women.

21 wins from 21 league games sees Histon 11 points clear at the top of the ERWFL Division One North table, carrying on the momentum built in the previous season with a runners-up finish and county cup final appearance, brought in ex-Cambridge United WFC manager Darren Marjoram along with United stalwart Liz Pamplin as his assistant, haven’t looked back one more win to complete a 100% wining season, and are once again into the county cup final this coming Wednesday once again facing Cambridge United WFC.

In striker, Evie Nicholls, Histon have the league’s top goal-scorer running away with it win 37 goals from her 37 games, with good contributions throughout the squad, Ella Marden, Laura Leyland, Sophie Hopkin and Sabrina Ghosh all bagging 5 goals each. Have had to grind results out at times but as well as being the 2nd highest goal scorers in the league, have by far the meanest defence conceding just the 14 times throughout their 21 games so far, that combination more often than not seeing you at the top of the table.

Dunstable Town Lionesses Women the last side that can prevent that from happening will provide a stern test, the Bedfordshire side, finishing 4th in the Division One North table will be aiming to end on a high. The women’s football scene in Bedfordshire seeing a healthy growth in the past few years, Dunstable more established one on the leading sides in the county playing in the ERWFL have undergone a few changes and recently the squad with a number of young players looking push on fight for promotion back to the ERWFL Premier Division.

A solid 4th placed finish a good platform to build on, Luke Molloy managing the side has a wealth of experience in the women’s game. A strong run in March securing their league place winning 4 out of their 5 matches. Grace-Monet Wille their top scorer netting 11 goals from her 19 appearances. Cerys Rees has 9 for the season with Bailey Plumbridge on 7 scored. The social media brought under one umbrella at Dunstable the women getting good coverage.

 Histon FC’s, Bridge Road Stadium the venue for this afternoon’s game, features a large grass pitch, fairly dry with a puff of dust on the surface with not alot of rain falling recently (can’t complain on that front). Just off the A14 north of Cambridge itself. A bright sunny day with little cloud in the sky pleasantly warm. The bar at the back of the main stand open serving hot and cold drinks. Viewing all round with a covered seated stand running the length of the pitch on the opposite side. The Dunstable players and coaching team forming a guard of honour to welcome champions Histon as they walk out onto the pitch with their mascots from Histon Hornets girls.

Histon Ladies starting XI – Keeley Robinson, Gabriella Giussani, Mollie Childerley, Laura Leyland (C), Eloise Page, Molly Banks, Hannah Seymour-Shove, Belle Howard, Sabrina Ghosh, Ella Marden & Evie Nicholls. Subs – Abi Davies, Tash  Collins, Sophie Hopkin, Jess McCrae & Claire Krueger.

 Dunstable Town Lionesses Women starting XI – Abbey Pursey Weedon, Amiyah Christie, Hayley Smith, Lola Cook, Emily Foster, Eleanor-Rose Rothwell (C), Megan Molloy, Ellie Sargeant, Kiera-Mae Fitzgerald-Larch, Lexxie Burton & Cerys Rees. Subs – Gemma Darvill & Poppy Surridge.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

  Kick-off slightly delayed with a crash on route seeing the Dunstable side arriving at the ground later than they would have liked to get their prep in. The visitors with a few absent including leading goal scorer Wille naming just the two on the bench. Histon with 5 available to call upon. It’s Dunstable to get the game underway kicking off the 1st half wearing blue shirts with white across the shoulders and sleeves, blue shorts and socks. Histon lined up opposite wearing red coloured shirts with black shorts and socks. The ball rolled back to the defence, sent long out to the right, Ellie Sargeant, Histon left back Mollie Childerley can see it safely out of play.

  Both sides into each other at the start looking to chase the ball down Dunstable bringing the ball right Amiyah Christie on for Sargeant, won back by Histon captain Laura Leyland bringing the ball right using the width of the pitch to play Gabriella Giussani onto the ball as the full back runs into space ahead of her sending it on for Sabrina Ghosh up the wing to attack the weight a little too strong, Hayley Smith defending against Ghosh able to see the ball out for a goal kick.

  Histon winning the ball back attack on the left Childerley up the line into Ella Marden taking the ball to the by-line her cross cut back into the area, Lola Cook defending for Dunstable heading the ball out for a corner on the left. A dangerous ball curled in a across goal helped on, Smith covering the far post for the visitors blocking the ball on the line, the ball cleared Dunstable attempt to launch a rapid counter the ball up to attacker Cerys Rees on the left is quickly closed down.

  Is a big pitch, Histon used to it confident in their shape keeping their defence well spaced out Megan Molloy on the ball for Dunstable linking up with her captain, Eleanor-Rose Rothwell through the middle the pass up to Rees back to goal looks to spin it on for Lexxie Burton to her left, Eloise Page dropping off in defence as the ball comes into her reading it their to intercept the ball. Rees strong holding up the ball well succeeds in finding Burton this time who in turn sends the ball out onto the right wing for Christie to take on but ball knocked forwards the tackle late referee Jordan Blunt bringing play back for the free-kick. Launched up into the area from inside the Histon half, Childerley heading it clear.

  Leyland putting in the tackle to win the ball at the back for Histon, played out to Giussani on the right plays it forwards into Belle Howard making a run out to the right, Emily Foster tracking her for Dunstable lunging in to send the ball out of play for the throw. Histon settling quicker moving the ball well across the pitch, Giussani getting on well to support Ghosh on the right. Molly Banks putting the ball on for Hannah Seymour-Shove in the middle for Histon the ball hooked forwards, out to Marden attacking left wing, Christie winning it back for Dunstable. 

  Banks playing the ball into Evie Nicholls as the Histon striker looks to burst in behind in the left channel, Cook getting a timely foot onto the ball. The hosts sharp the ball out to Giussani pressed up right side feeds the ball onto into the box with Howard looking to make the run, Rothwell getting on her shoulder strong to see the ball out of play for the goal kick.

GOAL! An error from the kick seeing the ball presented straight to Ghosh pushed up with play to the top of the D, knocks the ball into the box moving right and cuts her shot back in across the keeper to find the back of the net and open the scoring for the hosts 1-0.

 The ideal start for Histon getting an early goal as they look to see out a 100% winning season. Sargeant seeing the ball on for Dunstable inside for Rees, looking to pick out Burton, Leyland putting the challenge in at the back for Histon. Histon come left Marden inside to Nicholls seeing the ball into her feet turning inside 25 yards out unleashing the shot, the ball skipping safely through to goalkeeper Abbey Pursey Weedon. Dunstable keen to press the ball disrupt Histon’s build up play, Kiera-Mae Fitzgerald-Larch, adjudged to handle the ball as she goes to charge down Giussani as the visitors look to push on left side. 

  Ghosh causing Dunstable a few issues on the right getting support from Giussani the latter whipping a cross into the top of the D. Marden looking to connect with the header knock it down for Nicholls can’t quite get to it. Fitzgerald-Larch plays a diagonal ball into the top of the area from the left for Dunstable, Rees the target, Childerley in well to close her down for Histon, clearing the ball. Up to Banks turns on the ball sliding it on for Nicholls, Howard pushing on in attack with her the short pass cut out by Foster.

 Giussani pushed up combining with Ghosh on the right for Histon the cross whipped in early, Cook getting her head on the ball drops to Marden inside the box to the left of goal shoots the ball wide past the far post across goal. Histon getting the ball across the pitch stretching play Leyland from the back putting the ball into Ghosh on the right her cross turned behind for the corner kick. Marden to lift a high ball into the box, Leyland attacking it at the back stick driving her header wide. 

  Molloy picking out Rees over in the right sends the ball into the middle Rothwell breaking on 25 yards out can’t quite take the ball in her stride as Page gets the tackle in, Histon over on the right Giussani links up with Seymour-Shove her high diagonal ball into the box claimed well by Pursey Weedon. Rothwell winning the ball back for Dunstable in the middle out to Sargeant on the right looking to link up with Burton, Page snapping in for Histon, forcing the visitors back, the deep cross curled into the top of the area collected by Leyland. A bit of power in the sun a drinks break called midway through the 1st half.

  Dunstable not overly committing players forwards the defence tight deep looking to limit Histon’s threat in behind, Histon settled moving the ball about the pitch probing for a opening the full backs getting on in support well, Nicholls bringing the ball on down the left her cross flashed into the box, Smith in ahead of Ghosh to clear for Dunstable. Cook winning the ball in the box for the visitors playing a good ball up to Burton back to goal, controls it well down off her body to spin of Leyland marking her but again Page has dropped up ready to get her challenge in as the attacker prepares to drive into the box.

 A throw high on the left for Histon worked into the box towards Howard at the near post. Cook turning it behind for the corner, another inviting ball in over the crowd attacking it near post drops to Leyland central stabs out a shot pulling the ball wide of the far post. Rothwell pushing up as Dunstable press right side combining passes with Sargeant her cross cut out at the near post. Banks picking out Ghosh on the right, bursting forwards, Foster getting over to tackle for Dunstable. 

 Nicholls racing forwards in the left channel looking to get onto the end of and over the top ball from Banks strikes the shot 20 yards out dragging it wide. Rothwell back to defend for Dunstable getting a touch on the ball to turn it behind for the corner as Ghosh gets on well right side. The delivery deep to the top of the area, Nicholls looking to get it down into her feet can’t dig out the shot before being closed down. Giussani bringing the ball on right side playing the diagonal ball into the box, Nicholls getting up to meet it turns her header wide at the far post. 

 Histon keeping the ball moving using the pitch Nicholls pushing on into the left channel, Howard pushing on central in support, Dunstable getting numbers back to squeeze possession inside the box. Fitzgerald-Larch coming left with the ball inside for Rees turn it on for Sargeant right side, play stopped as she ends up fouling Childerley. Histon lively Ghosh right skipping inside, Smith staying on her slowing the winger down but gets support from Giussani and Howard snapping back to regain the ball Howard to Giussani too whip an angled cross into the top of the area, Nicholls bringing the ball down pops up, giving Cook the opportunity to get her foot in to clear.  

 Histon goalkeeper Keeley Robinson alert to the threat as Burton seeing the ball into her feet on the right turns it on for Sargeant surging past her on the wing the keeper out of her area to get the ball clear. The first half moving into stoppage time. Dunstable have been working hard in defence to limit Histon’s opportunities in the final 3rd, Ghosh linking up with Howard over on the right, the ball fed into the box, Nicholls attempting to steal in on it, cleared by Foster. Giussani putting the ball on for Ghosh on the right, Smith lunging in too play the ball out for the throw. Banks with a punt from range as the ball pops back into her skipping off the turf Nicholls can’t quite get a touch as it runs wide, a nick of a Dunstable boot however sees a corner awarded.

Half-time Histon Ladies 1-0 Dunstable Town Lionesses Women

  Sabrina Ghosh’s early goal the difference between the two sides as they head back into the changing rooms for the half-time interval. The hosts moving the ball about the pitch using the space getting players on down the wings. Dunstable working hard at the back to limit space has made it difficult to get players out quickly to support the attackers limit their own opportunities in attack. Histon’s goal coming from an error have had 3 or 4 more good opportunities to extend the lead but have nevertheless looked composed at the back comfortable defending their narrow advantage.

 Changes for both sides at the break, Poppy Surridge and Gemma Darvill on for Dunstable the latter over on the right Fitzgerald-Larch and Burton off seeing a adjustment to the back line. Histon with a triple switch with half an eye on Wednesday’s cup final, Ghosh, Giussani and Seymour-Shove off replaced by Tash Collins, Abi Davies and Jess McCrae. Histon with the kick-off, the ball rolled back to Banks central looks to put it long up to Nicholls, Cook intercepting to clear for the visitors.

 A lively start competitive as both go after the ball Banks drawing the foul, Davies putting the ball on up the line for Collins racing on with the ball her cross collected by Pursey Weedon. Darvill getting stuck in after the ball right side on for Rees turned on for Surridge looking to break in behind challenged by Childerley out for a throw. The Dunstable substitutes making an early impact at the start of the 2nd half Darvill up with Surridge on the right to win a corner kick. An in swinger a firm header from Leyland to clear the ball for the hosts.

 Nicholls chasing the ball down as it’s played into the left flank, Cook tracking back with her as she drives for the by-line sliding in to send the ball behind for a corner kick. Fired in from the left Cook turning it away to the top of the area. a snap shot from 25 yards out blazed over the bar. Molloy into Darvill right side had Surridge ahead of her the diagonal ball into the top of the area looking for Rees, Robinson coming for it getting hold of the ball first. Histon continue to push players on into the wings, Marden left side, Collins on the right her cross turned behind of Christie to win another corner. 

 The corner delivery cleared by Rothwell, regained by Banks central lifts the ball back into the box looking for Nicholls making a run at the left post. the striker stretching out a leg to try and turn in on goal not quite getting there behind for the goal kick. Histon pressing looking to turn the Dunstable defence Cook tracking back on Nicholls shoulder as she powers on into the box right of goal dives in to put the ball out for a throw, that leads to a corner being won.

  GOAL! The corner curled into the six yard box turned on across the face of goal, Dunstable defending at the far post the ball cleared out of the box to the right, Marden latching onto it clipping a looping ball back in towards goal up over the keeper dipping under the bar beyond her to see Histon double the lead 11 minutes into the 2nd half, 2-0.

 Histon making a change then with Childerley having picked up a couple of knocks coming off replaced by Claire Krueger.

 GOAL! Dunstable with a immediate response a goal out of nothing to keep them right in the game, the ball over with Sargeant out wide on the left striking the ball in towards goal over Robinson before she can react to nestle in the back of the net 2-1!

  Banks into Nicholls up top wriggles clear to break for the box, Foster charging down her strike. Howard seeing the ball into her feet top of the D, shifts it to her left turning into the shot, curling her effort wide of the right post. Histon looking to be spurred on by conceding pressing players on, Davies sending Collins away on the right, Smith with a foot in to turn the ball out of play. Christie cutting the ball out as Nicholls moves to the right to support the advancing Collins. Dunstable with the counter the ball threaded on for Surridge moving into the wing left side, Krueger coming across diving in to put the ball behind for a corner. 

 Histon with another change Howard to player off, Sophie Hopkin on taking up an advanced position. Another drinks break called soon after. The game still close, Histon carrying the threat, Dunstable haven’t let them run away with things. Darvill off the restart wining a throw high on the right, Rees looking to get the cross in from the by-line, pressured the ball off her for a goal kick. Cook enjoying a good battle in defence with Nicholls keeping on her as she breaks into the left channel as Banks sends the pass into her, the tackle coming in the ball away to safety. Hopkin coming on up the right wing taking the ball on form Collins winning a corner kick.

 GOAL! The corner put into the near post defended by Rothwell cleared out into the middle comes to Banks all of 30 yards out not closed down you can see the opportunity to take on the strike and so does Banks putting her foot through the ball hits it sweetly powered in with pace flashing over the keeper to strike the back of the net fire Histon into a 3-1 lead.

 Histon restoring their 2 goal cushion with a little over 20 minutes to play, the hosts energised Collins central closing the ball down picks out Marden on the move left side, flashes a cross into the near post, Cook running back with Hopkin, defending. Pursey Weedon moving out to the top of her area to claim the ball well even as Nicholls and Collins bare down on her. 

 More changes for Histon, rotating players, Nicholls and Marden giving way, Giussani and Ghosh back into the action. Rothwell taking the ball on for Dunstable attempts to find Surridge pulling away right side, Krueger quickly into her to turn the ball out for a throw. Histon on the counter attack from the throw the diagonal ball into Collins away on the right her cross into the box intercepted by Foster. Darvill getting back to defend for Dunstable as Ghosh looks to get on down the left.

 Histon winning a free-kick deep on the right flung up into the box defended by Cook out to the right, Collins getting it back for the hosts pushing on up the line winning a corner kick. The corner cleared comes out to Banks central again, less time this time snatching a the shot clips it up over the bar. Christie sliding in to stop, Ghosh’s cross from the right out off her for a goal-kick.

 

 GOAL! Histon keeping players up the pitch, Collins charging down the ball right side cutting it back up to the top of the area right of goal from the by-line, Giussani latching onto it 20 yards out striking the ball in on the angle rising over the keeper, smashes down off the crossbar, down across the line Ghosh in at the far post on the follow up adjusting her body to turn it in from close range, initially awarded the goal but it was confirmed to have crossed the line before the goal given to Giussani 4-1.

 Histon building a 3 goal cushion to make thing’s more comfortable with a little over 5 minutes plus stoppages to be added. The hosts looking strong having rotated players, Banks coming off, Seymour-Shove back on in the middle. The game stretched now, Darvill onto a ball over the top knocked on into the box, Robinson across her goal out to the left to get down smother the ball. Histon counter Hopkin right side getting her side another corner. 

 GOAL! Players up from the back for the corner launched into the near post attacked inside the six yard box by Krueger knocked down, blocked by the keeper, players in to attack the ball turned over the line, Page celebrating as she scores her first goal of the season to wrap up the win 5-1.

  Molloy off for Dunstable with Fitzgerald-Larch back on the game into stoppage time the visitors with a free-kick inside the Histon half played in from the left over Darvill attacking the right channel taken cleanly by Robinson. Histon on top late on Giussani right putting the ball into the box, Pursey Weedon coming out well to lay claim to it with Collins looking to attack. Robinson up the other end out to the top of her area to make the blocking save as Rothwell steals through the middle. The final whistle blows Histon celebrate as they complete a marvellous season a 100% success in the league 22 wins from 22 to finish 14 points clear at the top of the Division One North table. 

Full time Histon Ladies 5-1 Dunstable Town Lionesses Women

 A remarkable achievement form Histon to go all season long without dropping a single point. Got the early lead to settle the nerves in the first half by Dunstable working hard in defence kept that narrow score into the 2nd half. Histon doubling the lead were immediately pegged back to 2-1 but able to ring the changes kept their energy levels up getting players on creating further chances, Banks long range screamer restoring the 2 goal cushion the hosts on top from then on in adding a 4th and 5th goal to win the 3 points. 

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto the Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. Several strong performances out there and another difficult one to choose, Performances of note firstly for Dunstable, Lola Cook won the ball well at the back, tracked well and didn’t let anyone get away from her. Eleanor-Rose Rothwell, covered the ground getting back to help in defence and tried to get things going up the other end. Substitutes Gemma Darvill and Poppy Sturridge made an impact coming on at the break. For Histon a strong display across the park, Laura Leyland winning the ball at the back using it well. Gabriella Giussani got on well from the back and coming on 2nd half in an advanced position extended the lead, Sabrina Ghosh carried a threat on the right getting on with the ball opening the scoring. Evie Nicholls with some good runs into the channels causing problems. The award going to Molly Banks good positional play throughout won the ball well kept Histon on the front and her goa wasn’t half bad either.

 Histon presented with the ERWFL Division one North trophy and league winners medals after the match. Champions out front from the start 22 wins out of 22, 100% Invincibles many congratulations. 

  One more game for Histon on Wednesday at Cambridge City facing Cambridge United for the 2nd successive season in the Invitation Cup final. Another enjoyable contest from the ERWFL, my thanks to both sides for their help with the teams today.

by Darren Gilham