Thursday 1st May

Cambridgeshire Women’s Junior Invitation Cup Final

Hot on the heels from the Cambridgeshire Women’s Invitation Cup final on Wednesday evening, comes the Women’s Junior Invitation Cup final, this time a trip over to Histon FC’s, Bridge Road Stadium, being contested this season by Cambridgeshire Division One side, Cambridge Rangers WFC and Division Three side, Ely City Women.

The Junior Invitation Cup, Cambridgeshire’s 2nd county cup competition, like most county FA’s giving sides knocked out in the early rounds of the senior competition an opportunity to compete for silverware. 

 Cambridge Rangers WFC are one of the longest established clubs within the Cambridgeshire Women’s County leagues having had mixed fortunes in that time the club very much on a upward curve at the moment expanding in numbers enough to form a Reserves side last season, played in Cambridgeshire Women’s Division Three. The 1st team playing a Division One currently 9th in the table but despite having mixed results in the league have saved their best performances for the cup competitions, reaching the semi-finals of the League Cup, but going one better in the Junior Invitation Cup. Ali Smethurst the leading goal scorer with 8 goals to her name with Daniela Lewis and Ellen Ferguson on 5 each. 

 Ely City Women are another side enjoying an upward curve closing in on completing their 3rd season have grown over that period a tough debut campaign near the bottom of the Division Three table a change of management bringing a change of form and results, Ely City FC as a club itself having long supported women’s football in Cambridgeshire now with a women’s side itself, finishing 3rd in the table last season Ely have been at the top or in and around it all season, in a title battle with Cardea Ladies Reserves and Saffron Walden Community Women, with 2 games left to play. Bringing new players into the club have scored plenty of goals this season. Kelly Docwra closing in on 30 goals for the season has 29 from her 18 appearances. Danni Youngs has scored 19 times and Poppy Green on target for 18, with goals scattered throughout the side.

 Division One against Division Three not likely to be a walk over although Cambridge Rangers WFC did get the better of Ely in the League Cup early in the season winning 5-2. Still a chance to win silverware both sides will fancy their chances this evening.

 Road to the Final

  Cambridge Rangers WFC drawn away to Willingham Wolves Women in the 1st round of the Junior Invitation Cup, newly promoted to Division Two, the sides contested an 8 goal thriller with Kirsty Wicks netting a hat-trick for Willingham, the sides drawing 1-1 at half-time Daniela Lewis with the early goal for Cambridge, would add her 2nd early in the first half with manager, Judith Dartnell also bagging a goal. Ali Smethurst with a goal plus and OG securing a 5-3 win. Ely in comparison with a home walkover in the first round against Burwell Ladies.

 Into the last 8, Cambridge drawn at home against fellow Division One side and new League Cup winners, Newmarket Town Women Development. A tough draw Cambridge coming out on top to win the game 2-0 to advance to the last 4. Ely at home to in the quarter finals drawn against fellow Division Two side Manea Sirens LFC A team, goals from Kelly Docwra and Danni Youngs sealing a 2-0 win to put them into the semi-finals.

  Cambridge away to Division Two side Histon Ladies Development in their semi-final, Katie Grigg getting a goal for Cambridge in the first half the, game won 2-1 with Daniela Lewis firing in a goal inside the final 10 minutes. Ely at home with a tough opponent in their semi-final Soham Town Rangers Women pushing the top two in Division Two in the end a single goal settling the game, Docwra the player on target to see Ely into their first final.

Another glorious day, hotter than the previous evenings final the mini heatwave set to last for another 24 hours, great weather for both finals especially when you recall last season’s planned cup finals day was a wash out due to the rain. Histon FC’s, bridge Road Stadium the venue for this evenings final, another club with a good backing for their 2 senior women’s sides. The grass pitch a good size getting plenty of wear and tear, overlooked by a main raised stand over the changing rooms the bar situated at the back. A smaller seated stand running the length of the opposite side with covered viewing behind both goals. The kitchen hatch open too serving hot food and drink. 

 Cambridge Rangers WFC starting XI – Sam Chapman, Erika Rasijeff, Laura Baldwin, Ellie Tod (C), Gina Ghensi, Bethan Jones, Laura Baldwin, Daniella Lewis, Leanne Yip Heung Win, Ali Smethurst & Laura Bird. Subs – Nicola Brewin, Yee Hoi Tefer-Ng, Claire Kyndt, Katie Grigg & Hannah Mardell.

 Ely City Women starting XI – Tiff Toynton, Kerry Dyer, Natasha Lane, Ellie Cooper, Christine Cullen, Amy Lloyd, Louisa Harwood, Kelly Docwra (C), Beth Horsfield, Danni Youngs & Poppy Green. Subs – Bella Pillow, Kaci Gibson, Vicki Bailey, Charlotte Upson & Emma Cooper.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

Should the scores be level after 90 minutes the final goes straight to penalties.

 Carlton Joseph refereeing this evenings final having been 4th official for last evenings Invitation Cup Final, Robin Robichaux having refereed that final the 4th official this evening with Duncan Turned and Rob Smith running the lines. It’s Cambridge to take the kick-off first have wearing yellow shirts with dark blue sleeves dark blue shorts and yellow socks, with Ely lined up opposite in their all red kit. The ball rolled into Bethan Jones in midfield played out to Laura Baldwin on the left of defence, Ely rushing on to try and close the ball down, battling for possession in the middle captain Kelly Docwra lifts a diagonal ball on into the top of the area for Beth Horsfield making the run on the right, Baldwin closing her down to hook the ball away for a corner kick on the right.

 Ely curling the corner in towards the near post, Cambridge assistant manager, Gina Ghensi defending getting her head onto the ball to clear the threat. 

 Ely looking to get busy in the early stages come for the ball look to apply a little pressure, Cambridge a little unsettled, needing to keep an eye on the attempted through balls with Poppy Green looking to pull off the defence. Docwra getting hold of the ball centrally lifting another diagonal ball out to Horsfield on the right, Daniella Lewis tracking back to put in the tackle for Cambridge.

 Cambridge getting the ball down the left Lewis exchanging passes with Ali Smethurst in attack a throw won in the corner leading to a corner kick, players up into the area the ball swung in across the face of goal high, goalkeeper Tiff Toynton fouled as the ball flies over her dropping at the far post, the free-kick awarded. 

 Lewis looking to get on with the ball on the left for Ely, Kerry Dyer moving in to challenge her see the ball out for a throw. A cross from the angle launched high into the Ely box. Toynton getting her gloves up to claim the ball, launching it up field, helped on through the middle, Green looking to get after it, Laura Bird intercepting for Cambridge. 

 Is a big pitch but both sides are tending to get into a tight cluster more to Cambridge’s attacking right than anywhere else, space to be exploited for sure as the ball is hotly contested, Erika Rasijeff sending it on for Jones right side, Louisa Harwood getting a foot in to take it out for a throw. Cambridge press getting a cross into the box, Ellie Cooper heading it clear at the back for Ely. 

 Ely look to launch a counter attack Harwood with the layout sending the ball on for Horsfield on the right racing on, Baldwin coming back to close her down for Cambridge preventing the cross. Docwra over an Ely free-kick just inside the Cambridge half to the right sends it in long high to the far post, goalkeeper Sam Chapman catching the ball high for Cambridge. 

  Cambridge starting to find a rhythm getting the ball moving through the middle fed on for Ellen Ferguson, sends it out to the left with Lewis storming forwards, Dyer moving in to close her down on the by-line conceding a corner kick. The corner swept in over the keeper at the near post half cleared beyond comes straight to Smethurst inside the area to the right of goal fires her strike over the crossbar. 

  Play condensed the ball popping back and forth between the sides as both attempt to find a telling through ball. Ferguson with the ball at her feet for Cambridge carrying it infield from the left shooting from 20 yards out her low strike rolling through to the keeper. Cambridge pressing in the final third Smethurst on through the middle with Ferguson to her right outside the D, held up by Ely’s Christine Cullen, Ferguson has Smethurst moving around her on the overlap to the right putting the ball into her feet as she moves further right strikes the ball on low to the near post, Toynton getting down sharply to make the save turn the ball behind for a corner kick.

   Another teasing delivery from a corner kick on the right flashed in across the face of goal, Smethurst central not quite able to get a touch as it flies through everyone. Ely riding out a spell of pressure at the back looking to counter, Amy Lloyd on for Docwra through the middle spots Horsfield in space on the right lifting the ball into her path, it’s Cambridge captain, Ellie Tod coming across the close her down the ball out for a throw as her side regroups. 

 Lively as Cambridge hit Ely on the counter the ball lifted on through the middle into Lewis, pace as she gets on with the ball lining up a strike on the run from 20 yards out, Toynton down to make the save turning the ball to the left for a corner kick. Swung into the six yard box, it’s Ely’s player manager, Natasha Lane who gets her head on the ball to defend sending it over the bar for another corner. Another dangerous ball in from the left goes long bouncing up beyond the far post, Smethurst looking to get her foot up over the ball to strike it back towards goal puts it straight into the keepers gloves.

  Ferguson, Smethurst and Lewis all busy in the final 3rd for Cambridge looking to find a way through, Cooper defending for Ely. Baldwin defending at the back for Cambridge as Green and Horsfield look to get on down the right for Ely, brings the ball out from the back put on up the left for Lewis, spins off Dyer to run in behind the full back, Cooper comes sliding in to take the ball away from her.

  Cambridge pushing Ely back the defence up on halfway, risk the counter as Docwra looks to send Green in behind, a vital interception by Tod, Jones right for Cambridge playing in inside for Leanne Yip Heung Win on for Jones sends it on into the box for Smethurst to clip in towards goal, lacking the pace to trouble Toynton in goal. Cambridge getting bodies up around the Ely box.

  Cooper cutting the ball out in defence for Ely as Ferguson looks to play Smethurst in through the middle, cleared out to the left for Danni Youngs to get on the move taking the ball on into the corner sending a cross in low to the near post, Chapman having to put up with the Ely drum behind her goal getting down to gather the ball into her gloves. 

  Ely looknig to get players up the pitch Green over to the right as Horsfield and Docwra battle to get it forwards, the former sending the latter down the line, Docwra cutting a cross into the six yard box, Chapman taking it untroubled no one getting into the area. Up the other end Toynton needs to come racing out of her box and Yip Heung Win sets Smethurst clear in the right channel, the keeper getting to the ball first. 

  Horsfield getting back to help Dyer in defence for Ely doubling up on Lewis as she looks to get on down the flank with the ball. Cambridge pushing players on, the ball rolled inside to Ferguson central her strike from outside the box scuffed running safely through to the keeper. An intriguing opening 25 minutes as referee Carlton Joseph signals a drinks break, with the temperature still high as the sun starts to set. 

 The ball back out on Cambridge’s right, Ely get the ball clear Lloyd on for Youngs wide left bringing the ball on squared in across the top of the area, Green looking to move across the D, strike the ball, charged down by Ghensi, spinning away to the right, Horsfield looking to keep it alive taking it into the corner but can’t keep her cross in play. 

Bird coming on with the ball right channel for Cambridge has Yip Heung Win moving out wide down the wing into the corner giving her the ball, she cuts it back inside to Bird who angles the ball into the keeper covering her near post. Toynton the busier of the two keepers called into action as Cambridge clips a diagonal ball in from the right to Lewis charging in towards the top of the area right of the D, Ely’s goalkeeper, rushing out to the top of her box sliding in to make the blocking save with her legs as Lewis pulls the trigger. 

 Cambridge making the first changes of the game, a double switch with Ferguson and Rasijeff coming off, Katie Grigg and Claire Kyndt coming on. Harwood winning the ball for Ely in the middle linking up with Lloyd, fed on into the left channel for Green in attack, Tod tackling for Cambridge. Little time allowed on the ball. Lewis marauding down the left for Cambridge her cross swept into the area headed away by Cooper. 

 Ely getting the ball on through the middle as Green looks to see it down into her feet shift it on for Docwra to take on past her going left, Grigg in to close the ball down play it out for a throw. Cambridge getting players out to defend the flanks as Ely win throws high up the pitch, Grigg in twice in quick succession to block an attempted cross into the box. Harwood getting into the air to turn a clearance on with her head down into Green charging on towards the top of the Cambridge area, Lewis back to defended getting the blocking tackle in the ball launched out to the right Kyndt looking to get after it angling a shot in towards the near post, Toynton saving with her legs turning the ball behind for a corner kick.

 Ghensi winning the ball back in defence for Ely coming left lifting it forwards for Lewis up the wing to attack, Dyer getting the lunging tackle in to see the ball out for a throw down in the corner. Cambridge getting a low cross into the six yard box, Cooper intercepting it at the near post. The game remains a tight affair with players from both sides condensing to make getting the ball on for either a tricky task. Ely come away left as the game moves into first half stoppage time the diagonal ball coming to Horsfield on the right, players pushing to get into the box as she lifts a cross into the six yard box, lane attacking it in front of the keeper, Chapman getting hold of the ball.

 Ely looking to finish the half on the front foot Lloyd on for Green racing on with Horsfield in attack, Chapman out to the top of her area to clear the ball comes right Docwra taking it on crossing into the middle, Ghensi heading it away, falls to Harwood outside the area top of the D, hooks it back into the box on the volley looping up dropping on target, Chapman has to keep her eye on it, and takes it cleanly into her midriff.

Half-time Cambridge Rangers WFC 0-0 Ely City Women

 The first half ends goalless. Cambridge are a slightly nervous start coming into the game creating chances getting players up and around the 18 yard box forcing Ely goalkeeper into a number of saves. The game condensed Ely looking to release their attackers probing for openings has been tense an intriguing contest you feel it’s not likely to be a high scoring game but both have a full squad and have options on the bench, no telling which way it might go in the 2nd 45.

  The sun nearly gone the floodlights starting to take effect, 177 in attendance both sides with good support the Ely fans encouraging their side. Neither side making a change as Ely get the 2nd half underway. Played forwards through the middle with green looking to get on, Ghensi snapping in to win the ball back for Cambridge. Docwra getting it back quickly for Ely clipping it out to the left for Green moving down the line, Grigg in to close her down the ball out for a throw. 

  The game more open at the start of the 2nd half as both sides look to use the pitch better, Cambridge shifting the ball on through the middle with pace lifted up to Kyndt moving in behind left of the area, Toynton starts to come, realises she can’t hesitates Kyndt using the indecision to make up her mind lifting the ball over the stranded keeper from 25 yards out, Toynton turns to see the ball bounce wide of the far post. 

 Grigg looking to get on up the right playing inside to Smethurst, lays the return pass on for Grigg getting into the box, Cullen getting on her shoulder pressuring her as she goes to shoot, Grigg putting her stabbed effort wide of the near post. Cambridge winning the ball at the back on for Smethurst has Lewis out wide sends the ball on into her run her low cross fired in at the near post blocked by Toynton. 

  Chances coming at both ends as Lane wins the ball well for Ely on the left put on for Green to take on into the corner her cross flashed in central Youngs looking to slide in to meet it as the keeper comes to close her down the ball turned goal wards rising past the keeper to smash down into the ground off the crossbar!

 Ely eager to get the ball up the pitch Lloyd with Docwra central working it out to Youngs on the left, Docwra running on to try and get into the box to support Green in attack, Youngs dropping her cross into the far post, Tod winning it well for Cambridge with both attackers closing her down. 

  Ghensi over to the left of defence to challenge Horsfield as Dyer sends the ball on down Ely’s right wing. Yip Heung Win bringing the ball on through the middle for Cambridge into the left channel, Cooper stepping out of Ely’s back line moving in to close her down before she can slide the ball on for Kyndt. The game certainly more open now, Cambridge readying another double switch with Lewis and Yip Heung Win coming off to be replaced by Ferguson and Yee Hoi Tefer-Hg

 Closing in on an hours play Ely find Horsfield out wide on the right her early cross into the box turned away to the top of the area by Jones, Lane latching onto it for Ely top of the D, her shot charged down. Cooper picking up an injury as she lands awkwardly challenging for the ball outside her box. Cambridge using the pause to make a change Tod coming off to be replaced by Hannah Mardell. A blow for Ely as Cooper needs to come off, send Emma Cooper on to replace her in defence. 

  Smethurst flagged offside as she looks to spin off the Ely defence as Griggs clears the ball long up to her in attack. Smethurst back inside her box to help defend as Ely pile players forwards for a free-kick won on halfway. Hoi Tefer-Ng working the ball on down the left channel for Cambridge with Kyndt the cross angled into the box, cleared by Cooper. Mardell coming across to the right with the ball at her feet playing it into Grigg, Cullen into defend for Ely picking up a knock in the process.

  Cambridge introducing players to the game looking to up the tempo move players on. Docwra getting hold of the ball for Ely looking to turn play around attempts to slide Youngs in behind, Ghensi intercepting well for Cambridge top of her area. Both sides fancy their chances Cambridge coming right the cross lifted into the box, headed behind for a corner kick by Cooper. 

  Closing in on 20 minutes of regular play, Cambridge bring Lewis back on replaces Kyndt in attack. Ely coming right Cambridge under pressure in defence a high back pass looped into the box posing Chapman problems with Green closing her down heads the ball clear at her near post dropping to Docwra top of the D, shifts the ball right to get into the box looking for an opening Bird throwing herself forwards to slide in front of her make the block for Cambridge as Docwra pulls the trigger.

  Time for another drinks bring a chance for both management teams to get some instructions into their players try to find the key to unlocking a goal, which this late on may well win the game. 

 Cambridge moving the ball left a speculative ball angled in from deep, towards the near post skipping up before the keeper, Toynton unable to keep hold of it as it pops out of her gloves for a corner kick. The delivery curled into the near post from the left, defended by Docwra. Ely bringing off Youngs, with Bella Pillow coming on. Lewis getting the ball out to Ferguson moving left her cross squared into the top of the Ely area defended by Cooper.

  Lewis chests down a high ball lifted into her 25 yards out then turns to run at the Ely box striking the ball on the half volley falls wide of the near post. Ely move forwards on the counter bringing the ball through the middle, Lloyd helping it on for Docwra breaking in behind outside the box her half volleyed strike driven wide of Chapman’s left post.

 Docwra rushing back to close the ball down to stop a potential Cambridge counter the ball loose in the middle, Cullen hurt in a challenge as she gives away a free-kick with less than 10 minutes left.

 GOAL! Just as I thought the final was likely to go all the way penalties with neither side finding the break through the dead lock is broken, the free-kick inside the Cambridge half launched forwards players surging forwards to get into the Ely box, Docwra initially blocking it, comes out to Lewis top of the D, she latches onto the ball and putting her left foot through it sends a superb hit up and over the keeper, to drop under the crossbar into the back of the net and runs away in celebration 1-0!

  A blow for Ely conceding in the final 10 minutes gets worse as Cullen hurt in the earlier challenge has to come off, with Vicki Bailey coming on. Cooper defending at the back for Ely as Ferguson looks to run onto a through ball from Smethurst. Lane coming off for Ely as they send on Charlotte Upson. Cambridge getting their noses in front need to calm themselves down need some ball management now, Ely will have to take risks now to get back into the game.

 Hoi Tefer-Ng getting the ball on for Lewis left played into Ferguson her cross flashed into the box in high on the keeper, Toynton reacting getting her gloves up knocking it down inside the six yard box, Pillow getting it clear. Harwood coming off for Ely with Kaci Gibson on with the game moving into stoppage time. 

Lewis coming off for Cambridge as Kyndt is sent back onto the pitch. Docwra sending the ball on for Upson getting on down the left for Ely, her early cross into the top of the area won by Ghensi. Upson turning provider for Docwra moments later as she hits it on the spin left of the D outside the box her effort put straight into the keeper. Time almost up one last push form Ely to get the ball into the area Green almost escaping away in the left channel, but Ghensi out well stretching to block the ball. That’s it time up the final whistle blows and Cambridge Rangers WFC celebrate as they win the Junior Invitation Cup.

Full time Cambridge Rangers WFC 1-0 Ely City Women

  A much closer game than some might have thought, both sides keeping it tight first half with Cambridge creating the best chances. Ely coming on better 2nd half the game opened up the pitch used better, Youngs seeing their best chance cannon against the bar. Further chances coming and going then just as you thought it might go to penalties, Daniela Lewis latched onto the ball outside the box to send her strike in under the bar to put Cambridge into the lead with less than 10 minutes to play, the Division One side using their experience to see out the game and clinch the trophy. A fine effort from Ely, pushed Cambridge all the way well supported by their fans who showed their appreciation at the end of the game. Still have a league title to play for very much a club on the rise. 

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

Time to choose this evenings Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. More or less the same as yesterdays Invitation Cup Final, Several fantastic performances but one player standing out. A well contested cup final, Ely playing their part, Ellie Cooper superb in defence winning the ball on a number of occasions a blow when she had to come off, Christine Cullen too getting her tackles in. Kelly Docwra winning the ball in the middle looking to get forwards link up with the attack created a number of opportunities. For Cambridge Rangers, Gina Ghensi won her fair share of the ball in defence. Along with captain Ellie Tod. Ellen Ferguson used the ball well making some good attacking runs, Ali Smethurst with good movement and positioning up top. She was a contender without the goal is that basically clinched it the award going to Daniella Lewis was bust throughout getting forwards with purpose on the ball with several powerful runs looking to keep her side on the front foot.

 Congratulations to Cambridge Rangers WFC on winning this season’s Cambridgeshire FA Women’s Junior Invitation Cup.

  Still plenty of finals to go but that’s a wrap for the women’s finals in Cambridgeshire, all three an enjoyable watch. My thanks to everyone for helping me with the team details always appreciated. Good to catch up with both sides, haven’t had a chance to see Ely this season, until now good luck in your title hunt. Has been a good while since I last saw Cambridge Rangers good to see their players lift a trophy. Onto Carrow Road on Sunday for the Norfolk Women’s County Cup Final.

by Darren Gilham