The Round-Up

Sunday 27th August

 Into the 2nd weekend of the ERWFL season, August Bank Holiday weekend too. Hot and sunny for a change. All the sides in the Premier Division and Division One North are finally up and running whilst in Division One South 2 sides finally play.

ERWFL Premier Division

 Billericay Town Ladies continue to lead the way in the ERWFL Premier Division making it 2 wins from 2 with another big win away from home this weekend taking on Lowestoft Town Ladies at Crown Meadow. Billericay more often than not up at the top of the Premier Division table with the title contenders building on their impressive 12-1 win over newly promoted Colney Heath Ladies last Sunday were too strong for a Lowestoft Town side in a rebuilding process after suffering relegation from the FAWPL last season. 2 goals for Lauren Knight, along with a goal each for Kirsty Knight, Hayley Piggott, Hope Strauss and captain Lindsey Morgan seeing the Essex side win 6-1. Hannah Waters, captain of Lowestoft Town Ladies getting their goal. 

 Bedford Ladies maintain their 100% winning start to the season as they edged the win away from home against Royston Town Ladies on Sunday to keep them 2nd in the Premier Division table after their opening day win at home to Lowestoft Town Ladies. A brace from Natasha Fensome along with a goal for Maya Sidhu seeing Bedford claim all 3 points winning 3-2. A 2nd straight defeat for Royston Town Ladies who have made some interesting signings over the close season amongst them Becky Shephard from Hertford Town Ladies who scored both the goals for Royston on her debut this Sunday.

  Acle United Ladies are 3rd also with 2 wins from 2 to start the season began with a 5-1 win away to AFC Dunstable Ladies last Sunday. Were at home this Sunday taking on another side that had scored 5 goals in their opening game of the season Suffolk’s AFC Sudbury Ladies. Is this weekends featured game on the website and the match report can be found a couple of posts down. Playing at the FDC Flegg and all weather 3G pitch home to their training ground too Acle United started the match strongly creating chances before taking the lead just before the quarter hour marking Lauren Bullard on hand to turn Megan Todd’s cross in at the far post. Sudbury responded quickly Sophie Jeffery causing havoc up the left wing sending a cross in for Stacey Teager to send into the back of the opposition goal. Acle United were finding room in behind the Sudbury defence and pressing the ball in midfield defender Anna Larkins broke clear down the right sending in towards goal a great ball dipping over the goalkeeper into the far top corner to make it 2-1. Acle United captain Rebecca Burton sending Todd through clear on goal getting the rebound of the goalkeeper favourably to take the ball past her and put into the empty net to make it 3-1 the lead at half-time. 

New signing Ciera Flatt with the ball for Acle United Ladies

 Sudbury regrouped after the break started the 2nd half well however it was Acle United who would further extend their lead breaking and this time Burton was on hand to turn the ball home inside the box a defensive clearance going straight to her. Sudbury responded quickly again to pull it back to 4-2, Mia Etheridge putting the ball into the back of the net from a corner kick. An extended 2nd half period due to injury midfielder Broghan Scully played in by Todd scored to seal a 5-2 win for Acle United.

 Cambridge City Ladies newly promoted to the Premier Division as Division One Champions, in their 1st season playing at regional level had to wait a weekend before getting their campaign underway and got it off to a winning start taking them straight up into 4th position. Giving debuts to 4 players from their U16s last season, Cambridge City were on the road in Essex taking on Colchester Town Ladies. Bella Simmons was Cambridge City’s top scorer last season with 25 goals. Started her Premier Division season by scoring 4 goals helping Cambridge City to a 7-0 away win. Stacey Fullicks, Sarah Mosley and Megan Tonks also opening their goal accounts on the way to the 3 points.

The match between AFC Dunstable Ladies who had lost their opening game and Writtle Ladies who were starting their season featured 10 goals! The points however were shared as they both rattled in 5 goals a piece! Danielle Carty, Rianne Townsend-Brown and Beth Stanton all getting a goal each along with a brace for Charlotte Smith for the Bedfordshire side. There was a brace too for Essex’s Writtle with Sophie Vale grabbing two goals. Abigail Fry, Ellie Bowbidge and Lynsey Bowman signing from Silver End United Ladies all getting a goal in their opening match.

The points were shared too between Colney Heath Ladies and Brentwood Town Ladies. The newly promoted Hertfordshire side, Colney Heath still down to the bare bones with just the 11 available. Brentwood Town Ladies building with a new Reserve side this season were starting their season and held the advantage at half time away from home leading 1-0 doubled the lead in the 2nd half but frustratingly left with only a point. Leading 2-0 with 85 minutes played through goals for Drew Allen and Holly Griffin. Colney Heath battled back to win their 1st point of the season Nicola Hollick scoring both their goals. A needed boost after their heavy opening game defeat.

ERWFL Division One North

In ERWFL Division One North both Ipswich Wanderers Ladies and Wymondham Town Ladies had started the season with a win. Wymondham top rattling in 9 goals at home on the opening day. Were away to Ipswich Wanderers this Sunday. Both sides had to settle for a point however with neither finding a winning goal in the 2nd half. The 1st half saw Wymondham take the lead in the 13th minute with Mollie O’Callaghan on target. Ipswich Wanders drew level 9 minutes later with Wymondham retaking the lead a minute later through Laura Wiseman. 12 minutes the lead lasted this time before Ipswich Wanderers pulled it back to 2-2 captain Tanya McKew and Jade Horne with their goals both remain 1st and 2nd in the league.

  With 7 sides contesting the league it was King’s Lynn Town Ladies who sat out the opening weekend. Started this Bank Holiday Sunday at home to Essex side Silver End United Ladies who had begun with a 3-1 loss to Ipswich Wanderers Ladies last weekend. King’s Lynn eager to test themselves at a higher level got off to a great start winning the match 3-1 to go 4th. Josie Turner and captain Shelley Woods both scoring along with Elle Bocking on hand in the box to head home their 3rd goal. Roxanne Gardner scoring for Silver End.

Also joining the ERWFL Division One North with King’s Lynn Town Ladies this season were Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Champions, Ipswich Town Ladies Development and Cambridge United WFC Reserves. Both started the season with a loss and a result they will want to forget. Ipswich Development were hosting Cambridge United this weekend. A much improved performance from both and a very close game that could have gone either way in the end the game was won by a single goal, Kevin Hoover’s Cambridge side winning 1-0 Kirsty Geal scoring the goal. 

ERWFL Division One South

 Finally we have a game to bring you from ERWFL Division One South and it couldn’t have been a better start to live in the regional league for newly promoted Bishops Stortford Ladies as the Beds & Herts Champions won 3-0 away from home against Hertford Town Ladies. Last seasons top scorer Kathryn Stanley getting two goals along with a goal for Brogan McHale to put them top of the table albeit with just the one game played between the 7 sides nevertheless they all count when you’re top of the league.

The Round-Up

Sunday 20th August

  On to the ERWFL opening weekend The Round-Up continues with the Eastern Regional Leagues. Three leagues this season with an influx of 5 new sides. The Premier Division contested by 12 sides with Cambridge City Ladies and Colney Heath Ladies promoted from Division One last season. This season Division One is once again split into 2 leagues a North and a South with 7 sides in each playing each other 3 times. The South Division One was supposed to contain 8 sides but very sadly on the eve of the season Offley & Stopsley WFC a long established side in the ERWFL took the hard decision to fold due to lack of players a real shame but wishing all the players and coaching staff all the best. Five new names in the league, Harlow Ladies and Bishops Stortford Ladies joining Division One South. King’s Lynn Town Ladies, Cambridge United WFC Reserves and Ipswich Town Ladies Development joining Division One North. With Offley & Stopsley WFC  folding there were no games in Division One South on the opening weekend but a still plenty of action to bring you from the Premier Division and Division One North although some results hurt on the opening day.

ERWFL Premier Division

Acle United Ladies were one win away from sealing the ERWFL Premier Division title last season and promotion to the FAWPL they were playing Haringey Borough Women the winner taking the title, Acle lost Haringey celebrated winning the title. Nevertheless a fantastic season by the Norfolk side and they have a determination to go one better this time around on the whole have retained most of their squad have brought in goalkeeper Cyan Fullbrook from North Walsham Angels Ladies. Kirstie Kindred and Olivia Mungham-Grey join from Thorpe United Ladies along with Ceira Flatt from Lowestoft Town Ladies. Started their season on the road in Bedfordshire away to AFC Dunstable Ladies who themselves enjoyed a fantastic season last tie around for the most part in 3rd position ultimately ending 4th. Have recruited a few Offley & Stopsley players including Charlene Moreton, Nicolle Robinson and Riane Townsend-Brown. 

Acle took the lead at Creasey Park, captain Rebecca Burton putting them 1-0 up in the 1st half scored her 2nd from the penalty spot after midfielder Amber Rowland was brought down in the area. Dunstable got it back to 2-1 before the break. 2nd half Acle went on to extend their lead Megan Todd grabbing herself and opening day brace before Burton went on to score her hat-trick tapping home at the far post to seal a 5-1 win.

A 5-1 win wasn’t enough to put Acle top of the Premier Division however are actually 4th! The spot is Billericay Town Ladies after they had an emphatic win at home in their opening league fixture against league new comers Colney Heath Ladies. The visitors squad was a bit thread bare with a number of their squad unavailable were put to the sword by a Billericay side that has in recent season been challenging at the top of the ERWFL no so much last season finishing mid-table. Paris Smith bagged herself 5 goals on the opening weekend with her captain Lindsey Morgan not far behind with 4 there were goals to for Hayley Piggott, Lauren Knight and Nicole Farmer in a 12-1 win. Samantha May with the consolation goal for Colney Heath who will come back stronger.

   Ending the opening weekend in 2nd spot in the table are Bedford Ladies, title challenges for most of the campaign last season only out of the running in the final month finishing 3rd 3 points off top spot. Have a young squad this time around but still expect them to be sniffing around the top of the Premier Division table. Were at home hosting Lowestoft Town Ladies relegated from the FAWPL last season. Were very close to folding just a month ago due to lack of players but an SOS call put out on social media was answered with a good response their new management team having a determination to get the club back on the right footing. New faces to bed in however it was Bedford’s more settled squad who came out on top a hat-trick for Eden Kibron along with goals for captain Michelle Byrne, Priya Bhatti and Natasha Fensome in a 7-0 win.

Into 3rd are AFC Sudbury Ladies performed well last season eventually ending up in 5th spot looked at times as if they could challenge the sides above them. Started the season at home to Royston Town Ladies. The goals were shared out amongst the team as Sudbury ran out 5-0 winners with Mia Etheridge, Phoebe Guiver, Sophie Jeffery, Megan Partridge and Stacey Teager all opening their scoring accounts. 

4 sides weren’t in action will get their season started next weekend, Brentwood Town Ladies, Colchester Town Ladies, Writtle Ladies and newly promoted Cambridge City Ladies.

ERWFL Division One North

In ERWFL Division One North their were 3 games played on the opening weekend with 7 sides in the league it was King’s Lynn Town Ladies having to sit thing’s out get started this Sunday the 27th at home to Essex side Silver End United Ladies. Histon Ladies were relegated from the Premier Division after finishing bottom this season. Over the close season however the club has gotten stronger already linked with Histon FC and playing their home games at the Glassworld Stadium now have a new Reserves side to bolster the 1st team. Began the season with a tasty encounter a local derby with Cambridge United WFC Reserves, Histon formerly Great Shelford Ladies regularly playing Cambridge’s 1st team in the Invitation Cup Final. A different story today Cambridge United’s Reserve side having a few new faces and a squad stretched across both theirs and the 1st team squad players out through injury and unavailability it was Histon who took full advantage Sophie Lanham scoring to give Histon the lead in the 1st 5 minutes.

    Abi Davies doubled the advantage to Histon midway through the 1st half with Katie Webb making it 3-0 on the half hour mark. Charlotte Westrope extended the lead further 20 minutes into the 2nd half, Cambridge had chances to pull a goal back nut Histon held onto the clean sheet to win 4-0 and get their season off to a winning start. 

 Histon are 2nd however as Norfolk side Wymondham Town Ladies who will be aiming for the title after clinching a 3rd place finish in their debut season in the ERWFL last season began with a strong home performance at home against new side Ipswich Town Ladies Development at King’s Meadow. Wymondham have recruited in the summer bringing in Luke Worley formerly Newmarket Town Ladies 1st team coach to assist manager Alex Guy, following Luke from Newmarket are striker Nadine Basson and midfielder Kirsten Hummel. Defender Lauren Kett has joined from Thorpe United Ladies, Mollie O’Callaghan and Brooke Moreno are also new addition to an ambitious club. 

It was O’Callaghan on her debut who got Wymondham into the lead scoring on her debut in the 11th minute went on to score her 2nd on the half hour mark. Laura Wiseman was Wymondham’s top scorer last season and got off the mark in the 34th minute to put the home side 3-0 up scoring her 2nd 4 minutes later to see Wymondham in control of the game with a 4-0 lead at the break. The goals continued 2nd half Kayleigh Holloway made it 5-0 5 minutes after the restart. Leah Newcombe wearing the captains armband today made it 6-0 scoring (and I’m quoting twitter here) a WORLDIE from 35 yards. New signings Basson and Moreno were both introduced from the bench  and went on to score on their debuts Basson on 66 minutes and Moreno 3 minutes later. Wiseman completing her hat-trick in the last 10 minutes to wrap up a 9-0 win. Ipswich Town Ladies Development side unbeaten last season tasting defeat for the first time.

The last match from ERWFL Division One North featured Silver End United Ladies at home to Ipswich Wanderers Ladies. Silver End United Ladies have players back in their squad after suffering from departures last season that threatened the clubs survival have recovered and have confidence going into the new season. Ipswich Wanderers too have struggled for numbers in the past but are an established member of the ERWFL both are capable of pushing for the top of the table. It was Ipswich Wanderers who held the advantage at half-time leading 1-0, going onto claim all 3 points with a 3-1 win in the 2nd half captain Tanya McKew netting a brace along with a goal for Laura Tuley. Stephanie A’Len scoring for Silver End United Ladies.

Promises to be an interesting league, not seen the best of the new comers yet and both will be smarting after the opening weekend.