This Sunday’s match report the Supporting Women’s Football Blog comes from Hednesford Town FC for this season FAWPL Plate Final, with Enfield Town Ladies taking on Coventry United Ladies.
A special occasion for both sides, Enfield Town Ladies are celebrating their 30th anniversary year and this is the 1st time in their history they have reached a National Cup Final. Coventry United Ladies previously Coventry City Ladies now in partnership with Coventry United FC are into League Plate Final for the 1st time. Both sides have made it all the way to the final of the competition without conceding a goal.
Road to the Final
Enfield Town Ladies playing their football in FAWPL South East Division One were due to play St Nicholas LFC from FAWPL South West Division One in the 1st Round of the League Plate however that fixture never happened and they were awarded a home win. In the 2nd Round were drawn away to fellow South East Division One rivals Denham United Ladies a single goal sealing the win to put them into the quarter finals where they faced a tough away trip to higher division opponents Loughborough Foxes WFC laying the FAWPL Northern Division again it was the single goal that saw the game won coming late on scored by Regan Coleman. Semi-finals and Enfield Town Ladies were back at home but again faced strong opponents from the FAWPL Northern Division again Newcastle United WFC beat them 2-0 at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium (think she was celebrating some anniversary or another this week too) to book reach their 1st ever National Final.
Coventry United Ladies had an away trip to Maidenhead United Ladies in the FAWPL Plate 1st Round, newly promoted to the South West Division One, won the game 5-0 to progress to the 2nd Round away again to play South East Division One leaders and now title winners, Crystal Palace Ladies who will be joining Coventry United Ladies in the FAWPL Southern Division next season. Coventry United Ladies won the match 2-0. On to the quarter finals and at home playing Northern Division One side, Liverpool Marshalls Feds, a single goal from Helen Demody the difference as they book their place in the semi-finals and an away trip to the South West to play Keynsham Town Ladies racking up a 7-0 scoreline to reach the final. Have a mean defence not only in this competition but in the FAWPL Southern Division too conceding just 15 goals in the league to date
The venue for today’s FAWPL League Plate Final, Keys Park home of Hednesford Town FC hosting a cup final double, having seen the FAWPL Reserve Cup Final played between Bradford City WFC Reserves and Blackburn Rovers Ladies Reserves earlier in the day. A stand alone ground on the outskirts of the tow with business and retail centres nearby the ground is recently built boasting a good sized carpark before the main stand featuring numerous suites and a function room behind a large seated stand, covered stands all around the main and one end seated the others terraced. Hot and cold refreshments available on the day. The weather started off quite bright and sunny but grew decidedly chilly in the afternoon as kick-off for the final approached with some rain in the air. On to the match action.
Enfield Town Ladies starting XI – Bethan Davies, Holly Brandon, Cally Browne, Claire Ford, Kerrie Marlborough, Nuala McKevitt, Elizabeth Kent, Chloe Bassett, Ayse Mustafa, Victoria Lewis & Regan Coleman (C).
subs – Beth Demery, Sheryce Slater, Laura Elias, Alena Beganovic & Eliza Diaz.
Coventry United Ladies starting XI – Susan Wood, Annabel Johnson, Nikki Miles, Natasha Lynch (C), Anna Wilcox, Jade Brook, Libby Piggott, Amber Hughes, Alison Hall, Marie Gauntlett & Cristina Torkildsen.
subs – Callan Barber, Ellena Rollason, Gina Burton, Sami Ryder & Charlotte McElroy.
Vocal support for both teams as the players line up before the final, No Ashleigh Neville or Helen Dermody in their squad, it’s Coventry to get the FAWPL Plate Final underway wearing red shirts, green shorts and socks, with Enfield lining up in an all yellow kit with black across the left shoulder on their shirts, names on the back a special memento for a special occasion in the clubs history. Coventry get the ball out to Alison Hall on the left side looking to take players on gets the ball in across the face of the area, Enfield clear it. Christina Torkildsen playing up front wins a corner taking it sends the ball into the area Kerrie Marlborough gets a firm header on the ball to get it away.
GOAL! The last thing Enfield wanted to do was concede an early goal, but they do exactly that give away a free kick right side just beyond the centre circle, Cristina Torkildsen plays the ball long towards the far post area Alison Hall meets it with her head sending the ball across the face of goal dropping at the opposite post Jade Brook is the player arriving sliding it to connect with the ball and send into the back of the net 1-0.
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| Jade Brook opens the scoring for Coventry United Ladies in the League Plate Final |
A set back 5 minutes played, Enfield are working hard to close Coventry down on the ball, not easy as they move it quickly. Nuala McKevitt plays the ball out to the right side picking out Chloe Bassett, pushing on to get to the corner, flashes a cross back into the box, can’t pick anyone out. Free kick for Coventry inside the Enfield half in front of the centre circle captain Natasha Lynch to take sends it long with Hall giving chase, Marlborough goes with her and defends putting the ball out for a throw.
Lynch defends in er own box as Bassett rolls her marker on the right and pushes down the wing again squaring the ball Lynch intercepts. Enfield keep the pressure on around the box are awarded a free kick just outside the box right side corner. Marlborough puts the ball in towards the far post, Brook gets to it 1st almost sends Annabel Johnson away up the right, Ayse Mustafa back defending from the set-piece get’s to her and tackling wins the ball.
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Regan Coleman on the ball for
Enfield Town Ladies |
A powerful run on the ball from Torkildsen on the right as Coventry attack sees her fire in shot from the angle rising as it flies towards goal, Enfield goalkeeper Bethan Davies throws up her gloves and tips the ball over the bar a corner awarded. The rain that fell at the start of the game has added a little extra zip to the playing surface. The game is playing at a high tempo Enfield closing Coventry down all over the pitch, a little too closely sometimes free kicks are being given away. Marking Torkildsen, Enfield’s Claire Ford gives away a free kick outside the area to the left side. The ball fired into the crowded six yard area is cleared by McKivett.
GOAL! Enfield get themselves back on level terms scoring to make it 1-1 midway through the half. Captain Regan Coleman leading the line is bundled over on the right side 20 yards out, players come forwards as Marlborough goes over to take, sends the ball out towards the far post area a trio of yellow shirts are their to attack the ball, Elizabeth Kent is amongst them the ball is sent into the back of the net and Kent leads the charge in celebration having scored in the Final.
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Scoring in a Final! Can’t beat it! Elizabeth Kent races out of the Coventry area with
her Enfield team mates after making it 1-1 |
Amber Hughes coming in from the right side dribbles the ball past 2 Enfield players before being fouled by Kent. Ford clears the resulting free kick. Marie Gauntlett is free in space on the left as Coventry press forwards the ball is played out to her driving on whips the cross into the box, too close to Davies the keeper grabs hold of the ball. Up the other end Coventry goalkeeper Susan Wood does the same claiming an Enfield cross from Bassett as she links up well with Holly Brandon on the right.
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| Regan Coleman wins the ball against Jade Brook |
A corner to Enfield on the right, Nikki Miles defends against Bassett as Coleman knocks the ball down to her. Bassett battling to get a cross in puts in a dangerous ball in central on the goal line Wood is under pressure players all around her manages to get a fist on the ball tip it over her crossbar. The 2nd corner from the left is headed wide by Ford at the near post. The rain has started to fall heavily again. Torkildsen wins Coventry a free kick left side of the Enfield area taking it her delivery his initially cleared by Ford falling outside the area the ball is sent back in Davies punches it behind for a corner kick. Get’s her gloves on the ball again to punch the corner out of her area the ball runs out to Hughes 20 yards out, looks to curl a shot into the top corner, flies a yard over the crossbar.
An enthusiastic crowd are getting behind both sides, seeing challenges coming in and not happy with some referring decisions. Lynch does well up against Victoria Lewis as Cally Browne looks to play the ball forwards down the left side getting in front of the ball and Lewis as the ball travels into the box, allows Wood the chance to come sliding in and claim the ball.
GOAL! Blow for Enfield right on the stroke of half-time as Coventry get themselves back in front. Coventry stretch the play from right to left across the Enfield area, Torkildsen holding the ball up before sending a great ball out to Miles on the left, picking it up she drives to the byline before squaring the ball across the front of the Enfield goal. Again there is a player sliding in for Coventry this time it’s Piggott throwing herself at the ball inside the six yard box to turn it into the back of the net 1-2.
Half-time Enfield Town Ladies 2-1 Coventry United Ladies
A blow for Enfield Town Ladies conceding a goal right at the end of the 1st half, have battled hard, over zealous at times, but having gotten back into the match it is unfortunate to go into the dressing room behind. Coventry have dealt with Enfield on the large part fairly well not getting caught up in the physical battle, looking to spread the play get players forwards from all parts of the pitch. Enfield get the 2nd half underway.
The physical battle resumes and the ball is hotly contested in the middle, both Coleman and Torkildsen getting drawn back to help their midfielders win the ball. The ball comes to Lewis on the left for Enfield whips a ball into the area from the right with Coleman providing the run, can’t quite connect with the ball as it flashes across her path. Hughes plays Torkildsen in as she finds room in behind on the right taking the ball down to the byline, Mustafa makes up the ground to track back and sliding in puts the ball out for a corner.
GOAL! 3 minutes into the 2nd half and Coventry extend their lead scoring from the corner kick put in from the right, what happens next causes a great deal of confusion amongst the watching crowd. Is a great delivery by Torkildsen whipping the ball in central close to goal bodies all around the ball is attacked turned towards goal falling back Ford appears to throw up a hand to stop the ball keep it out, silence falls the crowd caught by surprise when the referee points to the circle awarding a goal to cue some delayed cheering. Brook is credited with the final touch scoring her 2nd of the game, Coventry lead 1-3.
A chance for Enfield to pull a goal back straight away as Coleman gets hold of the ball wide left and sends a cross into the six yard box far side Bassett is arriving gets her head on the ball inside the six yard box sends the ball over the bar. Gauntlett sends Hughes through down the right, chasing forwards whips the ball towards the area, Ford cuts the cross out Lewis back to clear the loose ball.
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Nuala McKevitt heads the ball away with Coventry’s
Cristina Torkildsen looking to get around her |
Both crowd and both benches are getting wound up by some decisions being made by the officials, a robust 50/50 between McKevitt and Brook in the middle sees to 2 square up, is quickly broken up, but having missed the incident the referee has a word with his fellow officials and settles for a word with the two captains. Not long after Coventry’s Piggott comes off 2nd best in a challenge and coming off is replaced by Callan Barber. Coventry go on the attack on the left the ball played inside 20 yards out to Gauntlett is clipped as she knocks the ball on the advantage played as the ball comes to Brook just outside the D, smashes a low shot wide of goal. Play is stopped so Gauntlett can receive treatment.
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| Kerrie Marlborough heads the ball clear of her area for Enfield Town Ladies |
Enfield make a change bringing on Alena Beganovic for Lewis. Anna Wilcox bombs forwards from centre back for Coventry racing over halfway looks to play the ball on release Torkildsen offering the run through the middle, almost picks her out as she bursts into the area can’t bring the ball under control her touch taking it on to Davies who claims the ball. Coventry are enjoying more possession as the 2nd half goes on Enfield attacks limited, Gauntlett puts the ball into Johnson just inside the area, looks to shoot, McKevitt back defending blocks the ball is deflected towards goal high at the far post Hall fouls as she climbs on the back of a defender trying to head the ball down. Enfield make a 2nd change taking off Browne and bringing on Beth Demery as they look to go 3 at the back and try to get more bodies forwards find a goal.
GOAL! The goal however comes at the other end as Coventry take a 4-1 A pacey counter attack stretch Enfield as Torkildsen sends Hughes away into space down the right, taking the ball all the way to the byline cuts the cross back into the six yard box with Gauntlett closing in. The ball looks to have just evaded her, but Gauntlett adjusts well to back heels the ball turn it back across goal, Davies throws own a leg to try and stop the ball gets a touch but not enough to take it around the far post as it rolls over the line.
Coventry bring Brook off, who was yellow carded earlier and send on Gina Burton. Marlborough comes off for Enfield too with Sheryce Slater entering the action.
GOAL! Having gotten one goal, Gauntlett goes and makes it a quick fire double as both sides adjust with substitutions just being made the ball is put up towards Gauntlett 25 yards out right of the area, hits the ball high into the air lobbing the keeper as the ball sails over her and drops into the back of the net 1-5.
Good defending from Ford for Enfield going with Gauntlett into the area as she looks to make it a quick fire hat-trick, gets a toe to the ball to get it back to Davis cleared out to the middle a shot comes straight back in the ball deflected wide for a corner. Final change for Coventry as Hughes is rested and Ellena Rollason before the corner is taken. The set-piece is put in from the right side, Miles rises highest in the box heads the ball wide. Late into the game Johnson still has the energy to get forwards sends a looping cross out to the far side with Rollason there to meet it puts her header behind goal.
The final whistle blows and Coventry United Ladies celebrate winning the FAWPL Plate Final beating Enfield Town Ladies 5-1. Were made to work for the victory but in the end their quality told two goals scored either side of the break putting them in control of the game adding 2 goals late on as Enfield tired 2nd half having put so much effort into the game. Battled hard getting a goal but as the final wore on chances up the other end dried up.
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| Coventry United Ladies, celebrating winning the FAWPL Plate Final |
Congratulations to Coventry United Ladies on winning the FAWPL Plate.
