Sunday 18th February

 A trip to Essex today to watch a game from the Essex Women’s Trophy. At the semi-finals stage as Silver End United Ladies host Frontiers Ladies the current holders looking to defend the trophy.

   A new look for the Essex Women’s Trophy this season run by the Essex FA with the sides knocked out of the early rounds in the County Cup going on to contest the Trophy. 

  Silver End United Ladies play their football in the ERWFL Northern Division a tough season league wise struggling for form and numbers plus injuries earlier on in the season sit bottom of the table. Recent results have improved with progression in the Essex Women’s Trophy seeing the side with an opportunity to reach a final and challenge for silverware.

  Frontiers Ladies are into their 2nd season since being formed in 2016 the Harlow based side winning the Essex Women’s Division One title at the 1st attempt going unbeaten dropping just 2 points along the way. A double last season too as they won the Essex Women’s Trophy in its old format. Have started this season strongly too laying 2nd in the Essex Women’s Premier Division still yet to be beaten in the league games in hand on leaders Hatfield Peverel Ladies.

   In terms of the women’s football pyramid there is just one place between the sides going into today’s semi-final clash. Both sides entering the Trophy in the 1st Round, Silver End United Ladies were at home to Essex Women’s Division One side Southend United Ladies progressing into the quarter finals with a 2-0 win. Drawn away to Hutton Ladies Reserves they were awarded an away win against the Premier Division side. Frontiers Ladies began their Trophy defence away from home to fellow Essex Premier Division side Harlow Town Ladies Reserves, a 3-1 win taking them into the quarter finals where they faced another Premier Division side at home this time to Beacon Hill Rovers Ladies again the result 3-1 to see Frontiers progress.

  The venue for today’s semi-final Conker Park the home ground of Silver End United FC part of a larger sporting centre right in the heart of Silver End itself adjoining pitches hosting a number of youth sides aswell as the senior mens and women’s sides. Hot and cold refreshments available. The pitch for today’s match well used nice and wide, alot of rain recently it was sticky underfoot. A dry day however the sun was even out a few clouds around but no rain forecast. 

Silver End United Ladies starting XI – Hannah Streetley, Emily Bambrick, Danielle Warnes, Lindsey Cowell, Roxanne Gardner (C), Stephanie A’Len, Danielle Bragg, Rebecca Donnelly, Juliana Marques, Megan Jiggins & Angela Holden. Subs- Toni Brown, Laura Borein, Jennifer Stanhope & Georgia Bryan.

Frontiers Ladies starting XI – Rebecca Tyson, Adele Hughes, Jackie Day, Shelley Anglin-Liiv, Kelly Holsworth (C), Anna Freeman, Jill Bartholomew, Ann Anstey, Freya Anglin-Liiv, Sharon Ferguson & Kay Foy. Subs – Vikki Silvester, Poppy Bennett, Loren Delamere, Emma Best & Hayley King.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

It’s Silver End to kick-off the 1st half, wearing light blue shirts with navy blue shorts and socks with Frontiers lined up opposite wearing pink shirts and socks with black shorts. The Essex FA appointing 3 officials for the game. An early free-kick awarded to Silver End inside their own half the ball played up towards the top of the area, attacker Megan Jiggins getting her head on the ball knocks it on into the area taking a deflection off a Frontiers defender on the way a corner signalled. Silver End’s captain, Roxanne Gardner to take from the right a good delivery into the top of the area looking for Lindsey Cowell the central defender up from the back can’t quite bring the ball under control as it squirms past her across to the right Emily Bambrick running onto the ball 20 yards out goes for goal flies over the crossbar a touch from a Frontiers player sees another corner signalled. Frontiers defend the ball at the near post.

A bright start from the home sides Silver End push their attacking players forwards Juliana Marques released into space on the right gets down the line with the ball wins Silver End another corner kick, Gardner’s delivery whipped in across the face of goal turned goalwards at close range bodies around her goalkeeper Rebecca Tyson gets something on it the ball kept out as Silver End hands go up in appeal for handball, play continues the ball cleared out of the area a shot comes back in low and fast, Tyson with a good save diving to her right. 

The corner count is mounting for Silver End right side again the ball fired in towards the top of the area is met by a Silver End head the ball driven wide of the near post. Frontiers struggling to get any forwards momentum in the early stages Silver End pressing the ball well. A half chance comes the visitors way as Silver End goalkeeper, Hannah Streetley doesn’t get any height on the back pass rolled into her the ball running straight to Anna Freeman in a central position out she sends the diagonal ball out to the right side Freya Anglin-Liiv getting in behind the Silver End defence scuffs her shot from the edge of the area dragging the ball wide of goal. 

  Jill Bartholomew in the middle of the park for Frontiers gets onto the ball coming left the pass up the line for Kay Foy in attack, Cowell comes across to defend for Silver End. Again the same combination moments later Bartholomew up the line for Foy the attacker getting her cross in from the byline this time flashing across the face of goal, Anglin-Liiv racing in at the far post can’t quite get a touch on the ball to deflect it into the back of the net. 

  The visitors win the ball at the back Shelley Anglin-Liiv into Bartholomew the ball played up field Sharon Ferguson the target controls the high ball well bringing it down into her body with Freeman making a run forwards central the ball played into her path she strikes it from 20 yards out the low effort saved by Streetley coming out to meet her dropping low to her right getting a glove on the ball, Gardner back to kick the ball out of play.

Rebecca Donnelly with the ball on the left fro Silver End looks to take on the Frontiers defence evading a clumsy challenge gets a shot away with defenders and goalkeeper drawn to the ball past them all everyone turns expecting it to bounce into the empty net beyond, Marques is arriving at the far post as it bounces just wide unsure if she got a touch or not either way the flag is up for offside. Kelly Holsworth Frontiers captain is down in the middle after turning her ankle in a fall needs treatment but is cleared to come back on. 

A good ball played over the top of the Frontiers defence by Silver End’s Stephanie A’Len looks to have sent Donnelly through on goal coming in from the left, the flag is up though against Angela Holden who was offside in the middle. Silver End with another corner right side Gardner with another good delivery into the middle of the area, Holden trying to let the ball run across her can’t get a shot away as Frontiers scramble the ball away look to clear the ball quickly up field is won back and played forwards Holden springing the offside trap this time a good starting position from Tyson sees the goalkeeper get to the ball first.

A competitive game no one given much time on the ball Ferguson looking to link up with Ann Anstey getting forwards the attack stopped by the officials flag. Ferguson looking to hold the ball up turns well 30 yards from goal plays it high into the area with Foy making the run, Streetley able to take the bouncing ball into her body before the striker can reach it. Danielle Warnes wins the ball at the back for Silver End as Ferguson controlling the ball on her chest hooks it on into the box looking for Freeman.

   A good spell from Frontiers more good hold up play by Ferguson slips the pass through for Anglin-Liiv on the right the flag up against her as she takes it on into the area. Silver End launch a rapid counter attack Gardner into Danielle Bragg the ball played forwards a vital interception from Frontiers Jackie Day at the back or the home side would have been through on goal. Jiggins gets the ball through for Holden, bearing down on the area, Day is with her as Tyson comes out of the area to clear the ball.

GOAL! Late into the first half and the deadlock is broken comes unfortunately from an error, the game is being played at the fast tempo the ball end to end Frontiers are on the attack lose possession Silver End come forwards Holden released in behind the visitors defence left side towards the area, Tyson comes out to the edge to kick the ball away slips on the sticky surface landing on the ball, manages to recover enough to push it away from Holden but the ball comes straight into Jiggins to her left and 20 yards out wide of goal sends the ball into the empty net to make it 1-0.

   Marques with a burst of pace on the right runs onto the ball as Holden picks her out in the middle, Day comes across to defend for Frontiers putting the ball out for a throw in deep on the right form it Silver End win a corner.

 GOAL! Silver End double their lead from the set-piece have put pressure on the keeper inside her six yard box earlier on this time Gardner’s delivery is swung in close Jiggins a tall player coming towards the ball gets in front of Tyson and knocks the ball over the line for her 2nd of the game 2-0.

   More good link up play between Marques and Holden as Silver End attack down the right side the winger playing the ball inside to Holden before running on to receive the return pass, Day across just about gets there first putting it out for a corner on the right. The corner cleared Ferguson looks to get forwards for Frontiers is brought down in a central position inside the Silver End half. Holsworth over the ball, regular readers of The Round-Up will know the Frontiers captain is a threat from any set-piece presented to her, a long way out nevertheless goes for the shot, on target but Streetley has time to shuffle across her goal line and claim the ball.

Deep into 1st half injury time Silver End mount an attack Holden playing off the shoulder of the last Frontiers defender springing the offside trap, Adele Hughes getting back to slide in a win the ball on the edge of the area, knocked into the path of Donnelly she sends the ball goalwards from 20 yards out her effort bouncing wide across the face of goal.

Half-time Silver End United Ladies 2-0 Frontiers Ladies

   An entertaining 1st half played at a fast tempo, Silver End starting well, catching Frontiers a little slow out of the blocks early chances before Frontiers got into the game themselves becoming an even contest the opening goal coming from an unfortunate error at the back Silver End going on to double their lead always looked a threat from a corner. A 2-0 lead at half-time the tie far from settled.

A goalkeeper change for Frontiers at half-time Vikki Silvester replacing Tyson. The visitors getting the 2nd half underway. Start well Hughes winning the ball back puts in on for Freya Anglin-Liiv plays the ball into Freeman before getting the return ball and taking in onto the byline inside the box getting the better of her marker, sends the cross in the ball cut out and out behind by Cowell at the near post. Streetley coming into the crowd at the near post gloves the ball away for a 2nd corner. This one deeper Streetley with a confident claim in the centre of her 6 yard box. 

A throw high on the left for Silver End as they bring the ball forwards play stopped by the bane of a pitch with public access – dog mess – cleared up play resumes. Both sides take the opportunity to make an early change 2nd half, Marques coming off for Silver End, Jennifer Stanhope comes on in attack right side. Hayley King comes on for Frontiers in place of Anstey. Foy gets onto a loose ball for Frontiers up front taking it on to the byline squeezes a cross in looking for Anglin-Liiv making a run near post, Silver End have players back too successful defend. Another change for the home side, Bambrick coming off at left back Toni Brown coming on.

    The 2nd half more competitive than the 1st if anything, Frontiers working hard to try and find a reply. Offside decisions frustrating both sides but so quick is the turn around at times it’s easy to stray offside both back lines are keeping a good line too. Another change for Frontiers Holsworth still feeling her ankle injury from the 1st half coming off, Poppy Bennett coming on. 

 GOAL! Frontiers find the goal they were looking for early in the 2nd half, won at the back the ball played up into Ferguson just over halfway room to run with the ball sees the goalkeeper off her line and from 30 yards out goes to lob her, Streetley is a tall goalkeeper however the ball in up and over her before she came get back to stop it finding the back of the net 2-1 game on.

Silver End look for an immediate response get forwards on the right side Stanhope playing the ball across the top of the area Jiggins sliding in for the ball as Silvester comes racing out of her goal going to ground the pair collide both injured the flag up for offside in either case, lengthy treatment for Jiggins who goes off the field to further strap up her right knee. Both striker and goalkeeper are okay to continue.

A throw on the left for Frontiers, Freeman on for Foy the striker can’t reach it before Gardner the ball cleared for a throw deep in the corner from it Frontiers win a corner before it is taken Silver End make a change, Georgia Bryan coming on for Holden goes up top. Very nearly the levelling goal from Frontiers but for a brilliant piece of goalkeeping from Streetley, the ball delivered into the six yard box near post area Ferguson with the snap shot two yards out, the ball deflected goalwards, Streetley instinctively stooping an outstretched glove into the balls path knocking it away her defence clearing the ball.

 All action Frontiers confident they can find a way back into the game push forwards risk the counter at the back Silver End ready to capitalise strong defending from both sides Cowell and Warnes for Silver End, Day covering  well for Frontiers, King gets the ball over the Silver End defence after good hold up play on the left, Foy breaking clear can’t get there before Streetley claims the ball. Offside’s continue frustrate Silver End, Jiggins making her protests known is warned once then when she throws the ball down into the ground after another call goes against her finds herself yellow carded.

 Into the last 15 minutes A’Len fouled bringing the ball on for Silver End on halfway the ball played out to the right, Shelley Anglin-Liiv in with the tackle to regain possession for Frontiers. The crossfield ball into King on the right for the visitors in towards the top right hand corner of the area just outside she is brought down by Brown a free-kick awarded, Bartholomew on the ball goes for the shot flies over the bar near side. Hughes with a great tackle to win the ball for Frontiers pushed on into Ferguson in a central position 25 yards out goes for the early shot looking to lob the keeper once again Streetley is better positioned this time the ball lacking pace as she brings it down cleanly into her gloves.

Jiggins moves to the left to receive the ball puts in a diagonal pass towards the area Silvester claiming it before Bryan can reach it. Her goalkick played on through the middle coming to Ferguson 20 yards out looks to strike the ball 1st time doesn’t get a good connection the ball running along the ground gathered by Streetley. A change for both sides late on Laura Borein comes on for Silver End replacing Jiggins. Loren Delamere joins the action for Frontiers in place of Freya Anglin-Liiv.

 A fair bit of stoppage time to play due to injuries. The game stretched as Frontiers push forwards, Silver End looking comfortable at the back, Gardner coming inside to win the ball from Ferguson late on. The final whistle blows and Silver End win the game 2-1 to reach the Trophy final.

Full time Silver End United Ladies 2-1 Frontiers Ladies

  An entertaining cup tie, had a sneaky feeling it would be a close one and it certainly was. Competitive a sticky surface to play on. Both sides creating chances Silver End starting the better before Frontiers grew into the 1st half could have easily gone in level at half-time as it was Silver End capitalised on an error to open the scoring then doubled their advantage. Frontiers battled hard getting it back to 2-1 and only a brilliant piece of goalkeeping prevented an equaliser, Silver End defending well to hold onto their lead and claim the semi-final win ending Frontiers defence of the Trophy.

Silver End United Ladies will face ERWFL Division One South side, Hutton Ladies in the Essex Women’s Trophy Final after they beat Essex Women’s Division One side Rayleigh Town Ladies 6-1 at home in the other semi-final.  The date and venue for the Trophy final to be announced.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Another difficult one today picking this afternoon’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match several contenders from both sides, Day strong at the back for Frontiers. Streetley with an excellent save, today’s Player of the Match goes to Silver End United’s, Megan Jiggins her two goals winning the semi-final was a threat in attack especially 1st half winning the ball supporting Holden through the middle.

Nice to watch a game in the sun for a change, an entertaining semi-final between two sides I have been keen to see this season. Competitive right to the final whistle. My thanks to both sides for their help with the team line-ups today. Congratulations to Silver End United Ladies on reaching the final.