Sunday 23rd February

Essex Women’s Premier Division

Heading down into Essex this Sunday to watch some action for the Essex Women’s Premier Division. 2nd versus 3rd with She Can Play Panthers travelling to take on Colchester United Women. 

 Very much a new look Essex Women’s Premier Division this campaign with a host of sides stepping up to join the ERWFL last season, along with a few dropping down a league and a couple of withdrawals, only Hutton Ladies Reserves still there from that campaign, with Southminster United Ladies, Chigwell Ladies and Colchester all promoted to the league along with new faces in, Brentwood Town Women, Brightlingsea Regent Ladies, Hashtag United Women Reserves and She Can Play Panthers.

Hashtag United Women Reserves leading the way with today’s opponents both looking to chase them down to the title. Each side playing each other 3 times during this league campaign.

 Colchester United reforming a women’s team at the beginning of last season, going into Essex Women’s Division Two, recruiting a strong squad going on to win all 20 of their league matches to romp to the title, along with winning the League Cup in their debut season. No surprise to see them go straight into the Premier Division off the back of that season. Made a strong start to the season two unbeaten in their opening 9 matches winning 7 of those before losing back to back matches against Hashtag United Women and She Can Play Panthers, bounced back well with back to back victories to take into today’s match.

Colchester’s 4th with She Can Play Panthers, who have had the upper hand so far drawing 3-3 in their first league encounter before winning twice again in the league and in the county cup by 2-0 and 2-1 score-lines respectfully. Have brought in experienced striker Jasmine Cox to bolster the attack, as 9 goals so far from her 7 appearances. Midfielder, Lindsey Morgan close behind netting 8 goals, while Jacqueline Craddock-Ball has 7 to her name and ruby Greenleaf 6 goals.

  She Can Play UK was founded in 2016  with one of it’s key goals to promote and development player pathways for girls aged 8-16 at grassroots level across Essex and Hertfordshire, bridging the gap to the WSL itself. Employing an all female coaching team working a development centres and playing in the JPL. The continued growth and success of the venture leading to a women’s team being established in the Essex Women’s Premier Division this season.

  Variable results to start the campaign, She Can Play Panthers have grown into the league a 3-3 with Colchester the catalyst to see the club go on an 8 game winning streak including a win against leaders Hashtag United Women Reserves that saw them briefly lead the table. Have plenty of goals in the side too, Evie Clarke leading the way top scorer so far netting 15 goals from her 11 appearances. Evie Walters as 12 goals from her 13 matches, with Georgia Maxwell-Jones closing in on double figures to with 9 from 7 games, Harriet Hudson too with 8 goals from her 13 games.   

Colchester Garrison the venue for this afternoons match. Situated on a a multi sports facility with hockey pitch and athletic track surrounding the clubhouse with the bar open offering hot food and drink. Beyond that the grass football pitch itself with a small seated stand with some covering on the opposite side to the dugouts situated in front of a small embankment. Rain forecast to arrive hopefully after the game finishes their was nevertheless a keen wind blowing making things feel decidedly chilly! Blowing from one end of the pitch to the other swirling too would influence play during the contest.

 Colchester United Women starting XI – Owen Hoskin, Lucy Yewman, Karys Paton, Niamh Gamble, Learna Daniels, Cassie Craddock-Ball (C), Thalia Adams, Tahlia Roome, Jacqueline Craddock-Ball, Lindsey Morgan &Ruby Greenleaf. Subs – Leah Pope, Ellie Cahill, Ruby Vinton, Emily Ager & Billie-Jo Williams.

 She Can Play Panthers starting XI – Meredith Kitchen, Shannon Simpson, Rebecca Denis (C), Aimee Burling, Ella Little, Molly Dodd, Evie Walters, Fran Ali, Hayley Halford, Harriet Hudson & Evie Clarke. Subs – Lily Davenport, Sammie Kuski, Kat Clifton & Danielle Ware.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

  The captain’s head out to the middle to meet today’s match referee, Graham Pavitt. It will Colchester to take the kick-off in the 1st half wearing blue and white vertical striped shirts, with blue shorts and white socks with She Can Play Panthers lined up opposite wearing a stylish two toned purple shirt with purple shorts and socks. The ball rolled back into the defence Colchester not closed down immediately looking to play it across the backline, Evie Clarke however comes snapping in for the Panthers, 25 yards out to charge down the ball steal possession and thread a diagonal ball into Hayley Halford pulling into the box left of goal, turns back to shoot across the keeper, Owen Hoskin right behind down smartly to save.

The visitors encouraged by the early shot on goal regain possession high on the right Clarke driving forwards squaring a cross into the near post deflected into the side netting for a corner kick. A dangerous ball fired in across the face of the Colchester goal, dropping invitingly at the far post however no one is their to attack it as Colchester attempt to break down the right, Molly Dodd across to challenge forcing play Colchester to play the ball back, the Panthers pressing high Dodd lifting the ball on for Harriet Hudson on the left wing knocks the ball on up the line, Lucy Yewman getting back at her to defend send the ball out for a throw.

The Panthers starting the game well pressing high on the wings a vicious ball fired in across the face of goal, Hoskin down sharply on her line to keep it out push it away to the left. Clarke gathering the ball into her feet on the right flank a power drive up the line looks to angle a cross into the six yard box, cut out by Colchester’s Karys Paton. The ball being shifted quickly both sides showing strong attacking intent, lively, Yewman looking to get on down the right for Colchester linking up with Thalia Adams shifting the ball into the midfielder continuing her run down the line, Adams sending the pass into her, Hudson tracking back for the Panthers challenging to see the ball out for a throw.

Lindsey Morgan seeing the throw down into her feet chipping it back to Yewman out wide to hook a cross into the box from 25 yards out, drops for Adams on the penalty spot, closed down before she can get a shot away, Aimee Burling clearing for the Panthers. The visitors break through the middle Dodd with Fran Ali the ball clipped on for Clarke to take on right side powers forwards before delivering a high ball into the six yard box, claimed well above her head by Hoskin.

Lively Colchester’s turn to attack, captain Cassie Craddock-Ball sending the ball on for Tahlia Roome moving into the left channel bursting towards the box attempts to thread a pass in between the Panther’s defence for Greenleaf to attack, a little too much on it allows goalkeeper, Meredith Kitchen to gather cleanly. Little let up in the tempo, Evie Walters snapping in to win the ball for the Panthers out to Hudson on the left, Learna Daniels across to support Yewman in defence as the winger looks to cut inside to cross. Panthers with a strong opening to the game moving past the quarter hour mark Colchester beginning to find their feet having been under a little pressure.

Coming through the middle Colchester build quickly Adams laying the ball on for Greenleaf 25 yards out, looks to thread it through for Jacqueline Craddock-Ball making the forwards run, a vital interception by Burling inside the D for the Panthers. The hosts getting on well down the right, Roome linking up well with Jacqueline Craddock-Ball and Greenleaf winning a corner off Shannon Simpson.

Panthers captain, Rebecca Denis on the left of defence making a crucial interception as Colchester look to stretch play Adams attempting to find Yewman breaking down the right wing. Colchester pushing up in attack left of the area Greenleaf on the ball top corner of the area inside for Jacqueline Craddock-Ball, sends the return pass back into the area for Greenleaf who gets a shot away before being closed down on the angle lofted up into the air looking for the top corner, the wind gets hold of it to see the ball, fly wide of the upright.

Yewman seeing the ball into her feet on the right with a nice turn to get a cross away into the box, no one gambling to get on the end of it as Little clears. The Panthers defence playing themselves into trouble at the back not petting rid of the ball, with both Morgan and Roome snapping in to close it down force an error. Colchester making a change bringing off Greenleaf in attack, send on Ruby Vinton.

Dodd bringing the ball on through the middle for the Panthers has Ali up with her in support laying the ball into her feet looking to force her way into the Colchester area is tackled by Niamh Gamble. Colchester break with pace Cassie Craddock-Ball on for Adams through the middle, attempts to play Yewman in on the right, again the wind catches the ball making it a forlorn chase for the full back.

Vinton up high with Morgan central outside the Panthers box pressing the ball, Morgan moving sending the ball into Vinton left of the D, shapes to shoot, Burling in to close her down charge down the shot. Roome getting on down the left for Colchester sweeping the ball into the area, headed clear by Burling. A change for the visitors as they bring off Clarke, with Hudson moving into a more advanced position, Danielle Ware coming on going to the left.

Denis bringing the ball on up the left for the Panthers sending it inside for Dodd, looks to clip in up into Hudson, Daniels closing her down for Colchester. Ware linking up with Hudson on the left as the Panthers attack with pace a cross fired in low to the near post, Paton running back in on her own goal, cutting it out behind for a corner kick.

Jacqueline Craddock-Ball snapping in on Dodd to win the ball for Colchester in the final 3rd sends it forwards into Vinton, Dodd recovering to get after Vinton regains possession inside her own box. Roome up on the left with Vinton 25 yards out, Burling coming out of the back line to challenge halt the attack, Cassie Craddock-Ball winning it back quickly lifting the ball out to Morgan pulling wide left down the line in gets a cross into the near post under challenge form Simpson, Kitchen covering her post making a solid claim.

Hudson taking the ball on from Denis as the pair push up on the Panthers left flank, Hudson stealing inside looking to force her way into the area, Gamble moving in to close her down tackling to win the ball back. The visitors winning a free-kick inside the Colchester half, before it is taken they make a change, Clarke coming back on to replace Halford. Dodd over the set-piece, hooks the ball goal wards looking to score, Hoskin across her line can see the ball drop safely past her right post.

The wind a consideration for both sides especially high balls, despite that is a lively contest with both sides into each other looking to get on quickly with the ball, Little tackling well for the Panthers at the back as Jacqueline Craddock-Ball drives with the ball at her feet towards the area.

GOAL! into the final 5 minutes of the first half Colchester building momentum the ball from Adams finding Vinton on the left outside the area, shifts it between her feet looking to drive into the box sends the pass on for Roome 8 yards out to the left of goal, Burling in to close her down the ball loose rebounds out wide to Vinton unmarked to strike goal-wards gets plenty behind the ball, Kitchen does well to get a palm up to try and keep it out but not enough as the ball finds its way through to the back of the net 1-0.

Panthers falling behind get straight on the attack from the restart the ball fed up the right for Clarke, angles a cross into the area, Adams tracking back into her box intercepting. Pushing up well on the right Walters seeing the ball into her feet of Clarke out wide corner of the area, goes to shoot, slipping as she does seeing a tame effort run safely through to the keeper. Kitchen out well to the top of her area to get hold of the ball as Morgan beats the offside trap to run in behind the Panthers defence.

Messy from the Panthers at the back as they lose the ball on the left Roome taking it on angling a shot in towards goal, pace behind it rising, Kitchen throwing out a glove to tip the ball wide of her right post over for a corner kick. Curled into the near post, defended for a 2nd corner kick. This delivery into the top of the area, Roome running in to strike the ball, blacked by Ali, deflected out to the left shot blasted in from range drops wide of the right post.

Dodd playing the ball into Ware getting on down the Panther’s left wing, riding a tackle going on towards the area, Daniels closing her down tackling to send the ball out for play for Colchester as the first half draws to a close.

Half-time Colchester United Women 1-0 She can Play Panthers

  Colchester edging the first half, Ruby Vinton’s goal late in the half the difference between the sides as the hosts opt to stay out for the interval, the Panthers heading to their changing room. The wind bitingly cold. A strong start from the visitors asking questions of the Colchester defence, getting forwards with purpose, Colchester taking a little time to get going but once they did it became a lively and competitive contest, the two sides evenly matches getting after the ball looking to get on quickly both keepers called into action. Still all to play for 2nd half, the Panthers recently 2-0 down to leaders Hashtag United Women Reserves at half-time coming back to win 3-2 so Colchester know it’s far from settled yet.

A change for the hosts at the break with Yewman coming off, Leah Pope coming on. No changes for the Panthers as they head back to the pitch will have the wind at their backs 2nd half as they get the game restarted, back to the defence played across the back before being lifted long down the left channel, Hudson breaking forwards but a simple gather for Hoskin in the Colchester goal. Denis carrying the ball on down the Panthers left knocked on for Ware to take on, clips a cross into the area, won by Adams for Colchester and cleared.

The Panthers starting the second half as they did the first getting on the front foot driving forwards Dodd through the middle a strong run on the ball lays it through into the area for Clarke, stabs a low shot in towards goal, can only pick out the keeper. The visitors getting bodies up into the final 3rd pushing the Colchester defence back into their box, Walters looking to pull off Gamble hooks a cross from the right into the area, Hoskin under it to catch for the hosts.

Clarke out right winning a throw high for the Panthers, Clarke off the throw sending a cross in along the top of the area, Ware attacking it centrally, her low shot straight forward for Hoskin. The pressure mounting Walters strong on the ball taking it left gamble moving to close her down challenging to send the ball behind for a corner kick. All action a dangerous delivery curled in right across the face of goal under the bar, Hoskin hurt as she goes to try and block it, the ball cleared on the line before being hooked clear, play stopped so the keeper can be seen to. The Panthers appealing feeling their was a hand involved somewhere in the goal line clearance but get no joy.

Hoskin okay to play on, play resuming with a drop ball outside the box, Panthers pressing to force another corner on the left. Is another dangerous delivery into the Colchester six yard box dropping in front of goal, attacked stabbed goal wards Hoskin with a brilliant save getting a glove on the bouncing ball to tip it high over her crossbar. Colchester under pressure regrouping as the corner comes into the box from the right, a brave header at the far post cushioned by a defender back towards goal caught confidently by the keeper.

A strong start to the 2nd half from the Panthers give a foul away to relieve the pressure on the hosts, lifted up into the area half cleared, Pope looking to steal in on the rebound inside the area, Dodd bringing it clear for the Panthers. Colchester get numbers up quickly in the right play drawn across as the angled cross comes flashing into the box, across the six yard box, Roome running in unmarked at the far post can’t get there.

Clarke picking up the ball inside her own half goes on a marauding run through the middle for the Panthers threatening to go all the way into the opposition area, Daniels the last defender getting across her to safely shield the ball back into her keeper’s gloves.

Denis pushing on with the ball for the panthers on the left on for Ware looking to shift the ball inside, Pope sticking out a leg tackling for Colchester.

A similar story to the first half a strong start from the Panthers, beginning to drop off getting a little frustrated, by some decisions going against them and a determined Colchester defence. Roome doing well on the left for Colchester bringing the ball on sent on for Vinton up the line tracks to the by-line before checking back to try and deliver an acute shot in towards goal, easy gathering for Kitchen between the sticks.

Roome driving on up the left for Colchester linking up with Vinton, head down looks to drive infield with the ball, Burling lunging in to tackle winning the ball back for the visitors. Halford back on for the Panthers with Simpson off. Little playing the ball forwards into Ware left side for the Panthers, Pope into make the challenge the ball going behind for a corner kick. Flung high into the near post, Hoskin getting a glove in the ball to punch it away to the right for another corner kick.

Clarke to send it into the box, curled into Denis on the penalty spot, looking to get it out from under her feet and shoot, Colchester move into defend en masse scramble the ball away. The Panthers working hard pushing players on winning a free kick out wide on the left as Roome and Halford come together going for a 50/50 ball. Denis to float into the area, headed clear by Adams.

Colchester determined to hold onto their lead are inviting pressure allowing the Panthers to come on, while getting little by way of relief on the attacking front, gaps appearing as the visitors over commit looking for the equaliser, remains lively. Hudson carrying the into the right channel up with Walters wide of her giving her the ball continues her run looking for the return pass into the box, Roome tackling well for Colchester, bringing the ball away breaking on the left forwards into Vinton, who moves infield only to be tackled by Little. Paton appears to have picked up a knock for Colchester needs to come off, Roome dropping deeper on the left with Billie-Jo Williams coming on ahead of her.

The Panthers visibly frustrated as they give niggly fouls away on half way, Little bringing down Vinton on halfway. Adams driving with the ball through the middle brought down. Denis charging on down the left with the ball forwards into Halford, Daniels lunging in to challenge for Colchester outside the box. Halford coming right with the ball forwards for Hudson to clip a cross into the box, cut out by Gamble cleared by Roome for a throw in.

High on the right Clarke up with Hudson the cross lofted into the area cut out again by Gamble. The hosts attempting to break Vinton seeing the ball down on halfway forwards for Morgan but the Panther’s back line holds it’s line catching her offside. Colchester making a change brining off their captain, Cassie Craddock-Ball coming off the armband passed to Morgan who drops into a midfield role with Emily Ager coming on to lead the line.

The Panthers are pushing hard for a goal pressing players on the defence on halfway, leaving gaps to exploit, the ball lifts over the top for Hudson to chase down into the area, Roome in close defending for Colchester, Hudson appealing for a hand ball as the ball is cleared for a corner on the right. The hosts launch a counter attack Morgan carrying the ball into midfield lifting it out Williams on the left charging forwards, sends a cross into the area, cut out by Burling.

The Panthers angry as they give away a free-kick centrally, Williams sweeping it out to Morgan on the right up the line delivers a vicious cross into the six yard box, Kitchen with a brave save down smartly to gather the ball into her body with Ager closing in! The visitors looking to get the ball forwards quickly with less than 10 minutes on the clock a high ball forwards dealt with by Gamble for Colchester.

Kitchen playing her kick out from the back straight into Vinton 20 yards out right of the D, starts to close her down, Vinton thinking to play Ager clear on the right, the opportunity missed as the offside flag goes up. The Panthers getting wound up a offside decision from a throw in on the right going against them as the ball is headed goal wards. Incensed the referee calls Halford over for a word, looking to calm things down. Winning another throw on the right high up the pitch, little up to take it has a long throw in her armoury launching the ball into the area headed away by Gamble, Colchester look to break Vinton and Ager up top but the latter strays offside.

The arguments with the referee continuing, Ali pushes things too far saying something she shouldn’t which results in her being yellow carded and sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes, leaving the Panther’s down to 10. Vinton making way for Greenleaf for Colchester. All action the Panthers determined to press forwards despite their disadvantage, Clarke seeing the ball into her feet off a free-kick on halfway right outside the box, turns well off her marker to drag a shot wide of the right post.

 

Pushed up Kitchen has to come sliding in to win the ball inside the opposition half to stop a potential Colchester counter attack. Williams coming back to help defend as Halford and Hudson combine on the right for the Panthers. Pressing bodies forwards the Panthers are leaving themselves vulnerable to the counter attack.

GOAL! The ball is cleared up to the halfway line, Ager up top with Morgan, the former seeing the ball down knocking in into Morgan who has Dodd on her shoulder, charges forwards looks to be hauled down by Dodd, players and spectators alike thinking play has been stopped for a free-kick but no play goes on the ball loose on the right Ager sees the keeper well off her line and strikes it over her to roll on into the empty goal beyond, a little confusion follows as Colchester celebrate, the ball is placed on the centre circle for the restart, the goal stands Colchester doubling their lead in the closing minutes of the match 2-0.

 Then all chaos breaks loose, Dodd is summoned over to the referee, clearly something has been said and she is shown a straight red card, sent off. But thing’s escalate as the Panther’s bench gets involved the referee rushing over more yellow cards issued to the manager. The visitors far from happy but have crossed the line with the official, a fiery end to what has been a thrilling contest.

The Panthers to see the match out with 9 on the pitch. Colchester pumped up themselves having struggled to get a result against the Panthers seeing a victory in their sights. Williams pushing on with the ball up the left wing can only find the keeper with the through ball into the area.

The visitors are not going to sit back, even with 9 are focused on attack, Halford combining with Walters as they take the ball right, Gamble tackling for the hosts. Into stoppage time the Panthers winning a free-kick deep on the left inside the Colchester half, everyone bar the goalkeeper up Clarke to delivery a good ball in bounces though the six yard box, out wide past the far post.

Little up for another long throw high on the right up into the area, Clarke looking to bring it down off her chest right of goal turn to let fly with a shot, isn’t given the room as the Colchester defence launch it clear.

Full time Colchester United Women 2-0 She can Play Panthers

 Colchester are ecstatic as they celebrate the win having had some tough games with She Can Play Panthers so far this season, getting the 3 points, moving above them into 2nd spot in their premier Division table, with a game still in hand on leaders Hashtag United Women Reserves the gap move 3 points as they were held to a 2-2 at Brentwood Town Women. The title race still wide open. She can Play Panthers winning streak coming to an end in somewhat controversial fashion, but they nevertheless have a game in hand on Hashtag too, just 4 points off the lead, still all to play for. An enjoyable game from the Essex Women’s Premier Division, the Panthers starting the 2nd half like the first coming out strong pushing players on in attack looking to get an early leveller and no doubt push for a winner themselves came up against a determined Colchester defence, created chances, forcing saves from the keeper and clearances off the line, felt they should have had a penalty and as the decisions seemed to mount up against them let their frustration get the better of them finishing the game with 9 on the pitch with one sent off and another sin binned, Colchester going on to double their advantage fighting for the 3 points.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Time to chose the Women’s Football East – Player of the Match, as per normal isn’t a easy call to make several contenders out there this afternoon on both sides and could have gone either way in the finish. Performances of note include for She Can Play Panthers, Aimee Burling at the back, produced a number of key tackles and blocks to deny Colchester throughout the match. Harriet Hudson working hard on the flank looking to get on with the ball set up chances for her teammates. Evie Clarke strong on the ball making some determined runs out wide and through the middle. Molly Dodd getting about well in the middle of the park with some great forward passing. For Colchester, Lindsey Morgan used the channels well getting into some good positions looking to draw out defenders create space for others to run into. Ruby Vinton lively coming on from the bench first half getting hold of the ball looking to take it too the Panther’s defence scoring the opener. Jacqueline Craddock-Ball, with some good runs on the ball in the final 3rd. Tahlia Roome get forwards well down the left linking up with the attack and coming back to help in defence. The defence itself with a dogged performance, goalkeeper, Owen Hoskin producing a number of saves, Learna Daniels getting in a number of challenges as did Niamh Gamble making several crucial interceptions and getting in to close the ball down. A close call but todays Player of the Match is Colchester midfielder, Thalia Adams, working hard in the middle of the park to win the ball back, covered the ground helping out in defence to, came forwards with purpose linked up well with the attackers.

 An eventful, but enjoyable game from the Essex Women’s Premier Division, lively between two sides that will push hard all the way to the end of the season to challenge Hashtag United Women Reserves for the title. A frustrating afternoon for the Panthers but they have had a strong start with their new woman’s side and are an emerging force in the county. Colchester joyous after finally beating their opponents continue to build upon their debut season. My thanks to both clubs for their help with the teams today as always much appreciated.

by Darren Gilham