Thursday 9th April

Cambridgeshire Women’s League Cup Final

Heading down the A10 this evening for my 2nd cup final of the season, this time from Cambridgeshire with the Women’s League Cup taking place at Ely City FC’s, Demcom Stadium with Ely City Women’s team playing at their home stadium facing new side Spalding United Women.

The cup final season getting into full swing with plenty of showcase games to come across the East of England. This season’s Cambridgeshire Women’s League Cup once again sponsored The Alan Boswell Group who have long supported women’s football in the county.

Ely City Women reaching their 2nd cup final in successive season’s having played in last season’s, Cambridgeshire Women’s Junior Invitation cup final, then a Division Three side, losing narrowly to Division one side, Cambridge Rangers WFC. Going onto clinch promotion to Division Two this season have become an integral part of Ely City FC itself, the club long supporting women’s football, hosting finals as well as the home of Cambridge United and Cambridge City Women for a spell. Forming their own women’s side in 2022, after a slow start building a strong squad to gain promotion, have further added a Reserves side this campaign, the 1st team making a strong account of themselves in Division Two currently in 4th position. Charliene Murombo joining Ely this season current joint top scorer with 7 goals to her name along side Danni Youngs with both Beth Horsfield and Treasure Nwanebu on 5 apiece. A special occasion for Ely City Women with this season’s final being played at their home venue.

 Spalding United Women (The Tulips) a new side established this season with a strong squad with mixture of experience and young talent the South Lincolnshire side going straight into Division One in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Football league. Playing catch up early on in the season as they were involved in a number of cup games a useful run in the FA Women’s Cup as well as going all the way to the finals of both the League Cup and senior Lincolnshire Women’s County Cup. Opening their league campaign with successive draws followed by back to back wins have lost just the one league game to date against 2nd placed Godmanchester Rovers Women back in November, haven’t looked back since wining 9 in a row to power their way to the top of the Division One table, where it looks to be a straight fight between them and Godmanchester themselves who have only lost one for the title. Plenty of goals in the squad too, Constance Onyinah the leading goal scorer netting 27 goals in her 16 appearances. Tara Parker has 17 goals from 12 games with 11 others scoring 28 goals between them. Are producing some great content on social media.

Road to the final

  Ely receiving a bye in the 1st two rounds of the League Cup. Spalding with a bye too in the 1st round away to fellow Division One side, Soham Town Rangers Women in the 2nd Round, Tara Parker scoring in the 1st minute, Constance Onyinah adding a 2nd in the 1st half, Carla Penny netting twice for Soham Rangers, Spalding edging the result 3-2 with a goal from Ava Smith in the 2nd half.

 Into the 3rd Round, Ely at home taking on fellow Division Two side, Lincolnshire Swifts Ladies a single goal scored by Emily Grande-Buttimer enough to secure the win and send Ely into the quarter finals. Spalding on the road again taking on newly reformed Hertfordshire side, Royston Town Women Reserves, a brace from Onyinah scoring in each half seeing them safely through to the last 8.

  Ely with a tough test but home advantage in the quarter finals taking on fellow league side Real Bedford Women Development, emerging a strong title contenders early on. Hannah Dove scoring for Real Bedford, Natasha Lane scoring a goal for Ely to see the sides draw the match 1-1 before heading to a penalty shootout, Danni Youngs, Megan Dunlevy and Tiana O’Hara scoring their penalties for Ely who won the shootout 3-2 to book their spot in the semi-finals. Spalding again away from home playing another Division One side, Waterbeach Colts WFC in the quarter finals, Falling a goal behind after 15 minutes Spalding hit back straight away through Ava Smith to see the sides level at half-time, Spalding going on to score 3 goals in the 2nd half to progress into the semi-finals with a brace for Onyinah and a late goal from Alisha Rix.

  Ely drawn at home for their semi-final clash as they took on the current League Cup holders, Newmarket Town Women Development. Beth Horsfield firing Ely into an early lead from a free-kick awarded for a back pass inside the box. The hosts doubling their advantage through Charliene Murombo to see them lead 2-0 at the break, worked hard in the 2nd period to defend that advantage and won through to the League Cup Final. Spalding drawn away again in the competition playing fellow Division One side Cambridge Rangers WFC in the last 4. Another brace from Onyinah and a goal for Parker seeing them secure a cup final place in their debut season going through 3-1.

The Demcom Stadium, home of Ely City FC the venue for this season’s Women’s league Cup final. Amongst a number of sports facilities nestled behind a food and drinks entertainment site on the outskirts of Ely just off the A10. The stadium featuring a large main grass pitch overlooked by a high stand building over the changing rooms with standing viewing all round. The clubhouse and kitchen beside the main stand serving hot food and drinks. The recent warm spell on the way out temperatures dropping back to normal a few clouds around with the hint of rain in the air.

 Ely City Women starting XI – Atlanta Stevenson, Kerry Dyer, Emma Cooper, Ellie Cooper (C), Natasha Lane, Louisa Harwood, Treasure Nwanebu, Geovanna Salles, Beth Horsfield, Danni Youngs & Charliene Murombo. Subs – April Kitchen, Christine Cullen, Erin Chandler, Kaci Gibson & Tiana O’Mara.

 Spalding United Women starting XI – Vickie Foster, Lily Forsyth, Ivy Lane, Amber Nieburg, Chloe Biggadike, Annie Vayro, Nicola Krajewska, Tara Parker, Phoebe Richards-Reeves (C), Emily King & Constance Onyinah. Subs – Grace Hill, Sophie Goodwin, Molli McCormack, Ava Smith & Phoebie Eyett.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

  The floodlights beginning to take effect as the two sides are led out onto the pitch by this evenings referee Rob Smith and his two assistants Anouska Williamson and Paul Vincent with Jamie Rayner the 4th official. A good number in attendance, a drum banging loudly behind one goal. Ely wearing an all red kit with white trim on the shirts and shorts to take the kick-off in the first half, Spalding lined up opposite wearing a all blue coloured kit with yellow trip on the shirts and socks. The ball played back to the defence, Emma Cooper sending it long out to the right for Charliene Murombo bursting forwards but the Spalding defence can see it out safely for the throw in.

  Natasha Lane onto the ball in the middle for Ely sends a useful pass forwards into the right channel for Geovanna Salles, has Treasure Nwanebu up with her the pair exchanging passes before the cross is delivered into the near post claimed cleanly by Spalding goalkeeper, Vickie Foster. Is a big pitch and Spalding look to use the width Annie Vayro putting a diagonal ball out to the right for Emily king breaking forwards, Ely captain, Ellie Cooper across on the cover to close her down the ball out for a throw.

 Getting bodies up the pitch from the throw Spalding look to apply pressure to the Ely back line. The ball hooked on from the wing behind for a goal kick. Ivy Lane seeing the ball into her feet on the right for Spalding travels forwards turning into the middle gaining ground, Natasha Lane getting back to close her down put in the challenge. Louisa Harwood playing the ball into Murombo in attack for Ely, holds it up holding off a defender, has Beth Horsfield looking to get up with her left side the ball into her knocked on for Nwanebu, a little too strong Spalding can get it clear.

 GOAL! Ivy Lane powering on with the ball into the right wing for Spalding delivers a vicious cross low into the six yard box, Ely goalkeeper, Atlanta Stevenson with a reactive save throwing out a leg to try and divert it away to safety only succeeds it turning it on past her far post into the feet of Spalding’s captain, Phoebe Richards-Reeves who strikes it back it past the keeper into the back of the net to open the scoring 0-1.

 Spalding with the early break through inside the opening 4 minutes, a blow for  Ely the last thing the lower placed league side wanted to do was concede an early goal. An open start to the game however both sides a little nervous a few stray passes. The two sides not getting condensed but using the whole pitch, Ely used to playing on it, Spalding looking to stretch their opponents. The ball fired up to Murombo. strong hold up play left side looks to turn on the ball, defender Amber Nieburg close on her getting her leg out to intercept the ball clear into the midfield.

   Murombo hooks the ball on up the line for Horsfield to attack on the left flank, Chloe Biggadike coming across from the middle of defence to close her down send the ball out for the throw. Spalding wining the ball get on the move quickly launching a counter attack the ball sent long into the right channel for Constance Onyinah, Stevenson quick to race out of her box to get to the ball first send it clear. 

 Lively both sides not holding onto the ball for long, Natasha Lane putting it on for Murombo turns it inside for Danni Youngs central attempts to put the ball in behind for Nwanebu making a run in behind the defence, intercepted by Biggadike. Biggadike taking the ball on through the middle soon after pushing forwards tackled by Ellie Cooper as she moves in to close her down. Competitive, the referee having a word with Biggadike as Nicole Krajewska is penalised for handling the ball, Ely winning the free-kick on halfway.

  The ball played into the crowd at the top of the area, Youngs getting her head on it looking to lift it up over the defence towards goal, falls short Spalding scrambling it clear. Spalding pushing up as a unit well, Tara Parker pushing on through the middle looking to see the ball into Richards-Reeves racing on down the left, Kerry Dyer staying on her for Ely regaining possession. Nwanebu getting stuck in closing the ball down high up the pitch for Ely, Murombo and Youngs looking to make runs off her, Nieburg cutting the ball out for Spalding.

  Quick passing as Krajewska picked out the forwards run of Parker, looks to keep it moving for Onyinah breaking into the area, Ellie Cooper reading the move there to cut the ball out for Ely. Spalding pressing on right side, Ivy Lane linking up with King the ball out for a throw in the corner, dropped into Onyinah, Ellie Cooper close in challenging, no turn, Parker taking over carrying the ball o the by-line before flashing a dangerous ball in across the face of goal, Dyer tackling Richards-Reeves as she looks to get onto the end of it. A shot comes in from distance on the angle left side, Stevenson down low to gather behind it all the way. 

 Ely working hard, stabilising things after conceding early, Murombo seeing the ball into her feet left side, helping it on down the line for Horsfield, King defending for Spalding. Spalding build on the left, Lily Forsyth on for Richards-Reeves who wins her side a corner kick. A beautiful delivery from the corner into the six yard box, dropping far post it was asking to be turned into the back of the net but incredulously no one gets a touch. 

  Spalding quicker to the 2nd ball look to get forwards with pace the ball fed into the left channel, Onyinah looking to get clear of defender Emma Cooper as they close down the box, Stevenson rushing out to try and close her down, Onyinah gets a shoot past her under pressure from the defender, the ball running wide of the near post. 

 Ely looking to use Murombo’s good hold up play bring others on to support her, is being closely watched by Nieburg and Biggadike, the former making the tackle. Natasha Lane with time on the ball in the middle fires it into the feet of Horsfield pulling to the right has Murombo ready to receive right corner of the area, Foster quick off her line to slide in and get her gloves around the ball. The open nature of the game could lead to individuals making timely runs at either end but so far the defences are holding form, Ellie Cooper reading the game moving out to close down threats, likewise at the other end Spalding’s defence is discipline moving back and forth as a solid unit. 

  Natasha Lane allowed time on the ball central has put a couple of teasing passes on her latest up to Youngs left of the D 25 out can’t quite turn it on into D, for Murombo looking to steal in behind as Nieburg cuts it out. Parker making some good forward runs for Spalding linking up with Krajewska through the middle winning a corner kick on the left. Spalding’s corners a threat another inviting ball dropping in at the far post not attacked reclaimed right side fired in across the face of goal through to the corner taker on the opposite side, blasted back into the mix, Ely get it away to safety.

  King on the right for Spalding comes inside combining with Krajewska central she looks to release Ivy lane in behind on the right as she makes a surge to get into the box, Ellie Cooper coming across quickly to tackle, the ball fired back in on goal from distance on the angle claimed by Stevenson. Onyinah with a chance on the left top of the area onto the ball knocking it past the advancing keeper sees it again flash wide at the near post.

  A competitive tussle for the ball in the middle between Natasha Lane and Vayro, the latter coming away with it has both Richards-Reeves left and Onyinah central making runs in behind the ball through a little too heavy, Stevenson able to gather. Nieburg up to head the ball clear marking Murombo as Horsfield looks for her with the looping ball from the left. 

 Stevenson not afraid to come racing out to the top of her area moves out sharply to deal with the threat of Onyinah as the striker looks to pulls off Ellie Cooper’s shoulder get into to attack left of goal the keeper diving in to save at her feet. Spalding making a change Molli McCormack entering the game coming on for Ivy Lane. Spalding looking to up it as the first half draws to a close, Vayro on for Krajewska moving left with the ball attempting to player Richards-Reeves, pressure from Dyer, Stevenson advancing to claim the ball.

  A little rain in the air as Forsyth sees the ball on for Richards-Reeves left wing, Dyer in to close her down the ball out for a throw. The throw into Onyinah left corner outside the box hits it on the turn towards goal, straight at the keeper, Stevenson down behind it to save. Ely working hard in defence getting players back limits the balls up to their attackers, but have so too limited the chances for Spalding. Onyinah taking the ball on from Biggadike pushing on, Harwood on her shoulder forcing her out to the left as Ellie Cooper comes to close the ball down. 

   Ely’s captain, covering the ground at the back getting to the ball first to clear as Spalding play probing passes into the channels. Spalding making another change with Onyinah picking up a slight knock comes off with Ava Smith coming on. Richards-Reeves enjoying a good contest with Dyer on the right. McCormack adding to the threat coming through the middle linking up well with Parker. Natasha Lane with a diagonal ball into Salles up with Nwanebu on the right looking to force a way in behind to cross, Biggadike supporting Forsyth the ball cleared. 

 Both sides look to have the players to cause problems to the opposing defence if they can just find the right final ball, Natasha Lane lifting on on through the middle, dealt with well by Nieburg heading clear with Murombo and Nwanebu ready to burst in behind either side of her. Spalding winning another corner out on the left, this delivery lifted into the near post, Stevenson through bodies getting a fist in the ball knocked down into the box the snap shot is turned high over the bar.

  McCormack linking up with Krajewska central out to Parker left side, Dyer in to close her down for Ely. Spalding with a free-kick deep on their left a good delivery up to the top of the area, dealt with by Ellie Cooper, Back with Richards-Reeves on the left strikes it goal wards, Stevenson down onto it to save at the top of her area. Into the final couple of minutes of the 1st half Horsfield pushing on forcing Nieburg into conceding the throw, form there Ely get a cross in across the top of the area, Murombo up well to get her head on the ball inside the d head it down towards goal, Foster sharp quickly grabbing it up into her gloves even as Nwanebu rushes in on her.

  GOAL! A half chance at one end Spalding launch a counter attack to double their lead late in the first half the ball played on down the right flank attacked the cross flashed in high across goal, Stevenson throwing a glove out attempting to get it clear doesn’t get a clean touch the ball dropping down into the area straight to the unmarked McCormack and she adjusts her feet to get the ball back in on goal up over the keeper to score 0-2. 

Half-time Ely City Women 0-2 Spalding United Women

 Virtually the last action of the 1st half Spalding doubling their lead head into the changing rooms 2-0 up at the break. A hammer blow for Ely having worked so hard to compete with their higher league opponents in the 1st half that after conceding a goal inside the opening 4 minutes. Has been an open game a big pitch Ely used to playing on it, Spalding have looked comfortable getting the ball out wide and into the channels, Ely getting players back have defended strongly whilst not over committed too often the other way. Few clear cut chances despite the nature of the contest. A record crowd in attendance for not only Ely City Women but the Women’s League Cup final itself at 326. Spalding with a 2 goal advantage know a 3rd will probably put it beyond Ely, their opponents however are not out of the game yet by any stretch.

  The sides out for the 2nd half, Spalding to get the game restarted, making a double change bringing off Krajewska and King to be replaced by Sophie Goodwin and Grace Hill. Phoebe Eyett also on replacing Vayro late in the first half. A probing long ball sent forwards taken buy Stevenson out at the top of her area. Ely with a throw on the left, the ball won back by Spalding launch a rapid counter Forsyth on for Parker linking up with Smith on the left, Ellie Cooper again moving out to close the ball down. A busy start to the 2nd half Nwanebu turning the ball on for Salles left looks to take on Forsyth the full back holding her up.

 Spalding advance right Richards-Reeves over on that flank now on for McCormack who turns it in centrally for Biggadike to run onto 25 yards out her strike charged down by Dyer. Spalding building pressure early in the 2nd half, Richards-Reeves right linking up with Biggadike the ball fired into the near post Parker forwards looking to turn it on for goal putting it straight at the keeper. Hill getting up to support the Spalding attack on the right getting a shot in on the angle past the advancing keeper, Ellie Cooper running back on goal intercepting the ball to keep it out of her goal.

  Spalding pushing players on winning a corner on the right, lofted into the near post knocked down in front of the six yard box Harwood back on the line to block a stinging shot the ball hooked clear. Pressure mounting as parker latches onto a loose pass at the back feeding it to Smith left of the D, brings it inside to shoot centrally curling a shot in looking for the inside of the far post, drifts the wrong side. Remains competitive Ely competing for the ball soaking up a little pressure. Ely making a change Tiana O’Hara coming on to join the attack replacing Youngs.

  Nwanebu putting the ball into Murombo’s feet back to goal, turns it to Horsfield on the left she attempts to feed it in behind the defence for O’Hara through the middle, Foster with a good starting position alert into close it down and claim at  the top of her area. Parker strong looking to hold of Dyer as she attempts to break on into the box, Stevenson always willing to charge forwards out to get hold of the ball at her feet. Ivy Lane back on for Spalding. Biggadike pushed on into the middle now causing a few issues getting up with the attacking players keeping Ely on the defensive. 

  Parker fouled by Ellie Cooper top of the circle the set-piece curled into the right post area, Stevenson getting up well to claim it. The game stretched at times Ely willing to take a few risks get players on to support, Murombo and O’Hara in attack. Nwanebu always busy after the ball, Nieburg throwing out a leg to deny the pass into O’Hara. 

 GOAL! Stevenson comes racing out to the top right corner of her area try and deny Richards-Reeves as she is played through in behind on the flank the pair coming together as the ball runs past the keeper on for goal, Dyer getting it clear only for the referee to point to the spot, Penalty! Richards-Reeves to take it herself the captain placing the ball on the spot, no messing blasts it home past the keeper before she can react to extend the lead 0-3.

 Spalding adding their 3rd goal midway through the 2nd half, have looked the more likely since the restart. Ely making a change, Christine Cullen coming on to replace Emma Cooper at the back. Horsfield coming on left side getting her side a corner kick, lifted in high defended by Nieburg at the near post behind for a 2nd corner, this one into a similar position cleared upfield. The ball popping about a few tired legs out there. Nieburg defending holding off Murombo as the attacker looks to force her way into the box.

 Foster up well to claim a diagonal ball from the left side fired into the area from Natasha Lane. Spalding ringing the changes bringing on fresh legs with a quadruple switch, Forsyth, Biggadike, Parker and Nieburg coming off, on come King, Krajewska, Vayro and Onyinah. Lane and Salles coming off for Ely, Erin Chandler and Kaci Gibson coming on as the game moves into the final 15 minutes. Smith with a good win getting onto the ball sending it out to Richards-Reeves right side from the angle 20 yards out drives her strike into the side netting.

  Ivy Lane sending the pass into Richards-Reeves right side played inside for Onyinah right of the D, Cullen lunging in to make the tackle for Ely. Players cramping up a lot of work put in this evening the temperature dropping. Dyer clearing the ball as she cuts out a cross fired into the box from the right. Into the final 10 minutes of the game Ely push players on looking to get something out of the game Murombo into O’Hara pressuring the defence forcing Eyett into conceding a corner kick. 

GOAL! The corner delivered into the six yard box from the right lopping in Foster comes to attack it with her fist knocking the ball back out to the right, goes after it attempting to chase it down but is back with the corner taker and clipped back in across the face of goal into a crowd at the far post and turned home by Ellie Cooper to see Ely pull a goal back 1-3.

  Makes things a little nervier for Spalding than they would have like, Ely with their tails up Murombo attacking right back inside for Harwood to strike on the angle 20 yards out right of the D struck across goal Foster gathering at her far post. Murombo into the box looking to press the ball off a throw on the right, a defender looking to see the ball back to the keeper, Foster down to claim it Murombo accidentally catching her a painful blow a pause in play suiting Spalding more than Ely as she receives treatment but is okay to play on back on her feet. Changes for both lane back on for Ely O’Hara off. Smith on for Spalding replacing Vayro. 

 Play resumes a minute plus 3 added to play Parker driving on with the ball right, Stevenson out to close her down the ball out for a throw. Krajewska with a long ball for Spalding launching a counter up to Onyinah up top, Cullen getting her head on it to deny the threat for Ely. Stevenson positioned top of her area keeps her eye on the ball as it drops out of the floodlights with Onyinah looking to close her down, knocked down well collects on the bounce. Spalding on the attack in the closing seconds Hill on the right from the angle lifting a shot over the advancing keeper sees it fall wide of the near post. The final whistle blows and Spalding win silverware in their debut season in Cambridgeshire winning the league cup beating Ely 3-1.

Full time Ely City Women 1-3 Spalding United Women

 Was a much closer contest than some would have predicted, Spalding leading Division One on a strong run taking an early lead, Ely working hard to limit their chances keeping it tight despite the open nature of the game, an entertaining match, played in front of a record crowd, Spalding getting players on better getting a timely goal at the end of the half to lead 2-0 at the break. Began the 2nd half the stronger making changes looking to get that 3rd goal and scored from the penalty spot. Ely put in a shift the Division Two side fighting getting a goal back in the final 10 minutes but Spalding had enough about them to see out the game coming close to scoring a 4th.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Time to pick the Women’s Football East – Player of the Match, as often the case several strong contenders but overall one stands out, both sides playing their part in an intriguing contest. For Ely captain Ellie Cooper won the player of the match in the semi-final and again this evening was strong throughout covering the ground at the back reading the forwards runs and scoring. Natasha Lane with some great passes came close to unlocking the Spalding defence on a coupe of occasions. Kerry Dyer also busy in defence getting her tackles in. For Spalding, Amber Nieburg was on no mood to let anyone get past her at the back, intercepted well and won the ball. Tara Parker making some strong attacking runs getting into the box linking up the attack. Molli McCormack coming on adding to the attack held the ball up and got into some good positions doubling the lead. The award goes to Spalding’s captain, Phoebe Richards-Reeves was a constant threat out on the left and the right driving forwards ready for the ball opened the scoring and powered in the penalty to put Spalding 3-0 up.

 Congratulations to Spalding on winning this season’s Cambridgeshire Women’s League Cup. 

  Another enjoyable evening at Ely City FC’s Demcom Stadium. An open and entertaining final good to see it well supported. Ely can be proud a 2nd successive cup final and have competed strongly on both. Spalding lifting the trophy a great achievement in their debut season and still all to play for the league itself and a county cup final. I have enough games to cover as it is but I haven’t done a Lincolnshire County Cup Final for years I am tempted to make the trip to Boston on the 1st of May. My thanks to Chris Abbott at Cambs FA and both sides for their help this evening. Keira Thurston too for letting her use some of her pictures in the report. Will add a few more from Ely when I get them.

by Darren Gilham