The final games in the Beds & Herts Women’s Football League once again proving to be an exciting league to follow it was Finals Day this Sunday at AFC Kempston Rovers. The Women’s League Cup & The Chris Renshaw Cup. I would have liked to have been there but with 5 finals converging on one day couldn’t although I really liked the look of both games. A morning kick -off for The Chris Renshaw Cup, the final edition of this season’s Beds & Herts Round-Up begins with the League Cup Final.
Beds & Herts Women’s League Cup
A fantastic season so far for St Albans Ladies leading Beds & Herts Women’s Division One all season and going on to win the title without losing a game. Now they were looking for the Double in the League Cup Final up against Northwood Ladies who themselves had clinched runners-up spot in Division One in their debut season.
Kerry Twigg scoring just past the half hour to put St Albans into the lead. 1-0 the advantage going into half-time. Northwood coming back to level the scores with 20 minutes left in the game. St Albans getting their noses back in front with Eleanor Lovelock on target for what would prove to be the winning goal. St Albans Ladies completing a memorable League & Cup Double. As in with Essex League Cup winners Corringham Cosmos I asked the winning club if they would like to send over a few words and their report from the game is below.
‘ST. ALBANS LADIES FC 2 NORTHWOOD LADIES FC 1.
After winning the league title the St Albans Ladies set out to try and complete the double when they took on Northwood Ladies in the League Cup Final at AFC Kempston with their opponents going to be a tough nut to crack as they were runners-up to them in the league.
Early on in the match Suz Read whipped over a low cross from the right wing which went right across the box but Ellen Salter racing in on the far side saw the ball cleared away by a Northwood defender, For Northwood saw Scarlett Keightley race clear into the Saints box but keeper Lauren Croucher was quick off her line to block the shot with her legs. Kayla Johnson then saw her low drive from the right wing go just wide of the far upright whilst at the other end Emma Steele with two fine free kicks one after another saw them both whistle just wide of Lauren Croucher’s right hand post. For the St Albans Ladies Ellie Lovelock cutting in from the right saw her shoot just wide of the left hand post whilst although Northwood applied a lot of pressure on the Saints goal with Emma Steele and Scarlett Keightley both causing lots of problems the Saints managed to hold out with some good defending from Holly Rossington, Becca Roft, Robyn McFayden and Cerys Low whilst keeper Lauren Croucher show her real fine form with some safe handling around the box and so keep the scores level.
With half time approaching saw the St Albans Ladies take a surprise lead when both Ellie Lovelock and Ellen Salter both had efforts which were blocked whereupon the ball ran loose to KERRY TWIGG who struck a brilliant low drive from 25 yards for a great finish which saw the ball whistle pass keeper Becky Guillemin and end up nestling in the bottom left corner and give the St Albans Ladies a 1-0 lead at half time.
During the first half striker SUZ READ was taken off with a knee injury and did not take part in any more of the match and she was replaced by Katie Grehan up front.
In the second half kicking down the slope still the Ladies did not find their real form but Sophie Lawrence tried her luck from long range and she saw her effort go just wide of the near upright. Kayla Johnson then saw her good ball into the box headed towards goal by Katie Grehan but the Northwood keeper Guillemin pulled off a good save.
Ellen Salter tried hard down the left wing but just could not get the breaks in around the box and then Becca Roft made a good run into the box and was brought down but no penalty was given.
Finally for Northwood after a bit of pressure they scored an equaliser when Emma STEELE(no relation Tommy) won the ball and burst into the box from the right whereupon saw he bury the ball into the far left corner to make the score 1-1.
Oh dear not extra time as the previous match saw extra time and penalties as Kayla Johnston’s flight from Heathrow Airport left at 9:30pm so the Ladies decided she can’t miss her holiday and went in search of the winning goal. After forcing a succession of corner kicks following a lot of pressure the winning goal came.
Ellen Salter swung the corner kick over from the right hand side whereupon it gradually fell to ELLIE LOVELOCK just inside the box and after taking a sidestep to her left she instantly struck a sweet low shot into the far right corner for the winning goal and to make the final score 2-1 to the Lady Saints. (Tezza was singing and dancing now). It nearly became 3-1 when after yet another Ellen Salter corner kick saw Katie Grehan overhead kick well saved by Becky Guillemin. We not forget Caroline Hughes who covered just a much ground as she was kept busy running onto the pitch with physio bag treating all the knocks. Team: Lauren Croucher, Katie Chandler, Nicola Dark, Sophie Lawrence, Jessica Cavaree, Cerys Low, Robyn McFayden, Holly Rossingdon, Kerry Twigg, Ellen Salter, Kayla Johnson, Becca Roft, Kiran Reyat, Ellie Lovelock, Suz Read, Katie Grehan(all played).
We are the Champions, We are the Champions, We are the Champions and we also have done the League and Cup double, Well done the Saints Ladies. Congratulations on a brilliant season.
Also we must not forget the Saints Supporters who turned up who kept chanting throughout the whole of the match to cheer their team onto victory.
I must also say a special thank you to Michelle & Chris Chandler for doing all the work behind the scenes for getting this successful team up and running. THANK YOU.’
St Albans Ladies 2017/18 Beds & Herts Women’s League Cup Winners
Congratulations to St Albans Ladies on winning this season’s Beds & Herts Women’s League Cup and completing the Double.
The Chris Renshaw Cup
First up though was a morning kick-off in The Chris Renshaw Cup Final, into it’s 2nd season. This season’s finalists Division One side Sherrardswood Ladies up against Division Town side Letchworth Garden City Eagles. A battling display from the lower league placed side seeing the sides finish 1-1, neither able to find a winning goal in extra-time the game headed to penalties. Heartbreak for Sherrardswood, joy for Letchworth as they emerged 5-4 winners to win the cup. Once more I’ve asked the winning club to provide some words and below is manager Warren Shimill’s report for the final.
‘Letchworth Garden City Eagles, Division Two versus Sherrardswood Ladies from Division One, all previous meetings have gone in favour of Sherrardswood . So going into the game Letchworth were certainly the under dogs and Sherrardswood probably expected a win today. But what they didn’t expect was every Eagles player bringing their ‘A’ game to the match. Eagles matched the opposition in the first 15 minutes and were bossing the game until Shemika Holloway for Letchworth was taken off to hospital due to a nasty fall and twist, Eagles had most of the possession with attack after attack, one of which found Tayla Murray setting Emily Jamieson to lob the goalkeeper from 25 yards out. 0-1 Eagles. It wasn’t until the second half that Sherrardswood found themselves in the Letchworth penalty area. A player falling down in the area was awarded a penalty and it remained 1-1 until full time. Forcing extra time and with neither side scoring it was always going to penalty time. Both teams were dead on their legs after 120 minutes of none stop entertaining football. So penalties began and soon reached 3-3 but with a save by Hannah Ross in the Letchworth goal it turned 3-4 in Letchworth’s favour. 4-4 with Letchworth needing to score to win, the 5th penalty was left with Natalie Moey ex Sherrardswood player and Eagles senior player and top goal scorer, cool as a cucumber Moey slotted the ball to the keepers left which meant the outcome was 4-5 to Letchworth. Both teams gave 100% on a hot morning, it was a great final and a brilliant advert for women’s football.’
Letchworth manager Warren Shimell said “I have been asked many times why do I run a ladies football team?” The answer is simple “for days like today”
Letchworth Garden City Eagles, Winners of this season’s Chris Renshaw Cup (picture credit Letchworth Garden City Eagles)
Congratulations to Letchworth Garden City Eagles on winning this season’s Chris Renshaw Cup.
An extra-time winner for Northwood Ladies saw them reach the final of the Beds & Herts Women’s League Cup in their debut season this Sunday and will face St Albans Ladies in the final on Sunday 13th May. A clash between the top two currently in Division One. Northwood were drawn away to the current league cup holders Houghton Athletic Ladies in the semi-finals. A goal from, Holly Thomson for Houghton Athletic and a goal for Northwood scored by Emma Steele saw the sides drawing 1-1 after 90 minutes were up the match heading into extra-time. The winning goal coming early in the 2nd period of extra play, Zamina Rahemtulla scoring the goal to send Northwood into the League Cup Final.
The Chris Renshaw Cup
Also semi-final time in The Chris Renshaw Cup this Sunday. Division One side Sherrardswood Ladies at home to Division Two high flyers, Welwyn Pegasus Sapphires. A 9 goal thriller between the sides saw the winner coming deep into extra-time. Laurie Marris scoring twice for Sherrardswood in the 1st half her 1st goal from the penalty spot the Division One side found themselves trailing 3-2 at half-time. Welwyn Pegasus Sapphires battling to keep their lead 2nd half, Marris found the back of the net for the 3rd time to complete her hat-trick with less than 10 minutes left to play 3-3 after the 90 the game heading into extra-time. Welwyn Pegasus Sapphires retook the lead early in the extra period but again Sherrardswood came back Victoria Little making it 4-4 the game looking to be heading for penalties, Sherrardswood scored again at the death, Manjinder Atwal with the winning goal to put the Division One side through the the final. A crushing end to the match for Welwyn Pegasus Sapphires their goal scorers, Chemise Huitson, Ellie Burke and April Spang with a brace.
In the other semi-final in The Chris Renshaw Cup, it was an all Division Two clash with Hitchin Town Ladies hosting Letchworth Garden City Eagles. The visitors holding the advantage at half-time Letchworth leading 1-0. Hitchin Town coming straight back into the match with the equaliser 2 minutes after the restart, Emma Chaffey with the goal. On 63 minutes Letchworth got back into the lead and this time kept Hitchin Town from scoring again to win the match 2-1 and reach the final against Sherrardswood Ladies, again scheduled for Sunday 13th May, Tayla Murray and Simone Leah Straughn scoring the Letchworth goals.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division One
Two matches in Beds & Herts Women’s Division One this Sunday. Leaders St Albans Ladies are almost their are now just 1 win away from becoming league champions, on 29 points only 3rd placed Sherrardswood who can yet reach 31 points can catch them. A league and cup double very much in the sights for St Albans they were away to Flitwick Ladies this weekend. Goals from Sophie Lawrence, Katie Grehan and Suzanne Read seeing St Albans to a 3-0 half-time lead. Read netting her 2nd of the match early in the 2nd half to make it 4-0, Kerry Twigg also getting in on the scoring to extend the lead further, Flitwick pulling a goal back with 15 minutes left, Zoe Jayne Barber on target. St Albans winning 5-1.
A huge win at home for Garston Ladies on Sunday against bottom side Watton Ladies saw them move up to 4th in the Division One table. Both Jane Hales and Emma Trill getting 5 goals each in the game. Bobbi Rhodes also grabbing herself a brace with a goal each for Kelly Spencer and Katie Sills in a 14-0 win.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two
One match in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two on Sunday, 3rd placed Royston Town Ladies Development coming out on top in an 8 goal contest at home to Evergreen Eagles to move level on points with 2nd placed Welwyn Pegasus Sapphires. Jazmin Racher scoring a hat-trick for Royston Town, Samantha Takis netting a hat-trick for Evergreen Eagles. Goals from Harriet Smith and Paige Rolfe seeing Royston Town claim all 3 points with a 5-3 victory.
Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three
Two games in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three on Sunday. 3rd placed Welwyn Pegasus Azures were away to Bedwell Rangers Ladies. Janiece Allen once again in fine goal scoring form as she claimed a 1st half hat-trick before going to add a further two goals in the 2nd half to take her onto 25 for the season. Sophie Clarke also scoring in the 1st half for Welwyn Pegasus Azures with Tulin Rufaioglu getting a brace in the 2nd half. Georgia Miller scoring late in the match for Bedwell Rangers. 8-1 the final score Welwyn Pegasus Azures playing the 2nd half with 10 players too after Chantel Joseph was red carded late in the 1st half.
Evergreen Ladies remain hot on Welwyn Pegasus Azures heels in 4th place in the Division Three table the gap 3 points with a game in hand as they won away to Shefford Town & Campton Ladies this Sunday. Bianca Contonicola and Samantha Jackson with the goals as Evergreen recorded a 2-0 win.
