The Round-Up

Sunday 15th September

Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup

The third county beginning their County Cup competition this Sunday in the East was Bedfordshire, four ties taking place in the first round. 

Bedford Ladies Development were hosting Division Three side Kempston Rovers Ladies in the 1st round of the competition, pushed hard by their opponents Division Two Bedford scoring twice to secure their place in the next round winning 2-0.

  It was also a 2-0 win at home for Division Two side Langford Ladies against Stotfold Juniors Ladies from Division Three in the County Cup 1st round. A first goal of the season for Tabitha Brown along with a goal for last season top scorer Amber Clark securing the win.

  Division Three side Biggleswade United Ladies took their Division Two opponents AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Ladies all the way to a dramatic penalty shootout before being knocked out of the competition. Goals for Biggleswade’s Zoe Molloy and Kempston’s Charlie Mullins seeing it end all square at 1-1 to force the shootout, Kempston clinching it with a 6-5 result.

  AFC Dunstable Ladies Blues were strong at home as they advanced to the next round of the County Cup scoring double figures against Division Three opponents Flitwick Eagles Ladies. Bianca Vassell top scoring in the game with a hat-trick. Emily Mitchell scoring a brace, so too Lakeisha Fazilahmed with her first goals of the new season. There were also first goals of the campaign for Lauren Brooker, Kerry Mulvihill-Reed and Holly Wicks with Courtney McNamara also celebrating a goal in an 11-0 win.

Three games taking place in the 2nd Round of the Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup the draw as follows ties to be played Sunday 20th October.

 Langford Ladies v EB Lions AFC Ladies

AFC Dunstable Ladies Blues v AFC Kempston Town & Bedford College Ladies

Bedford Ladies Development v Woburn & Wavendon Lionesses

Beds & Herts Women’s Division One

There was a full programme of fixtures in Beds & Herts Women’s Division One with all 10 sides in action. An 8-2 win at home to Hitchin Belles to start the season, defending champions Hemel Hempstead Town Ladies are looking strong at the start of the season as they travelled to play another promoted side this weekend. Letchworth Garden City Eagles playing their first competitive game of the season. A 5 goal haul for Bianca Hedgecock to open her account last weekend she was at it again this Sunday scoring 5 again. Last seasons top scorers Natasha McConville also on target with a hat-trick, with a goal each for Amy Bentall, Kayleigh Baker and Ella Mercer, final score 11-0.

Last season’s Division Two Champions, Hitchin Belles losing to Hemel Hempstead in their opening Division One fixture faced another tough opponent this weekend as they hosted St Albans Ladies. Cally Salter on target to score a first half hat-trick for St Albans her 3rd in the 44th minute, Ellen Salter adding a fourth just before the half-time whistle. Hitchin Belles restricting their opponents to just one more goal with Cally Salter scoring her 4th of the game 10 minutes from time. 2 wins from 2 for St Albans who travel to ERWFL side Histon Ladies this weekend in the Women’s FA Cup.

Tighter affairs elsewhere in Division One with the points shared in the other 3 matches. Hitchin Town Ladies newly promoted were away to last seasons runners-up, Northwood Ladies playing their first game of the season. The hosts opening the scoring midway through the 1st half. Hitchin Town coming back to level 10 minutes later Robyn Wilfort sliding in to beat the keeper send the ball over the goal line. All square at the break both sides attacking 2nd half sensing they can win the game entering the closing minutes Hitchin clearing in defence the ball played up field finding Samantha Couglan one on one with the keeper o score and send Hitchin into the lead. Northwood coming back at them in stoppage time piling players forwards a cross into the box sent home to see it finish 2-2. Holly Gilder and Emma Steele with the Northwood goals.

 2-2 the final score to between Garston Ladies and Houghton Athletic Ladies seeing both collect their first point of the season having both started with a defeat. Charley Kelsey and Danielle McMullan getting the goals for Garston, whilst Emily Wilson and Louise Spendelow were on target for Houghton Athletic.

Hartham United Ladies were playing at home for the first time this weekend hosting Royston Town Women Development. The hosts starting well creating chances, Royston’s keeper keeping it at 0-0. The visitors going on to open the scoring with Jazmin Racher chasing down the keeper to tap the ball into the empty net. A 1-0 lead for Royston at the break, Hartham strong in the 2nd half Janiece Allen finding the bottom corner to make it 1-1. More chances created Hartham were again thwarted by Royston’s keeper to see the sides finish level.

Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two

With several of the Division Two sides involved in the Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup there was just the one fixture in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Two this Sunday with Watton Ladies hosting Garston Ladies Vintage Purples. Stephanie Roads putting Garston into the lead. Watton beaten heavily on the opening day of the season, better this time around coming back to level the scores with Gemma Bickell on target to make it 1-1 and see the sides earn a point each.

Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three

The Bedfordshire Women’s County Cup also affecting the fixtures in Beds & Herts Women’s Division Three on Sunday with just two games played. A third seeing Hitchin Town Ladies Reserves awarded the home win over Evergreen Eagles. 

Big wins in the other two matches Bedwell Rangers Ladies having lost their opening game getting off the mark with 3 points won away to Buntingford Town Ladies. The hosts taking the lead with Chloe Camper putting Buntingford 1-0 up against the run of play. The goal spurring Bedwell into life the visitors going on to score 4 quick goals to lead the game 4-1 at half-time. Bedwell continued to press for more goals 2nd half adding another 4 to win the game 8-1 to collect their first points of the season. Rachel Young netting a hat-trick, there was also a three goal haul for Jessica Sullivan with Maisie Main and Freya Rampley also on the scoresheet with a goal each.

Also scoring 8 goals at the weekend were Harvesters Ladies to make it 2 wins from 2 to start the season away to fellow newcomers Whetstone Wanderers Ladies. Two players celebrating a hat-trick for Harvesters with both Rachel King and Eve Shaw scoring 3 each. Rachel Dodd and Isobel Hughes also on target with a goal each the win seeing Harvesters move clear at the top albeit very early days.