The Round-Up
Sunday 9th September
The county league kicked off this Sunday in Cambridgeshire with their once again being a top tier the Premiership with 2 division one leagues the Championship North & South. 8 teams in the Premiership with 3 sides promoted. 7 sides in the Championship South with Haverhill Rovers Ladies re-establishing a women’s team a new addition with Netherton United Ladies at last setting up a Reserves side. Cardea Ladies the new side in the Championship North which is down to just 6 sides after two late withdrawals which sadly include Spalding United Ladies.
Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership
3 games to start the season in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership. Cambridge City Ladies Development the early leaders with a big win away to Championship South Champions, Histon Ladies Reserves on Sunday. Cambridge City’s young development side having gained vital experience playing at this level will be stronger this season and started well. Yasmin Crow getting her season off to a flying with a hat-trick on the opening day. Megan Tonks also claimed a brace with Anna Kanz also hitting the back of the net with a goal in a 6-0 victory.
Also winning away from home on the opening day of the season in the Premiership are, double cup winners ICA Sports Ladies. Playing in a Peterborough derby again Championship North Champions Riverside Ladies, ICA Sports claimed the 3 points with a 2-0 win the goals scored by Megan Purnell and Donna Nicholls
A 7 goal thriller elsewhere in the Premiership with the last of the 3 promoted sides Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds also losing out on the opening day, away to Netherton United Ladies who were giving debuts to 5 players. Fulbourn opened the scoring at The Grange. Netherton came back to level Emily Johnson with the goal. Yasmin Green finding the back of the net struck to give the hosts the lead but they were to be pegged back to 2-2 at half-time with Fulbourn scoring in the 44th minute. Into the 2nd half and a penalty to Netherton a chance to restore the lead Green converting the spot kick for her 2nd goal of the game 3-2 were pushed all the way by Fulbourn who were looking for the another equaliser a 4th goal needed Claire Gallagher shooting to make it 4-2 in the last five minutes but there was no relaxing at the death as Fulbourn pulled it back to 4-3 Netherton holding on for the 3 points. Katie Luddy, Marie Stubbings and Krissie Taylor all scoring on the opening day for Fulbourn.
Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship North
A good opening Sunday to the Championship North for the two Wisbech clubs as they both record big wins on home soil to start their seasons. Wisbech Town Ladies beginning with a home game against Pinchbeck United Ladies who have strengthened over the close season as they begin their second season. A tough start for the visitors however as they were blown away by Wisbech Town, Sophie Swindon top scorers last season hitting the ground running this campaign with an opening day hat-trick. A brace each for Chloe Stanborough and new captain, Faye Kowalewsky with Emma Woods and Kaylie Swinden both grabbing a goal each in a 9-0 victory.
Top of the table by two goals rivals Wisbech St Mary also start the season with a comfortable home win taking on Hungate Rovers Ladies. Josie Turner moving to St Mary having been with town last season netting an opening day hat-trick, Hannah Shales on target for a brace with Eilish Brown also scoring and own goal too setting up a good result at the beginning of the season 7-0.
Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship South
3 games to start the season in the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership, Isleham United Ladies ending Sunday top of the pile with an away against Park Ladies who drop down from the Premiership after a couple of difficult seasons. Isleham starting well recording a 6-1 win to earn the 3 points.
New to the league are Haverhill Rovers Ladies, returning to women’s football, a 1st team competing in Cambridgeshire have made some notable signings catching the imagination making them favourites for the title. Still regardless of potential these thing’s have to be earned and beginning their season away to St Ives Ladies Development who themselves are beginning just their 2nd season in women’s football got the 3 points on the opening day coming home with a 5-2 win. Hayley Turner scoring a brace, Paulina Beasley, Joeli Kirby and Siobhan White all adding a goal each for Haverhill. Ellen and Frances Chapman both scoring for St Ives Development.
A trio of away victories in the Championship South on the opening day with Cambridge Rangers Women getting a good result on the road up against Burwell Tigers Ladies on Sunday. Getting the 3 points in a 4-0 win.