The Round-Up

Sunday 15th December

ERWFL Premier Division

The final weekend of fixtures for 2019 in the ERWFL this weekend, the weather unfortunately playing it’s part with 4 of the 6 fixtures scheduled in the Premier Division falling by the way side. A healthy lead at the top for Harlow Town Ladies would ensure they go into the festive period top of the pile no mater what. A close battle behind the Essex side with the top half tightly congested. Peterborough Northern Star Ladies climbing into 2nd last weekend were aiming to close the gap to Harlow as they took on Bowers & Pitsea Ladies at the weekend. The hosts taking the lead inside the opening 10 minutes Jessica Driscoll put through on goal from the left to score. Bowers & Pitsea coming back to level the scores in the 21st minute Sade Waters with the through ball for Yasmin Cowley to round the keeper and make it 1-1. The sides drawing at the interval. Bowers & Pitsea having opportunities in front of goal denied by Peterborough goalkeeper Sarah Hudson. Peterborough retaking the lead with 20 minutes left Chanade Henderson with the goal to make it 2-1. Top scorer Leah Cudone on target for her 14th strike of the season five minutes later to see Peterborough win the game 3-1 and open up a 5 point gap in the sides below.

Jessica Driscoll looking to take on the Bowers & Pitsea defence (photo credit James Cox Photos)

Wroxham Women made the long journey down to North London on Sunday to play bottom side Haringey Borough Women in the Premier Division a win would put them back up into 3rd spot, as it was they left it late to salvage a point, the sides goalless at the break despite Wroxham having numerous opportunities to score whilst goalkeeper Cyan Fullbrook prevented Haringey from finding the opener. The hosts breaking the deadlock in the 2nd period came very close to getting their first win of the season the game a minute into stoppage time Kirstie Kindred struck to find the back of the net to score her 5th goal of the season and see Wroxham take home a point. Move into 4th level with 3rd placed Royston and 5th placed Luton on 20 points.

ERWFL Division One North

One match affected by the weather in ERWFL Division One North this weekend, top of the table Cambridge City Ladies Development home match against Needham Market Women off. An opportunity for the chasing sides to close the gap one again. East Bergholt United Ladies 2nd in the table drawing 0-0 at home to Newmarket Town Women last weekend made the trip to Norfolk this Sunday to play in form King’s Lynn Town Ladies, moving up the table fast into 3rd winning their last 4 league matches in a row a run that began away to East Bergholt back in October. A close 2-1 result then, nothing close about it this time around a King’s Lynn’s winning streak moved to 5 matches, scoring 6 without reply, 3 players all celebrating a brace, captain and top scorer Becky Russell into double figures for the season, 8 goals now for Tiffany Forshaw with Emma Corbyn on 6. The result takes King’s Lynn 2nd in the table now just a point behind Cambridge City.

A big home win at the weekend too for Newmarket Town Ladies, soon to be under new management. Craig Boneham coming in during the summer stepping down from the role. Newmarket moving swiftly to appoint Kevin Parsons taking over as first team manager. Looking on this weekend with Eddie Cuthbert looking after the team as they took on bottom side Gorleston Ladies. A brace from top scorer Annabel Cuthbert and a long range strike from Katie Webb seeing Newmarket lead 3-0 at half-time. Cuthbert completing her hat-trick early in the 2nd half her first of the afternoon would go on to score 3 more goals to give her 22 for the season, Sarah O’Rourke with her first goal for the first team also as Newmarket ran out 8-0 winners. Up to 4th in the table despite an indifferent start to the season. Congratulations too t Newmarket midfielder and dead ball specialist, Jess Linger as at just 20-years-old she made her 100th appearance for the club at the weekend.

A double hat-trick at the weekend for Newmarket Town Women striker Annabel Cuthbert (photo credit Gary Reed)

Elsewhere in ERWFL Division One North it was a clash between two sides showing recent good form in the league Histon Ladies travelling to play AFC Sudbury Ladies, the Suffolk side coming into the game off back to back victories, Histon winning their last 3 league matches. The sides contesting a goalless draw after 90 minutes to share the points. Histon in 5th on 11 points now with Sudbury a place and point behind both well positioned to push on in the New Year.

ERWFL Division One South

Millwall Lionesses end 2019 top of the pile in ERWFL Division One South moving ahead of Hutton Ladies who weren’t in action at the weekend. Millwall were at home taking on Essex side Leigh Ramblers Ladies. Unbeaten in the league Millwall level on points with Leigh Ramblers heading into the game the visitors showing good from with 3 straight wins in league and cup themselves. Hannah Cheeseman opening the scoring for Millwall in the 10th minute, putting away Shannan Drewe’s left wing cross. Few chances in the first half Leigh Ramblers with a strong finish Millwall holding onto their 1-0 advantage. Drewe amongst the goals in recent games for Millwall firing in a worldie early in the 2nd half to put the hosts 2-0 up. A strong start to the 2nd half Millwall adding a 3rd on the hour with Cheeseman putting away her 2nd of the match 5 minutes later Leigh Ramblers given a penalty pulling it back to 3-1. Drewe put in behind the defence to fire in across the goal to put Millwall 4-1 up and see them win the game and climb to the top of the table dropping just 2 points so far this season.

  At the other end of the ERWFL Division One South table it was a much welcomed first 3 points of the season for Wodson Park Ladies as they travelled to Hoddesdon Town Owls Ladies at the weekend. The hosts with just the one win themselves Wodson Park losing their opening 6 matches. Leah Dunnage and Sam Garner with their first goals of the season for Hoddesdon. A brace for Christie Seakins her first goals of the season for Wodson Park and a 4th of the season for Chloe-Marie Clay seeing the visitors edge the win 3-2, takes them off the bottom on goal difference.