The Round-Up
Sunday 25th August
ERWFL Premier Division
The 2nd round of league fixtures to begin the ERWFL Premier Division this hot Bank Holiday Sunday, and for the 2nd weekend running we saw an eye watering scoreline. A 15-1 win for Colney Heath Ladies last time around against AFC Dunstable Women, Harlow Town Ladies went one better at home this Sunday with a comprehensive 16-1 result over fellow Essex side Bowers & Pitsea Ladies. Newly promoted to the Premier Division, Bowers & Pitsea had started the season with a 3-2 win over fellow promoted side St Ives Town Ladies. Started well at Harlow opening the scoring inside the opening 10 minutes Sophie Dowman capitalising on a defensive error to put the visitors 1-0 up. Harlow came back to level 10 minutes later, 2 quick goals seeing them extend their lead Harlow added another 4 before half-time as Bowers & Pitsea struggled with the hot conditions.
Harlow were to go on and rattle in another 9 goals in the 2nd half but despite the heavy scoreline were full of praise for Bowers & Pitsea’s spirit and endeavour. Harlow have made some strong additions over the summer and two of those opened there accounts with a hat-trick each, Georgia Box and Becky Shephard, Amy Nash also newly joined also getting her first goal for Harlow. Olivia Steele was also amongst the goals with a hat-trick. Tayla Handscombe and captain Kaydee King both netting a brace, their was also a goal each for Frances Gamble and last weekends scorer Bethany Chambers. Harlow up to fourth in the Premier Division table behind 3 sides still with 100% records.
Becky Shephard one of Harlow Town Ladies one of 3 players celebrating a hat-trick on Sunday (picture credit Gary Reed)
Colney Heath Ladies remain top thanks to their big win last Sunday were on the road this Sunday taking on Haringey Borough Women. A 9-0 opening day loss for the hosts on the opening day looked like they might hold Colney Heath to a goalless first half, Adrienne Milton played in to score late on to give the visitors the lead. Colney Heath with a threadbare squad doubled their lead early in the 2nd half with Samaira Khan newly joined from Dunstable on the end of a cross supplied by Milton to make it 2-0 adding another goal to the hat-trick secured on the opening day. Colney Heath keeping a clean sheet up the other end making it 2 wins from 2 to start the season.
Dionne Manning scoring a late winner away to Peterborough Northern Star Ladies on the opening day saw Luton Town Ladies with 3-2. This Sunday played their first home game of the season taking on Royston Town Women who had started the season with a 9-0 win at home to Haringey Borough Women. Looked to be heading for a goalless first period too Luton having created chances taking the lead in the 45th minute, Rebecca Wilson-Kane sending the ball into the bottom corner. The lead doubled with 12 minutes of the 2nd half gone a corner won Erica Byron sending the ball into the box Rachel Carter up highest to meet it and send a bullet header into the back of the net. 2-0 it remained heading into the final minute of the game Luton winning a penalty, Manning stepping up to score a confident finish adding a goal to her opening day hat-trick. Luton into 2nd courtesy of a 3-0 win.
A 3-0 home win too for Wroxham Women as they climb into 3rd with a 100% start beating Norfolk rivals Wymondham Town Ladies on Sunday at Trafford Park. Grace Birchall top scoring for Wroxham (Acle as they were last season) with 33 goals, opened her account this season to put the hosts into the lead at half-time. On 65 minutes Wroxham got themselves into a 2-0 lead Birchall scoring her 2nd of the game heading in from a grace Parker free-kick, two minutes later from a corner Kate Pasque got her head to the ball to add a 3rd for the hosts and help secure a 3-0 victory.
Losing out to a last gasp winner at home on the opening day Peterborough Northern Star Ladies were away this Sunday travelling to Westwood Road to play newly promoted St Ives Town Ladies. Leah Cudone adding quality to an already capable attack getting her account for the season open to put Peterborough into an early lead cutting in from the left to send a shot home. Katie Steward double the advantage in the 17th minute as she scored direct from a corner. St Ives came close to pulling a goal back midway through the first half Sarah Hudson making a fantastic diving save to keep the ball out. Leading 2-0 at half-time St Ives continued to battle looking for a reply didn’t come as Peterborough made the points secure with 10 minutes left, Emma Pollards looping ball from outside the area adding to the 2 she scored on the opening day.
A heavy defeat to start their ERWFL Premier Division campaign last Sunday, AFC Dunstable Women were on the road once again this Sunday albeit not far as they faced local rivals Bedford Ladies who themselves suffered a narrow 2-1 loss at home to Wroxham on the opening day. Priya Bhatti with the Bedford goal then, she added another to her tally against Dunstable with 4 more opening their accounts for the hosts with Setor Acolatse, Jasmine Ajayi, Charlotte Demmon and Mathilda Fidler all on the scoresheet in a 5-1 win. Sydney Webb finding the back of the net for Dunstable.