The Round-Up
Sunday 29th September
Before we begin this weeks ERWFL Round-Up a piece of sad news to bring you with Bishops Stortford Ladies withdrawing from the Division One South. A popular club that will be sorely missed have enjoyed a near 10 year run in women’s football. Struggling for numbers on game day’s in recent seasons despite having the numbers on the books commitment on Sunday’s a challenge leading to this tough decision. A strong youth set-up with sides from U10 to U18 hope it will be a short hiatus and that the Bishops Stortford name will rise again within the women’s football pyramid for now wishing everyone involved with the club all the best for the future.
ERWFL Premier Division
All very tight at the top of the ERWFL Premier Division, the top two go head to head this Sunday with Luton Town Ladies looking to regain top spot from Harlow Town Ladies both unbeaten at the start of the season Harlow’s winning run now 5 games in league and cup after drawing on the opening day. Took the lead through a long range free kick in the 10th minute captain Kaydee king lifting the ball up into the Luton area Olivia Steele with great vision to strike the ball on the half volley into the back of the goal.. Luton creating chances coming back to level in the 38th minute Zara Carroll crossing for Anne Folan to head in to head in her first goal of the season. Luton continued to create scoring chances frustrated as none were converted, Harlow retaking the lead to clinch a 2-1 victory to stay top scoring from a corner Amy Nash taking it short receiving the ball wide sending a shot looping in over the keeper. Results going against Luton elsewhere seeing them fall to 5th in the table.
A huge win at home for Wroxham Women on Sunday over bottom side Haringey Borough Women to see them move up to 2nd in the Premier Division table a point behind Harlow. A full strength squad in confident mood following a late comeback to win in the FA Cup 3-2 against Wymondham after trailing 2-0 with 9 minutes left Made a fast start with Beth Bygrave pouncing to score in the opening minute. It was 3-0 before 10 minutes were played Grace Birchall netting twice. Haringey struggling to cope with Wroxham’s pace fell further behind on 19 minutes Birchall completing her hat-trick, Kayleigh Holloway making it 5-0. Wroxham dominant, goals form Emily Leach and Grace Parker extending the lead to 7-0. Birchall rampant in attack going on to score 2 quickfire 2nd hat-trick a 7th goal for Birchall seeing the hosts leading 11-0 at half-time. A game no one really enjoys one side so dominant over the other Wroxham remained professional doing their job adding a further 8 goals in the 2nd period with Birchall taking her haul to 10. Leach netting a 2nd goal there were goals to for Rhianne Brister, Anna Larkins, Lauren Bullard and Kirstie Kindred. 19-0 the winning margin. A long and tough trip to Norfolk for Haringey.
Royston Town Women stay 3rd in the Premier Division table getting out of jail to earn a point coming back from 3-0 down away to Wymondham Town Ladies to draw 3-3. A 2nd successive late collapse from Wymondham. the hosts holding a 1-0 lead at half-time scoring through a Chelsea Clarke penalty on the half hour after striker Hannah Waters was brought down inside the box. Katie Knights putting Wymondham into a 2 goal lead early in the 2nd half. Waters with her 6th goal of the season firing Wymondham into a 3-0 lead midway through the 2nd half. Royston pushing the game entering the final 10 minutes. Charlotte South with a great strike to pull it back to 3-1 with 8 minutes left. Sammy Tinsley setting up a dramatic finish scoring to make it 3-2 moments later a late corner won for the visitors the ball put into the area South getting her head on the ball to score the equaliser for Royston to see them leave Norfolk with a share of the points.
Two late goals from Charlotte South earning a point for Royston Town Women
Peterborough Northern Star Ladies up to 4th in the Premier Division table, unbeaten in 3 since losing their opening fixture travelled down to Essex this Sunday to play newly promoted Bowers & Pitsea Ladies, themselves in 5th at the start of play having made an encouraging start to the season. The hosts announcing the signing of attacker Yasmin Cowley before the game, will add strength to the Essex sides attack having scored alot of goals in her time with Hatfield Peverel Ladies. A slow start for Bowers & Pitsea, Peterborough creating chance failing to take one the sides drawing 0-0 at the break a single goal the difference in the 2nd half going to the visitors capitalising on a defensive mix-up in the 55th minute Eleanor Spendelow with her first goal for the club, Bowers & Pitsea pressing for a goal were denied by goalkeeper Sarah Hudson as Peterborough won the 3 points.
Bedford Ladies were at home to Colney Heath Ladies at the weekend leading 1-0 at half-time Bedford adding a 2nd goal in the 2nd period to clinch their 2nd league win of the season. Despite making a good start to the game Colney Heath fell behind as Bedford beat the offside trap to score. The hosts finding their 2nd goal through a 40 yard free-kick. Mathilda Fidler and Shianne Swarres scoring the goals to win Bedford the 3 points.
A first win of the season at last for St Ives Town Ladies. Last season’s Division One Champions getting off the mark with their first 3 points this Sunday away to fellow win less side AFC Dunstable Women. The performances have been there at times for St Ives just haven’t been converting into points. A brace each for Tierney Coulson and Georgia Stancombe with her first two goals of the season along with a first St Ives goal ERWFL goal for Anna Hicks securing a 5-1 win for St Ives Town. Lori Wilson-Phillips with the goal for Dunstable.
ERWFL Division One North
There Development side carrying on where their first team left the ERWFL making a winning start maximum points from their opening 3 league games a 10% record in league and cup so far. Cambridge City Ladies Development winning the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership along with a couple more bits of silverware making the trip along with their first team this Sunday to Norfolk to the coast to play Gorleston Ladies also newly promoted to the league. Bella Simmons putting the visitors into the lead on the half hour, Freya Standing scoring a 2nd late in the first half volleying in a Simmons cross to see Cambridge 2-0 to the good at half-time. Carla Penny adding a 3rd goal 10 minutes into the 2nd half going on to complete a hat-trick. Goals too for Jade Powell and Rebecca Langthorpe both opening their accounts for the season in a 7-0 to see Cambridge leading the table on goal difference over East Bergholt United Ladies.
East Bergholt United Ladies themselves at home playing a Suffolk derby this Sunday up against AFC Sudbury Ladies. East Bergholt bouncing back from last weekends first league loss of the season against Cambridge City to win the game a single goal enough to win the match, ex-Sudbury player Megan Partridge with the goal her 4th in 2 matches since joining East Bergholt.
The leading pair 6 points ahead of the rest. Some though only getting their league campaign started this weekend. Amongst the Newmarket Town Women, cup matches dominating early in the season at last in league action away to King’s Lynn Town Ladies this Sunday.King’s Lynn losing their opening league game 3-1 at home to Cambridge City Ladies Development. Antonia Smith’s 16th minute goal the difference at half-time seeing the visitors leading 1-0. King’s Lynn coming back to level the score 15 minutes into the 2nd half captain Becky Russell finding the back of the net. Newmarket retaking the lead with 2 quick fire goals inside the final 20 minutes, Annabel Cuthbert scoring then Katie Webb both bringing up their 5th goal of the season. King’s Lynn frustrated as they fought to get back into the game striking the woodwork 4 times throughout the game Tiffany Forshaw getting it back to 3-2 with 3 minutes left Newmarket holding onto their lead to win the 3 points.
Antonia Smith scoring Newmarket Town Women’s first league goal of the season (photo credit Gary Reed)
Also playing their first league game in the ERWFL Division One North this Sunday following promotion from the Suffolk Women’s Division were Needham Market Women hosting Cambridgeshire side Histon Ladies who had lost their opening league fixture. Needham Market going ahead in the 28th minute new signing Gemma Moore crossing for Annie Northwood also newly arrived this season to score her 4th goal since joining. The lead lasting 10 minutes Histon coming back to level were in front with 3 minutes left to play in the 2nd half scoring from a corner. Leading 2-1 at half-time Histon went further ahead 7 minutes into the 2nd half. Needham Market with an opportunity for an immediate reply a penalty awarded as Northwood is fouled by the keeper. Captain Nicola Henderson to take the spot kick struck low to make it 3-2. Needham Market pushing on looking for the levelling goal came on the 70th minute Northwood with her 2nd of the game to see Needham Market win a point from their opening league figure.
ERWFL Division One South
There will be some adjustment to the league table in ERWFL Division One South following the withdrawal of Bishops Stortford Ladies that will affect leaders Stevenage FC Women Development. For now though they topped the table with a 100% as they travelled to play Millwall Lionesses this Sunday. An opening game league win for Millwall up against the leaders this Sunday. Stevenage having the better of the 1st period taking a 1-0 lead into the dressing room at half-time with Sherrie Evans. Millwall improved in the 2nd half earning a point late in the game Shannan Drewe taking on players in the 90th minute to rifle the ball into the top corner to equalise.
Hutton Ladies impressive start to the season continues as they extend their 100% winning start to 4 matches in league and cup were away to Wodson Park Ladies this Sunday. Vicky Kinsman prolific in front of goal for Hutton joining the club last season has taken that form into the new season 7 goals from her previous 3 matches hit 4 this weekend to move into double figures. Sally Appleton on the scoresheet too with a goal for the Essex side her fifth of the season with both Chloe Eastwell and Laura Knight celebrating their 3rd goal each in a comfortable 7-0 win despite having Kate Lowen sent off.
A tough start to the season for both Lawford Ladies and Hoddesdon Town Owls Ladies. Both on 0 points Lawford losing their opening league game 9-1 at Hutton last weekend Hoddesdon losing their opening three. A chance to get points on the board as they faced each other this weekend at Lawford. Hoddesdon having the better of the first half to lead 3-1 at the break. Kristina O’Connell going on to score a hat-trick as Hoddesdon added a further 3 goals in the 2nd period to win 6-21 and collect their first 3 points of the season, Megan Davies, Laura Hasler and Hannah Knipe making her first appearance for Hoddesdon all scoring their 1st goals, Jessica Collison scoring for Lawford in the 1st half.