The Round-Up
Sunday 2nd September
Essex Women’s Division One
The new season of county league football began early in Essex with 8 teams for Essex Women’s Division One getting their season started with some eye watering scores and heavy defeats for 2 of the leagues newcomers.
Billericay Town Ladies Reserves will be alot stronger this season partly due to the added strength in depth the squad has gained following several new signings for the first team. And whilst the first team was recording a double figure win in the FAWNL Cup Determining Round, the Reserves out did them by scoring 14 goals at home to Leigh Ramblers Ladies Reserves. A harsh beginning to life in women’s football to what will be a very inexperienced side playing at this level. Both Lisa Robbins and Georgia Box featuring for Billericay’s Reserves hit 4 goals each on the opening day with a hat-trick each for Lauren Bourne and Nancy Butler.
It was raining goals elsewhere across Essex too on Sunday, Chigwell Ladies hosting Runwell Sports Ladies in their opening game of the season. Both relegated from the Premier Division, Runwell Sports were overwhelming winners, Aaryanna Simonelli scoring 4 goals for the visitors to begin her account for the club. Chelsea Stephens getting an opening day brace too with Autumn Ranger and Ashleigh Harvey both getting on the scoresheet in an 8-1 win.
Rayleigh Town Ladies got there season off to a perfect start with a home win and clean sheet against Hutton Ladies Reserves returning to the league after withdrawing part way through last season. Isabella Wallings captaining Rayleigh Town scored an incredible 42 goals last campaign and she wasted no time in getting off the mark this campaign either scoring an opening day hat-trick. Holly Gash too was amongst the goals last season with 19 to her name opened her season with a brace on Sunday with Megan Harley pushing double figures last season also getting a goal as Rayleigh Town began with a 6-0 win.
Another side scoring 6 goals at home in their opening game of the season were FC Clacton ladies taking on another league newcomer Island Ladies. Leading 4-2 at half-time FC Clacton went on to add a further 2 goals 2nd half with Amy Hartley top scoring in the match with a hat-trick. Jasmine Burley, Sophie Chaplin-Perkins and Charlotte Warren the other goalscorers for FC Clacton. Jess Bowen and Lily Ryley with the 1st half goals for Island Ladies.
The league sadly reduced to 11 teams with Walden Ladies struggling for numbers deciding to withdraw. Wishing everyone at the club all the best and hope those wanting to continue playing can hook themselves up with a new team soon.