The Round-Up
Sunday 9th September
For the 2018/19 season the Essex Women’s County Leagues will have two divisions the Premier and Division One, 11 sides contesting each. 4 new sides in Division One, Island Ladies and Belhus Ladies, Hutton Ladies Reserves returning to the league with Leigh Ramblers Ladies officially becoming ‘experienced’ as they are joined by a new Reserves side. Division One kicked off last Sunday, now it’s the turn of the Premier Division.
Essex Women’s Premier Division
2 matches to start the season in the Essex Women’s Premier Division. Runners-up last season in only their 2nd season together Frontiers Ladies will once again be amongst the forerunners in the push for the title in what could prove to be a very intriguing division. Began the season with a win earning the 3 points away to Beacon Hill Rovers Ladies on Sunday. Goals from Kelly Holsworth, Kay Foy and new sighing Dempsey Favell seeing Frontiers to a 3-1 win. Grace Leavett scoring the goal for Beacon Hill Rovers Ladies.
It was a difficult campaign in the Premier Division last season for Harlow Town Ladies Reserves. Competing in the Premier Division once again started this season off with a great home result over newly promoted Leigh Ramblers Ladies, runners-up in their debut season in women’s football Leigh scored plenty of goals and were on target for 4 away from home at the start of the season, Harlow Town though hit their opponents for 7 goals up the other end to earn the 3 points in their opening league fixture. Ciara Purdue and Hannah Smith both scoring a brace each for Harlow Town, Maisy Wyer, Lucy Edmeades and Claudia Zahui all getting a goal each.
Essex Women’s Division One
New to the league the last thing you want to do is face a side that won 14-0 in their opening league fixture, that though was the story for Belhus Ladies as they travelled to play Billericay Town Ladies Reserves, looking very strong this season as they benefit from the 1st team’s squad strengthening over the summer. It’s now 27 goals in 2 matches of Billericay’s Reserves as they scored 13 goals against Belhus, Nancy Butler getting 5 of the goals for Billericay. Lauren Bourne scoring a hat-trick, both Amy Nash and Lisa Robbins hit two each with Emilia Dingwell also on target for her first goal for the club. Didn’t have it all there own way however as Belhus managed to breach the defence for a consolation goal.
Billericay Town Ladies Reserves, Nancy Butler
Leigh Ramblers Ladies Reserves were the side unfortunate enough to come up against Billericay in that 14-0 defeat last Sunday. Bounced back however as they came out on top in a 7 goal thriller away to Chigwell Ladies this Sunday. Chigwell too with a better performance after a heavy defeat themselves on the opening day, Caitlin Hynes and a brace for Victoria Parker seeing them score 3 goals not enough however as Leigh Ramblers hit 4 at the other end to clinch their 1st 3 points of the season.
Runwell Sports Ladies and Rayleigh Town Ladies both enjoyed good wins on the opening day of the season this Sunday they met with Runwell Sports the hosts. Drawing 1-1 at half-time it was the visitors who went onto have the better of the 2nd half netting 4 more goals to take the game 5-1. Megan Harley and Eleasha Reeves both getting a brace for Rayleigh Town with Jo Cooper also getting on the scoresheet. 2 wins out of 2 for Rayleigh Town. Karen Whitmarsh with the 1st half strike for Runwell Sports.
A good result to start the season too for FC Clacton Ladies last Sunday winning 6-2 at home they were away this Sunday taking on Hutton Ladies Reserves. The points shared in a 2-2 draw, a first league point earned for Hutton with FC Clacton starting undefeated. Baylie Kingsworth and Maisie Threadgold-Smith the goalscorers for Hutton, whilst Becky McDougall and Amy Hartley were both on target for FC Clacton.
Essex Women’s County Cup
An early tie in the 1st Round of the Essex Women’s County Cup saw Division One side Chelmsford City Ladies Reserves away to Premier Division side Collier Row Tigers. A tough test of Chelmsford’s Reserves and so it proved as Collier Row Tigers progressed into the 2nd Round with a comfortable 9-0 win.