The Round-Up
Sunday 5th May
FAWNL Southern Premier Division
The final day of the season across the whole of the FAWNL. Title and relegation places already decided going into the game n the Southern Premier Division the pressure off the top two as they met on the final day a late push from Cardiff City Ladies seeing them briefly threaten champions, Coventry United Ladies but getting the job done that threat was short-lived. A trip to Wales in their final fixture Coventry at Cardiff the sides sharing a goalless draw at half-time it was the hosts who drew first blood 2nd half Cardiff taking the lead. Coventry coming back to level the scores Bethan Merrick scoring her 7th goal of the season to see the points shared in a 1-1 draw.
The season not quite over for Coventry United Ladies as they take on Northern Premier Division Champions, Blackburn Rovers Ladies in the FAWNL Play off game. Taking place on Saturday 18th March at Bradford City FC’s, Valley Parade Stadium, kick-off 3pm.
Coventry United Ladies Bethan Merrick (photo credit Jeff Bennett)
Chichester City Ladies were for a were top of the pile in the Southern Premier Division neck and neck with Coventry before falling away eventually overhauled by Cardiff strong run towards the end of the season to finish 3rd in the league. Ending with a trip to play Gillingham Ladies. Chichester’s, Laura Ingram adjudged to have committed a foul inside the box presenting Gillingham with the opportunity to score from the penalty spot the ball striking the post safely gathered, Chichester breaking and going on to open the scoring themselves, Ingram the player striking the ball on the volley to put the visitors 1-0 up. Gillingham fighting back to level the scores midway through the 2nd half the ball headed home from a corner by Farrand and into the final 15 minutes the hosts had the lead Gillingham going 2-1 up in the 77th minute Breon Grant with the goal. Chichester responding well getting it back to 2-2 in the 82nd minute with Kim Stenning putting a shot over the keeper to see the sides take home a share of the points.
Oxford United Women assured a top 4 finish in the Southern Premier Division a solid first season back in the league after dropping down from FAWSL 2, now the Championship. A solid platform to build on for next season a trip to the midlands on Sunday for thier final game of the season taking on Loughborough Foxes Women who themselves promoted to the league this season have been strong in the top half of the table themselves more often than not this season just missing out with a 7th placed finish a draw on the final day. 0-0 going into the final 15 minutes top scorer Rebecca McGrother played into take the ball into the box and slot a shot wide of the keeper to score her 14th goal of the season, Oxford though getting straight up the other end to equalise, Emily Allen their top scorer played in to score her 19th goal of the season. The game finishing 1-1.
5th and 6th meeting on the final day of the season with Watford Ladies hosting Plymouth Argyle Ladies. An early lead for the hosts Watford 1-0 up inside 10 minutes with Adekite Fatuga-Dada on the scoresheet to make it 1-0. Katie O’Leary coming off the bench in the 21st minute to replace Helen Ward scoring to make it 2-0 just 3 minutes later. 2-0 up at half-time the lead was further extended in the 56th minute with Alysha Stojko-Down scoring their 3rd goal. 3-0 and comfortable Plymouth though threatened a comeback Helen Bleazard pulling it back to 3-1 with 20 minutes left. Zoe Cunningham striking in the 82nd minute making it 3-2 setting up a nervous finish, Watford holding on for the win to finish 5th, whilst Plymouth promoted this season end with a top half finish.
Milton Keynes Dons Ladies the other promoted side joining the league this season were at Newport Pagnell FC on the final day taking on C&K Basildon Ladies. The Essex side bottom of the league enduring a tough season playing thier last game under that name before a new beginning starts as AFC Basildon Ladies. Milton Keynes Dons retaining the Berks & Bucks County Cup beating Chesham United Ladies on Thursday night were looking to end on a high 0-0 in the first half they saved the goals until the final 15 minutes Leah Cudone one on one with the keeper putting them into the lead in the 75th minute. Into the final 5 minutes a corner won the ball cleared out to Louise Naylor to volley in their 2nd. Alice Hughes heading home from a free-kick to see the hosts 3-0 up with 2 minutes left time for a 4th goal Kim Farrow played through to score, the result seeing a place gained on the final day Milton Keynes up to 9th.
A positive end to what has been another difficult season for QPR Women at the wrong end of the table, performances not always translated into points have been near the bottom all season. The 2nd bottom side at home to Portsmouth FC Women on the final day. Awarded a penalty in the 25th minute, Courtney Ward-Chambers stepping up to score it and put QPR into the lead. That the lead at half-time Portsmouth coming back to level the scores early in the 2nd half Alex Collighan making it 1-1. The game moving into the final 20 minutes QPR restored their lead top scorer Jo Wilson beating the offside trap to go on and put QPR 2-1 ahead, a battling finish seeing the 3 points won.
FAWNL South East Division One
Just passing through, Crawley Wasps Ladies have been the dominant force in FAWNL South East Division one the best side in the league following promotion haven’t looked back a long standing 100% record the one defeat as they were on the verge of clinching the title, a brief halt before becoming champions. A 1-1 draw away to Denham United Ladies in midweek a trip to play 5th placed Leyton Orient WFC in their final fixture. Darcey James putting the visitors into the lead in the 11th minute. Leyton Orient getting back on level terms just past the half hour with Lisa Holmback on target to make it 1-1. Crawley finding the winning goal with 15 minutes Naomi Cole scoring her 19th goal of the season to secure a 2-1 win.
Runners-up Billericay Town Ladies have also had a great first season playing in the FAWNL for the first time. The Essex side travelling to Norfolk on the final day to play Norwich City Ladies looking to avoid finishing 2nd bottom themselves with Denham closing the gap to just 2 points. Their home Plantation Park hosting the Norfolk Women’s Finals Day, Norwich’s final game of the season was at Fakenham Town’s Clipbush Park. Billericay having the best of the first half getting into a 2-0 lead. Millie Davies scoring to pull it back to 2-1 a late fightback from Norwich as striker Chelsea Garrett fired home an equalising goal then a 2nd to put Norwich into the lead. Sasha Diston heading in a 4th goal for Norwich to see them win 4-2 an secure their FAWNL status ending on a high!
Chelsea Garrett celebrating scoring for Norwich City Ladies (photo credit Brian Coombes)
A fantastic season in FAWNL South East Division One for Enfield Town Ladies, a competitive tussle for 3rd spot they are the side to clinch it on the final day overtaking Actonians Ladies with a home win over rivals Denham United Ladies who were hoping for a positive result themselves to possibly catch Norwich City Ladies. Goalless between the sides at the break Enfield taking the lead on 57 minute with top scorer Molly Peters bringing up her 16th goal of the season to make it 1-0. A corner for Enfield in the 68th minute the ball cleared out of the box played back in Katherine Long onside turning to send the ball past the keeper sealing a 2-0 victory.
Actonians Ladies slipping to 4th on the final day as they lost narrowly to AFC Wimbledon Ladies who have found their form late in the season taking 10 points from their final 4 matches to secure a top 6 finish. A 3rd straight win for Wimbledon coming away from home just the one goal in it with 2nd half substitute Becky Mclaren-Johnson scoring in the last 10 minutes for Wimbledon to seal the win. Actonians doing well after an indifferent start have grown and improved as the season has gone on and competed well in what has been a strong battle for position in the top half of the South East Division One table.
Cambridge United WFC were at home for their last game of the season and last at Mildenhall Town FC, the club serving well as their home in recent season’s off to St Neots next season. Their opponents of the final day Ipswich Town Women, both hoping to capitalise on a results late on to push into the top half of the table. Cambridge in 7th taking the lead with Amy Howlett scoring to see the hosts leading 1-0 at half-time. Ipswich fighting back to level with 20 minutes left on the clock Zoe Cossey scoring from a header to make it 1-1. Cambridge restoring the lead moments later getting up the other end Mollie Coupar scoring her 13th goal of the season to make it 2-1. A chance to go further ahead ruled off by an offside flag. Ipswich coming back for a 2nd time to level the scores with 5 minutes left to play Natasha Thomas with her 12th goal of the season making it 2-2. Drama at the death with Ipswich striking to take the lead in the final minute Abbie Lafayette scoring on her senior debut. The 3-2 result seeing Ipswich leap frog Cambridge into 7th. One more game for Ipswich this Tuesday at Portman Road as they look to continue their dominance in the competition taking on Needham Market Women.
Stevenage Ladies ending their season on a high with victory at home to bottom side Luton Town Ladies. Erin Pope heading them into the lead inside the opening minute. Amy Makewell doubling Stevenage’s advantage midway through the 1st half. A 2-0 lead at the break Stevenage going further ahead straight away in the 2nd period with Ellie Searle lobbing the keeper to make it 3-0.