The Round-Up
Sunday 7th April
FAWNL Southern Premier Division
Into April the end of the season drawing rapidly to a close, those challenging for titles knowing what they have to do now. Coventry United Ladies top of the FAWNL Southern Premier Division suffering their 1st defeat of the season at home to Chichester City Ladies last Sunday bounced back in midweek to win at home against Oxford United Women. This Sunday were on home turf once again taking on 2nd bottom side Queens Park Rangers Women. A frustrating performance from the league leaders as they were held to a draw despite Nikki Miles putting them 1-0 heading in from a corner.
Coventry leading at half-time Queens Park Rangers have had a difficult season, without a win on the board their 4 points all coming from draws, continue to work hard and battle fought back to earn a point with Kasha Petit scoring to make it 1-1 with a little over 20 minutes left. Coventry now 7 points clear of 2nd placed Cardiff City Ladies who have a game in hand. Coventry with a chance to open up a 10 point lead at the top if they win at home to Milton Keynes Dons Ladies in midweek, then it’s a huge game on Sunday at home again to Cardiff City Ladies a win would see Coventry crowned champions.
A 10th league win of the season in their 100th FAWNL win games, it sees Plymouth Argyle Ladies back up into 5th spot in the Southern Premier Division. The 3 points coming at home on Sunday against Milton Keynes Dons Ladies. Natasha Knapman putting Plymouth 1-0 to the good inside 10 minutes. Milton Keynes responding straight away to level the scores Amy Gooderham’s half volley finding the back of the net. Plymouth regaining the lead just past the half hour Jessie Jones seeing her shot saved putting it in as the rebound fell straight to her. 2-1 to Plymouth at the half-time interval. The hosts securing the win with a 3rd goal in the 66th minute, Knapman heading home from a cross put in by substitute Helen Bleazard.
Portsmouth FC Women travelled to Kent this Sunday to play Gillingham Ladies. The sides creating few opportunities in the first half went in goalless at the break. The visitors breaking the deadlock early in the 2nd half Katie James scoring from a stunning free-kick, her shot from distance over the wall striking the post and in to make it 1-0 in the 52nd minute. The lead doubled with 15 minutes remaining players up for a free-kick the ball parried inside the box Eilidh Currie on hand to score from close range. Portsmouth winning 2-0.
FAWNL South East Division One
Thing’s didn’t turn out the way Crawley Wasps Ladies would have hoped for last Sunday as one more win was needed to clinch the FAWNL South East Division One title, playing 2nd placed Billericay Town Ladies, the Essex side spoiling the party winning the game 1-0. Not what they wanted but Crawley remain in a very strong position knowing two wins from their final 5 league matches would be enough to become league champions. Were at home against the only other side in the Division to take points off them this season Cambridge United WFC, that game ending 0-0 was the beginning of a good spell for the visitors as they climb into a strong position in the top half of the table. A better game from Crawley this time around the hosts taking the lead on 20 minutes Jenny Drury’s free-kick striking the bar Amy Green was on hand to nod in the rebound, the lead doubled late in the first half Darcey James heading in from a corner kick.
Crawley 2-0 up at half-time extending their lead early in the 2nd half with Megan Stow making it 3-0 with her 16th goal of the season. Kemina Webber edging in front of Naomi Cole as top scorer getting Crawley’s 4th goal on the hour to give her 19 for the season. Mollie Coupar pulling a goal back for Cambridge with 20 minutes left, Crawley pushing for more goals restoring their 4 goal cushion with 12 minutes left Rachel Palmer striking from 15 yards. Stow from an acute angle scoring her 2nd of the match in injury time to see Crawley win the game 6-1. 1 win from 4 needed now.
Top half positions in FAWNL South East Division One remain hotly contested. Actonians Ladies returning to 3rd spot winning away to bottom side Luton Town Ladies on Sunday. The hosts battling at the foot of the table are a drift and need every point now, held Actonians to a goalless draw first half. The visitors getting the 2nd half off to a fantastic start taking the lead in the opening minute top scorers Alessandra getting the goal to make it 1-0 her 24th strike of the season. Carla Williams adding a 2nd goal for Actonians 7 minutes later making it 2-0 with her 12th of the season. The points made secured midway through the 2nd half with substitute Jennifer Laidlaw scoring to make it 3-0.
Actonians climbing above Leyton Orient WFC as they suffered defeat away from home to Enfield Town Ladies this Sunday. Molly Peters on target with the only goal of the 1st half putting Enfield into a 16th minute lead. Peters 12th goal of the season early in the 2nd half doubling Enfield’s advantage. Claire Ford getting amongst the goals making it 3-0 to the hosts midway through the 2nd half. Lily Bruno introduced to the action in the 74th minute scoring for Enfield in the 82nd minute to wrap up a 4-0 win that sees Enfield back up into 5th spot, all remains very tight in the top half with a handful of games left.
Kevin Foster taking charge of his first game since being named as the new AFC Wimbledon Ladies manager, began with an away trip to Suffolk to play Ipswich Town Women. Chances for the visitors first half the sides drawing 0-0 at half-time. The deadlock broken 10 minutes into the 2nd period, Georgia Heasman floating a ball over the keeper to put Wimbledon into the lead. The visitors going on to double their advantage midway through the 2nd half with Sophie Manzi a 2nd half substitute scoring a fine solo effort to make it 2-0. The win putting Wimbledon back onto the tail of the top half sides.