The Round-Up
Sunday 10th November
FAWNL Southern Premier Division
Crawley Wasps Ladies return to the top of the FAWNL Southern Premier League this Sunday. Moving 3 points clear of Watford Ladies who weren’t in action. 4 matches played in the league this weekend Crawley Wasps were at home taking on Portsmouth FC Women. Goalkeeper Frankie Gibbs back in after serving a suspension, Emma Plewa back in the squad after a spell out with injury. Portsmouth back in action after 3 weeks following a couple of postponed fixtures.
Crawley Wasps taking the lead soon after the opening quarter hour, Natasha Stephens running in on goal heading in close on goal as a left wing cross drops to her. Portsmouth coming back to equalise 10 minutes later a long range shot tipped onto the bar by Gibbs, Jade Widdows quickest to react latching onto the ball to make it 1-1. Crawley Wasps coming straight back to retake the lead, Plewa running into the left channel taking the ball into the box and finishing clinically for her first goal of the season. The visitors reduced to 10 on the half hour, Katie Jones shown a straight red. A player down Portsmouth battled on 2nd half Crawley Wasps eventually extending their lead in the final 15 minutes Plewa racing through onto a long ball forwards travelling into the box and slotting the ball under the keeper to see the match won 3-1.
Plymouth Argyle Ladies continue to apply pressure to the top two in the Southern Premier Division extending their winning run to 9 matches now in all competitions. A 7th straight league win coming this Sunday on their travels against bottom side Chichester City Ladies. An even start to the game Plymouth growing stronger as the 1st half progressed the dead lock broken late in the half Amber Pollock 40 yards out hitting a rocket on the half volley to make it 1-0. Plymouth with a 1 goal lead going into the 2nd half have been scoring plenty of goals this season. Mollie Taylor making her 150th appearance for the club this Sunday making it 2-0 5 minutes into the 2nd half, heading in from a corner kick. Chances for both sides before Plymouth made it 3-0 from another corner in the 71st minute, captain Katie Middleton heading in at the near post. Into the final 10 minutes and a quickfire double from top scorer Natasha Knapman seeing Plymouth wrap up a 5-0 win.
Yeovil Town Women climb back up to 4th in the Southern Premier Division table after a a 3rd straight league win. Playing at home this weekend taking on Milton Keynes Dons Women who themselves have now suffered 6 straight defeats in the league. Jamie Sherwood returning to Yeovil as manager in his first game in charge. An even start Yeovil taking the lead with Annie Heatherson moving out wide delivering the cross for Kelly Aldridge to score. The hosts reduced to 10 with half an hour played attacker Sarah Wiltshire receiving a straight red card. Yeovil with a narrow lead at the break. Despite being a player short creating chances, Aldridge coming close early on rattling the crossbar. A crucial 2nd goal coming as Meesha Dudley-Jones drives on to the corner of the 18 yard box and unleashes a shot into the top corner. Goalkeeper Beth Howard keeping Milton Keynes out at the other end with a double goal line save from a corner. The visitors pulling it back to 2-1 from another corner late in the game 10 player Yeovil holding on to win the 3 points.
Keynsham Town Ladies getting a good result on the road on Sunday in the Southern Premier Division away to Oxford United Women to see their good run of results continue 7 points from their last 3 matches now after losing all of their opening 6 games following promotion to the league join Milton Keynes Dons Women on 7 points. Justine Lorton’s 16th minute goal proving the difference between the sides. Oxford creating numerous chances with a host of corners unable to get a reply, Keynsham goalkeeper Charlotte Haynes making a number of fine saves to ensure the 3 points.
FAWNL South East Division One
One match played in FAWNL South East Division One this weekend with Stevenage FC Women travelling up to Cambridgeshire to face Cambridge City Ladies. The hosts opening the scoring in the 20th minute Sofia Castiglione netting from a free-kick. Stevenage coming straight back to level the scores Ashleigh Deacon heading in at the back post. Cambridge City retaking the lead before half-time Charlotte Gillies racing through on the right her shot across the keeper parried into the path of Laura Mills to turn into the back of the net. 2-1 up at the break, Stevenage pressing for a 2nd goal in the on the counter attack Erin Pope’s crossed ball in looping over the keeper into the net beyond to make it 2-2. Cambridge City with a penalty shout late on not given the sides sharing the points both moving up a place in the table.
Sofia Castiglione with the opening goal of the match for Cambridge City Ladies (photo credit Gary Reed)