The Round-Up
Sunday 22nd September
FAWNL Southern Premier Division
Crawley Wasps Ladies 100%winning start to the season was ended at home to Watford Ladies last weekend. Still leading the way by 3 points after 5 matches since being promoted to the Southern Premier Division they were on their travels this Sunday to take on fellow promoted side, Keynsham Town Ladies who were still looking for their first league points after coming up as South West Division One Champions last term. Crawley having created chances in the first half frustrated to be held 0-0 at the break. The visitors getting the break through early in the 2nd half taking the lead in the 54th minute with Maria Ledezma-Viso scoring from out wide to make it 1-0. Proved to be the winner too as Crawley sought to find a 2nd kept Keynsham at bay the other end to bring home the 3 points and return to winning ways.
A strong challenge being mounted behind to keep Crawley on their toes. Plymouth Argyle Ladies excellent run of league form continuing with a successful trip to the capital on Sunday to make it 4 wins from 4. The visitors taking the lead inside the opening 10 minutes Natasha Knapman on target from a corner kick. Five minutes later and Plymouth had doubled their tally, another for Knapman too as she put in a ball headed across goal from Amber Pollock. Knapman going on to wrap up a hat-trick 10 minutes later tapping home to make it 3-0. A 4th goal coming late in the first half to see Plymouth in a strong position at half-time with Mollie Taylor scoring. Plymouth hammering home their advantage in the 2nd half Knapman not content with a hat-trick, in form in front of goal adding 2 more. 10 minutes left and Rebecca Dandridge volleyed a shot into the corner of the net to make it 7. An 8th goal coming through and own goal to see Plymouth win 8-0. 2nd in the table 3 points behind Crawley with a game in hand.
A similar story for 3rd placed Cardiff City Ladies the Welsh side like Plymouth 3 points behind the leaders with a game in hand. Matching Plymouth to with 4 wins from 4 in the Southern Premier Division after losing on the opening day. Were made to work hand for this Sunday’s 3 points however at home taking on Milton Keynes Dons Women. An early goal for the hosts as Jasmine Turner fired Cardiff into a 5th minute lead. Found themselves up against it in the 2nd half especially a Milton Keynes came out strong pressing for an equalising goal, Cardiff defending well to keep a clean sheet to claim the 3 points.
Watford Ladies up to 4th in the Southern Premier Division, building on last Sunday’s win away to Cardiff recording a 6-0 away win against Hounslow Women on Wednesday evening, Helen Ward returning to the side putting Watford into the lead late in the first half, Adekite Fatuga-Dada, Andrea Carid, Katie-O’Leary, Leanne Bell and Annie Meiwald with the goals 2nd half. At home to Yeovil Town Women this Sunday the visitors starting the season well losing their last two keen to get back to winning ways themselves. The visitors taking the lead in the 15th minute breaking fro a Watford corner to see Meesha Dudley-Jones score. Sarah Wiltshire with a fine strike putting Yeovil 2-0 up on the half hour. That the advantage at half-time Watford started the 2nd period well getting it back to 2-1 in the 52nd minute Ward getting on the end of a delivery from Emma Beckett to score. Ward then getting her 2nd to see Watford level the score five minutes later, heading it at the near post following good work from Ryah Vyse down the left. Both sides coming close to finding a winning goal late in the match Megan Chandler finding the top of the Yeovil crossbar in the 87th minute. Wiltshire striking a shot against the crossbar at the opposite end in stoppage time, the points shared.
Meesha Dudley-Jones with the early goal for Yeovil
Under the radar there remains one side in the Southern Premier Division with a 100% winning record. An eye needs to be kept of Oxford United Women who were playing just their 2nd league game of the season this Sunday away to Portsmouth FC Women who themselves were playing just their 3rd league match. A great start for the visitors attacking in the 7th minute Evie Gane close in to score a tap in to put Oxford into the lead. Both sides attacking Oxford get themselves into a 2-0 lead 10 minutes before half-time Kayleigh Hines with a fine 25 yard strike. Portsmouth on the attack 2nd half looking for a goal, Oxford looking to add to their lead both goalkeepers pulling off vital saves to keep it at 2-0. Late in the game Emily Allen took aim from 30 yards out her strike taking a deflection to find it’s way into the back of the net to give the visitors a 30 advantage. Time for more goals a minute of normal time left Mia Adaway firing in a goal for Portsmouth from inside the box. Oxford winning the game 4-1, with Cheryl Williams lobbing the keeper with the last kick of the game.
Gillingham Ladies getting the opportunity to play at the Priestfield Stadium this Sunday as they welcomed Chichester City Ladies young side still in search of their first point of the new season. Nothing separating the sides at half-time it was the visitors who would go on to open the scoring with captain Megan Fox sending the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0. Chichester coming so close to recording their 1st win of the season the hosts getting it back to 1-1 late in the match to salvage a point. A welcome point nonetheless for Chichester lifting them off the foot of the Southern Premier Division table up to 10th above Keynsham and Hounslow.
FAWNL South East Division One
A full fixture list too in FAWNL South East Division One on Sunday. Billericay Town Ladies leading the way were looking to keep 3 points ahead of the chasing pack as they travelled to St Neots to face Cambridge United WFC. A much changed line-up for the hosts Cambridge gave away a penalty early in the match the spot kick clinically dispatched by Danica Dougal placing the ball wide of the keeper. The visitors going on to hold a 2-0 lead at the break attacking on the right the ball crossed in central to Therese Addison outside the area central good ball control giving her half a yard she reversed the angle to send in a low strike into the bottom corner. Cambridge battling hard in defence preventing their opponents from adding to their tally 2nd half.
Ipswich Town Women are 2nd in the table 3 points behind leaders Billericay with a game in hand away to Stevenage FC Women this Sunday were looking to continue their unbeaten run an opening day draw followed by 3 wins on the bounce. Bringing several of their talented U21s squad into the senior side this season teenager Sophie Peskett was lively from the start running at the Stevenage defence was upended inside the box to see the visitors awarded a penalty inside the opening 5 minutes. Captain Amanda Crump sending a powerful hit home. Crump doubling the lead from another spot kick 15 minutes later following another driving attack from Peskett running into the box from the left riding a challenge to shoot inside the six yard box the keeper saving only to bring Peskett down as she went after the loose ball.
2-0 the advantage at half-time Ipswich creating plenty of chances in the first period began the 2nd period in similar fashion a 3rd goal coming in the 57th minute Crump’s corner headed goalwards going in off a Stevenage defender for an own goal. Peskett getting on the scoresheet to make it 4-0 with 20 minutes left Abbie Lafayette playing her in to turn and fire the ball into the bottom corner. A strong performance from Peskett running clear central five minutes later to strike in her 2nd of the match. Peskett the provider then crossing into the area for Lafayette to head the ball in with 10 minutes left. Peskett going on to complete her hat-trick running clear to put the ball into an empty net. Ipswich winning 7-0.
Matching Ipswich’s record are Leyton Orient WFC, 3rd in the South East Division One table with 3 wins and a draw 3 points behind the leaders with a game in hand. An early goal scored by Sophie Le Marchand sending them on their way to victory on Sunday away to Actonians Ladies. Le Marchand’s 5th goal in 5 matches. Otesha Charles also has 5 from 5 played on target to make it 2-0 to Leyton Orient midway through the 1st half. Further chances created Actonians keeping them out couldn’t find a reply the 2nd half goalless.
A tough start to life in the FAWNL following promotion for both Kent Football United and Cambridge City Ladies. 1 point between the pair so far that to Cambridge City who were away to AFC Wimbledon Ladies this Sunday. Not much between the sides at half-time few clear cut chances created the game goalless. Wimbledon getting their noses in front 5 minutes into the 2nd half Sophie Mann on target for her 1st goal of the season. A double switch for Cambridge in the 55th minute, one of those striker Megan Tonks joining the senior side following a successful season in front of goal with the Development side last term. Got Cambridge back on level terms with 20 minutes left scoring her 4th of the season to earn the visitors their 2nd point of the season. Wimbledon remain unbeaten.
Kent Football United without a point on the board travelled up to Norfolk this Sunday to play Norwich City Women who themselves hadn’t won since the opening day. Norwich taking an early lead in the match with Aimee Durrant on target to make it one nil to the hosts. Kent Football United coming back to level the scores with Charley Macneil scoring her first of the season. Norwich going on to dominate the first half Chelsea Garrett restoring the lead. Both she and Durrant through to score another goal each. Megan Todd getting on the scoresheet too to see Norwich comfortable at 5-1 at half-time. Macneil scoring her 2nd of the game for Kent Football United to bring it back to 5-2. Norwich having the final say with Natasha Snelling hitting home to see the game won 6-2 and lift Norwich up into 8th spot.
Norwich’s Chelsea Garrett shooting (photo credit Brian Coombes)
Both keepers called into action in the first half between Enfield Town Ladies at home to AFC Basildon Women on Sunday, Enfield’s Grace Brooks saving a penalty. The sides battling drawing 0-0 at the break. It would be Basildon who would take the lead in the 2nd period Holly Turner with the goal. Enfield fighting back to draw level with less than 10 minutes left Tia Bailey scoring her first of the season to ensure a share of the points and keep 4th placed Enfield unbeaten at the start of the season.