The Round-Up
Sunday 24th November
FAWNL Southern Premier Division
One game played in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division this weekend, saw Portsmouth FC Women making the trip up into Wales to play Cardiff City Ladies. Jasmine Turner putting the hosts into the lead on the half hour, Portsmouth goalkeeper Hannah Haughton with the initial save, Turner in on the follow up to make it 1-0. Portsmouth with a good response getting straight back on level terms, their attacking players pressing the Cardiff defence, Charmaine True winning the ball back 25 yards out Tasmin De Bunsen taking over bringing it forwards to strike a low shot in from the top of the area the ball racing past the inside of the post evading the diving keeper. The sides all square at the break, chances for both to win the match 2nd half Portsmouth seeing a goal ruled out before finding the winner with 15 minutes left possession out on the right the ball played back across defender Eilidh Currie coming forward into acres of space teeing up a shot from 25 yards out her strike looping up over the keeper into the top corner. Portsmouth winning 2-1 their good away form continuing 3 wins out of 4 in the league on their travels.
FAWNL Cup
Two ties played this Sunday in the 2nd Round of the FAWNL featuring sides in the leagues covered by Women’s Football East, both going the distance and beyond. Southern Premier Division side Yeovil Town Women hosting Southampton FC Women from South West Division One at Dorchester Town FC. Yeovil making a good start, Charlotte Buxton’s shot smashing down off the crossbar in the 8th minute, top scorer Sarah Wiltshire on hand to put the ball over the line for her 14th goal of the season. Southampton leading the South West Division One table unbeaten in all competitions so far this season coming close to levelling the scores hitting the post, Yeovil with further chances to extend their lead with the 1 goal advantage at the break. The visitors with a good start to the 2nd period Ella Pursey heading in her 10th goal of the season to make it 1-1. Few chances created 2nd half Southampton seeing the ball come back off the woodwork once again the game heading into extra-time. The visitors finding the winning goal to advance into the quarter finals a deflected ball sent into the path of attacker Sophie Pharoah who slots the ball home.
Milton Keynes Dons Ladies with a good result in the previous round of the FAWNL Cup away from home beating fellow Southern Premier Division side Cardiff City Ladies on penalties to advance. Penalties needed once again in the 2nd Round as the club travelled to Essex to take on South East Division One side AFC Basildon Women in the 2nd Round. One goal in it at half-time Jessica Driscoll putting Milton Keynes 1-0 up. Basildon making a good start to the 2nd half back on level term within 5 minutes of the restart Holly Turner firing home. The hosts quickly going on to lead Grace Gillard scoring from a free-kick to make it 2-1. Milton Keynes turn to come back to level the scores midway through the 2nd half Driscoll with her 2nd of the match. Rhianne Rush firing the visiting side into the lead 3-2 to Milton Keynes with 15 minutes left her first goal of the season. Basildon with an injury time equaliser to send the tie into extra-time Kelly Wealthall credited with the goal. The extra period of play yielding no further goals the game to be settled from the penalty spot, Milton Keynes goalkeeper Emma Kirby with 2 saves as Basildon failed to convert their 1st 3 kicks, Milton Keynes composed to put theirs away to win it 3-0 to book their place in the quarter finals of the competition.
FAWNL Plate
Two games also played this Sunday in the 2nd Round of the FAWNL Plate featured sides from the Southern Premier & South East Division One. AFC Wimbledon Ladies unbeaten so far this season in South East Division One making the long trip to the South West to play high flying Plymouth Argyle Ladies 3rd in the Southern Premier Division. The hosts taking the lead inside the opening 15 minutes Helen Bleazard’s free-kick parried down by Wimbledon’s keeper, top scorer Natasha Knapman fastest to react sending the ball over the lien for her 18th goal of the season. Knapman on target for Plymouth’s 2nd goal in the 18th minute striking home from 30 yards. Soon after Plymouth went 3-0 in front awarded a penalty, Zoe Cunningham taking as regular taker and captain Katie Middleton was deputising in goal. No mistake from Cunningham putting away her 5th goal of the season. Plymouth 3-0 comfortable at half-time. Wimbledon came out fighting 2nd half looking to find a route back into the game, awarded a penalty in the 65th minute Georgia Heasman got it back to 3-1, that though as close as Wimbledon would get Plymouth securing their spot in the quarter finals.
Plymouth Argyle Ladies, Natasha Knapman (photo credit Tim Badger Photos)
Also advancing into the FAWNL Plate quarter finals are Watford Ladies although the Southern Premier Division leaders left it late to secure victory against fellow league side Oxford United Women. Watford hosting finding themselves trailing 1-0 at the break with Oxford getting their noses in front late in the first half with Catherine Beaver scoring the goal. That the score heading into the final 5 minutes of the match Adekite Fatuga-Dada with the run playing in Andrea Carid to put in the cross, Emily Hill meeting it on the volley to level the scores. A minute later Watford were in front Helen Ward played in by Fatuga-Dada to turn and strike home her 9th goal of the season to see Watford take the game 2-1.
FAWNL South East Division One
Two league games played in FAWNL South East Division One this weekend and at last Kent Football United are celebrating a win and their 1st league points at the 10th time of asking. A tough start to life playing at this level for the 1st time close on a couple of ocassions before now. Were at home playing fellow promoted side Cambridge City Ladies. Beatrice Fitzsimons hitting the crossbar from a volley. Kent Football United taking the lead scoring from a free-kick. Cambridge City responding well however Kent were to go on and double their lead before half-time. The woodwork rattled again by Cambridge, Sofia Castiglione with the strike. Pushing for a goal, denied by the woodwork for a third time Kent coming forwards winning another free-kick outside the area scoring to make it 3-0. Once more the woodwork coming to Kent’s defence as they battle hard to keep their lead, Fitzsimons with a cracking strike pulling a goal back for Cambridge with 5 minutes left but it wasn’t to be their day that belonged to Kent Football United a win at last. Chloe Francis with a brace her first goals of the season and one for Amy Russ gaining them their 1st 3 points.
Elsewhere in South East Division One the points were shared with Actonians Ladies travelling up to Norfolk to play Norwich City Women. The visitors opening the scoring in the 1st half, Chelsea Garrett with her 11th goal of the season getting Norwich back on level terms. Actonians coming back to retake the lead before half-time went on to open up a 3-1 lead in the 2nd period, top scorer Alessandra Barreca with a brace to take her onto 11 for the season, with Justine Buckmire celebrating her first Actonians goal. Eliza McDonald with her first goal of the season bringing it back to 3-2 for Norwich, McDonald was on target with a 2nd of the game to see Norwich secure a point with it finishing 3-3.
Match action from Norwich v Actonians on Sunday (photo credit Brian Coombes)