The Round-Up

Sunday 22nd April

FAWPL Southern Division 

C&K Basildon Ladies moves back to within a point of leaders Crystal Palace Ladies in the FAWPL Southern Division with a narrow 1-0 home win over 4th placed Lewes FC Women on Sunday. Ex-Lewes defender Hayley West finding the back of the net following in a scramble for the ball inside the box from a Zoe Rushen free-kick on the half hour. C&K Basildon maintaining their 100% winning home record in their penultimate game at Canvey Island FC. Have a game in hand on leaders Crystal Palace.

   Just a point further back behind C&K Basildon 3rd placed Charlton Athletic Women have 3 games in hand of Crystal Palace picking up their 7th away win of the season at Coventry United Ladies on Sunday. Kit Graham netting a goal midway through the 1st half to give Charlton a 1-0 advantage at half-time. 10 minutes into the 2nd half Graham struck again to make it 2-0 with her 31st goal of the season. The points made secure in the last 10 minutes with Hope Nash firing in her 3rd goal of the season to make it 3-0.

   West Ham United Ladies incredible run of form continues as they recorded a convincing win at home to 5th place Portsmouth FC Ladies this Sunday. Unbeaten in 2018 defender Hannah Wheeler set West Ham on their way heading home from a corner in the 16th minute. Kelly Wealthall doubling the lead midway through the 1st half. Rosie Kmita adding a 3rd goal with 8 minutes of the 1st period to play. 3-0 up at the break. West Ham started the 2nd half brightly creating further chances before Jasmine Auguste found the back of the net for her 1st West Ham goal to make it 4-0 on 55 minutes. Wealthall struck again for her 2nd of the game soon after to make it 5-0. Daisy McLachan pulling a goal back for Portsmouth from a free-kick with 10 minutes left. West Ham going on to add a further 2 goals in the final 5 minutes to win the game 7-1, Leanne Mabey getting on the scoresheet with Wealthall completing her hat-trick in the final minute.

Playing their penultimate game of a very tough season bottom side Swindon Town Ladies without a point on the board travelled down south to play Chichester City Ladies on Sunday. The visitors holding the advantage at half-time Swindon Town a goal to the good thanks to a strike from Sophie Roberts. Chichester City finding a leveller on the hour with Jade Widdows scoring to make it 1-1. Deep into injury time just as it looked like Swindon might hold on to claim their 1st point of the season Chichester City found the winner, Jess Lewry sending the ball home to win it at the death 4 minutes onto stoppage time.

   Gillingham FC Ladies pull further away from the danger zone at the bottom of the Southern Division with a home win against 2nd bottom Queens Park Ladies on Sunday. Gillingham going into the lead on the stroke of half-time awarded a penalty kick, Kallie Balfour from the spot sending the ball into the back of the net. Gillingham then saw themselves reduced to 10 10 minutes into the 2nd period with Courtney Gibson red carded for dissent. Despite the player advantage Queens Park Rangers couldn’t capitalise, Gillingham doubling their lead with 12 minutes left on the clock captain Jade Keogh on target. Keogh making it a brace on the final minute to see Gillingham win the game 3-0.

FAWPL South East Division One

Two matches played in FAWPL South East Division One this Sunday. 2nd placed Ipswich Town Ladies hosting 6th placed Luton Town Ladies. The host side taking an early lead in the match with midfielder Cassie Craddock scoring the goal to make it 1-0. Natasha Thomas doubling Ipswich Town’s lead midway through the 2nd half. A 2-0 lead at the break Luton were far from out of the game both sides creating opportunities Luton were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute a chance to make it 2-1 lost the ball put wide. Goalkeeper Sian Fagg with some excellent saves to keep Luton at bay the visitors finally pulling a goal back in stoppage time Funmi Babalola with the goal. Ipswich moving 4 points clear of 3rd placed Leyton Orient WFC both with 3 games left to play.

   Games running out at the other end of the table for Norwich City Ladies too as the 2nd bottom side 8 points adrift of 10th placed Denham United suffered a narrow loss at home to Actonians Ladies on Sunday. Sara Lopez Ezzahiri with her 1st goal for the 1st team in her 2nd appearance of the season winning it 1-0 for the visitors who climb up to 7th as a result pulling well away from the bottom having slipped down the table now back amongst the sides clustered in mid-table with a 3rd straight league win.