The Round-Up

Sunday 1st September

Women’s FA Cup

Once again there are a record number of entries for this season’s Women’s FA Cup the final taking place at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 7th May. An extra-preliminary round having already taken place there were 98 ties for this Sunday’s Preliminary Round, 15 of which represented by sides covered by Women’s Football East, plenty of action and goals to bring you from the weekend so let’s get started…

  Will begin with the featured match upon the website this weekend a trip to Peterborough to watch Riverside Ladies play Suffolk side Bungay Town Ladies. A good pre-season so far for Bungay winning 5 from 5 including a 2-1 win away to Northamptonshire side, Corby Town Ladies in the extra-preliminary round. In contrast for Riverside this was the first game of the season and one where they had the bare 11 available. Turned out to be the highest winning margin of the round. Bungay starting on the front foot firing a couple of warning shots across the Riverside goal, Shannon Dade on the right breaking to send the ball into the bottom corner to make it 1-0. The visitors soon adding a 2nd scoring from a corner the ball dropping into the six yard box Leanne Smith applying the final touch. Midway through the first half Bungay extended their lead on top Selina Rowland charging down the ball in midfield the rebound sending Smith away to attack and score. Smith going on to net a hat-trick, Imogen McGregor getting another soon after to make it 5-0. McGregor with time to pick her options put clear on goal sending in Bungay’s 6th, Riverside capitulating late in the half as Bungay ran away with it scoring 3 more in quick succession Smith adding 2 more to have 5 before half-time herself midfielder Selina Rowland getting a goal too. 9-0 the half-time lead.

  Little Riverside can do minor positional adjustments, Bungay making 3 changes beginning the 2nd half where they left off the first Rowland netting her 2nd and Bungay’s 10th a great header off a corner from the top of the area placed across goal. Two of the substitutes combining for the 11th goal Samantha Penman right providing the cross in front of goal for Tracey Livingstone to tap home. Despite the scoreline Riverside are better in the 2nd period Gabija Pavlova doing well centrally in midfield. The goals continue though Bungay are in confident mood, Rowland getting her hat-trick. A penalty conceded Nicola Hazell smashing the ball home Livingstone with another then McGregor completing her hat-trick to bring up a 15th goal an emphatic win for Bungay away for the 8th time in their previous 9 FA Cup matches hoping for a home draw in the next round.

  Plenty of goal elsewhere too, Harlow Town Ladies had scored 16 in their previous outing in adding to their squad over the summer travelled to AFC Sudbury Ladies in the Preliminary Round. A hat-trick for one of their new signings Becky Shephard last weekend to open her account, 3 goals too open her account for the season for Olivia Steele, both were amongst the goals as Harlow ran out 8-0 winners to book their spot in the next round. Steele scoring a 2nd successive hat-trick, Shephard went one better scoring 4 goals. Lucy Edmeades also getting her name on the scoresheet for her first of the season.

  Leading the ERWFL Premier Division with 2 wins from 2 to start their season Colney Heath Lades were in confident mood as they travelled to play fellow Premier Division side Bedford Ladies. New signing Samaira Khan amongst the goals early doors for Colney Heath scoring early in the Preliminary Round to see the visitors leading on 8 minutes. The advantage doubled midway through the first half as Charlene Moreton sends in a shot of the outside of her boot. Bedford pulling a goal back from a headed cross. Colney Heath responding well chances spurned Bedford winning a penalty a let off as it goes over. A 2-1 lead for Colney Heath at half-time. Sheree Oliver scoring 10 minutes into the 2nd half supplying Colney Heath with a 2 goal cushion their defence little troubled as they progress.

   Luton Town Ladies relegated from the FAWNL last season starting life in the ERWFL well with 2 wins from 2 were hosting a young Essex side who produced a shock in the Women’s FA Cup last season beating higher league opponents Bowers & Pitsea Ladies. Leigh Ramblers Ladies winning Essex Premier Division last season joining the ERWFL themselves this season much of their squad still 18. Luton a stern test. The hosts taking the lead through Rebecca Ferris after being set up by Jess McKay. McKay herself scoring Luton’s 2nd Zara Carroll with the assist. Dionne Manning amongst the goals for Luton early in the season making it 3-0. Funmi Bababola finding the top corner to make it 4. McKay with her 2nd from a header making it 5-0. A first Luton goal for Leah Tomlin seeing the hosts into a 6 goal lead. Kiki Christofi striking from distance securing a comfortable 7-0 win for Luton.

 Wroxham Women were looking forwards to their first Women’s FA Cup game under their new name the Yachtswomen hosting Kettering Women at Trafford Park on Sunday. Thing’s not going to plan at half-time however as Wroxham found themselves trailing 2-1. Despite creating good chances early ion Wroxham found themselves behind on 22 minutes The lead lasted just 6 minutes however as Wroxham got back on level terms Grace Birchall finding the back of the net. Pressure from the visitors though saw them retake the lead soon after through an unfortunate own goal.  Wroxham with a much better 2nd half performance though seeing them equalise in the 56th minute Birchall threading the ball through for Emily Leach to score on the angle. Leach on target again six minutes later scoring from a half volley to put Wroxham in front. Beth Bygrave newly signed up to Wroxham getting her first goal for the club making it 4-2 quickly adding a 2nd making it 5-2 from 25 yards. Into the last 10 minutes and another of Wroxham’s new signings , Kayleigh Holloway adding a 6th goal lobbing the keeper saw her effort kiss the crossbar before following the rebound in.

Six goals too for the winning side elsewhere too in the Women’s FA Cup as Essex side Bowers & Pitsea recovered well from their mauling last time out. Travelling to Hertfordshire to play Hitchin Belles newly promoted to Beds & Herts Division One. Ebony Moore latching onto a misplaced pass in the 25th minute firing the visitors into the lead., Two superb strikes from Megan Harley followed in the 34th and 38th minute to see Bowers & Pitsea holding a 3-0 lead at the break. The lead extended 5 minutes into the 2nd half Harley setting up Moore to score her 2nd of the match. Hitchin Belles pulling a goal back in the 55th minute after Bowers & Pitsea fail to clear a corner. 5 minutes left to play Moore looking set to score her hat-trick a defensive miscue seeing an own goal scored instead. Moore though getting another opportunity in the final minute to celebrate scoring a hat-trick Bowers & Pitsea winning 6-1. 

  Millwall Lionesses a new addition to the ERWFL Division One South this season began their FA Cup adventure away to Whyteleafe Women on Sunday in the Preliminary Round. The visitors making a fantastic start a double from Ellie Lunn seeing them into a 2-0 lead inside 4 minutes. The game settling a little Whyteleafe pulled it back to 2-1 in the 27th minute the ball not cleared from a corner. A counter attack seeing the hosts level the scores with 10 minutes left to play in the 1st period. 2-2 at half-time Whyteleafe turned it completely around going 3-2 ahead inside 2 minutes of the restart. Millwall responded quickly back on level terms with Lunn on target for her hat-trick. Millwall coming back to lead as they were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute Lunn with 3 already stepping up to make it 4. Brooke Hills on target 4 minutes later to put Millwall into a 5-2 lead it was 6-3 moments later as Katie Klosinski fired home. 

   Beds & Herts Women’s Division One Champions, Hemel Hempstead Town Ladies were away to Watford Ladies Development in the Preliminary Round of the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday. Despite scoring twice they were knocked out at the first hurdle as Watford’s Development side ran out 4-2 winners.

    ERWFL Premier Division side Haringey Borough Women travelled to play Phoenix Sports Ladies in the Preliminary Round of the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday the lower league side putting in a good performance to win through to the next round of the competition with goals form Mika Keen, Emily Laker, Phoebe Murton, Jemma Witchlow, Hannah Baker and Ayo Shokunbi securing a 6-1 result.

  Wymondham Town Ladies have enjoyed the Women’s FA Cup in recent season’s began this campaign with a trip to Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership side, Fulbourn Institute Bluebirds. The ERWFL Premier Division side playing 2 leagues higher took the lead midway through the 1st half with Mollie O’Callaghan put through to open the scoring. Sarah Payne one of Wymondham’s new recruits opening her account in the 38th minute getting on the end of a Mia Etheridge cross to score. 2-0 up at half-time an early goal followed 2nd half with striker Hannah Waters finding the back of the net. Summer Ward netting Wymondham’s 4th from a free-kick on 68 minutes. Another new recruit opening her account with 7 minutes left on the clock, Freya Symonds seeing her effort cross the line. 

   AFC Dunstable Women playing in the ERWFL Premier Division made the short trip to played Houghton Athletic Ladies on Sunday in the Women’s FA Cup. After two heavy defeats to start the season Dunstable were looking for a positive result, their Beds & Herts Women’s Division One opponents holding them at 0-0 late into the game the deadlock broken in the 88th minute and joy for Dunstable as Dionne Umeh sent the ball into the back of the net and send them through to the net round of the competition. 

  Newmarket Town Women were wary of their opponents as they travelled to Peterborough to face Netherton United Ladies in the Preliminary Round of the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday. All square during the opening half hour Newmarket creating chances it was Netherton who opened the scoring on 33 minutes, the ball initially saved from a corner the hosts quicker to react scoring on the follow up. Newmarket were soon back on level terms scoring from a corner of their own 2 minutes later Jess Linger swinging the ball in Annabel Cuthbert scoring from close range. Newmarket going on to take the lead at the death in the 1st half Jodie Woodfield winning the ball in midfield on for Antonia Smith to play Cuthbert in for her 2nd of the game. Save from goalkeeper Elli-Rae Nicholls ensuring Newmarket held there lead the win not made save until the 90th minute with Lauren Deller making it 3-1.

  King’s Lynn Town Ladies travelled down to played Haverhill Rovers Ladies on Sunday in the Women’s FA Cup. Newly promoted to the Cambridgeshire Women’s Premiership, Haverhill suffering a blow losing their goalkeeper prior to kick-off as they prepared to make their debut in the competition assistant manager Kayleigh Steed doning the gloves produced a number of fine saves as they took on their high league opponents. Goals from Becky Russell, Katie Ward and Jodie Hopkins-Duckhouse sealing a 3-1 win to see King’s Lynn through to the next round.

  Another close contest saw Histon Ladies score a late winner to beat St Ives Town Ladies in the Preliminary Round of the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday. Histon travelling to Westwood Road on Sunday scoring the only goal of the game with 15 minutes left on the clock the ball headed on from a goal kick, Kirsty Geal breaking with it left side sending it on to Sophie Lanham breaking through the centre into the box to strike home the winning goal.

  The final game to bring you saw ERWFL Premier Division side Royston Town Women play Division One South opponents Wodson Park Ladies on Sunday. Goals from Hayley Elderd, Emma Slater, Sammy Tinsley and Ellie Wilkinson saw Royston safely past their fellow Hertfordshire opponents in the Preliminary Round winning the game 4-1 with Dempsey Favell scoring the Wodson Park goal.

  The draw for the First Qualifying Round taking place this Monday once again saw some intriguing ties pulled out of the bag, 8 games featuring sides in the East, listed below:-

Luton Town Ladies v Bungay Town Ladies

Harlow Town Ladies v King’s Lynn Town Ladies

Wroxham Women v Wymondham Town Ladies

Watford Ladies Development v Newmarket Town Women

Histon Ladies v St Albans Ladies

Colney Heath Ladies v Royston Town Women

AFC Dunstable Women v Bowers & Pitsea Ladies

Millwall Lionesses v Worthing Ladies

all ties to be played Sun 22nd September.