New territory and 2 new teams to go see play tonight. A trip down to Bedfordshire to watch AFC Dunstable Ladies take on Hertfordshire rivals Stevenage Ladies in the Eastern Region Women's Football League, (ERWFL) Premier Division.
As most who have been following the blog know I have expanded my coverage of women's football to include a brand new website http://womensfootballeast.com that will focus solely on women's football in the East of England. To that end I will be looking to watch more games in the region and tonight presented a perfect opportunity to watch two of the leading women's football clubs in their respective counties in action. The ERWFL is a league I haven't covered much either so I was looking forwards to this encounter.
AFC Dunstable Ladies newly promoted to the Premier Division this season having won the Division One South title the previous, play their home matches at Creasey Park, a new build, council owned sports complex that offers fantastic facilities. The playing area looked in great condition too.
My main piece of knowledge regarding Stevenage Ladies is the partnership they established with the men's club last season. Finished in 4th place in the Premier League last campaign. Early days in the league season neither club had yet to register a win, both with a point going into tonight's clash.
AFC Dunstable Ladies starting XI - Emma Fisher, Lauren Chimes, Steph Fisher, Elly Wade, Julia Robathan, Danielle Carty, Charlotte South, Kerry Stratton, Katie Ross, Holly Skinner & Chelsea Forde.
subs - Tamara Bayne, Dionne Manning & Kayleigh Nias.
Stevenage Ladies starting XI - Keri Green, Laura Shearwood, Alex North, Amy Notschild, Abi Cartwright, Josie North, Donna McGuigan, Amy Josland, Hollie Jardine, Hannah Marshall & Nicole Hogan.
sub - Dominique Godbeer.
Great night weather wise for a game of football, had cooled down nicely, floodlights were on as Stevenage kitted out in bright yellow shirts, black shorts and socks kicked the match off. Dunstable's kit was all blue with a white collar and cuffs on the shirts.
Took a few minutes for the game to settle into a rhythm, it was quite noteable early on how far Dunstable were back in their own half, which allowed the Stevenage back four to push right up to the half way line. It's the visitors with the early attacking play, Nicole Hogan in a central attacking role looking to drive with the ball into the box the Dunstable defence don't allow any space to exploit.
Winning the ball back Dunstable look to take advantage of Stevenage's high line, midfielder Danielle Carty with a good steal looks to play the ball through for striker Holly Skinner to chase, however she is flagged offside.
Down the right for Stevenage Donna McGuigan and Amy Josland combine well trying to play a one two before putting a cross in Josland is fouled the visitors have a free kick. From the delivery, Dunstable break the ball played through to Skinner who is on side this time pulls to the right taking her marker, has with her Kerry Stratton making a good run in support sees her plays the pass into her feet, Stratton hits it from 20 yards opening up her body to send it high over Stevenage goalkeeper Keri Green and into the back of the net 1-0.
Despite having been pushed back at the start Dunstable have the lead, it isn't long before Stevenage are coming back at them a tidy pass from Hannah Marshall into Josland, she turns on the edge of the box and shoots, the effort is wide of goal. For once the Dunstable defence has moved up, Stevenage try an over the top ball for Hogan to chase Dunstable goalkeeper Emma Fisher is quick out of her goal to kick clear.
McGuigan has a shot on goal from 20 yards, Fisher makes the save, the ball loose comes back to McGuigan this time the shot is fired wide across goal. Josland then with another piece of good work down the right puts in a vicious cross high towards the near post Fisher unfazed by players coming in takes a good catch.
Much of the time Dunstable have ten players back in their own half defending. Are keeping a good shape though with Carty looking to win the ball back and spring an attacking move. However Carty makes an error that leads to Stevenage getting an equalising goal looks to pass the ball back to Fisher in goal, not enough weight on the pass, Stevenage's Hogan is alert and races to intercept steals in taking the ball around Fisher then cutting back in shoots from an acute angle to make it 1-1.
Dunstable have a free kick in their own half played forwards, Keri Green keeps her eye on the ball and holds onto it despite being flattened by Dunstable's Chelsea Forde who tries to meet the long ball.
Stevenage continue to press, Josie North puts a free kick from 25 yards over the bar. From a corner Alex North up from the back heads down into the crowded six yard box, Dunstable scramble it away. Hollie Jardine has a shot from distance that Fisher punches away.
Carty for Dunstable plays a great through ball into the run of Forde, she shoots on the run from 20 yards, pulls the effort wide of the post. Dunstable have a player down with a head knock there is a delay in play.
Once play resumes Dunstable capitalise as the ball is played forwards Forde is on side, on the run to the left shoots sending it across Green and into the back of the net to restore the lead 2-1.
Last chance of the 1st half falls to Stevenage a free kick in a dangerous position just outside the box to the right of Dunstable's goal it's Hogan with the dummy stepping over the ball North to take passes it to Hogan who flashes a great ball across the goal mouth misses everyone Josland can't quite get there to divert it into the net.
Half-time AFC Dunstable Ladies 1-1 Stevenage Ladies
An entertaining 1st half Dunstable have the lead despite defending so deep for majority of the 45 minutes. Have been solid keeping a good shape making it hard for Stevenage to exploit. Dunstable to kick off the 2nd half, soon though it's back to Stevenage and they are pushing the home side back.
Dunstable have a player down injured, Abi Cartwright she can't carry on, is taken off, the substitute, Dionne Manning. A free kick has been conceded by Dunstable wide right the set piece is launched towards the far post by North, Three Stevenage players are converging to meet it, Fisher can't take the ball, it's Josland who gets her head on it and sends it home to bring Stevenage level for the 2nd time in the match 2-2.
Dionne Manning has come on and gone up top to support Skinner, looks like she has pace to burn. A long throw comes into the Stevenage box Forde with the lay off into the feet of Manning just inside the box tries to turn her marker to get the shot away but her attempt is blocked.
I thought the next Dunstable attack was ending with a goal so did everyone else my notes even say 3-2.. but.. Manning is through with her pace leaves the Stevenage defence behind, Green comes rushing out Manning slots the ball under her dive, I thought it was in.. it wasn't, somehow finding the post and staying out.
McGuigan for Stevenage volleys wide from inside the box from a corner. With Manning up front Stevenage aren't prepared to keep such a high line the play is spread Dunstable have more space to work with are enjoying a spell of pressure.
A loose Stevenage pass puts Manning in charges towards the box, Green comes rushing out to stop her makes a great save to block her shot, the ball is loose though comes to Kerry Stratton on the edge of the box, putting the ball over Green who is trying to get back into position and Dunstable lead for the 3rd time in the match 3-2.
At the other end Emma Fisher is called into action in the Dunstable goal producing a fantastic double save, the 1st with her legs to stop a shot coming in wide left the ball swerves back out into the box players are coming in the shot comes in Fisher though scrambles to make the diving save, corner.
Stevenage bring on Dominique Godbeer for Laura Shearwood, goes into the back line to deal with the threat Manning's pace gives Dunstable.
The visitors pulls the scores level for the 3rd time in the match have the ball in and around the Dunstable penalty area for a spell before a great cross is put in from the right, coming in at the near post Josland unmarked meets it with her head smashing in the goal to make it 3-3.
Stevenage press hard looking for a late winning goal, Dunstable are back defending Steph Fisher with a vital tackle to stop Josland running clear with the ball inside the box.
Jardine for Stevenage with a strong run and shot straight against Fisher as she comes rushing out the rebounded effort is sent goalwards is going in except for Lauren Chimes who races back to cover and clear off the line.
Forde has a shot from outside the box that takes a deflection late in the match, Green makes the save, the last action of the match as the full-time whistle blows and the points are shared as the score finishes 3-3.
An entertaining match, both teams will think they did enough to win it had chances to, will certainly feel they didn't deserve to lose it, so a point is good on both counts.
An enjoyable trip to Bedfordshire I thank Dunstable for their hospitality and both clubs for their help with team details. A good advert for women's football in the Eastern Region Women's Football League.
A fan of the sport doing my small part to help promote the women's game
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