Trip down the A10 from Norfolk for my 2nd dose of FA Women's Premier League South East Division One action of the week as 2 more clubs faced each other in a mid week derby, Enfield Town Ladies v Denham United Ladies.
Now 5 games into the season and Enfield Town Ladies haven't won a league match since the opening day of the season away to Cambridge WFC, lying in 9th place in the table on 3pts another 3pts tonight would see them join tonights rivals in mid-table.
Denham United Ladies were in 5th place in the table going into tonights clash on 5pts have just picked up the 1 league win themselves that against in the reverse fixture with Enfield Town Ladies a 3-1 victory on the 4th September.
Had seen both teams play a few matches last season but haven't travelled to either clubs home stadium yet so this was a good opportunity to take a look at Enfield Town Ladies, Queen Elizabeth II Stadium. A sporting complex with a large clubhouse with very good facilties, the large pitch is surrounded by an running track the viewing area is set back beyond the track has a seated stand within the club house and a small seated stand on the opposite side where I pitched up to watch.
It was another pleasant and warm evening under the floodlights autumn yet to arrive the pitch looking in great condition.
Enfield Town Ladies starting XI - Kelly Cooper, Stav Panayioutou, Jordan Ferdinand, Elizabeth Kent, Claire Gooch (C), Kerrie Marlborough, Laura Owen, Cally Browne, Victoria Lewis, Chanel Ali & Regan Coleman.
subs - Sheryce Slater, Tara Hutchinson, Cara Newton & Lorraine Mason
Denham United Ladies starting XI - Elizabeth Rose, Katie Phillipson, Eva Ramsey, Joanne Torr (C), Monica Sharma, Laura Holbrook, Lauren Cox, Louise McCam, Natasha Stephens, Alissa Down & Elishia Allen.
subs - Emma Spencer, Victoria Elliot, Kim Pendred.
Denham United Ladies in their all navy kit, with a white and red band across the front of the shirts and socks to kick off the match against Enfield Town Ladies lined up in white shirts, blue shorts and socks. The opening exchanges were cagey the ball not staying with either side for long over on the far side of the pitch with no ball penetrating the final 3rd.
There is space out wide on the right for Denham to exploit, Natasha Stephens is out there to recieve the long pass looks to drive forwards get into a crossing position, Enfield left back Jordan Ferdinand has the pace to track back and make the interception. Not long after Stephens tries again, dropping her shoulder and getting a yard on Ferdinand gets the ball up and into the area, an Enfield defender heads it down the ball coming to Denham's Alissa Down 20 yards out central to goal she has a strike puts the shot wide of goal.
Denham have the home side penned in a little the midfield all back looking to support the back line win the ball back, meaning the outlet is trying the long pass forwards for an attacker to chase, Elizabeth Kent in central midfield gets a 40 yard pass up to Victoria Lewis to chase wide right, running with the ball her marker stays with her pushing her wider, Lewis gets a cross in but it lacks the power to evade Denham goalkeeper Elizabeth Rose at her near post.
Denham's Louise McCam wins a good tackle in the middle sees the run of Alissa Down to the right of goal looks to play her in the pass is good dropping in front of Down she looks to hit it on the run, doesn't get the contact she needs screws the shot wide of target.
Denham captain Joanne Torr has the ball at her feet drives forward from the back into the middle threads the ball through the Enfield defence as Stephens peels off her marker is onto the ball 20 yards from goal shoots early gets too much on it sending the ball over the bar.
Enfield are doing alot of chasing, with Denham keeping the ball well looking to pass it about close when they can, with Stephens, Down and Elishia Allen all looking for space to exploit up front. As a result there is a gap between Enfield's attackers and the rest making it hard for them to keep the ball and wait for support to arrive.
Elizabeth Kent puts another long range pass forwards for striker Regan Coleman to chase too strong Denham's defensive get to it 1st the header is poor though and Coleman is there to latch onto it, on the run she shoots 25 yards out drills the ball wide of Rose's goal.
GOAL! Denham have the ball on the left of the pitch strong from Allen to beat a couple of Enfield challenges the ball is played in towards the edge of the penalty box comes to Down in the centre brings it down cuts through the Enfield back line into the area and sends the ball past Enfield goalkeeper Kelly Cooper into the back of the net 0-1.
Wide right for Enfield, Lewis runs to the by line gets the ball into the box but again can't get it beyond Rose at the near post. Lewis has a good chance to equalise moments later as this time receiving the ball she comes inside and pulls the trigger from 20 yards pulls the effort across the face of goal.
Denham break with Allen on the ball on the left plays the cross ball into the box Stephens squirms past her marker gets on goal, stabs the ball forwards, Cooper dives can't get to it, the shot is wide of the mark.
GOAL! Enfield pull a goal back as they capitalise on an error from the Denham back line Lewis has the ball in the middle, turns to play a pass through for Coleman to chase, goes through everyone Coleman gives up for a 2nd as Rose comes out of goal to kick clear, but she hestitates, Coleman alert takes advantage closes the ball down Rose backtracking tries to block the shot as she is closed down on the edge of the area the ball squirms through is travelling towards goal Coleman stays with it just to be sure 1-1.
GOAL! No sooner have they equalised then Enfield go in front, with Lewis chasing the ball down into the right corner she beats a player gets her cross it arrives at the near post Rose doesn't get enough on it to clear the danger it bounces behind her in front of goal Laura Owen coming in from the left is following up well to be on hand to nod the ball home from close range to give Enfield a 2-1 lead.
GOAL! Denham having conceded 2 goals in quick succession hit back almost immediately and with a beauty of a strike too. Pushing forwards the ball comes into the Enfield area is held up then rolled back out to Denham midfielder Laura Holbrook, 40 yards from goal she has plenty of time to tee up a shot, gets it spot on sending an arrowing ball into the top right hand corner, no chance of Cooper stopping it great strike 2-2.
Rose is quick of her line to come through the crowd to claim an Enfield free kick played into the box from inside the centre circle, looks to get the ball up the pitch comes to Down, back to goal she looks to pass the ball wide seeing the run from Lauren Cox, Enfield's Cooper reads the danger and comes out to dive on the ball before she can reach it.
Half-time Enfield Town Ladies 2-2 Denham United Ladies
A lively 1st half with 3 quick goals after Denham had taken the lead, the visitors starting the better, moving the ball well and putting the Enfield back line under pressure, making it hard for the home side to break and get support to their forward players quickly. For all that Enfield had done well to get back into the game and even take the lead, the scores pegged back straight away by a fantastic strike from distance.
All set for the 2nd half then as Enfield kick off. Denham's Elishia Allen has the ball on the left head down on the run looks to come inside shoots from 20 yards looping ball, straight at Cooper, she takes the ball cleanly.
It's Allen again with another attempt out on the right this time charging into the box slips as she shoots takes the venom off the ball allowing Cooper to save at her near post.
Enfield are looking sharper in the final 3rd at the start of the 2nd half with Lewis and Owen both looking to get the closer to Coleman in the centre with Kent sitting in the middle, Chanel Ali and Cally Browne looking to press the ball higher up the pitch, are stopping the flow that Denham had in the 1st half.
Kent with time on the ball in the centre picks out the run of Lewis into the right channel, with the ball Lewis drives into the box, snatches her shot putting it wide off target. Lewis is getting more of the ball looking to drive forwards wins a corner which coming in Rose punches clear of her area.
It soon comes back a cross/shot is fired into the box is blocked spins into Lewis on the right she tries to take on her marker wins another corner.
GOAL! The corner ball is played in high towards the 18 yard line three Enfield players are lined up to attack the ball goes over the 1st 2 finds *correction* Elizabeth Kent coming in at the far post who meets the header perfectly sending it home to give the home side the lead in the 2nd half 3-2.
Denham make 3 changes 1st with Monica Sharma coming off to be replaced by Kim Pendred at the back. Soon after a double change with Emma Spencer and Victoria Elliot coming on for Louise McCam and Eva Ramsey.
Enfield captain Claire Gooch puts in a good tackle to stop Allen making a run towards goal. Up front for Enfield Lewis and Owen have swapped sides, the home side are winning more of the 50/50 balls looking the more likely to score again. Make a change with Coleman coming off and Lorraine Mason coming on up front.
Denham's Natasha Stephens latches on to a loose pass at the back, looks to break, is stopped by Kerrie Marlborough who sends the ball forwards the break is on with Lewis on the ball runs into the box, shoots fires the ball across the face of goal.
Owen has the ball at her feet driving towards goal, sticking with her is Denham captain Joanne Torr as they close in on goal, Rose comes misses her clearance the ball heading towards goal, Torr keeps going and kicks the ball away from danger.
Gooch clears a cross, giving away a corner, Denham play the ball out to the edge of the box inside the D Kim Pendred tries to head it back into the danger area, the next instance she is racing back to defend as Enfield get the ball into Lewis for a run.
Denham are pushing forwards a little more as the game reaches the final minutes looking to pull a goal back, win a series of corners, the ball going into the box Gooch and Marlborough win it back. Kent looks to go on a run with the ball has options left and right with Lewis and Owen, looks to play in Owen, Denham's Katie Phillipson makes a good saving tackle to deny her, sends it forwards for Allen to chase she wins a throw wide left near the corner.
Cox plays the ball into Victoria Elliot she tries to break into the box her shot is diverted for a late corner, comes through to Pendred again in the D her shot is tame rolls through to Cooper.
Late change for Enfield Tara Hutchinson coming on for Lewis, last action of the match and Enfield win 3-2, climb the table taking Denham's 5th spot as they move onto 6pts.
A fast paced and lively 1st half where Denham started the better, took the lead but gave away 2 goals pulled it back straight away, all set up for the 2nd half, Enfield came out the stronger got players on the ball higher up and took the lead, defended well 2nd half Cooper with little to do.
Two sides you feel that can beat anyone on their day, was a good match to watch and will look to see both again over the coming months. Up next for Enfield is an away trip to play Ipswich Town Ladies on Sun 5th October. Denham's next match is away to Cambridge WFC on the 12th October.
I thank both clubs for their assistance with the team details.
A fan of the sport doing my small part to help promote the women's game
3rd goal for enfield was scored by Elizabeth kent now Laura Owen :)
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