A new look to the Eastern Region Women's Football Leagues (ERWFL) 2nd tier this season with there previously being two Division One's, geographically North & South, or East & West as they were last season, for the 2016/17 there will be a single Division One with 11 teams competing. Both Colney Heath Ladies and Cambridge City Ladies began their league season on Sunday with contrasting results, a busy week for both playing tonight then again on Sunday.
Colney Heath Ladies have been competing in the ERWFL since the start of the 2014/15 season merging with Colney Heath FC, having previously been St Albans City Ladies. Have one of the youngest squads in the league, one to watch. Struggled in the league last season one of many suffering from a lack of matches unable to get any momentum due to the high number of postponed matches, injuries too. Have showed their best form for the cup competitions reaching the final of the ERWFL League Plate for 2 successive seasons. Having seen them in then finish runners-up on both occasions this will be my 1st look at them at their home ground in league action. Have made additions to the playing squad over the close season, one of which, Ria Gray returning to the game after a spell away is in the starting XI tonight. Haven't got everyone available at the start of the season, have injuries too, notably to their goalkeeper. Suffered a heavy 7-0 defeat away to newly promoted Norfolk Champions, Wymondham Town Ladies on Sunday having just 10 players available.
Cambridge City Ladies are newly promoted to the ERWFL set-up going up as Cambridgeshire Women's Premiership Champions. Achieving a league and cup double in their 1st season playing adult football, a side that has risen together through the youth leagues. The League Cup success back at the end of last season the final game for now for several with the club as they head off to attend university. Applying for promotion it was with the knowledge the club may have to and were willing in push some of their U16 into the senior squad. Have been busy over the close season however the club bolstered by a host of new arrivals pulling players away from city rivals Cambridge United WFC having been with the club at youth level. Gemma Clare with Bar Hill Ladies previously and coach of the Cambridge City U14s team has also joined along with Stacey Fullicks making the switch from Netherton United Ladies. Began life in the ERWFL with a comfortable 5-0 win at home against Beds & Herts Women's Division One Champions, Hertford Town Ladies.
The venue for tonight's game The Recreation Ground in Colney Heath home of Colney Heath FC. Easy to find in the way into St Albans off the A1. A large clubhouse and bar housing the changing room facilities off to the side of the pitch a small seated area built off it along the side with the dugouts further down. A good sized pitch, wide has a distinct slope from one goal mouth to the other, training pitches further on. Got the feeling of a community based club as soon as I arrived the women's side very much an integral part of the club. Has been a dry August on the whole and the pitch did look a little dry in places but then so does my lawn, bit of rain it'll soon green up again. After another hot day to end the month there were some dark clouds around that hinted at a shower that wouldn't materialise.
Colney Heath Ladies starting XI - Annie Hickey, Viki Allen, Eustacia Randles, Rachel Sherlow, Kirsty Feasey, Lucy Hancock, Sophie Joseph (C), Kelly Hancock, Ria Gray, Sammy May & Holly Sheridan.
subs - Georgia Knight.
Cambridge City Ladies starting XI - Tafadzwa Mhunduru, Liv Abbott, Lauren Tomlinson, Robyn Phillips, Becca Fay (C), Emily Reed, Stacey Fullicks, Carla Penny, Sarah Mosley, Charlotte Gillies & Grace Stanley.
subs - Jade Powell, Bella Simmons, Rachel Pearce & Emma Littlewood.
(roll on roll off substitutes)
A 7:30pm kick-off the floodlights warming up as the sun starts to set low in the sky it's Cambridge City to get the game underway wearing their away strip, sky blue shirts and socks with white shorts with Colney Heath lined up opposite wearing black and white vertical striped shirts, black shorts and socks. The home side are attacking down the slope 1st half.
Annie Hickey is the stand-in goalkeeper for Colney Heath this evening, gets an early kick of the ball as Cambridge City force the ball to be played back to her. A quiet start the ball toing and froing between the sides as they probe each others defences. On the ball for Cambridge City, Stacey Fullicks spreads the play out to the right wing, Charlotte Gillies running onto the ball wins the visitors a corner kick. The set-piece finds its way through to Carla Penny positioned on the top of the area, bouncing the ball won't sit for the shot as Colney Heath close her down win the ball and clear it.
Cambridge City come again, Sarah Mosley on the ball through the middle bringing it on into the Colney Heath half picks out Gillies run on the right goes for the early strike drilling the ball towards the near post from outside the box, Hickey has the angle covered sees the bouncing ball up into her gloves. The pace of the game is quickening up,Colney Heath play the ball through the middle with pace try to put over the top for striker, Holly Sheridan to go after, Cambridge City captain, Becca Fay closes her down to tackle and win the ball back before Sheridan can wind up a shot.
Fullicks links up with Gillies on the right going on past her and getting the return ball reaching the top of the box doesn't get the connection on the ball she was looking for as she goes to shoot the ball trickles safely into the keepers gloves. With five across the middle Colney Heath are energetic, closing Cambridge City down and winning the ball looking to get it up to Sheridan at every opportunity.
GOAL! That pressing brings about the opening goal as the ball is cleared into the midfield by Cambridge City, it's Colney Heath's Kirsty Feasey who closes the ball down and winning it plays it forwards, Sheridan timing her turn perfectly to break clear of the Cambridge City defence and carry the ball towards the box, Tafadzwa Mhunduru starts to come off her line, Sheridan goes for the chip outside the box the ball clearing the advancing keeper and nestling in the back of the net 1-0 Colney Heath take the lead on the 12th minute.
A hand ball spotted against Colney Heath by the referee as Cambridge City play the ball up the left channel for Penny to chase the set-piece 25 yards from goal to the left of the goal, Penny is the player over the ball for Cambridge City, goes for goal looking to send a high ball in hasn't enough lift Hickey with time to set herself and make a comfortable save. The battle for the ball in the middle continues to be frantic, Kelly Hancock tackling does the splits manages to get the ball out to Sheridan who has come over to the right gets the Cambridge City defence turned again the ball put out for the throw. Cambridge City win possession of the ball counter attack, the ball played up through the middle for Grace Stanley to go after, Hickey makes the decision to run out of her area kicks the ball clear before Stanley can reach it.
Sammy May with the ball at her feet gets her head down and drives through the middle of the park, is clipped 30 yards from goal wins the free-kick. Takes it herself looking to play it up towards the far post area to be attacked, a little too straight Mhunduru can come and claim it. Up the other end Hickey moves smartly to the edge of her box on the right to slide in and gather the ball with Gillies looking to turn inside from a throw-in. A double save from the stand-in keeper in the next attack Gillies put clear through the Colney Heath defence on the right closes in on the box pulls the trigger, Hickey making the save with her feet, the ball cleared back out towards Gillies tries again this time the keeper gets her gloves firmly around the ball.
Rachel Sherlow is winning the majority of ball fired up towards her area, keeping Stanley well marked. Her clearance is headed on through the centre by Lucy Hancock picking out Sheridan who tries to power her way on into the box, is tackled by Robyn Phillips. Colney Heath regain the ball inside their opponents half getting the better of the 50/50 balls 25 yards out one challenge sees the ball pop into the box favourably for Sheridan to latch onto right of the goal lifts her strike over the cross bar.
Fay brings the ball out from the back for Cambridge City, Tomlinson goes on the move from left back is given the ball, plays it up the line for Stanley who pulls the Colney Heath defence with her on the right, a clever turn gives her room to lay the ball inside with Mosley calling for it a fair distance out doesn't hesitate to shoot, hitting a low drive on target, straight at Hickey the keeper able to set herself and gather. Double change for Cambridge City with Bella Simmons and Rachel Pearce coming on to replace Fullicks and Penny.
Kelly Hancock and Ria Gray link up on the right side of the pitch a good give and go the pass forwards picking out Sheridan moving into space on the wing squares the cross along the face of the area, a vital interception from Phillips as May was in space behind her. More great defending from Sherlow the game continuing to be played at a high tempo, Mosley hooks the ball on up front trying to pick out Stanley, Sherlow keeping an eye on both the attacker and the falling ball as she runs back towards her box does well to see the ball over her shoulder and hook it clear. Colney Heath bring off Sheridan up top replacing her with Georgia Knight.
The 1st half drawing to a close Cambridge City are starting to find a little more of the ball more possession inside the Colney Heath half. Going forwards Tomlinson delivers a high ball into the box, headed down fall straight to Stanley top of the area hits the ball on the volley drills the ball back in but wide of goal. Colney Heath captain, Sophie Joseph gets the ball into Knight moving away to the left, May makes a run through the middle, Knight looks to play the pass into her run, tracking her Phillips slides in timing her tackle wins the ball.
Mosley has been covering plenty of ground for Cambridge City in the 1st half moving out to the left gets the ball from Reed fires in the cross along the top of the Colney Heath area, gets past Sherlow this time but not Eustasia Randles behind her clearing the ball with Simmons trying to get in beyond her. Cambridge City have the impetuous lat in the half pushing players into the Colney Heath half a throw won deep on the left is put into Simmons feet, turns getting into the area, her shot charged down the ball finding Stanley 20 yards out right of the D a turn and hit fires the shot wide across the goal.
Annie Hickey is the stand-in goalkeeper for Colney Heath this evening, gets an early kick of the ball as Cambridge City force the ball to be played back to her. A quiet start the ball toing and froing between the sides as they probe each others defences. On the ball for Cambridge City, Stacey Fullicks spreads the play out to the right wing, Charlotte Gillies running onto the ball wins the visitors a corner kick. The set-piece finds its way through to Carla Penny positioned on the top of the area, bouncing the ball won't sit for the shot as Colney Heath close her down win the ball and clear it.
Cambridge City come again, Sarah Mosley on the ball through the middle bringing it on into the Colney Heath half picks out Gillies run on the right goes for the early strike drilling the ball towards the near post from outside the box, Hickey has the angle covered sees the bouncing ball up into her gloves. The pace of the game is quickening up,Colney Heath play the ball through the middle with pace try to put over the top for striker, Holly Sheridan to go after, Cambridge City captain, Becca Fay closes her down to tackle and win the ball back before Sheridan can wind up a shot.
Fullicks links up with Gillies on the right going on past her and getting the return ball reaching the top of the box doesn't get the connection on the ball she was looking for as she goes to shoot the ball trickles safely into the keepers gloves. With five across the middle Colney Heath are energetic, closing Cambridge City down and winning the ball looking to get it up to Sheridan at every opportunity.
GOAL! That pressing brings about the opening goal as the ball is cleared into the midfield by Cambridge City, it's Colney Heath's Kirsty Feasey who closes the ball down and winning it plays it forwards, Sheridan timing her turn perfectly to break clear of the Cambridge City defence and carry the ball towards the box, Tafadzwa Mhunduru starts to come off her line, Sheridan goes for the chip outside the box the ball clearing the advancing keeper and nestling in the back of the net 1-0 Colney Heath take the lead on the 12th minute.
A hand ball spotted against Colney Heath by the referee as Cambridge City play the ball up the left channel for Penny to chase the set-piece 25 yards from goal to the left of the goal, Penny is the player over the ball for Cambridge City, goes for goal looking to send a high ball in hasn't enough lift Hickey with time to set herself and make a comfortable save. The battle for the ball in the middle continues to be frantic, Kelly Hancock tackling does the splits manages to get the ball out to Sheridan who has come over to the right gets the Cambridge City defence turned again the ball put out for the throw. Cambridge City win possession of the ball counter attack, the ball played up through the middle for Grace Stanley to go after, Hickey makes the decision to run out of her area kicks the ball clear before Stanley can reach it.
Sammy May with the ball at her feet gets her head down and drives through the middle of the park, is clipped 30 yards from goal wins the free-kick. Takes it herself looking to play it up towards the far post area to be attacked, a little too straight Mhunduru can come and claim it. Up the other end Hickey moves smartly to the edge of her box on the right to slide in and gather the ball with Gillies looking to turn inside from a throw-in. A double save from the stand-in keeper in the next attack Gillies put clear through the Colney Heath defence on the right closes in on the box pulls the trigger, Hickey making the save with her feet, the ball cleared back out towards Gillies tries again this time the keeper gets her gloves firmly around the ball.
Rachel Sherlow is winning the majority of ball fired up towards her area, keeping Stanley well marked. Her clearance is headed on through the centre by Lucy Hancock picking out Sheridan who tries to power her way on into the box, is tackled by Robyn Phillips. Colney Heath regain the ball inside their opponents half getting the better of the 50/50 balls 25 yards out one challenge sees the ball pop into the box favourably for Sheridan to latch onto right of the goal lifts her strike over the cross bar.
Fay brings the ball out from the back for Cambridge City, Tomlinson goes on the move from left back is given the ball, plays it up the line for Stanley who pulls the Colney Heath defence with her on the right, a clever turn gives her room to lay the ball inside with Mosley calling for it a fair distance out doesn't hesitate to shoot, hitting a low drive on target, straight at Hickey the keeper able to set herself and gather. Double change for Cambridge City with Bella Simmons and Rachel Pearce coming on to replace Fullicks and Penny.
Kelly Hancock and Ria Gray link up on the right side of the pitch a good give and go the pass forwards picking out Sheridan moving into space on the wing squares the cross along the face of the area, a vital interception from Phillips as May was in space behind her. More great defending from Sherlow the game continuing to be played at a high tempo, Mosley hooks the ball on up front trying to pick out Stanley, Sherlow keeping an eye on both the attacker and the falling ball as she runs back towards her box does well to see the ball over her shoulder and hook it clear. Colney Heath bring off Sheridan up top replacing her with Georgia Knight.
The 1st half drawing to a close Cambridge City are starting to find a little more of the ball more possession inside the Colney Heath half. Going forwards Tomlinson delivers a high ball into the box, headed down fall straight to Stanley top of the area hits the ball on the volley drills the ball back in but wide of goal. Colney Heath captain, Sophie Joseph gets the ball into Knight moving away to the left, May makes a run through the middle, Knight looks to play the pass into her run, tracking her Phillips slides in timing her tackle wins the ball.
Mosley has been covering plenty of ground for Cambridge City in the 1st half moving out to the left gets the ball from Reed fires in the cross along the top of the Colney Heath area, gets past Sherlow this time but not Eustasia Randles behind her clearing the ball with Simmons trying to get in beyond her. Cambridge City have the impetuous lat in the half pushing players into the Colney Heath half a throw won deep on the left is put into Simmons feet, turns getting into the area, her shot charged down the ball finding Stanley 20 yards out right of the D a turn and hit fires the shot wide across the goal.
Half-time Colney Heath Ladies 1-0 Cambridge City Ladies
Colney Heath hold the advantage at half-time having worked hard for the lead, an energetic display have closed the ball down well and tried to turn the Cambridge City defence, May trying to get forwards to support Sheridan when she could. Have expanded alot of energy in doing so. The visitors have had the better of the chances without really testing Hickey in the Colney Heath goal, getting to grips with the pace of the game were showing signs late in the 1st half that they were starting to find more of the ball inside their opponents half. A 1-0 lead a narrow advantage.
Colney Heath to kick-off the 2nd half, Fullicks is back on at the start for Cambridge City replacing Reed in the midfield. Play the ball up into the Cambridge City half Liv Abbott tackling to win the ball plays it up the line for Gillies taking the ball on, turns inside before squaring it into the middle, Simmons coming to meet it hits the shot on the spin sees her effort blocked by Randles inside the D. A bright start 2nd half from Cambridge City pressing Colney Heath inside their own half.
Hickey scoops a shot up into her gloves as Simmons fires in from distance. Simmons involved again from a Cambridge City free kick won on the right inside the Colney Heath half, Abbott on the ball sends it long towards the far post. Simmons amongst the crowd gathered there gets her head on the ball turns the ball wide of goal. Pearce pressing the ball for Cambridge City gets hold of it 25 yards out picks out Simmons ahead of her moving to the right into the box, well marked by Sherlow can't find any room for a shot as she tries to drive inside instead lays the ball across the box with Stanley free to the left of the D 1st time strike as the ball comes into her sees her shot rise over the bar.
Fullicks on the drive with the ball through the middle sees her shot charged down, getting on the rebound Hickey parries the ball away, Colney Heath managing to get it long up the pitch into the Cambridge City half after an intense spell of pressure from the visitors. Colney Heath get themselves a free-kick wide on the left inside the Cambridge City half a good delivery from Lucy Hancock up into the area, it's Simmons back defending who gets up to head the ball away.
Sherlow comes across to deal with Tomlinson on the left side as she bursts forwards from full-back to get on the end of a high ball down the line the ball put out for a corner kick. The corner on the left comes in near post put behind for another corner, a better delivery this time Colney Heath defend well heading the ball away from their box. With Cambridge City putting their back line under sustained pressure Colney Heath aren't finding it as easy to find Knight up front in the 2nd half.
Making progress up the right Colney Heath manage to win themselves a corner. May comes to attack the ball near post, Cambridge City defend putting it out for another corner. Gray moving towards the ball plays it back to the taker, lifting the ball back up into the area Feasey knocks the ball down with her head towards the face of the area a chance for Joseph coming in on the ball to have a strike at goal sends the shot blazing wide. Feasey tackles well winning the ball in midfield playing it forwards into Knight taking it on through the centre she shoots the ball blocked by the Cambridge City defence spins left Kelly Hancock is forwards after it, Phillips is on her quickly to regain possession of the ball. Penny back on.
A good spell from Colney Heath, very nearly double their lead as Joseph steals in to rob the Cambridge City defence of the ball racing on clear into the box right of goal drills a low shot in towards the near post, Mhunduru gets down sharply to make the save the ball squeezes under her body however and is trickling towards goal, Mhunduru scrambles to her feet inside her six yard box and makes a desperate lunge for the ball laying claim to it just before it can creep over the line.
A fantastic ball from Tomlinson on the left on half way across the pitch picks out the run from Gillies having plenty of grass to run into getting her foot on the ball taking it into the box looks to turn inside get a better angle for a shot the touch a little heavy allows Randles to get back on her and clear it.
GOAL! The pressure Cambridge City have been applying in the opening 15 minutes of the 2nd half brings the equalising goal the clearance is fired up to halfway sent immediately back in towards the area by Fay, Simmons to the left side of goal the player closest to the ball isn't distracted by the advancing keeper, gets her head on the bouncing ball sending it past Hickey and into the back of the net 1-1.
Both sides make a change Sheridan coming back on to go up top in place of Knight. Emma Littlewood coming on at right back for Abbott for Cambridge City. On the left attacking Joseph and May look to link up make something happen for Colney Heath, Joseph passes the ball on for May who looks to knock it on run in behind the Cambridge City defence, Phillips wins the race for the ball inside the box tapping it back into the keeper to clear.
The visitors launch a rapid counter attack the ball put long down the right wing Gillies the willing runner gets after it turning the ball square into the top of the box Simmons onto it leaning back as she strikes the shot screws it away from goal. With 4 on the bench Cambridge City can keep freshening things up another double switch with Simmons and Pearce coming off, Reed and Jade Powell coming on. The visitors stretching Colney Heath now as they look to get themselves into the lead. Gillies having covered alot of ground on the right for Cambridge City comes off Stanley returning to the action with 15 minutes to go.
GOAL! An immediate impact for the substitute with the ball over on the right Cambridge City attacking, the cross is flashed in along the six yard box, Hickey who has been so solid in goal doesn't get to the ball this time as it evades her near post, Stanley is after it no one to get back to challenge her sees the ball over the line Cambridge City take the lead 1-2.
Joseph gets the ball into Sheridan as the striker makes a move to get down the left channel turn into the area, Phillips stays with her and slides in to take the ball cleanly, sets up a counter attack the ball put into the middle Fullicks on to Stanley making a run in behind the Colney Heath defence into the area pulls her shot wide across the six yard box. Th Colney Heath players are starting to tire not a quick to close down a couple down with knocks. Cambridge City have a corner kick on the left the ball is played up the line with Tomlinson making a good run catching the Colney Heath player ahead of her cold runs in behind with the ball and take on the shot from the edge of the area flies over the bar.
Wide left Penny has the ball at her feet travelling into the Colney Heath half, Stanley provides a run coming in from the right to get into the box Penny looks to flight the pass into the area for her, Allen nips in just ahead of her to win the ball. Into the last 10 minutes Colney Heath are pushing players on taking chances looking to find a reply the game is stretched now. Have a free kick on half-way the ball sent long Sheridan heads the ball on into the box, Fullicks is back helping defend the set-piece launches it clear of the area.
Wide left Penny has the ball at her feet travelling into the Colney Heath half, Stanley provides a run coming in from the right to get into the box Penny looks to flight the pass into the area for her, Allen nips in just ahead of her to win the ball. Into the last 10 minutes Colney Heath are pushing players on taking chances looking to find a reply the game is stretched now. Have a free kick on half-way the ball sent long Sheridan heads the ball on into the box, Fullicks is back helping defend the set-piece launches it clear of the area.
GOAL! A couple more players down for Colney Heath late on into the final 5 minutes when play resumes the ball on half way the ball fed into Stanley left side in front of the area is perfect, taking it into her feet and spinning off her marker has the extra yard of pace to break clear looks to pull her shot back across goal, Hickey dives to her right gets something on the ball but not enough as it squirms under her and over the line for Stanley to score her 2nd of the game as Cambridge City lead 1-3.
One last free kick for Colney Heath to put the ball up into the box it's cleared as the referee blows the final whistle
One last free kick for Colney Heath to put the ball up into the box it's cleared as the referee blows the final whistle
Full-time Colney Heath Ladies 1-3 Cambridge City Ladies
Cambridge City come back from a goal down in the 1st half with a strong 2nd half performance to win the game 3-1 making it 2 wins from 2 in their opening league fixtures to see them go top of the fledgling ERWFL Division One table. A game of contrasting halves, Colney Heath came out of the blocks running, closing down their opponents and breaking forwards quickly taking an early lead. Had they been able to maintain that 2nd half could well have gotten something from the game.
Took Cambridge City a little while to figure their opponents out wasn't till late in the 1st half they started to apply some good pressure to their defence. Different story 2nd half by far the better side with the extra bodies on the bench used their substitutes to full advantage keeping legs fresh equalising then going on to win the game. An entertaining, fast paced game end to end for long spells.
My thanks to both teams for their help with the teams this evening. Thanks too to Colney Heath for their hospitality and the plate of sandwiches that won't survive for long. Best of luck to both sides for the rest of the season.
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