A great season for both clubs at the top of their respective leagues all season going all the way to win the title and promotion. For Haringey Borough Women it was a poignant triumph to win the ERWFL Premier Division doing so for their former manager Steve Browne who tragically lost his battle with cancer over the New Year. The squad clinching the title with a final day win against challengers Acle United Ladies to achieve promotion to the FAWPL above for the 1st time in their history, now the chance to make it a double success with the league cup.
So to for opponents Cambridge City Ladies however after they won the ERWFL Division One title in their 1st season playing at regional level following promotion as Cambridgeshire Women's Premiership Champions last season. Just the one defeat on their way to the title wrapped it up with 4 games to spare. An ambitious club are looking to follow Haringey Borough Women's success and reach the FAWPL. A good test of their credentials taking on the Champions from the league above.
Road to the Final
All the sides from the ERWFL's two divisions enter the League Cup competition. The Division One sides contesting the 1st two rounds, the Premier Division sides entering in round 3.
A Bye for Cambridge City Ladies in the 1st Round were drawn away to Ipswich Wanderers Ladies in the 2nd Round a 1st half goal from Charlotte Gillies enough to send Cambridge City into the 3rd Round. Faced fellow Cambridgeshire side Histon Ladies from the Premier Division away from home Cambridge advanced to the quarter finals with a 3-0 victory.
A trip to Norfolk in the quarter finals to play eventual Premier Division runners-up Acle United Ladies. Won through to the semi-finals with a narrow 2-1 win to reach the semi-finals and another tough test away to another Premier Division high flyer AFC Dunstable Ladies. Bronte Rapley and Bella Simmons with the goals to send Cambridge City into the final.
Haringey Borough Women were drawn away to Colchester Town Ladies in the 3rd Round, after a goalless 1st half strikers Klesha Darroux and Julia Carruthers both scored to seal a 2-0 win to put Haringey Borough into the quarter finals.
Were awarded a home win over Division One side Silver End United Ladies to advance to the quarter finals where they were away to Norfolk side Wymondham Town Ladies holding their own in 3rd place in the Division One table following promotion this season. Haringey Borough proving to strong in the end wrapping up a 4-1 win to reach the final.
A 2 hour window between today's finals giving me the opportunity to devour a bacon sausage and egg bap very tasty it was too. All the cloud had burned away it was a hot sunny afternoon for the League Cup Final at the County Ground.
Haringey Borough Women starting XI - Cherkish Young, Brooke Hills, Shernelle Francois, Roisin Cormack (C), Robyn Reardon, Shaydean Gorman, Morgan Lundberg, Karesha Iton, Anele Komani, Klesha Darroux & Julia Carruthers.
subs - Roxanne Eshun, Shanice Nourrice, Jaidene Brown, Martina Stankova & Stephanie Cooper
Cambridge City Ladies starting XI - Tee Mhunduru, Amy Reed, Lauren Tomlinson, Becca Fay (C), Robyn Phillips, Emily Reed, Sarah Mosley, Grace Stanley, Charlotte Gillies, Stacey Fullicks & Bella Simmons.
subs - Saffron Henry, Carla Penny, Rachel Pearce, Izzy Broadbent & Philippa Witherspoon.
(roll on roll off substitutes)
The sides gather on the centre circle before the match a minutes silence, Haringey wearing black armbands with their former managers name on. Cambridge to kick-off the ERWFL Cup Final wearing white shirts with black across the shoulders, black shorts and black and white hooped socks. Haringey opposite wearing yellow shirts and socks with blue shorts. A good atmosphere building the Haringey supporters in good voice willing their team on.
A competitive start to the match the ball pinging back and forth between the sides Anele Komani picking the ball up in the middle puts it over the top for striker, Julia Carruthers in behind, Cambridge goalkeeper, Tee Mhunduru off her line early gets to the ball 1st. Cambridge send the ball long out to the right Charlotte Gillies fouled in the corner gets the free-kick. Played into the box Haringey goalkeeper, Cherish Young claims at her near post.
GOAL! Haringey take an early lead in the final the ball quickly releases by Young is helped on through the middle, Darroux after the ball bouncing high on the hard surface drifting right into the box gets the wrong side of the defender can't hold her off the striker seeing the ball into her feet smashes her shot low and hard past the keeper into the back of the net 1-0.
An early set back for Cambridge push on with the ball down the right from the restart Emily Reed on for Sarah Mosley then Gillies down the line a spell of possession the ball rolled back to Mosley top of the area 20 yards out right side, shoots puts her strike wide of the near post. Komani receiving the ball from Morgan Lundberg goes forwards tries to put it on for Darroux again central into the box, Cambridge's Robyn Phillips gets in front of the striker this time shields the ball as Mhunduru comes to gather.
Bella Simmons up top for Cambridge sees the ball into her feet back to goal central 30 yards out rolls her marker sending Grace Stanley away on the left taking the ball down the line looks to turn inside get into the area, Haringey captain, Roisin Cormack closing her down cuts out the cross and clears. A free-kick for Cambridge inside the Haringey half in front of the centre circle captain Becca Fay over the ball looks to go for goal plenty of power behind her shot Young isn't troubled however as it flies past her right post.
A free-kick for Haringey inside their own half wide right, Brooke Hills over it plays it into Komani who spins in behind the Cambridge defence right side taking the ball on into the box reaching the six yard box goes to shoot a vicious strike, Mhunduru makes a superb save with her leg going to ground the ball deflected out for the corner kick. Before the corner can be taken the trainer is called on with Komani down in the box, injured has to come off Jaidene Browne comes on.
An early set back for Cambridge push on with the ball down the right from the restart Emily Reed on for Sarah Mosley then Gillies down the line a spell of possession the ball rolled back to Mosley top of the area 20 yards out right side, shoots puts her strike wide of the near post. Komani receiving the ball from Morgan Lundberg goes forwards tries to put it on for Darroux again central into the box, Cambridge's Robyn Phillips gets in front of the striker this time shields the ball as Mhunduru comes to gather.
A free-kick for Haringey inside their own half wide right, Brooke Hills over it plays it into Komani who spins in behind the Cambridge defence right side taking the ball on into the box reaching the six yard box goes to shoot a vicious strike, Mhunduru makes a superb save with her leg going to ground the ball deflected out for the corner kick. Before the corner can be taken the trainer is called on with Komani down in the box, injured has to come off Jaidene Browne comes on.
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| Cambridge City Ladies goalkeeper Tee Mhunduru |
GOAL! Haringey double their lead as the corner kick by Hills from the right is played long across the six yard box falling to the far post, power and accuracy on the header by Darroux arriving late sends the ball home to make it 2-0.
15 minutes played Haringey look dangerous going forwards, Stacey Fullicks tracks back to tackle Lundberg as she looks to play the ball into Carruthers go on beyond her. Keeping the ball Haringey win a corner on the right, Hills with another long deliver, Emily Reed gets her head on the ball for Cambridge. Lauren Tomlinson fouls Lundberg as she looks to get away on the right the set-piece half way inside the Cambridge half Hills on it puts it up into the box, Mhunduru calls and gets up to claim.
Fay sends the ball up field for Stanley on the left her first touch sends her in behind the Haringey defence wide of the area, Cormack recovers the ground well getting in on Stanley to play the ball out for the corner. The delivery towards the top of the area is gathered by Mosley looks to put it back into the six yard box, Robyn Reardon wins the header for Haringey knocks it out to the right, Simmons on it takes the ball into the area before shooting her low strike in towards the near post saved by Young.
GOAL! Haringey go straight on the counter attack getting players forwards as Cambridge look to get back into position from the corner, the diagonal ball put long out to the right is send long into the box Karesha Iton arriving unmarked meets the ball on the volley far post buries it into the back of the net 3-0.
3 goals conceded after the opening 20 minutes Cambridge are well and truly on the back foot, manager Tim Rapley calls for a positive response, getting the ball out to Gillies on the right she takes it down the line twisting and turning back inside the lay off for Mosley a long way out meets the ball on the volley puts the shot wide of goal.
Haringey get in behind on the right Browne taking it on plenty of pace, into the box Tomlinson recovering well manages to close her down just as she goes to shoot the strike swerves away from goal out for the goalkick. Tomlinson wins the ball of Lundberg on the left puts it long for Stanley to go after running into space Cormack coming to close her down concedes the corner kick. Curled in towards the near post the low ball strikes the post and goes behind.
A turn and shot from Iton inside the D as the ball is put into her by Lundberg from a throw in on the right her shot up over the crossbar. Cambridge make their 1st change, Simmons coming off up top Phillipa Witherspoon coming on. Browne latches onto a goalkick from Cambridge right side lays the ball inside for Carruthers knocked up into the air the striker looks to strike the bouncing ball as it falls 25 yards out her looping shot sails over the crossbar.
Lundberg has taken a knock hurt her arm or shoulder is taken off, Roxanne Eshun coming on for Haringey. Cambridge make a change at the same time Saffron Henry coming on for Emily Reed. Another knock for Haringey's Shernelle Francois a few minutes later sees her replaced by Shanice Nourrice. Haringey are awarded a free-kick inside the Cambridge half, central, Hills to play it forwards into the top of the area, Klesha Darroux is through on goal as the Cambridge defender going to clear the ball slips, the Haringey attacker stabbing the ball up off the surface outside the six yard box lifts her shot up over the goal.
Browne strikes the near post from close range as she cuts into the area from the right the ball out for a goalkick. Nourrice looks to take the ball past Tomlinson down the line the left back with a robust tackle takes out the winger and the linesman as she crashes into him, Nourrice coming off the better on her feet, it takes the linesman several minutes to get back to his feet. From the resulting free-kick Hills sends the ball in towards the top of the box, knocked out to the left Darroux sends in back into the middle, Iton onto the ball is flagged offside.
Haringey finish the 1st half strongly the ball from Nourrice into Carruthers through the middle in behind, shoots as Mhunduru comes racing out to close her down, the ball past the keeper she might have gotten her fingertips in the ball, enough to take it wide of her empty net beyond.
15 minutes played Haringey look dangerous going forwards, Stacey Fullicks tracks back to tackle Lundberg as she looks to play the ball into Carruthers go on beyond her. Keeping the ball Haringey win a corner on the right, Hills with another long deliver, Emily Reed gets her head on the ball for Cambridge. Lauren Tomlinson fouls Lundberg as she looks to get away on the right the set-piece half way inside the Cambridge half Hills on it puts it up into the box, Mhunduru calls and gets up to claim.
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| Bella Simmons fouled by Robyn Reardon as she tries to protect the ball |
Fay sends the ball up field for Stanley on the left her first touch sends her in behind the Haringey defence wide of the area, Cormack recovers the ground well getting in on Stanley to play the ball out for the corner. The delivery towards the top of the area is gathered by Mosley looks to put it back into the six yard box, Robyn Reardon wins the header for Haringey knocks it out to the right, Simmons on it takes the ball into the area before shooting her low strike in towards the near post saved by Young.
GOAL! Haringey go straight on the counter attack getting players forwards as Cambridge look to get back into position from the corner, the diagonal ball put long out to the right is send long into the box Karesha Iton arriving unmarked meets the ball on the volley far post buries it into the back of the net 3-0.
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| Haringey's Karesha Iton up to win the header |
3 goals conceded after the opening 20 minutes Cambridge are well and truly on the back foot, manager Tim Rapley calls for a positive response, getting the ball out to Gillies on the right she takes it down the line twisting and turning back inside the lay off for Mosley a long way out meets the ball on the volley puts the shot wide of goal.
Haringey get in behind on the right Browne taking it on plenty of pace, into the box Tomlinson recovering well manages to close her down just as she goes to shoot the strike swerves away from goal out for the goalkick. Tomlinson wins the ball of Lundberg on the left puts it long for Stanley to go after running into space Cormack coming to close her down concedes the corner kick. Curled in towards the near post the low ball strikes the post and goes behind.
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| Cambridge City Ladies, Lauren Tomlinson |
A turn and shot from Iton inside the D as the ball is put into her by Lundberg from a throw in on the right her shot up over the crossbar. Cambridge make their 1st change, Simmons coming off up top Phillipa Witherspoon coming on. Browne latches onto a goalkick from Cambridge right side lays the ball inside for Carruthers knocked up into the air the striker looks to strike the bouncing ball as it falls 25 yards out her looping shot sails over the crossbar.
Lundberg has taken a knock hurt her arm or shoulder is taken off, Roxanne Eshun coming on for Haringey. Cambridge make a change at the same time Saffron Henry coming on for Emily Reed. Another knock for Haringey's Shernelle Francois a few minutes later sees her replaced by Shanice Nourrice. Haringey are awarded a free-kick inside the Cambridge half, central, Hills to play it forwards into the top of the area, Klesha Darroux is through on goal as the Cambridge defender going to clear the ball slips, the Haringey attacker stabbing the ball up off the surface outside the six yard box lifts her shot up over the goal.
Browne strikes the near post from close range as she cuts into the area from the right the ball out for a goalkick. Nourrice looks to take the ball past Tomlinson down the line the left back with a robust tackle takes out the winger and the linesman as she crashes into him, Nourrice coming off the better on her feet, it takes the linesman several minutes to get back to his feet. From the resulting free-kick Hills sends the ball in towards the top of the box, knocked out to the left Darroux sends in back into the middle, Iton onto the ball is flagged offside.
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| Haringey Borough Women's Shanice Nourrice |
Haringey finish the 1st half strongly the ball from Nourrice into Carruthers through the middle in behind, shoots as Mhunduru comes racing out to close her down, the ball past the keeper she might have gotten her fingertips in the ball, enough to take it wide of her empty net beyond.
Half-time Haringey Borough Women 3-0 Cambridge City Ladies
A fantastic start to the 1st half from Haringey Borough Women sees them in control of the ERWFL Cup Final with a 3-0 lead could have added more goals power and pace players on the move early when possession is regained at the back, Cambridge have been on the back foot as they looked to find a response, a lot of work to do if they want to find a way back into the game 2nd half.
A change of personnel at the start of the 2nd half the linesman injured late in the 1st half not returning, a replacement available as one of the officials from this mornings Plate Final is still in the ground. A change too for Cambridge with Fullicks substituted, Carla Penny on taking up a left attacking position with Stanley now in behind Witherspoon through the middle. Haringey to get the 2nd half underway. Amy Reed wins the ball for Cambridge plays it up towards Witherspoon lays it onto Mosley 25 yards out her 1st time strike is wide.
Cambridge press forwards early 2nd half the ball towards the D, Stanley and Witherspoon try the one two get the free-kick a dangerous position left of the D, Penny over the ball lines up a shot her attempt over the bar. Pushing forwards Cambridge have to watch they aren't caught on the counter attack Reardon with the ball plays it up to Eshun who looks to slide Nourrice through into the box right side, Mhunduru is rapidly out sliding in to claim the ball at the attackers feet.
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| Haringey Borough Women's, Robyn Reardon |
A fast tempo to the beginning of the 2nd half, Nourrice with a driving run with the ball down the right wing whips the cross into the area cleared by Phillips at the back for Cambridge, getting it up the other end a throw deep on the right played long into the area by Henry, cleared by Hills, trying to bring it forwards Amy Reed comes onto the ball getting hold of it pushing forwards lifts it up in to the box, dropping for Witherspoon the striker turns as the ball falls puts her foot through it, straight at Reardon who makes the block.
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| Cambridge City Ladies striker, Phillipa Witherspoon |
Amy Reed is fouled wide on the right wing as she gets forwards with the ball the set-piece is played long into the box Penny coming in far post plants her header wide of the goal. Mosley comes on with the ball evading a challenge space for Gillies to move into right, Mosley picks her out getting into the box her low drive is hit hard, Young right behind it gets down holds onto the shot. A change for both sides Komani returning to the field for Haringey in place of Caruthers. Tomlinson off for Cambridge, Izzy Broadbent on.
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| Amy Reed bringing the ball forwards for Cambridge City Ladies |
A chance for Haringey to extend their lead Komani in the thick of the action as soon as she returns to the pitch the ball into her feet slides it on for Carruthers into the area left side of goal, is closed down by Reed stabs her shot narrowly wide of the post. A give and go between Gillies and Stanley through the middle, Gillies with the shot from 25 yards out Young scrambling across her goal sees it whistle past the top corner of her goal.
GOAL! The high tempo from Cambridge at the start of the 2nd half has caused Haringey some problems not as able to bring the ball out from the back now it brings them the goal they were looking for the ball fired into Witherspoon inside the box back to goal control and strikes it on the turn, straight at Reardon the defend with instinctive stab to try and clear the ball puts it straight into Stanley's path far post the no 11 blasting the ball into the back of the net, quickly retrieving the ball and running back to the centre circle.
Has been a bit of niggle between the sides throughout some strong challenges both sides up for it however the referee keeping a lid on things. Midway through the 2nd half Cambridge make a double switch, Simmons coming back on along with Rachel Pearce, Witherspoon and Mosley the players taken off. Haringey send Darroux back on for Hills. Iton picks up a knock and is replaced by Francois.
Eshun comes off for Haringey, Lundberg back on as Cambridge pile everyone forwards a 2nd goal their for the taking would get them right back into the final have switched to 3 at the back now. Play is stretched Cambridge win a corner of Cormack taken from the right Haringey scramble it away near post launch a counter Browne bursting forwards moving right her cross looping up into the area cleared by Fay.
Fay over a free-kick on the left delivers the ball into the top of the area, Lundberg headers clear for Haringey. Haringey have some of the loudest supporters I've heard at a women's game in a long while, they are loving it willing their team on. Hills comes back on in place of Nourrice for Haringey. Simmons gets bowled to the ground in the middle players go forwards into the box from the back for Cambridge, Stanley to put the ball into the mix falling to Fay on the penalty spot the Cambridge captain puts her head in her hands in despair as her turn and strike goes over the bar. Lundberg is injured again in alot of pain holding her arm has to come off, Iton comes back on.
GOAL! Late into the game desperate to find a 2nd goal Cambridge are hit on the counter to concede a 4th goal, Haringey getting Komani in behind on the right travelling towards the box, Mhunduru comes racing out of her area looking to kick the ball away, miscues her strike putting off Komani as she falls the grounded keeper knocks the ball away from Komani before she can recover unfortunately the ball rolls straight into the onrushing Iton 25 yards out an empty goal to aim at she doesn't miss 4-1.
Into stoppage time Cambridge keep going get the ball down the other end have a corner on the left, Henry gets her head on the ball knocking it down inside the six yard box Haringey clear.
GOAL! Penalty! Haringey launch a rapid counter attack players from both sides racing up the pick put on for Komani she drives into the box, Henry gets back on her but leaning in brings the attacker down and the referee points to the spot. Browne to take it, roars in celebration and it buries under her team mates as she powers the ball into the corner of the goal 5-1
Has been a bit of niggle between the sides throughout some strong challenges both sides up for it however the referee keeping a lid on things. Midway through the 2nd half Cambridge make a double switch, Simmons coming back on along with Rachel Pearce, Witherspoon and Mosley the players taken off. Haringey send Darroux back on for Hills. Iton picks up a knock and is replaced by Francois.
Eshun comes off for Haringey, Lundberg back on as Cambridge pile everyone forwards a 2nd goal their for the taking would get them right back into the final have switched to 3 at the back now. Play is stretched Cambridge win a corner of Cormack taken from the right Haringey scramble it away near post launch a counter Browne bursting forwards moving right her cross looping up into the area cleared by Fay.
Fay over a free-kick on the left delivers the ball into the top of the area, Lundberg headers clear for Haringey. Haringey have some of the loudest supporters I've heard at a women's game in a long while, they are loving it willing their team on. Hills comes back on in place of Nourrice for Haringey. Simmons gets bowled to the ground in the middle players go forwards into the box from the back for Cambridge, Stanley to put the ball into the mix falling to Fay on the penalty spot the Cambridge captain puts her head in her hands in despair as her turn and strike goes over the bar. Lundberg is injured again in alot of pain holding her arm has to come off, Iton comes back on.
GOAL! Late into the game desperate to find a 2nd goal Cambridge are hit on the counter to concede a 4th goal, Haringey getting Komani in behind on the right travelling towards the box, Mhunduru comes racing out of her area looking to kick the ball away, miscues her strike putting off Komani as she falls the grounded keeper knocks the ball away from Komani before she can recover unfortunately the ball rolls straight into the onrushing Iton 25 yards out an empty goal to aim at she doesn't miss 4-1.
Into stoppage time Cambridge keep going get the ball down the other end have a corner on the left, Henry gets her head on the ball knocking it down inside the six yard box Haringey clear.
GOAL! Penalty! Haringey launch a rapid counter attack players from both sides racing up the pick put on for Komani she drives into the box, Henry gets back on her but leaning in brings the attacker down and the referee points to the spot. Browne to take it, roars in celebration and it buries under her team mates as she powers the ball into the corner of the goal 5-1
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| Jaidene Browne lets out a roar as she scores from the penalty spot late in the game |
Full time Haringey Borough Women 5-1 Cambridge City Ladies
Not long after the final whistle blows and Haringey Borough Women complete a league cup double winning the ERWFL Cup Final 5-1 to cap off a great season one for their former manager looking down upon them. A strong performance 1st half had Cambridge on the back foot right from the start with a 3 nil lead in control of the final. Cambridge did rally 2nd half and put in a great effort to try and fight their way back into the game scored had other chances only to be hit on the break with 2 goals as they sacrificed space at the back.
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| Haringey Borough Women celebrate their league & cup double after the final whistle |
SWF Blog - Player of the Match
A determination about Haringey Borough Women today to get the job done and win the double, that spirit shown throughout the side none more so than Jaidene Browne she is the SWF Blog - Player of the Match.
Congratulations to Haringey Borough Women on a memorable season winning the ERWFL Premier Division and League Cup.
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| A tribute to former manager Steve Browne the Haringey players and supporters releasing balloons into the sky |
A great 1st season playing at a higher level for Cambridge City Ladies too, winning the Division One title and getting all the way the League Cup final.
An entertaining League Cup final to cap of an enjoyable if long day out at Letchworth. My thanks to both clubs for their help with today's teams and to the ERWFL committee members for their help today. Three cup double Sunday's in a row I'd sleep well tonight if I didn't have two match reports to write up! But you know I love it really.
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