Match Report - Oxford United Women v Yeovil Town Ladies

   With a 7:00pm kick off for this re scheduled match in FAWSL2, I thought I'd take in my 2nd match of the day heading down to The Northcourt from Newport Pagnell FC to watch Oxford United Women play Yeovil Town Ladies.

  Early days in the new season of FAWSL2 this is the 3rd league match of the campaign for both sides. Oxford United Women have already started this season far better than the last, got off to a poor start, took them 6 league games before they recorded their 1st victory. This time round it was a much more positive opening. A match at home to Watford Ladies a goal from a free kick by captain Sahara Osbourne-Ricketts sealing a 1-0 win and a confidence boosting 3 points.

   Lost away to Durham Women last time out, now back at The Northcourt, whom they share with Abingdon United FC, they will be hoping they can keep winning at home.

 Yeovil Town Ladies started their 2015 campaign against 2 of the teams that are expected to be chasing for promotion. Found Fran Kirby in irresistible form as she and Reading FC Women travelled to Sherbourne Town FC on the opening day the England hotshot scoring all 4 of Reading's goals, Yeovil Town Ladies scored twice going down 2-4.

   Next up a Saturday evening trip to play Doncaster Rovers Belles, worked hard kept a good shape limited Doncaster's attacks but the home side capitalised on a mistake at the back to open the scoring going on to win the match 2-1. Yet to pick up a point Yeovil Town Ladies know they need to get some numbers in that final column in the league table quickly.

  The black clouds were rolling in was an overcast sky when I arrived at the ground, not much cover and some of that was occupied by the drums of the Yeovil Town Ladies travelling support still the rain kept away. The pitch has seen a lot of football but was in good shape hosted a couple of cup finals just a fortnight ago.

  Oxford United Women starting XI - Demi Lambourne, Laura Nichol, Chloe Bruce, Rosie Lane, Sahara Osbourne-Ricketts (C), Kayleigh Hines, Katherine Nutman, Ella Franklin-Fraiture, Holly Pickett, Katie Stanley & Lauren Allison.
  subs - Hannah Cox, Amy Chivers, Isi Meade, Lindsay Pinker, Laura Low & Hanna Jaadla.

  Yeovil Town Ladies starting XI - Charlotte Hayes, Ellie Isaac, Corinne Yorston, Nicola Cousins, Natalie Haigh (C), Stephanie Williams, Ellie Curson, Shauna Cossens, Helen Bleazard, Annie Heatherson & Alys Hinchcliffe.
  subs - Stacey Pearson, Amy Wathan, Ebony Dover, Sarah Hill & Emily Donovan.

    To the match action and it's Oxford to get the match under way kitted out in their yellow shirts with navy band, navy shorts and socks with Yeovil kitted out in white and green stripe fronted shirts, white shorts and green and white hooped socks. Oxford get the ball straight up the other end of the pitch however trying to break into the box run the ball out of play.

   It's Yeovil who register the 1st attempt on goal with good hold up play from Annie Heatherson on the edge of the box, strong against Oxford captain Sahara Osbourne-Ricketts she turns her makes the space for a shot, blazes the ball over the crossbar.

    Few long passes tried early on from both sides resulting in a bit of head tennis as the ball is exchanged between the sides before Heatherson leaps onto a poor ball out from the back by Oxford, drives into the box, good defending from Rosie Lane at centre back to get the ball away.

   Katherine Nutman puts in a good tackle to win the ball in the middle, looks to link up with Ella Fraciture-Franklin making the run in front of her, she in turn is looking to play the pass out to the right to set Katie Stanley away, strays offside the flag is raised. Playing 3 at the back, Nicola Cousins and Ellie Issacs operating either side of captain Natalie Haigh are prepared to bring the ball out. It's Issac's who plays a great long range pass up to the strikers, Alys Hinchcliffe with the attempted flick to bring the ball down can't control gives Osbourne-Ricketts a chance to roll the ball back to Demi Lambourne in goal.

Yeovil Town Ladies Ellie Issacs

  Franklin-Fraiture is fouled by Ellie Curson in a dangerous position 25 yards out central to the goal. It's Osbourne-Ricketts over the free kick, she smashes her 1st attempt into the wall, rebounding back to her bouncing up she puts her foot through the shot, is swerving towards the top corner has Hayes in the Yeovil goal beaten, smashes against the post and cannons back out across the goal face before Yeovil clear it.

   Alys Hinchcliffe playing up top for Yeovil is working hard trying to get onto the ball and hold it up waiting for support to arrive lays it out to the left for Corinne Yorston she plays the ball back into the area looking to pick out Helen Bleazard arriving in the centre, a timely header from Oxford's Laura Nichol denies her the chance to have an attempt on goal.

  Yeovil are starting to dominate possession with Bleazard and Yorston providing the width and numbers going forwards have Oxford penned in leaving Lauren Allison more often than not up against 3 centre backs.

Yeovil captain Natalie Haigh & Oxford's Lauren Allison challenge for the ball

    Heatherson is full of energy, covering a lot of grass to hassle the Oxford defenders links up well with Yorston on the left, they win a corner. Played in with a lot of pace it flashes across goal, is met at the far post by Nicola Cousins steaming in gets her head to the ball at close range but wide of goal.

   Oxford's chances are limited win another free kick wide on the left inside Yeovil territory, it's Osbourne-Ricketts over the ball again plays it in hard and low towards the near post has Allison making the run towards it looking to get something on it divert it past Hayes, doesn't look to make any contact, tricky one for Hayes though as she goes to ground the ball bouncing in front of her reacts well to make the save.

   More good play from Oxford with Nichol on the left playing the ball inside to Nutman who spreads it out to the right into the feet of Katie Stanley, holds the ball up before laying it back to Chloe Bruce who attempts to play a high ball into the box, too close to Hayes who makes the catch. Another Oxford free kick close to the by line on the right of the Yeovil box Osbourne-Ricketts flashes the ball into Stanley 12 yards out she sends her shot wide takes a nick a corner is given.

   The corner comes in a great delivery, Kayleigh Hines is the one rising to meet it headers the ball towards goal only to find Ellie Curson has the post covered. Yeovil are not happy with some of the refereeing decisions being made. The referee does issue the 1st yellow card of the match to Osbourne-Ricketts though after she brings down Hinchcliffe just outside the box to the right of goal. Yorston plays the ball in Lambourne with good fists to punch the ball away.

                 Half-time Oxford United Women 0-0 Yeovil Town Ladies

   Interesting 1st half Yeovil have had by far more of the ball yet haven't tested Lambourne nearly as much as Oxford have tested Hayes in their goal. With another 45 minutes to come though Oxford need to get the ball into the final 3rd more can't keep giving it back to Yeovil.

Annie Heatherson with the referee having a discussion where both sides agreed to disagree

   It's the visitors to kick off the 2nd half as the floodlights take full effect, Oxford win the ball and set Stanley away on the right she links up well with Allison in the middle the return ball giving Stanley the chance to move into space before laying the ball back to Bruce who tries to play another high cross towards the far post, again gets it to close to Hayes.

   GOAL! Finally after watching 3 halves of football already today I see a goal. Yeovil take the lead, it's Curson I think who plays the forward pass into Heatherson setting her up for a run at goal. Lambourne comes racing out towards the edge of her area to try and stop her, Heatherson lobs the ball over her it bounces in front of goal and up onto the cross bar, Yeovil have players racing in and it's Yorston who sends the ball home from a yard out to open the scoring 0-1.

 

Oxford United Women's Lauren Allison.

   Oxford almost equalise with a lobbed attempt of their own moments later as the ball in put into Allison on the edge of the area, same with Lambourne, Hayes is rushing out to try and close her down goes to ground Allison gets the ball over her, this time though the ball rolls wide of goal.

    A very tight call from the linesman as Hinchcliffe is adjudged to have been offside playing off the shoulder of Osbourne-Ricketts, Heatherson looking to play her in on goal. The visitors have a corner soon after with Yorston the taker looking to place it under the bar, Lambourne does very well under challenge takes the ball even as her own player takes her out.

   The challenges are continuing to upset Yeovil, Stephanie Williams goes into the book for a foul on Franklin-Fraiture, the referee then has to have a word with Yeovil manager Jamie Sherwood. Yeovil though are on top in the match now pressing forwards with conviction.

   It's Heatherson on the rampage again on the ball down the left, coming inside bursts into the area fires a cross over looking for Hinchcliffe, over her head the ball comes through to Bleazard she looks to strike the ball flashes over the bar, must have taken a nick a corner is given.

   GOAL! Yeovil add a 2nd from the resulting corner another great ball played in towards the far post finds Nicola Cousins with a free header a bullet she sends the ball into the back of the net 0-2.

   Sloppy play from Yeovil at the back allows Oxford to steal the ball in their final 3rd, Stanley who started the move gets the ball back 25 yards out, looks to go for goal blasts her shot over the bar.

    A triple change for Oxford with 70 minutes gone it's Lindsay Pinker, Laura Low and Isi Meade to come onto the field for Franklin-Fraiture, Nichol and Holly Pickett.

   Yeovil are the ones looking the more likely to add to their goals tally as Cousins is fouled on the edge of the D a central position Bleazard goes for goal the shot narrowly over the bar.

   GOAL! Yeovil extend their lead from another set piece a corner played in from the right is headed up and on at the near post coming through to the far side of goal where Heatherson is coming in to meet the ball bundles it past Lambourne to score 0-3.

   Hinchcliffe comes off for Yeovil to be replaced by Sarah Hill up front. She is left pole axed by Osbourne-Ricketts as she slides in from behind outside the area, the referee though allows play to go on.

  Oxford's break down the right hand side of the pitch with Hines on the ball she plays the ball into the box, think it's Stanley in the box who attempts to hook the ball over her head turn it towards goal puts it over the bar. Late change for Yeovil with Amy Wathan on the pitch for Shauna Cossens.

   Late attack from Oxford with Stanley in the middle laying the ball off to Hines on her left before continuing her run, Hines attempts to play her in Hayes though is out quickly to save at her feet. The final whistle blows and Yeovil win by 3 goals to nil to claim their 1st 3 points in the league.

   A strong performance, especially in the 2nd half had a lot of width with Bleazard and Yorston. Heatherson and Hinchcliffe both working hard up top to presented the Oxford defence with challenges all game. The home side in turn will be disappointed with the performance with Yeovil's wing backs pushing their wide players back it left Lauren Allison up against 3 defenders.

    A good days football, 2 matches watched some goals to write about in the end, plenty more football to come.

  

Match Report - Milton Keynes Dons Ladies v Crystal Palace Ladies

 Trip across country to Newport Pagnell FC this Sunday afternoon to watch Milton Keynes Dons Ladies v Crystal Palace Ladies in league action in the FAWPL South East Division One.

  A clash between 2nd and 3rd in the league both with 4 games left to play in the season and both in a position to challenge leaders C&K Basildon Ladies at the top of the table. The end of season has been set up for an intriguing finish as the top 3 have to face each other more than once in the run in. I covered this in greater detail in my previous blog entry, refer to the link below

   http://supportingwomensfootball.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/the-race-to-premier-league.html

  Milton Keynes Dons Ladies started the season well and have been up in the top 2 places for much of the campaign, going top as C&K Basildon Ladies were involved in cup competitions. Have to face the leaders just 2 points ahead of them home & away in their last 4 games. 1st though a tough match against 3rd placed Crystal Palace Ladies.

   Crystal Palace Ladies are newly promoted to the division this season and hit the ground running picking up wins and have kept pace with the top 2 to lay in 3rd place 3 points behind Milton Keynes Dons Ladies and 5 points behind C&K Basildon Ladies. Outsiders for a title charge they play both in their last 4 matches.

   The 2 sides met early on in the season with Milton Keynes Dons Ladies claiming a 2-0 away victory. Crystal Palace Ladies were victorious when the 2 sides met again in the 1st Rd of the FA Women's Cup recording a 2-0 win.

   This is my 1st chance to look at both sides this season, have tried earlier but like so many fixtures over the past 3 months the weather has had a say. Is my 1st trip too to Newport Pagnell FC, where Milton Keynes Dons Ladies play their home matches. A decent non league ground with a nice clubhouse before you enter the ground which has 2 small seated stands on either side of the pitch. The pitch itself is a good size with a good covering of grass. Bright and sunny although there was a strong wind blowing across the pitch.

   Milton Keynes Dons Ladies starting XI - Emma Kirby, Louise Naylor, Kara Howes, Claire Hollingsworth, Leanna Doyle, Lauren Goodier, Charley Wright, Charley Clarke, Heather McDonnell (C), Leah Cudone & Kelly Bingham
   subs - Andie Dickens, Sophie Watson & Elena Lancaster.

   Crystal Palace Ladies starting XI - Samantha Saint, Charlotte Cavanagh, Kelsey Zalimeni, Alex Elson, Katy Morris (C), Sarah Jones, Mary Onianwai, Angela Kiobel, Nicha Dyett, Emma Whitter & Abigail Igbavboa.
   subs - Jade Davenport, Freya Holdaway, Shephanie Mann & Alma Donohoe.

  It's Crystal Palace in their away kit, yellow shirts with sky blue shorts and socks to kick off the match with Milton Keynes lied up in their all red kit. Milton Keynes are the side that start the brighter winning the ball off the visitors in the own half and playing a long ball up field into the right channel, where Lauren Goodier is making the run to get onto the end of the ball, bursting into the box she looks to put her foot through the ball send it goal wards the ball flies into the side netting.

   Milton Keynes are enjoying some possession around the Crystal Palace box early on, the visitors launch a quick counter attack as Sarah Jones wins the ball back and plays it forwards into the run of Emma Whitter, strong on the ball she pushes forwards has strike partner Nicha Dyett to her left looks to set her up, Dyett looks to hit the ball 1st time from outside the area, powers her low shot wide of goal.

   Is a good sized pitch both sides are looking to exploit the space, both defences though are flowing back and forth keeping a solid line that isn't offering much space for either sides attacking players to exploit.

   Crystal Palace win a corner on the right out of nothing, is a good delivery put into the box, Milton Keynes goalkeeper Emma Kirby jumps but fails to claim the ball, falling the loose ball drops kindly into her gloves. Getting up she sets up a break playing the ball out to stand in captain Heather McDonnell with regular captain Hannah Barratt out injured. McDonnell plays the ball out wide right with Goodier providing another great run, sprinting into the area she only has one option to shoot, looks to put the ball across Crystal Palace keeper Samantha Saint, too close though Saint drops to claim the ball at her near post.

 

   Two evenly matched sides with a similar set up, Whitter and Dyett are pushing forwards as their midfield try to thread the ball into them, the Milton Keynes defence is happy to concede territory to deny them the space to run in behind. Whitter peeling wide into the right channel sends a low cross into the box looking to pick out Dyett, it's Kirby though who comes to intercept the ball in front of her.

   Crystal Palace break down the right with Mary Onianwa on the ball, has Whitter in front of her plays the ball into her run the striker takes the ball into the box, holding it up looks to turn and play the ball to Dyett 12 yards on, Dyett's shot is blocked by the Milton Keynes defence before they clear the danger.

   Whitter on the ball again drives forwards has Milton Keynes defender Claire Hollingsworth with her shoulder to shoulder they go into the box Hollingsworth pushing Whitter wide before making the tackle conceding a corner. The ball is played in at an inviting height across the six yard line, Kirby comes through the crowd to punch the ball away.

   Milton Keynes are contesting the ball well enough are struggling though to get it into their strikers long enough for anyone from midfield to get up in support. Right back Louise Naylor plays a great long field ball up to McDonnell, holding it up she looks to pass it to Leah Cudone beside her the pass is a little too heavy allows Saint to rush out to the edge of her area and gather before Cudone can latch onto it.

Milton Keynes Dons Ladies Louise Naylor

   At the other end Crystal Palace are starting to build up some pressure around the Milton Keynes box with wide players Onianwa and Abigail Igbavboa pushing further forwards actually get the ball in behind the centre backs on a couple of occasions but left back Kara Howes is alert and round on the cover to defend.

                           Half-time Milton Keynes Dons Ladies 0-0 Crystal Palace Ladies.

   Been a keenly fought contest 1st half but chances have been few and far between neither keeper really tested, defences on top, Crystal Palace were starting to build pressure, Milton Keynes need the ball to stick up top better.

   Make a change at the break with Andie Dickens coming on for Charley Clarke, the substitution sees McDonnell drop into midfield with Dickens joining Cudone up front as the home side kick off the 2nd half.

  McDonnell immediately finds space to run into with the ball on the right fires a cross in towards the area, Crystal Palace captain Katy Morris slides in to intercept the ball before either Cudone or Dickens can get onto it.

  Cudone is putting herself about harrying the Crystal Palace defence, links up well with Goodier on the right, she bursts forwards puts in a fierce cross/shot that flies across the face of goal and out of play.

   The visitors win a free kick inside the Milton Keynes half on the left, it's Kelsey Zalimeni who plays the ball in high towards the edge of the area inside the D the ball is met by the head of Dyett, she turns the ball towards goal, but looping up is an easy catch for Kirby.

 

  From a throw on the right Crystal Palace's the ball is put in to Whitter, she headers it on towards the edge of the area where Sarah Jones comes to meet it, miscues her volley sending it wide of goal. Milton Keynes make their 2nd change with Dickens who looks to have picked up a knock coming off for Sophie Watson who joins Cudone up top.

   Good work from Sarah Jones in the middle for Crystal Palace winning the ball and pushing forwards looks to send a pass through to Onianwa making ground up to get into the box, gets to the ball has company her cross is blocked, put behind for a corner. Another good delivery the corner is met by Zalimeni, places her header from 15 yards out into the ground bouncing up the ball is blocked and kicked away.

   Cudone and Crystal Palace's right back Charlotte Cavanagh tussle for the ball, Cavanagh ending up thrown to the ground, a few players take exception a bit of pushing and shoving ensues the referee doesn't need to get involved as both captains are quick to break it up. The incident has rattled Crystal Palace though a few heavy challenges are coming in but both sides are giving as good as they get.

Crystal Palace Ladies Charlotte Cavanagh

   Change for Crystal Palace with Whitter leaving the pitch and Jade Davenport coming on going into midfield with Onianwa pushing up to support Dyett. More good link up play between Cudone and Goodier, the right sided midfielder getting the pass back from Cudone back to goal as she turns and looks to get into the box, Goodier gets her cross into Cudone, with Morris in close company she can't turn to get her shot away.

  2nd change for Crystal Palace with Jones coming off and Freya Holdaway coming onto the field. Dyett slides in to win a ball inside the Milton Keynes half manages to set up Onianwa as she sprints to gather the ball looks to square it across the six yard box, Hollingsworth slides into intercept the ball, only gets it out to sub Holdaway she pulls the trigger her shot is blocked at close range as both defences continue to stand firm.

   Both sides are trying to make something happen try and get the 1 goal that will probably win the game, the play is stretched. Watson heads the ball down into the run of midfielder Charley Wright, she looks to hit the ball on the half volley 40 yards out, bounces before it reaches Saint in the Crystal Palace goal an easy claim.

   Neither side can break the deadlock as the final whistle blows up and the match ends 0-0. Looked like a draw two sides keeping a good defensive shape cancelling each other out, neither keeper really troubled. The points shared doesn't really help either side as they look to top of the table.

   It's status quo however as leaders C&K Basildon failed to capitalise either despite going 2-0 up at home to Cambridge WFC were pegged back to 2-2 to pick up another point. In the other match in FAWPL South East Division One it was yet another draw 1-1 this time between Ipswich Town Ladies & Luton Town Ladies.

  Still all to play for at the top of the league with 3 games to go. Next up for Milton Keynes is an away trip to leaders C&K Basildon on the 19th April. Next up for Crystal Palace an away trip to Norwich City Ladies on the 26th April. My thanks to both clubs for their help with the teams today.
 

  

The Race to the Premier League

Into April and it's the business end of the season a handful of games left for the promotion chasers to win the points required to be crowned Champions. The race to the Premier League, in this case the FA Women's Premier League South and the tussle between 3 clubs in one of it's feeder leagues the FAWPL South East Division One.

   C&K Basildon Ladies, Milton Keynes Dons Ladies and Crystal Palace Ladies are the 3 clubs with their eye on claiming top spot in the league and clinching promotion to the Women's Premier League going into their final games of the season.

FAWPL South East Division One League Table
Pos	Team	Pl	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	C&K Basildon Ladies	14	11	2	1	43	15	28	35
2	Milton Keynes Dons Ladies	14	10	3	1	37	9	28	33
3	Crystal Palace Ladies	14	9	3	2	35	19	16	30
4	Enfield Town Ladies	18	7	4	7	29	30	-1	25
5	Denham United Ladies	18	6	5	7	35	24	11	23
6	Luton Town Ladies	16	7	2	7	24	29	-5	23
7	Cambridge WFC	16	5	4	7	17	26	-9	19
8	Bedford Ladies	18	5	3	10	29	38	-9	18
9	Ipswich Town Ladies	17	3	4	10	29	41	-12	13
10	Norwich City Ladies	15	1	2	12	15	62	-47	1*
	*adjustment made

   Formerly one of the old Combination Leagues (South East, South West, Midlands & Northern) the winter leagues saw some restructuring last season as what is effectively the 4th tier of the women's football pyramid being renamed the FAWPL Division One.

 

  When I'm not travelling all over the shop watching the FAWSL I watch a lot of women's football in the East of England which I help promote through my @WFEast twitter feed and write match reports for the blog. The FAWPL South East Division One is the top division in that regards, although I would love to see more teams pushing into the FAWPL itself and even the FAWSL from this region.

 

   10 teams left in the division with Chesham United Ladies relegated from the FAWPL South the season before disbanding their 1st team before the season kicked off (are still going though, through their reserves I think play in the Southern Regional League set up). The league also lost Ebbsfleet United Ladies too early into the season.

Race for Promotion

 

   That caused a few adjustments to the points tally and goal differences for the other 10 clubs who had played Ebbsfleet early on. The early pace setters were Crystal Palace Ladies and C&K Basildon Ladies. Milton Keynes Dons Ladies didn't get the early games in like the others but once they started playing they weren't long on joining the other 2 at the top of the table. All 3 clubs have had extended cup runs and been victim to the postponements that plagued most clubs in the past three months.

 

   Into April and the race for promotion is perfectly set between the 3 clubs all with 4 games left to play and they all have to face each other more than once in the run in too! So it promises to be an exciting end to the season.

 

   No doubt C&K Basildon Ladies were many peoples favourites for the title had given a good shot at promotion last season narrowly missing out to eventual winners QPR Ladies. Are always a good side to watch, like to move the ball about the pitch short passes too. Just the 1 defeat in the league so far. Had a long spell of not playing at home through weather and fixtures, had games in hand to move clear of the chasing pack 2 draws away from home though has given their rivals a glimmer of hope.

 

      C&K Basildon Ladies run in

 

           Sun 12th April - Cambridge WFC (A)

           Sun 19th April - Milton Keynes Dons Ladies (H)

           Sun 10th May - Milton Keynes Dons Ladies (A)

           Sun 17th May - Crystal Palace Ladies (H)

 

    3 of their last 4 games are against their fellow promotion chasers, in pole position though will be aiming for maximum points.

 

  Milton Keynes Dons Ladies have been up amongst the top teams in the division in recent seasons but haven't quite had enough to go on and push for the top of the table. Were in contention for a spell last season before fading away at the end. Have only registered the 1 defeat in the league so far just like C&K Basildon Ladies which finds them with a great opportunity to challenge for the top of the league.

   Milton Keynes Dons Ladies run in

         Sun 12th April - Crystal Palace Ladies (H)
         Sun 19th April - C&K Basildon Ladies (A)
         Sun 26th April - Cambridge WFC (A)
         Sun 10th May - C&K Basildon Ladies (H)

   Same as C&K Basildon Ladies 3 of their last 4 against fellow promotion chasers the end of the season has been set up perfectly and the scenario's the same aim for maximum points.

  Crystal Palace Ladies are newly promoted to the FAWPL South East Division One. They hit the new league running picking up points and I was told at the start of the season they would do well in the league. A great start then postponements didn't help their progression but coming into April with 4 games left they find themselves 3 points behind Milton Keynes Dons Ladies and 5 behind leaders C&K Basildon Ladies.

    Crystal Palace Ladies run in

         Sun 12th April - Milton Keynes Dons Ladies (A)
         Sun 26th April - Norwich City Ladies (A)
         Sun 10th May - Norwich City Ladies (H)
         Sun 17th May - C&K Basildon Ladies (A)

   The outsiders maybe as they lay in 3rd place, but they play both the teams above them and are the only team that has beaten C&K Basildon Ladies in the league this season. Win their final 4 matches and you never know.

   It's set up for a intriguing finish mostly because the 3 of them have to face each other so many times in their final 4 matches. There are too many scenario's to pan out right now so let's see how it unfolds. Don't discard Cambridge WFC or Norwich City Ladies they get to have a say too and they will want to finish their seasons on a positive note.

    Through the various postponements that have hit the last few months I haven't seen either Milton Keynes Dons Ladies or Crystal Palace Ladies yet this season so am really looking forwards to going to watch them both on Sunday at Newport Pagnell FC where Milton Keynes Dons Ladies play their home matches.

   Who will win promotion?

 

Match Report - Ipswich Town Ladies v Cambridge WFC

  Has been a long while since I've been to a match in the FAWPL South East Division One. Is my 1st of 2015 in fact. Hasn't been for want of trying have had a few matches lined up but the heavy rain that seemed to arrive more often than not on a Thursday or Friday night meant much to everyone's disappointment pitches were waterlogged come game day.

   Easter Sunday sees me making the trip down into Suffolk to watch Ipswich Town Ladies play Cambridge WFC, a contest between two sides that have had contrasting starts to the year. The reverse fixture was my last women's football match of 2014, back then Ipswich Town Ladies were leading 1-0 going into the last 5 minutes only for Cambridge WFC to 1st level then steal the 3 points with an injury time winner.

   That moved Cambridge WFC onto 18 points in the league well placed in the top half and equalled the points total from the season before. Since then though 2015 has been another story have played 5 league matches and lost all 5, which has seen the club pushed down the table into 8th place. With just 3 league fixtures left the club will be hoping to pick up some much needed points and climb back into the top half of the table.

  Ipswich Town Ladies had been the opposite to Cambridge WFC in the 1st half of the season, were struggling at the wrong end of the table, couldn't buy a win it seemed. 2015 though has seen their fortunes change have started to pick up points had a purple patch in March that has seen them climb away from the bottom of the table move onto 12 points in 9th.

   Both clubs during this period have reached the finals of their respective County Cup's both to be played later this month.

   The venue for todays match the SEH Sports Ground in Ipswich also home to Ipswich Wanderers FC. A decent non league venue that could do with a little TCL good facilities even though the bar was shut. A small seated stand, but plenty of cover for supporters to stand under should it rain. A good sized pitch that looked in pretty good condition bearing in mind how late into the season it is. Was a pleasant day bright and cool dare I say it, spring might finally be here.

   Ipswich Town Ladies starting XI - Laura Bird (GK), Coral Young, Aimee Harrison, Lindsey Smith, Lucy Du Plooy, Danielle Bitten (C), Sam Carson, Amanda Crump, Hollie Clement, Jasmine Cox & Molly Hall.
   subs - Roxanne Small, Ellie Rossiter & Chantelle Keevil.
  
   Cambridge WFC starting XI - Verity Crook (GK), Liv Abbott, Hannah Goodchild (C), Kayleigh-Anne Burt, Becca Fay, Laura Baker, Laura Bright, Emma Jenkins, Laura Mills, Nuala Wayne & Sophie Thompson.
   subs - Faith Hewitt, Becky Russell, Liz Pamplin, Gemma Clark & Hannah Bodily.

  It's Ipswich to get the match under way kitted out in blue shirts and socks with white shorts against Cambridge lined up in their all red away kit. It's notable from the start that Cambridge manager Steve Edwards has put a few players in different positions to what I'm familiar to seeing them operate in with Laura Baker playing deeper joining Laura Bright in the centre of midfield and Emma Jenkins pushed up from right back to right midfield too.

    Both teams start positively looking to get the ball travelling up the pitch as quickly as possible, with both looking to exploit the size of the pitch with Jasmine Cox (left) and Hollie Clement (right) providing passing options for Ipswich on the flanks, Jenkins and Laura Mills the width for Cambridge. It's Jenkins who puts in a diagonal ball looking to play it into the path of Nuala Wayne making a central run, Wayne's 1st touch is too heavy and Ipswich goalkeeper Laura Bird can see it out of play.

   Ipswich have a free kick half way inside the Cambridge half, it's Amanda Crump over the ball sends a low ball in towards the near post area, Cambridge goalkeeper Verity Crook drops forwards to gather the ball, but doesn't claim it, players converge on the loose ball in front of goal after a bit of pinball it's Laura Bright who kicks the ball away from the goal before it can squirm over the line.

    Playing at right back today for Cambridge, Liv Abbott makes a strong run up the pitch plays an early cross into the box, picking out Sophie Thompson in space 12 yards out, taking on the shot she sends the ball wide of goal.

Cambridge WFC's Laura Baker looking to drive forwards with the ball

   Crump is getting plenty of time on the ball for Ipswich looking to come inside and make a central run has Jasmine Cox in front of her, playing her in Cox looks to strike from outside the box, gets no power on the shot gives Crook plenty of time to get herself behind the ball.

  GOAL! Cambridge take the lead, the move starting from in their own half a long ball played out to the right channel, which Thompson chases down, has Wayne coming towards her to offer a pass, playing the ball back to her, Wayne looks to send the ball into the box, is intercepted by the Ipswich defence isn't cleared further enough with Bright the one getting hold of it and bursting into the area peeling to the right of goal head down she puts her foot through the shot sending the ball across Bird and into the back of the net 0-1.

    Ipswich's Hollie Clement is playing off the shoulder of Cambridge left back Becca Fay is prepared to chase the ball down whenever the pass is put out towards her, getting hold of it in the corner, she takes on and skips past Fay, looks to send her cross into striker Molly Hall in space inside the box, her shot is instinctive as she tries to turn the ball towards goal with her 1st touch is off target.

   Cambridge are giving away a few free kicks inside their own half giving Crump the opportunity to play the ball into their area for her team mates to attack, some nervous defending but the visitors eventually get the ball away.

  

Ipswich Town Ladies Danielle Bitten

Ipswich captain Danielle Bitten is always hard to shake off the ball, prepared to travel with it deep into Cambridge territory, she looks to have a strike on goal, the effort is blocked, the rebound comes to Crump who looks to hit it on the volley the ball loops up, dropping towards goal Crook has no one charging in on her and catches the ball. Cambridge make an early substitution with Nuala Wayne leaving the pitch and Gemma Clark coming on.

   Cambridge launch a counter attack the ball brought up the right side of the pitch by Mills she plays it into Thompson her back to goal outside the box she lays it out wide right to Jenkins who sends her shot in towards the near post, Bird has her angles covered as she throws herself forwards to make the low save.

    Bright too is prepared to bring the ball forwards with purpose from the middle is brought down inside the D. Cambridge have a free kick, it's Laura Baker to take, she looks to go for goal, rising the shot goes over the bar. On the right Mills with another driving run looks to send the ball into the box looking for Thompson, Ipswich's Lindsey Smith gets to it 1st putting it behind for a corner. Delivered with pace across the six yard line the ball manages to find it's way through to Gemma Clark on her own at the far post caught by surprise she drags her shot wide of goal.

Gemma Clark with Coral Young

  Closing moments of the half and Bitten gets the ball out to Clement on the right has time and space to put the cross in sends the ball across the area, a nervous moment for Baker as she gets to the ball slices it up into the air is spinning towards goal, however it drops safely into the arms of Crook.

                  Half-time Ipswich Town Ladies 0-1 Cambridge WFC

    A fast paced 1st half with both teams prepared to spread the play has left space to exploit but neither side has gotten anyone in on goal through the centre, crosses on the whole have rarely found there mark.

   Cambridge to kick off the 2nd half. It's the home side who start the half the brighter with Molly Hall sending a shot over the cross bar as the ball is played into her just inside the box, holds it up well, then turns making the space to shoot. Not long after Hall has another go this time the ball played into her from the right 12 yards out she puts the ball straight into Crook's mid riff in the centre of goal.

    Cambridge's Baker brings the ball out of midfield is running into traffic looking for a passing option is going no where when she is fouled 40 yards from goal, taking the free kick she has another go for goal this one just over the crossbar. Ipswich make their 1st change with Hollie Clement coming off to be replaced by Roxanne Small.

   Mills is on the sprint again chasing down another long ball down the right, does well to claim it gets her cross into the box, however it is put behind for a corner. Fired in from the right Thompson rises at the near post manages to head the ball on into the centre, it is cleared by Ipswich, comes back out to Jenkins outside the area she blasts her shot wide.

   The ball continues to be exchanged between the sides as they look to move it forwards quickly, both are lacking that final clinical pass. Cambridge keep giving fouls away to Ipswich presenting Crump with more chances to play a dangerous ball into the box, wide right she sends one in is met by Aimee Harrison up from the back she places her header wide.

   Ipswich are starting to dominate possession are keeping hold of it better are pressurising the Cambridge defence, Small is on the ball on the right in space looking to dribble is closed down and wins her team a corner.

  GOAL! Ipswich get the equalising goal, the corner played in by Crump is a good height it's Harrison up from the back again making the near post run, the ball goes past her but is met by her central defensive partner Lindsey Smith who meets it perfectly with her head to drill the ball home 1-1.

Ipswich Town Ladies Lindsey Smith

   Cambridge respond by making a double change, it's Jenkins and Clarke who are taken off with Faith Hewitt and Becky Russell coming on to take up the wide positions.

   On the attack for Ipswich, Jasmine Cox and Sam Carson link up well 20 yards from goal as good one two before laying the ball back to Bitten racing in to support, she strikes for goal pulls her shot off target.

Aimee Harrison slides in to deny Becky Russell a shot on goal

   Straight away Russell is finding space on the right hand side of the pitch to take advantage of, getting support from Abbott she plays the ball back to her, the right back fires her cross field pass into Baker arriving inside the D, the ball won't come down for a clean volley as she tries to control it does well to direct the ball towards goal but looping up into the air Bird gives a commanding shout as she sets herself to claim the ball as it drops before her.

   Ipswich are applying more pressure on Cambridge when out of nothing a counter is on, Baker getting on the ball threads the pass between the Ipswich centre backs, putting Thompson through on goal, taking the ball into the area looks to send her low shot across Bird, beats her peels away the ball cannons off the bottom of the post and Ipswich get it away.

   Ipswich make a 2nd change with Ellie Rossiter coming on up front for Jasmine Cox with 15 minutes left to play. On the attack with Crump on the ball coming inside fires it into Hall inside the box, strong holding the ball up the striker manages to turn and get a shot away, hasn't any power behind it doesn't trouble Crook.

   A Cambridge free kick on the half way line sees the visitors try  a different approach this time as Fay lays it out to Abbott on her right, she runs forwards and sends her cross invitingly into the box, players are closing her down but again Bird shouts and is 1st to the ball. Into the last 5 minutes and Ipswich put another attacker on the pitch with Chantelle Keevil coming on for Bitten as they look to find a winning goal.

    Both sides defend well in the closing minutes and as the final whistle blows the points are shared as the match ends 1-1. A fair result on the balance of play with both sides enjoying good spells on the ball. Defences were rarely cut apart today.

   Not many games left in the league now Ipswich with just the 1 final match at home to Luton Town Ladies scheduled for next Sunday 12th April 2pm KO.

   Cambridge have 2 league matches left, both good challenges against the leading teams, the 1st next Sunday 12th April away to leaders C&K Basildon Ladies, then at home on Sunday 26th April to Milton Keynes Dons Ladies both a 2pm KO.

   Thanks to both teams managers Ralph Pruden and Steve Edwards for their help with the teams today. Will be seeing both clubs again when they play in their respective County Cup Finals.