Windsor & Eton Women v Taplow United Ladies
TVCWFL Division Three South
After train line closure and a rail replacement nightmare stopped me heading to my planned game this weekend, I instead chose to take the bus over to Stag Meadow for what looked on paper to be a fascinating double header (my second this year).
With the TVCWFL still in catch up mode after a raft of postponements earlier in the year, this would be the already crowned champions of the league against one of their closest rivals and early pace setters Taplow United. The visitors sitting third in the table just four points behind AFC Reading in second and still in with a chance of finishing runners-up.
As usual I arrived early and went for a quick wander around the Crown estate land adjacent to the ground. Before heading back inside to source the team sheets for two games, 30 minutes each way, one kicking off at 2pm and the second at 3.30pm (which turned out to be later than scheduled). The game was to be followed by the trophy lift and medal ceremony for the champions, Windsor & Eton, a new team and in their first season in the Thames Valley League this season.
GAME ONE:
The home side were going into this double header without usual goalkeeper Tabitha Gafencu meaning they had to play outfield players in goal, and were also without the influential Holly Gilder, both due to injury.
The match itself started at a furious pace, the hosts had an early chance when Laura McGregor won a tussle with Jenna Hammond and managed to get a strike at goal which just went wide. At the other end a nice through ball inside the full back from Gabi Dyer released Jena Thethi down the right flank. Her pace took her clear and she pulled the ball back into the area from the byline where it was met by Sophy Barnett but she could only slide the ball wide of the goal.
The home side were again caught out by the pace of Thethi when a lovely diagonal pass from Dani Busby picked out her run. This time she ran into the box before firing a shot across stand-in goalkeeper Emma Hester and into the far corner to give Taplow a very early lead. 0-1
Windsor reacted well and nearly hit an instant response. Emma Donovan picking up the ball on the edge of the area only to be thwarted by a superb diving save from Taplow keeper Catherine Mitchell-Bunby.
The hosts did level soon after. A nice passing move between Donovan and Stevie Romney on the right ended with a smart pass inside from the latter to McGregor and she finished well, steering the ball into the corner off the inside of the post. 1-1
Set piece expert Rachel Wallace came close soon after, hitting a free kick from fully 40 yards out which looked to be travelling into the top corner only for Mitchell-Bunby to get her fingertips to the ball at the last minute and deflect it wide of the post. Another stunning save from the Taplow keeper.
With half time approaching Mitchell-Bunby was again called into action. A Georgie Hill pass picked out Donovan who played a nice one-two with McGregor, taking her inside the box. She fired a shot across the goal but again the Taplow keeper kept it out, managing to stretch out a leg and get a toe on it to take it wide of the goal.
H-T: Windsor & Eton 1 Taplow United 1
The second half was a quieter affair with both sides cancelling each other out for a lot of the half. There were some chances though, a Hill snapshot from the edge of the area bounced just in front of Mitchell-Bunby who initially fumbled but recovered quickly to punch the ball away with Donovan closing in.
Back came the visitors and a Mollie Jardella corner was headed on at the back post but the ball drifted just wide of the upright. A misplaced Taplow pass allowed Michelle Anderson to pick up the ball in her own half and drive towards the box before playing the ball out to Wallace on the right. She swung a first time cross into the 6 yard box which Mitchell-Bunby claimed well.
Just as we thought the first match was going to end all level there was a sting in the tail. Windsor thought they’d cleared after another good run down the right by Thethi, only for Gabi Dyer to pick up the loose ball, look up and spot Hester off her line before lifting a superb shot over the keeper from 35 yards out. 1-2
F-T: Windsor & Eton 1 Taplow United 2
An entertaining game with plenty of chances and some wonderful goalkeeping from Mitchell-Bunby. Windsor could easily have been two or three ahead without the efforts of the Taplow keeper.
So, after a short break it was time for game two…
GAME TWO:
For the second match, Emma Hester, who had been in goal for the home side, moved back into her more customary midfield position with first game goalscorer Laura McGregor taking over between the sticks.
The visitors started brightly, Dyer picking the pass through the Windsor defence for Thethi to run onto again but McGregor was out quickly and narrowed the angle well forcing the Thethi to shoot wide of the target.
Windsor then started to push the Taplow defence back and won a couple of corners in quick succession. Wallace firing the second into the six yard box which wasn’t cleared and Donovan got the last touch to take it into the net at the far post. 1-0
A lovely ball over the top from Wallace picked out the run of Donovan but Jenna Hammond had anticipated and covered superbly. Another corner for the home side was crossed into the box and cleared but only to Nicola Harding on the edge of the area. Her first time effort going just wide.
The waves of attacks from Windsor kept coming and a slide rule Hester pass through the Taplow defensive line picked out Donovan in space but she too fired wide of the upright.
Next, a ball over the top led to a foot race between Dyer and McGregor. With the keeper outside of the area she blocked the ball with her hand for which she received a yellow card. The free kick was right on the left corner of the box with Dyer standing over it. On the referees whistle she curled another beauty over McGregor and into the top corner to level for the visitors. 1-1
Georgie Hill had a chance to quickly regain the lead for Windsor after a through ball from the impressive Romney. She hit the shot well but once again Mitchell-Bunby was equal to it, this time diving to her left and tipping the ball around the post.
Rosie Robinson won the ball well in midfield and played it on to Romney running forward. She knocked it past a sliding challenge before steading herself on the corner of the area and firing a stunning curling shot right into the top corner not giving Mitchell-Bunby a chance. A superb effort to give the hosts the lead again in an all-action half. 2-1
Taplow still had time to come close to levelling again. A great run from Emma Napier down the left flank took her to the edge of the box but again McGregor had got her angles right and blocked the ball away to safety.
H-T: Windsor & Eton 2 Taplow United 1
As both sides searched for an early goal, Donovan again broke free down the right for Windsor and cut inside before sending another shot goalwards with Mitchell-Bunby producing another diving save to parry away.
A defensive error set Napier free for the visitors, she ran into the box with McGregor out quickly and diving at her feet. Napier just got enough of a touch to take it away from the keeper and she stroked the ball into the empty net. 2-2
Stevie Romney made a strong run forward, taking her past three challenges before hitting another shot on target with Mitchell-Bunby diving to her left to parry away from danger.
In the last five minutes it was Taplow who finished the stronger as the teams tired on a hot afternoon. They were getting behind the home defence again and again, first Jaqueline Hanson ran clear and hit a shot that had McGregor beaten only to see it cannon off the post. Hanson again beat the high line of the home side but this time delayed her shot which drifted just wide.
Napier ran clear down the left moments later and played a ball into the box which beat everyone but again slid past the post.
F-T: Windsor & Eton 2 Taplow United 2
A fascinating tussle between two good sides on a warm afternoon with the visitors just edging it. Stevie Romney the pick of the Windsor side for me today, she was the driving force from midfield, winning many challenges and making so many intelligent runs. Her superb strike capping a great display from her today.
For the visitors, Gabi Dyer was a constant thorn in the side of the home side, playing well with her back to goal, playing many lovely passes to turn the home defence around and scoring two stunning goals. The pace of Thethi and Napier bothered the home side all game but Catherine Mitchell-Bunby would have to be my player of the match for a string of wonderful saves to keep the league’s top scorers at bay.
Windsor then took the applause of the crowd as they collected their league champions medals and it was lovely to see the away team stand and applaud each and every one of the Windsor players as they received their medals. The Windsor team then enjoyed celebrating in style with their fans after a fantastic first league season for them, celebrations I’m sure that went on until late in the evening!
As I mentioned on Twitter last night, I think it’s also important to give a shout-out to the coaching team of Cathy Corr, Adam Romney and Lyndsey Tomlinson for their efforts over the season. A top effort from everyone involved in this magnificent season for Windsor.
Congratulations again to Windsor and I’m sure Taplow will be a strong side again next season and maybe it’ll be their turn to celebrate with silverware next year. Best of luck to both sides and one thing is for sure, you’ll both be seeing me around the grounds covering your games in 25/26!