Caversham United Women 5 Carterton Town Ladies 0
Sunday 5th February 2023
Southern Region Women’s Football League Division One North

My fourth and final visit to see the Goats from Caversham United this season and I was still yet to see them win a game. Could they overcome their unlucky charm and pick up three much needed points against the basement side in the league? Only time would tell.

A bright and sunny start, albeit with a February chill in the air, and a long walk from Reading station completed I arrived at the Mapledurham playing fields about an hour before the 2pm kick off. After a walk around the pitch I settled behind the goal and found myself spending a little time being a ball boy as a little shooting practice took place in the warm up.

The game kicked off 5 minutes late and I was joined on the sidelines by Stuart from Base of the Pyramid. His website and Twitter account both focus on this league and he produces excellent coverage for all the teams in Division One North and many other games he finds himself at. He’s a great supporter of women’s football in general and if you follow one of the teams or are just interested in this league then you should definitely check out his website by clicking the link above and following him on Twitter @BasePyramid.

The game started with Caversham very much on the front foot. First, Katie Dearling found Chante Boyne-Gittens in the area but she put her effort just wide and then Anabelle Baxter hit a rasping shot which just went over the bar. On 8 minutes the Goats were ahead, Caitlin Levy hit a powerful effort from outside the box which sailed over Lynsey Burdock in the visitors goal and into the roof of the net. 1-0

Carterton were struggling to get out of their own half at this point and, in the 18th minute, Caversham doubled their lead. A cross from the left was headed into her own net by Molly Duffy under pressure from a forward. 2-0.

This gave Carterton a mountain to climb and, to their credit, they carried on and battled to try to get back into the game but without troubling Sam Thoreau in the Caversham goal. On 27 minutes an excellent run down the right by Dearling saw her pull the ball back to Beth Hope and her pinpoint cross found the unmarked Boyne-Gittens who finished well for a goal on her debut. 3-0.
H-T: Caversham United 3 Carterton 0

Carterton started the second half much better and had an early chance when a good effort from distance saw Zoe Pugh’s shot going just over the bar following some fine play by Abbie Brain. Carterton were now playing an extremely high line, pretty much holding on the half way line, and Caversham found themselves straying offside on several occasions.

Sophie Wicks had a good shot from distance for the hosts which went narrowly wide before Chelsea Jumratie broke the offside trap but was foiled by a good save from Burdock. A great run from her own half from Ashton Downey came to an abrupt halt when she was upended by Duffy on the edge of the area. The free kick beat the wall but was taken easily by Burdock.

Carterton came back again with Jeniffer Rozak finding herself one-on-one with Thoreau in the Goats goal but she snatched at it and sent the ball over the bar. At the other end Baxter beat the offside trap, ran into the area and powered a shot on target but Burdock again made a good save, diverting the ball onto the bar.

In the dying minutes Baxter again broke clear and again saw her initial shot saved by Burdock’s legs but recovered well to prod home the rebound. 4-0

In added time, the ball was won well in midfield by Jumratie and her pass found Emma Hopkins on the edge of the area and she smashed the ball over Burdock into the net to put the icing on a comprehensive victory for the Goats. 5-0
F-T: Caversham United 5 Carterton Town 0

A very good performance from Caversham with goals coming from four different scorers. Annabelle Baxter, Caitlin Levy and Chante Boyne-Gittens all stood out although this was a very good all round team performance. And finally my hoodoo is broken!

You’ve got to love Carterton. They play the game with a smile on their faces and their enthusiasm is contagious. They never gave up, stuck together and kept encouraging each other throughout the game. Molly Duffy played well and was unlucky with the own goal, Lynsey Burdock pulled off several important saves, Gemma Diamond gave everything and Zoe Pugh always looked dangerous up front. Hopefully better days are just around the corner for them.

Abbey Rangers Ladies 2 Rushmoor Community Women 1
Sunday 12th February 2023
Southern Region Women’s Football League Division One South

Well, the second half of my weekend double header was as much fun as the first. Another cracking day out, meeting and chatting to some wonderful people who live and breathe grassroots and women’s football. Fun weekends like this remind me just why I love the non-league game and why I’ve become a massive follower of women’s football. Travel went smoothly for the second time this weekend (it’ll no doubt all go pear shaped soon enough!) and I arrived at Abbey Rangers Addlestone Moor ground around 12.30pm. I’d given myself some extra time to chat to people I’d arranged to meet but also in anticipation of another chance to try one of the fantastic burgers their Dugout Cafe serves up!

On my last visit I was taken by the Dirty Burger and was looking forward to another of those, that was until I saw the Shelley Special on the menu. It certainly was special and quite a ridiculous! Two quarter pounders, two sausages, bacon slices and cheese on a toasted bun. Michelle the chef supreme, did tell me later she nearly added a fried egg to it, probably was best she didn’t as this was massive enough as it was! If you’re feeling very hungry, head to Abbey Rangers and try one!

After the burger and a couple of laps of the pitch I managed to have an interesting conversation with former Abbey Rangers Ladies manager John Grogan, someone who has been involved with the women’s football here since 1991. Fascinating to hear the history of how the team here has developed and how they’ve moved around the leagues playing teams who are now plying their trade in the Women’s Super League. John obviously has many stories and maybe I’ll make notes of a few for a future blog. One of his proudest moments was being given a Grassroots Football Award. A great person to chat to and a wealth of knowledge about the game.

The match kick-off was delayed due to the officials taking on an extra youth game on the 3G pitch at the back of the ground so we eventually kicked off at 2.20pm. The hosts started on the front foot and the pacy Jess Tripp found herself in the clear from a good ball over the top but Abbie Jean-Smith defended the situation well. Abbey continued to attack down the wings with Tripp, Lauren Timbrell and Issy Saunders all finding space early on. The chances continued, first Ella McClennan found herself free in the area but could only lift her shot over the top and, from a good corner, Bethany Anders found space in the box but headed over.

Rushmoor were struggling to get into the game and looked slightly out of sorts, maybe their fantastic cup win the previous weekend had taken a lot out of them. Rangers continued to push forward and, following some nice play out wide, Timbrell put in a good cross which found Saunders at the far post but Rushmoor keeper Emma Henshaw managed to push the ball around the post. From the resulting corner Bethany Anders connected well with a header only to see Henshaw beat the ball away. Soon after a rasping shot from Timbrell flew goalwards beating the keeper but just going narrowly wide of the post.

The pressure finally told when McClennan picked up the ball from a throw-in and chipped a lovely diagonal cross into the box where Timbrell beat the defender to the ball and finished nicely. 1-0

Rushmoor were still not at the races as the hosts went looking for more goals. The visitors were getting caught by the ball over the top time and again, McClennan again linking well with Timbrell and, not for the first time, good defending from Jean-Smith forced Timbrell to snatch at the shot and put it over. Another ball over the top was chased down by Timbrell but again Jean-Smith saved the day, blocking well. The referee brought a dominant half from Rangers to a close moments later.
H-T: Abbey Rangers 1 Rushmoor Community 0

The second half started quietly, it was more of a midfield battle and with few early chances. Rushmoor were looking to play with a lot more intent and looked a lot sharper into the tackle with Gemma Bennett and Laura Quinn-Low making some important challenges. The impressive Lauren Timbrell went on a good run from midfield and was brought down 25 yards from goal. Tripp hit the free kick into the wall and a shot from the rebound was well saved by Hemshaw.

Rushmoor started to play the ball around and direct running at pace from Becca Duncan was starting to cause the home defence a few problems. Duncan raced onto a great through ball down the left from Rozie Slack, beat the defender for pace, ran into the area and just as she was going to shoot she was taken down. The referee pointed to the spot, Mary Kinsella took the spot kick and despatched it past Natalie Jones to level the scores. 1-1.

Rushmoor started to grow in confidence and took the initiative, with Duncan’s touch and pace testing the Rangers defence. The hosts were still a threat on the break and this lead to an absolutely stunning goal. A long diagonal ball into the box from Beth Easterman was instantly controlled by Timbrell in between two defenders in the area and finished beautifully. A sublime first touch and finish. 2-1

As the day got colder Rushmoor again pushed, searching for a second equaliser but not quite able to find it.
F-T: Abbey Rangers 2 Rushmoor Community 1

Overall probably a fair result with Abbey being on top for large periods of the game. They could and probably should have scored more in the first half but the winner was well worth waiting for. Stand out players for Rangers, Lauren Timbrell, two well taken goals and always looked a danger (she would be my player of the match), elsewhere Ella McClennan had a good game creating a lot of chances especially in the first half and Issy Saunders looks a good player with a lot of pace and skill. A quick word for Georgina Wick who never stopped running and seemed to be everywhere on the pitch after she came on!

Rushmoor came to the party in the second half and could easily have left the Moor with a point but for Timbrell’s sensational finish. Abbie Jean-Smith looks a quality player, Mary Kinsella had a great game and Becca Duncan leads the line well for a young player and has a great first touch.

Another enjoyable day out. I also managed to fit in an interesting chat with Nick Riley, the Abbey Rangers Chairman, and also touched base with Craig Shields, the visitors manager and some of the Rushmoor coaching staff. Rushmoor have come a long way in a short time and have plans to push on in the future which is brilliant to hear. I’m sure both will continue to grow and it will be great to see how things develop for both sides in the future. Funnily enough, I’ll be catching up with Abbey again next weekend as they travel to face the newly crowned champions of the SRWFL Division One North for a cup game.

Both Abbey Rangers and Rushmoor Community are excellent clubs, well run with a great future and I’m looking forward to catching up with both very soon.

Woodley United Ladies 3 Abbey Rangers Ladies 0
Sunday 19th February 2023
Southern Region Women’s Football League Chairman’s Cup

On a lovely sunny early spring day (that one’s for Mark!) I once again headed to the Bulmershe Pavilion to catch up with the lovely football family that is Woodley United Ladies for the sixth time this season. With Woodley being crowned league champions the previous week, this was a chance for everybody connected with the club to have a little celebration and see their team presented with the league trophy.

The visitors arrived hoping to be party poopers but their task had been made more difficult with to absences key players, including Ella McClennan, who impressed the previous week, due to work commitments. They were only able to field eleven players and with no substitutes available on the bench, it was going to be a long afternoon especially against one of the SRWFL’s form teams. Woodley had no such problems and picked a strong side with a full bench.

The game started with Woodley on the front foot, good work down the left by Mollie Haines found Sarah Lawrence in space on the edge of the area and she tried to curl a shot into the top right corner but it was just too high. Next May Hamblin raced onto a long ball before playing the ball to Lawrence who’s shot went narrowly wide.

A beautiful defence splitting ball by Bonnie Messitt released Hamblin down the left but she saw her attempted lob just go over the crossbar. Woodley were well on top at this stage but Rangers were defending resolutely. May Hamblin’s perfectly directed inswinging corners were causing confusion in the Abbey defence but they managed to survive with Mel Anders defending well and Natalie Jones in goal showing good handling skills.

Abbey had their first real attack of note on 20 minutes when a lovely long diagonal ball from Issy Saunders was picked up by Rebecca Burtenshaw who outpaced Holly Wilkins down the right but was thwarted by a fantastic recovery sliding block by Wilkins on the byline before she could get a cross into the centre. Saunders repeated the pass moments later, again picked up by the pacy Burtenshaw who managed to get a cross in this time but it went straight into the safe hands of Sophie Cheadle in the Woodley goal.

From another great delivery from Hamblin, Woodley took the lead. Her inswinging cross went into the six yard box, Anders tried to clear but her attempt was blocked by Sarah Lawrence and the ball rebounded into the visitors net. 1-0

Woodley, as they have for most of the season, went hunting for more goals. Another lifted ball over the top found again found Hamblin racing clear of the Abbey defence but her shot was blocked on the line. Abbey forced a corner of their own as they looked for a leveller, a decent cross was met by Bethany Easterman but her header went straight into Cheadle’s arms.

Next, some lovely interplay down the left involving Holly Wilkins and Mollie Haines carved open space for Wilkins to slide a wonderful ball across the six yard box where Hamblin was agonisingly inches away from being able to double their lead. The second did come approaching half time. Another beauty of an inswinging corner caused pandemonium in the six yard box and the ball fell to Gemma Sims who deftly lifted the ball over the keeper and into the net. 2-0
H-T: Woodley United 2 Abbey Rangers 0.

A good half with a fascinating battle going between two quality players in Charley Evans and Issy Saunders down the Woodley right.

The second half started much the same with Woodley looking to kill the game off and Abbey defending resolutely. Another great set piece from Hamblin led to a bit of head tennis as Rangers tried to clear but the ball just kept coming back, eventually falling to Gemma Sims who, with back to goal, managed to hook it over Jones and into the roof of the net from around the penalty spot. 3-0

The game seemingly won, Woodley now were able to play some of the flowing football seen so many times this season. A ball in from the right was fumbled by Jones and played over to the far post where Lawrence just failed to get a clean strike on the ball. Rangers won a couple of free kicks just inside the Woodley half but both sailed harmlessly into the arms of Sophie Cheadle. The one half chance they did make came from nice play down the right by Saunders and Lauren Timbrell gave the latter a chance for a shot which she placed across Cheadle but wide of the far post.

Woodley continued to dominate the half and almost put the icing on the cake when Charley Evans picked up the ball just inside the Abbey half and went on a mazy run, drifting past three defenders, before unleashing a fantastic shot which cannoned back off the crossbar. If anyone deserved a goal today it was Charley Evans who put in an absolutely superb performance over the 90 minutes.
F-T: Woodley United 3 Abbey Rangers 0

A comfortable win for Woodley and, with passage into the quarter finals confirmed, the title celebrations could begin. Good performances all over the pitch from Woodley, great defensively, two more goals for the free scoring Gemma Sims and I lost count of how many headers Michelle Quinn won in midfield! Stand out player has to be Charley Evans though. She has been consistently superb all season but I think this is the best I’ve seen her play. Cracking performance.

Abbey battled hard but this was always going to be difficult for them facing probably one of the two most in-form teams in the SRWFL and being shorthanded. Looking forward to seeing more from them next season.

Over 100 spectators at the Pavilion today, many from all parts of the club, men’s, youth’s and girls teams, all here to celebrate the team’s achievements this season. Here are a few pics from the post match celebrations…

Wycombe Wanderers Women 3 Winchester City Flyers 0
Sunday 26th February 2023
Southern Region Women’s Football League Premier

Another lovely sunny morning albeit still with the late winter, early spring nip in the air and I had another trip in store, a third return to the 1878 Stadium in Burnham but this time to take in the Wycombe Wanderers Womens first team. I’d previously seen their reserves in a TVCWFL game at S4K in Bracknell but this would be my first chance to catch the first team in action. The walk from the station was very pleasant in the mid morning sunshine, a slow stroll through the village centre on the way to the ground was a nice relaxing start to the day.

At the ground I had the usual warm welcome from the legend that is Paul Butler and was introduced to Craig (social media guru), Jacqui who would later be on the gate and Toby, whose daughter is one of the Wycombe players. Large hot dog and a couple of teas later and it was game time.

The teams came out and lined up for the now traditional handshake before both teams got together for a photo, Wycombe dedicating this game to raise awareness for the Football vs Homophobia campaign. It was nice to see both teams come together for the photo below.

The game kicked off and early on Wycombe were very much on top. It was a sign of things to come when Kine Andersen played an intelligent ball through for the pacy Freya Harris to run on to. She managed to flick it around Emily Paines in the visitors goal but couldn’t get enough on the shot which allowed Paines to recover. Moments later Harris again found herself one on one with Paines and this time finished well to give Wanderers an early lead (that goal was a milestone for me, the 200th I’ve seen this season). 1-0

Wycombe continued to pour forward and made two further chances, first Sophie Attfield was fouled on the edge of the box but the set piece was hit straight to Paines and, soon after, a lovely floated corner to the far post was headed just over. Winchester started to get a grip following the hosts fast start and a great run from Shayne Prasad, drifting past a couple of defenders, before playing a dangerous ball into Claudia Weston only for Kara Howes to take the ball away, covering well from left back.

A burst of pace from Katie Riddington down the left made space for Harris to play in Attfield who shifted the ball nicely to give herself room to shoot but Paines was equal to it with a good save. The final action of the half saw a great run again from Harris following a throw and her shot was beaten away for a corner by the busy Paines. The resulting set piece was floated in to the six yard box where Attfield met it but her header just went over the bar.
H-T: Wycombe Wanderers 1 Winchester City Flyers 0.

The second half started much as the first finished, with the Chairgirls on the attack. Freya Harris again beat the offside trap early and take the ball into the area where she went down but the referee waved the penalty claims away. Another long ball down the middle nearly undid the Flyers defence, Paines came outside the box, her clearance was blocked and Noella Rodricks reacted quickest to the loose ball and cleared.

Harris once more broke through the Flyers offside trap but she hurried the shot under pressure and Paines gathered well. Winchester tried to respond and won a free kick 30 yards out where Lia Francis tried her luck from distance calling Emily Strange in the hosts goal into action. Some nice play down the left found Prasad in space but she could only find the side netting.

Wycombe again looked the more dangerous and Bobby Lynch tried a shot from distance from a free kick which Paines could only parry away. The hosts were now well on top, forcing a succession of corners. Winchester found themselves pinned in their own half with the pace and pressing from Charlie Potter and Freya Harris causing them problems as they tried to play the ball out from the back. They won the ball back just outside the box where Attfield was played in and she stroked the ball past the advancing Paines to double the Chairgirls lead. 2-0.

A third quickly followed from another set piece, this time Esmee Sword with an excellent volley from Kine Andersen’s corner kick. 3-0

Winchester battled on gamely and had some lovely one touch passing moves but the only thing lacking was a finish. Wycombe, with the pace of Harris, Potter and Riddington, always looked likely to add to their score as they beat the offside trap on several occasions but failed to add to the scoresheet. Winchester had the last couple of chances of note, first Prasad was put through but took one touch too many and skewed her shot wide and Lia Francis saw a decent effort rebound off the post and away to safety.
F-T: Wycombe Wanderers 3 Winchester City Flyers 0.

A decent game in which Wycombe deservedly took the points and they’ll no doubt be happy to have kept a clean sheet too in a good defensive performance. Winchester didn’t look like a team bottom of the table and played some nice football at times but couldn’t find a way to put the Wycombe keeper and defence under more pressure. I’ll be catching up with them at Ascot next month.

All in all, a great day out again. A decent game and a wonderful time chatting women’s football with some great people. I’ll definitely be back next season!