There was only one place to be this Sunday afternoon, Bulmershe Pavilion, where Bournemouth Sports needed to avoid defeat to Woodley United, by a twelve goal margin, to win the Southern Region Premier League title. So, after a flying visit to the Midlands in the morning, it was back onto the M40 for the 2-hour dash down to Berkshire in time for kick-off.
Despite the fact that Bournemouth were 99.99% certain of winning the league, I had understated the game a little in the weekly blog, because it was not yet mathematically certain. Upon arriving at the ground, it appeared that I was right to do so. When offered a guard of honour onto the pitch, Bournemouth politely turned it down because their coaching staff didn't feel it was appropriate until they were confirmed as champions. A very respectful decision in my opinion.
The previous league meeting between the sides, in the early weeks of the season, ended in a 1-1 draw with Rosie Eden giving Sports the lead halfway through the first half and May Hamblin equalising early in the second half.
There was a decent attendance beginning to build even when I arrived, 30 minutes before kick-off, including a fair few who had made the trip up from the South coast.
Many thanks to referee Ben Atherton for sharing the team sheets before the game.
Despite the fact that Bournemouth were 99.99% certain of winning the league, I had understated the game a little in the weekly blog, because it was not yet mathematically certain. Upon arriving at the ground, it appeared that I was right to do so. When offered a guard of honour onto the pitch, Bournemouth politely turned it down because their coaching staff didn't feel it was appropriate until they were confirmed as champions. A very respectful decision in my opinion.
The previous league meeting between the sides, in the early weeks of the season, ended in a 1-1 draw with Rosie Eden giving Sports the lead halfway through the first half and May Hamblin equalising early in the second half.
There was a decent attendance beginning to build even when I arrived, 30 minutes before kick-off, including a fair few who had made the trip up from the South coast.
Many thanks to referee Ben Atherton for sharing the team sheets before the game.
Woodley attacking from a corner It was difficult to predict what sort of game we would get before kick-off. Sports didn't need to do anything apart from keep the score down below double-figures. Woodley, already guaranteed at least fourth spot, had the incentive of finishing third if they bettered Oxford City's result. However, having already had a very good first season back in the Premier League, they too could have been forgiven for not going full throttle at this one.
The good news for all gathered to witness the game was that neither of these teams is capable of taking it easy. That was clear from the opening minutes of the game. Within two minutes Rosie Eden signalled that Mollie Haines certainly wasn't going to have a quiet day. The Sports winger burst down the left, drove to the by-line and cut back for Liane Folkenstern, who couldn't quite get enough on the shot allowing Sophie Cheadle to gather. Two minutes later Woodley were on the attack, forcing a corner on the right that was delivered towards the back post where Sarah Lawrence rose highest, but her header didn't trouble Sam Chrippes. It was end to end stuff with both sides having further corners within the opening seven minutes.
Eight minutes in, Bournemouth's goalkeeper Sam Chrippes had a heart in mouth moment as she mis-kicked a back pass, almost presenting the ball to the feet of Sajunae Turner before managing to recover quick enough to scramble the ball clear. A minute later, Pippa Humphrey timed a run to perfection, latching onto Lawrence's flicked header before screwing her shot wide of the mark. Ten minutes in and we had had shots on target at both ends and corners at both ends. There was definitely no chance that these two were taking it easy.
The attacking intent from both sides did not let up. Another Woodley corner after 15 minutes saw Alex Ayckbourne's in swinging delivery gathered on the line by Sam Chrippes before Sports launched another raid themselves with Eden and Folkenstern linking well.
Just after the halfway stage Sarah Lawrence fired a warning shot over the bar from the left-hand corner of the box before, at the other end, Kate Hudson's sliced clearance fell invitingly for Hollie Shaw on the edge of the box only for the striker to lift her attempt over Cheadle's bar.
Woodley came very close to opening the scoring after 32 minutes when Bournemouth gave the ball away deep inside their own half. Sarah Lawrence was onto it in a flash only to see her dipping drive fly inches over the bar.
A few minutes later Sophie Cheadle was called into action again, this time bravely dropping on the ball in a crowded penalty area as Liane Folkenstern closed in. Shortly after that Eden delivered a delightful ball across the 6-yard box only to find no fellow strikers far enough forward to get a telling touch. Woodley immediately attacked at the other end with Mollie Haines, temporarily relived of defensive duties, finding some space on the right. She cut back inside before delivering to the far post where Sports managed to smuggle the ball out for another corner. A few minutes after this, following another corner, an accidental collision between Haines and Eden saw the Bournemouth left in a heap. Thankfully, after a little treatment, she was able to continue.
There was still time for both sides to manufacture another attempt each. First of all Sports came close when they managed to squirm out of a tight situation on the right by-line before delivering a ball across the box. However, the cross was just a little behind Abi Lander who, stretching backwards, lifted her shot over the bar. Then, just before the half-time whistle, Sarah Lawrence tested Chrippes once again after breaking free down the left, only to see her cross-shot was well held by the Sports stopper.
HT Woodley United 0 Bournemouth Sports 0. A really competitive half that started at some pace and, although it slowed a little, remained pretty much end to end. Two very well matched sides playing some excellent football so far.
The good news for all gathered to witness the game was that neither of these teams is capable of taking it easy. That was clear from the opening minutes of the game. Within two minutes Rosie Eden signalled that Mollie Haines certainly wasn't going to have a quiet day. The Sports winger burst down the left, drove to the by-line and cut back for Liane Folkenstern, who couldn't quite get enough on the shot allowing Sophie Cheadle to gather. Two minutes later Woodley were on the attack, forcing a corner on the right that was delivered towards the back post where Sarah Lawrence rose highest, but her header didn't trouble Sam Chrippes. It was end to end stuff with both sides having further corners within the opening seven minutes.
Eight minutes in, Bournemouth's goalkeeper Sam Chrippes had a heart in mouth moment as she mis-kicked a back pass, almost presenting the ball to the feet of Sajunae Turner before managing to recover quick enough to scramble the ball clear. A minute later, Pippa Humphrey timed a run to perfection, latching onto Lawrence's flicked header before screwing her shot wide of the mark. Ten minutes in and we had had shots on target at both ends and corners at both ends. There was definitely no chance that these two were taking it easy.
The attacking intent from both sides did not let up. Another Woodley corner after 15 minutes saw Alex Ayckbourne's in swinging delivery gathered on the line by Sam Chrippes before Sports launched another raid themselves with Eden and Folkenstern linking well.
Just after the halfway stage Sarah Lawrence fired a warning shot over the bar from the left-hand corner of the box before, at the other end, Kate Hudson's sliced clearance fell invitingly for Hollie Shaw on the edge of the box only for the striker to lift her attempt over Cheadle's bar.
Woodley came very close to opening the scoring after 32 minutes when Bournemouth gave the ball away deep inside their own half. Sarah Lawrence was onto it in a flash only to see her dipping drive fly inches over the bar.
A few minutes later Sophie Cheadle was called into action again, this time bravely dropping on the ball in a crowded penalty area as Liane Folkenstern closed in. Shortly after that Eden delivered a delightful ball across the 6-yard box only to find no fellow strikers far enough forward to get a telling touch. Woodley immediately attacked at the other end with Mollie Haines, temporarily relived of defensive duties, finding some space on the right. She cut back inside before delivering to the far post where Sports managed to smuggle the ball out for another corner. A few minutes after this, following another corner, an accidental collision between Haines and Eden saw the Bournemouth left in a heap. Thankfully, after a little treatment, she was able to continue.
There was still time for both sides to manufacture another attempt each. First of all Sports came close when they managed to squirm out of a tight situation on the right by-line before delivering a ball across the box. However, the cross was just a little behind Abi Lander who, stretching backwards, lifted her shot over the bar. Then, just before the half-time whistle, Sarah Lawrence tested Chrippes once again after breaking free down the left, only to see her cross-shot was well held by the Sports stopper.
HT Woodley United 0 Bournemouth Sports 0. A really competitive half that started at some pace and, although it slowed a little, remained pretty much end to end. Two very well matched sides playing some excellent football so far.
Sports defending en masse There was a slightly more sedate feel to the start of the second half. The first attempt of any note came when Hannah Bennett tried her luck from all of 40 yards out. The strike was on target but comfortably gathered by Cheadle. Then, 10 minutes into the second period, Kate Hudson's free-kick from 25 yards looked destined for the top corner until Sam Chrippes acrobatically tipped it against the underside of the bar, seeing it bounce down on the line before being hacked clear by the defence. A great strike matched by a top quality save.
That close call served to galvanise the visitors and, on the stroke of the hour they got their noses in front. It was a coaches dream as two half-time substitutes combined. Chloe Ashton stabbed a delightful ball through the defence, perfectly in to the path of Emma Acott who beat Cheadle to the ball, stroking it past the keeper into the net. 0-1
Woodley's response to going behind was to immediately up the pace. Almost straight from the restart Lauren Devlin exchanged a quick one-two before getting a strike on target. Then, following a piece of sustained pressure, Pippa Humphrey laid the ball back into the path of Devlin again, only for the midfielder to see her strike sail just over.
On 72 minutes Kate Hudson's lofted free-kick into the heart of the box caused problems for the visitors defence before finally being hacked away for a corner, as the home side continued to push Bournemouth backwards.
However, the visitors were not spent as an attacking force. Emma Acott issued a 74th minute warning when she got a shot on targe, fielded comfortably by Cheadle. Straight back up the other end Humphrey burst through on the right before hitting a shot across the face of the goal and narrowly wide. Sarah Lawrence then had a 79th minute effort deflected for a corner which Kate Hudson went over to take from the left. The ball was played into a perfect area between penalty spot and 6-yard line, ideal for Charley Evans, who rose to plant a powerful header past Chrippes. 1-1 and a well-deserved equaliser for United.
Unsurprisingly, that was the end of the scoring. Another Bournemouth substitute, Holly Weaver-Coles, did put a shot into the side-netting in added time but, by then, both sides were happy with a point.
FT Woodley United 1 Bournemouth Sports 1. An excellent advert for women's football. Both sides, especially Bournemouth, could have been forgiven for taking it easy. After all, Sports only had to avoid a twelve goal defeat to take the title. However, that was not the case from either team. It was a full-blooded, well-contested match with both teams clearly looking to win the game. Massive congratulations to Bournemouth Sports and best wishes in the National League next season. As for Woodley, what a class act they are. At the final whistle, with the Bournemouth players congregating in the centre ready to accept the winners shield, a couple of Woodley players dipped into the kit bag and produced bottles of fizz to hand to the Bournemouth team. What a lovely gesture. After the way they have performed in their first season back in the top flight, who would bet against them being in Bournemouth's position next season?
Bournemouth still have the League Cup Final to come. They will take on Havant & Waterlooville on the 28th April at Reading City's Rivermoor Stadium ground (coincidentally, also the home ground of Woodley United's men's team).
Woodley United: 1.Cheadle, 2.Evans, 7.Lawrence, 8.Surtees(c), 10.Devlin, 11.Haines, 14.Hobson, 15.Humphrey, 16.Ayckbourne, 17.Turner, 5.Hudson. Subs: 4.Griffiths, 19.Brett
Bournemouth Sports: 1.Chrippes, 4.Fowell, 42.Norman, 25.Eden, 39.Hnatiw, 11.Hawkins, 17.Bennett, 23.Shaw(c), 26.Lander, 21.Folkenstern, 56.Phillips. Subs: 22.Charlton, 53.Ashton, 55.Acot, 47.Weaver-Coles, 13.Asira
That close call served to galvanise the visitors and, on the stroke of the hour they got their noses in front. It was a coaches dream as two half-time substitutes combined. Chloe Ashton stabbed a delightful ball through the defence, perfectly in to the path of Emma Acott who beat Cheadle to the ball, stroking it past the keeper into the net. 0-1
Woodley's response to going behind was to immediately up the pace. Almost straight from the restart Lauren Devlin exchanged a quick one-two before getting a strike on target. Then, following a piece of sustained pressure, Pippa Humphrey laid the ball back into the path of Devlin again, only for the midfielder to see her strike sail just over.
On 72 minutes Kate Hudson's lofted free-kick into the heart of the box caused problems for the visitors defence before finally being hacked away for a corner, as the home side continued to push Bournemouth backwards.
However, the visitors were not spent as an attacking force. Emma Acott issued a 74th minute warning when she got a shot on targe, fielded comfortably by Cheadle. Straight back up the other end Humphrey burst through on the right before hitting a shot across the face of the goal and narrowly wide. Sarah Lawrence then had a 79th minute effort deflected for a corner which Kate Hudson went over to take from the left. The ball was played into a perfect area between penalty spot and 6-yard line, ideal for Charley Evans, who rose to plant a powerful header past Chrippes. 1-1 and a well-deserved equaliser for United.
Unsurprisingly, that was the end of the scoring. Another Bournemouth substitute, Holly Weaver-Coles, did put a shot into the side-netting in added time but, by then, both sides were happy with a point.
FT Woodley United 1 Bournemouth Sports 1. An excellent advert for women's football. Both sides, especially Bournemouth, could have been forgiven for taking it easy. After all, Sports only had to avoid a twelve goal defeat to take the title. However, that was not the case from either team. It was a full-blooded, well-contested match with both teams clearly looking to win the game. Massive congratulations to Bournemouth Sports and best wishes in the National League next season. As for Woodley, what a class act they are. At the final whistle, with the Bournemouth players congregating in the centre ready to accept the winners shield, a couple of Woodley players dipped into the kit bag and produced bottles of fizz to hand to the Bournemouth team. What a lovely gesture. After the way they have performed in their first season back in the top flight, who would bet against them being in Bournemouth's position next season?
Bournemouth still have the League Cup Final to come. They will take on Havant & Waterlooville on the 28th April at Reading City's Rivermoor Stadium ground (coincidentally, also the home ground of Woodley United's men's team).
Woodley United: 1.Cheadle, 2.Evans, 7.Lawrence, 8.Surtees(c), 10.Devlin, 11.Haines, 14.Hobson, 15.Humphrey, 16.Ayckbourne, 17.Turner, 5.Hudson. Subs: 4.Griffiths, 19.Brett
Bournemouth Sports: 1.Chrippes, 4.Fowell, 42.Norman, 25.Eden, 39.Hnatiw, 11.Hawkins, 17.Bennett, 23.Shaw(c), 26.Lander, 21.Folkenstern, 56.Phillips. Subs: 22.Charlton, 53.Ashton, 55.Acot, 47.Weaver-Coles, 13.Asira
Woodley defend a corner
The Programme
As always, Woodley had a matchday programme available, created by photographer Andy Wicks (who was also at the game to capture the action). This edition was packed full of colour photos from two key games. The reverse fixture from September and Woodley's ast game, th 1-0 defeat of Ascot United that opened the door for Bournemouth's title win. Add to that squad lists for both teams, a piece about the visitors and a Q&A with 'hardcore supporter' Mark Hamblin. All this for the price of a donation.
Ground Number: Re-Visit
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: Donation
As always, Woodley had a matchday programme available, created by photographer Andy Wicks (who was also at the game to capture the action). This edition was packed full of colour photos from two key games. The reverse fixture from September and Woodley's ast game, th 1-0 defeat of Ascot United that opened the door for Bournemouth's title win. Add to that squad lists for both teams, a piece about the visitors and a Q&A with 'hardcore supporter' Mark Hamblin. All this for the price of a donation.
Ground Number: Re-Visit
Att:
Entrance: N/A
Programme: Donation
The Champions
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