It was a difficult weekend for the D1N teams involved in County Cup action. All were up against teams from higher divisions and all of them, sadly, came unstuck to varying degrees. However, I am sure a lot of lessons were learned and progress would have been made. You don't improve unless you test yourself out against bigger, better and stronger teams. It's part of growing as a team.
A round-up of last week's games starts this edition with a preview of this weekend's FA Cup and League action below.
League Games
Carterton 1-3 Long Crendon
Goals from Samantha Bignall, Megan Baillet and Nicole Jacobs made it three without defeat in all competitions for Long Crendon and sent them up to third in the table. Carterton suffered their fourth league defeat of the season and are anchored to the foot of the table still searching for their first point despite Zoe Pugh's goal.
Kidlington 2-7 Milton United
Milton issued a statement to everyone in the league by not just inflicting Kidlington's first league defeat but doing so in such an emphatic manner. Sarah Saunders bagged a hat-trick with Charlotte Comley, Millie Dyer, Natalie Evans and Jessica Simons netting one each. Abigail Haynes and Katie Thorp were amongst the goals for the Greens but it was not enough as the visitors ran out big winners.
County Cup
Caversham United 1-6 Abingdon United
A blistering first half performance saw Abingdon lead the Goats by five goals at the break. Caversham showed their spirit in the second half, getting a goal back and only conceding one more themselves. However, the damage was done. Ashton Downey became the first Goat apart from Sumayah Zayadi to get a goal this season. Beth Hawtin hit a hat-trick for the Yellows ably assisted by Molly Lygo-Jackson, Jessica Austin and Lindsay Pinker
Eversley & California 1-3 Portsmouth Dev
Three second half goals from Macey-Nikiah Walters, Maisie Aldridge and Nancy Sanderson were enough for Portsmouth to put an end to the Boars Cup hopes. Francesca Boekbinder notched for Eversley who can hold their heads up high for putting up a brave fight against a higher ranked team.
MK Dons SET 17-0 Penn & Tylers Green
There's not much to be said about this score line. MK Dons not only contained Penn's potent strike force but also put them to the sword at the other end. MK's scorers were Laura Mitchell(3), Nicole Pepper(4), Lucy Wood(2), Angelina Nixon(2), Gemma Biggadike(2), Tricia Gould, Nicola Piddick, Kerry Newman, Mollie Coupar.
For those who who wants to see the goals, Harry Mears (@HarryMears23) captured them all in their glory.
Woodley United 0-7 Maidenhead United
Maidenhead showed their higher league class by putting seven past Woodley. Hat-tricks for Simone O'Brien and Megan Halfacree with Anja Harper also getting in on the act. However, by all accounts, Woodley acquitted themseleves well, battles hard and held their heads high. Maidenhead are a seasoned National League side with many years experience at the higher level, so no disgrace in this result at all.
Andrew Batt (@andrewbatt5) and Oakmist Photography (@oakmistphotos) were both present at the game to capture some great shots.
Coming up this week....
FA Cup
AFC Stoneham v Eversley & California Ladies
The Boars have the opportunity to put their County Cup defeat behind them as they make the journey down to Eastleigh to take on Division 1 South side AFC Stoneham in the FA Cup. The Purples are currently sixth in their division having only played two league games so far, one won, one lost. They have already played two FA Cup games, defeating Shanklin 3-1 on the Isle of Wight and Rushmoor 3-2 at home in the previous round. Eversley have an identical league record and are also placed sixth. They came through the last round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win at Caversham United.
Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh SO16 2PA
Chesham United v Penn & Tylers Green
Another tough away tie for Penn. This time against the team that last week's opponents MK Dons beat in the previous round of the cup, winning 11-2 at The Meadow. Chesham currently sit in the National League Division 1 South East drop zone but did pick up their first win of the season last weekend, beating second placed Norwich City 3-2. They also take on bottom side Hounslow on Wednesday evening before this game. Penn will no doubt be smarting from their County Cup exit but have a great opportunity to put the score straight this weekend.
The Meadow, Amersham Road, Chesham, HP5 1NE
Millwall Lionesses v Long Crendon
The Lionesses lead the London & South East Premier League by 2 points as we speak. They've lost just once in all competitions, an opening day 3-2 reversal at Saltdean United. However, Long Crendon are on something of a roll, unbeaten in the last three games, winning two of them including their previous round defeat of Tilehurst Panthers. Top scorer Nicole Jacobs has notched in two of their last three.
St Pauls Sports Ground, Rotherhithe Street, SE16 5DS
League
Milton United v Caversham United
New league leaders Milton United welcome the Goats to The Heights looking to strengthen their position at the top of the table. Caversham will be looking to replicate their second half form against Abingdon at the weekend, where they steadied the ship and, by all accounts, put in a good performance. In their last league game they struck the Long Crendon woodwork 4 times, showing they have fire power. However, it's their defence that will be under scrutiny as they match up to the division's highest scorers with 15 in 3 games, as well as the division's top scorer, Charlotte Comley, who has five herself this season. In fact 4 of the top 8 scorers play for Milton, with Sarah Saunders (4) Mollie Dyer(3) and Georgia Winger(3), all in there.
The Heights, Potash Lane, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4XB
Woodley United v Kidlington
The Greens suffered their first league defeat of the season last weekend and will be looking to bounce straight back against a Woodley side who have lost their last two games albeit that the last was against higher league opposition. United have only played two league games so far but leading scorer May Hamblin has managed to get on the score sheet in both. Kidlington also know where the goal is and striker Courtney Sumner has five goals so far this season making her joint top scorer with Charlotte Comley of Milton United.
UofR Bulmershe Pavilion, Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, Reading, Berks RG5 3HE
A round-up of last week's games starts this edition with a preview of this weekend's FA Cup and League action below.
League Games
Carterton 1-3 Long Crendon
Goals from Samantha Bignall, Megan Baillet and Nicole Jacobs made it three without defeat in all competitions for Long Crendon and sent them up to third in the table. Carterton suffered their fourth league defeat of the season and are anchored to the foot of the table still searching for their first point despite Zoe Pugh's goal.
Kidlington 2-7 Milton United
Milton issued a statement to everyone in the league by not just inflicting Kidlington's first league defeat but doing so in such an emphatic manner. Sarah Saunders bagged a hat-trick with Charlotte Comley, Millie Dyer, Natalie Evans and Jessica Simons netting one each. Abigail Haynes and Katie Thorp were amongst the goals for the Greens but it was not enough as the visitors ran out big winners.
County Cup
Caversham United 1-6 Abingdon United
A blistering first half performance saw Abingdon lead the Goats by five goals at the break. Caversham showed their spirit in the second half, getting a goal back and only conceding one more themselves. However, the damage was done. Ashton Downey became the first Goat apart from Sumayah Zayadi to get a goal this season. Beth Hawtin hit a hat-trick for the Yellows ably assisted by Molly Lygo-Jackson, Jessica Austin and Lindsay Pinker
Eversley & California 1-3 Portsmouth Dev
Three second half goals from Macey-Nikiah Walters, Maisie Aldridge and Nancy Sanderson were enough for Portsmouth to put an end to the Boars Cup hopes. Francesca Boekbinder notched for Eversley who can hold their heads up high for putting up a brave fight against a higher ranked team.
MK Dons SET 17-0 Penn & Tylers Green
There's not much to be said about this score line. MK Dons not only contained Penn's potent strike force but also put them to the sword at the other end. MK's scorers were Laura Mitchell(3), Nicole Pepper(4), Lucy Wood(2), Angelina Nixon(2), Gemma Biggadike(2), Tricia Gould, Nicola Piddick, Kerry Newman, Mollie Coupar.
For those who who wants to see the goals, Harry Mears (@HarryMears23) captured them all in their glory.
Woodley United 0-7 Maidenhead United
Maidenhead showed their higher league class by putting seven past Woodley. Hat-tricks for Simone O'Brien and Megan Halfacree with Anja Harper also getting in on the act. However, by all accounts, Woodley acquitted themseleves well, battles hard and held their heads high. Maidenhead are a seasoned National League side with many years experience at the higher level, so no disgrace in this result at all.
Andrew Batt (@andrewbatt5) and Oakmist Photography (@oakmistphotos) were both present at the game to capture some great shots.
Coming up this week....
FA Cup
AFC Stoneham v Eversley & California Ladies
The Boars have the opportunity to put their County Cup defeat behind them as they make the journey down to Eastleigh to take on Division 1 South side AFC Stoneham in the FA Cup. The Purples are currently sixth in their division having only played two league games so far, one won, one lost. They have already played two FA Cup games, defeating Shanklin 3-1 on the Isle of Wight and Rushmoor 3-2 at home in the previous round. Eversley have an identical league record and are also placed sixth. They came through the last round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win at Caversham United.
Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh SO16 2PA
Chesham United v Penn & Tylers Green
Another tough away tie for Penn. This time against the team that last week's opponents MK Dons beat in the previous round of the cup, winning 11-2 at The Meadow. Chesham currently sit in the National League Division 1 South East drop zone but did pick up their first win of the season last weekend, beating second placed Norwich City 3-2. They also take on bottom side Hounslow on Wednesday evening before this game. Penn will no doubt be smarting from their County Cup exit but have a great opportunity to put the score straight this weekend.
The Meadow, Amersham Road, Chesham, HP5 1NE
Millwall Lionesses v Long Crendon
The Lionesses lead the London & South East Premier League by 2 points as we speak. They've lost just once in all competitions, an opening day 3-2 reversal at Saltdean United. However, Long Crendon are on something of a roll, unbeaten in the last three games, winning two of them including their previous round defeat of Tilehurst Panthers. Top scorer Nicole Jacobs has notched in two of their last three.
St Pauls Sports Ground, Rotherhithe Street, SE16 5DS
League
Milton United v Caversham United
New league leaders Milton United welcome the Goats to The Heights looking to strengthen their position at the top of the table. Caversham will be looking to replicate their second half form against Abingdon at the weekend, where they steadied the ship and, by all accounts, put in a good performance. In their last league game they struck the Long Crendon woodwork 4 times, showing they have fire power. However, it's their defence that will be under scrutiny as they match up to the division's highest scorers with 15 in 3 games, as well as the division's top scorer, Charlotte Comley, who has five herself this season. In fact 4 of the top 8 scorers play for Milton, with Sarah Saunders (4) Mollie Dyer(3) and Georgia Winger(3), all in there.
The Heights, Potash Lane, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4XB
Woodley United v Kidlington
The Greens suffered their first league defeat of the season last weekend and will be looking to bounce straight back against a Woodley side who have lost their last two games albeit that the last was against higher league opposition. United have only played two league games so far but leading scorer May Hamblin has managed to get on the score sheet in both. Kidlington also know where the goal is and striker Courtney Sumner has five goals so far this season making her joint top scorer with Charlotte Comley of Milton United.
UofR Bulmershe Pavilion, Woodlands Avenue, Woodley, Reading, Berks RG5 3HE
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