I know it's not exactly halfway, but Christmas is generally seen as the midpoint of the season. Some teams are well past the midway point of fixtures, some are barely a quarter of the way into the games. However, with Christmas approaching and the league on a break until the New Year, it is a good time to take stock of the season so far. The preview of the next batch of fixtures will be published on or around the New Year. Last weekend saw both Ascot teams consolidate their positions art the top of their respective leagues, and there were goals galore across the board, 30 of which came in the Premier League.
Results 15th December 2024
PREMIER DIVISION
AFC Portchester 7-2 Oxford City
City, looking for a third consecutive league win, came crashing down on the South coast as Portchy gained revenge for their defeat at Marsh Lane last month. Charlotte Keenan hit a hat-trick, Gemma Hillier added two more to her tally, taking her into double figures. Lucy Nightingale and a debut goal from Mia Adaway rounded off the home side's scoring. Captain Georgina Tayman and Kaitlyn Crouch, with her seventh of the season, were on the mark for Oxford.
Reading 0-6 Wycombe Wanderers
Reading's pointless start continued as a rampant Chairgirls display saw them end the year on a high. Jessica Watkins gave Wycombe a great start in the 4th minute. Danielle Puddlefoot and Ellen Wardlaw put the visitors three up before the break. In the second half Kayla Potter scored her 14th and 15th of the season, taking her to the top of the scoring charts, before Giulia Livi topped off the 6-goal haul in the 80th minute.
Watch all the goals on the Wycombe X feed.
Sholing 5-0 Badshot Lea
The Boatwomen got back to winning ways after three league defeats, but it took them over half an hour to break down The Baggies. When the breakthrough came, it was in the form of an own goal. However, Catherine Browning quickly added a second and Katie Shorter put the home side three up two minutes into added time. Shorter added her second of the game on 75 minutes before, three minutes later, Siena Millen added the icing to the Christmas cake.
Winchester City Flyers 4-2 Woodley United
Flyers struck four to end the year on a high. Libby Wilkinson gave the home side the lead just before the half-hour mark and it was two just before the break when Eliza Eaton's cross went in off a defender. Wilkinson then grabbed her second, and ninth of the season, five minutes after half-time. When Laura da Silva made it four with 12 minutes left, it was effectively game over. Chloe Melton got a goal back almost immediately before Laura Devlin's late penalty added a little consolation for United.
Selsey 0-4 Ascot United
The Yellawomen assured top spot for Christmas with a solid victory at Selsey. However, they were made to wait until the 41st minute until Beth Lloyd got the breakthrough goal. Olivia Glover made it two just a couple of minutes after the break before Georgia Luckhurst-McCord notched her third of the season after 64 minutes. Glover added her 14th of the season with ten minutes to go. Read the match report from Neal Jeffs on the Ascot United website.
City, looking for a third consecutive league win, came crashing down on the South coast as Portchy gained revenge for their defeat at Marsh Lane last month. Charlotte Keenan hit a hat-trick, Gemma Hillier added two more to her tally, taking her into double figures. Lucy Nightingale and a debut goal from Mia Adaway rounded off the home side's scoring. Captain Georgina Tayman and Kaitlyn Crouch, with her seventh of the season, were on the mark for Oxford.
Reading 0-6 Wycombe Wanderers
Reading's pointless start continued as a rampant Chairgirls display saw them end the year on a high. Jessica Watkins gave Wycombe a great start in the 4th minute. Danielle Puddlefoot and Ellen Wardlaw put the visitors three up before the break. In the second half Kayla Potter scored her 14th and 15th of the season, taking her to the top of the scoring charts, before Giulia Livi topped off the 6-goal haul in the 80th minute.
Watch all the goals on the Wycombe X feed.
Sholing 5-0 Badshot Lea
The Boatwomen got back to winning ways after three league defeats, but it took them over half an hour to break down The Baggies. When the breakthrough came, it was in the form of an own goal. However, Catherine Browning quickly added a second and Katie Shorter put the home side three up two minutes into added time. Shorter added her second of the game on 75 minutes before, three minutes later, Siena Millen added the icing to the Christmas cake.
Winchester City Flyers 4-2 Woodley United
Flyers struck four to end the year on a high. Libby Wilkinson gave the home side the lead just before the half-hour mark and it was two just before the break when Eliza Eaton's cross went in off a defender. Wilkinson then grabbed her second, and ninth of the season, five minutes after half-time. When Laura da Silva made it four with 12 minutes left, it was effectively game over. Chloe Melton got a goal back almost immediately before Laura Devlin's late penalty added a little consolation for United.
Selsey 0-4 Ascot United
The Yellawomen assured top spot for Christmas with a solid victory at Selsey. However, they were made to wait until the 41st minute until Beth Lloyd got the breakthrough goal. Olivia Glover made it two just a couple of minutes after the break before Georgia Luckhurst-McCord notched her third of the season after 64 minutes. Glover added her 14th of the season with ten minutes to go. Read the match report from Neal Jeffs on the Ascot United website.
DIVISION ONE NORTH
Ascot United Reserves 2-0 Penn & Tylers Green
On the day the PDC World Championship started, Ascot United Reserves made it double-top for the club as they secured the first place at Christmas in Division One North. Despite Penn being further down the table, their games in hand effectively made this a title 6-pointer. Fittingly, Sarah Jones scored her 42nd goal in 50 appearances, as she signed off on her Ascot career. Danielle Kjaer scored the other Ascot goal.
Chesham United Development P-P Beaconsfield Town
Kidlington Youth 3-6 Tilehurst Panthers
Panthers came back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to earn a third away win of the season, despite still being winless at home. An own goal and a Sara Pinna strike had the Greens in front a the break. However, despite Abi Haynes also scoring for the home side, four from Leah Why and two from Georgia Hayes made it a successful away day for Tilehurst.
Milton United 5-0 Caversham United
The Goats drew another blank, their fourth on the bounce, as they fell to defeat at The Heights. The win pulls Milton five points clear of Caversham and six clear of bottom side Chesham United Development. Milton's goals came from Jessica Excell with two, April England and Abbie Thorne's first of the season.
Wycombe Wanderers u23 11-1 Slough Town
Wanderers made it four wins in a row with an aggregate score of 22-1 as they went wild at home to Slough Town. Solange Brellier came on as a substitute but still managed to score four of the goals. Shannon Read went level at the top of the scoring charts with a hat-trick, Mia Parkin hit two, Ammara Qureshi and Daisy-Leigh Thompson scored one each. Slough's consolation came through Alice Heady.
On the day the PDC World Championship started, Ascot United Reserves made it double-top for the club as they secured the first place at Christmas in Division One North. Despite Penn being further down the table, their games in hand effectively made this a title 6-pointer. Fittingly, Sarah Jones scored her 42nd goal in 50 appearances, as she signed off on her Ascot career. Danielle Kjaer scored the other Ascot goal.
Chesham United Development P-P Beaconsfield Town
Kidlington Youth 3-6 Tilehurst Panthers
Panthers came back from a 2-0 half-time deficit to earn a third away win of the season, despite still being winless at home. An own goal and a Sara Pinna strike had the Greens in front a the break. However, despite Abi Haynes also scoring for the home side, four from Leah Why and two from Georgia Hayes made it a successful away day for Tilehurst.
Milton United 5-0 Caversham United
The Goats drew another blank, their fourth on the bounce, as they fell to defeat at The Heights. The win pulls Milton five points clear of Caversham and six clear of bottom side Chesham United Development. Milton's goals came from Jessica Excell with two, April England and Abbie Thorne's first of the season.
Wycombe Wanderers u23 11-1 Slough Town
Wanderers made it four wins in a row with an aggregate score of 22-1 as they went wild at home to Slough Town. Solange Brellier came on as a substitute but still managed to score four of the goals. Shannon Read went level at the top of the scoring charts with a hat-trick, Mia Parkin hit two, Ammara Qureshi and Daisy-Leigh Thompson scored one each. Slough's consolation came through Alice Heady.
DIVISION ONE SOUTH
Bournemouth Sports Reserves 0-1 AFC Varsity
Varsity's away form continues to be better than at home as they secured a third three-pointer on their travels with a single goal victory at Bournemouth Sports. Kayleigh Rogers scored for the visitors on 14 minutes, taking the points and liftin Varsity to within a point of their hosts with there games in hand.
Wimborne Town 2-0 QK Southampton
QK slumped to an eleventh consecutive defeat as Wimborne bounced back from losing at Stoneham last weekend. However, the Magpies were made to work for their points, and it took an hour before Abigail Buck edged them n front. Sadie West made it two with fifteen minutes remaining.
Woking 3-1 Bursledon
A second league win in a row for The Cards who got off to a great start thanks to two Trudy Bryan-Kerr goals inside the opening 15 minutes. Amy Berriman pulled a goal back for The Dons before 20 minutes were played. It stayed that way until the break. Jasmina Vanvooren then added a third shortly after he break, securing the points for Woking
Varsity's away form continues to be better than at home as they secured a third three-pointer on their travels with a single goal victory at Bournemouth Sports. Kayleigh Rogers scored for the visitors on 14 minutes, taking the points and liftin Varsity to within a point of their hosts with there games in hand.
Wimborne Town 2-0 QK Southampton
QK slumped to an eleventh consecutive defeat as Wimborne bounced back from losing at Stoneham last weekend. However, the Magpies were made to work for their points, and it took an hour before Abigail Buck edged them n front. Sadie West made it two with fifteen minutes remaining.
Woking 3-1 Bursledon
A second league win in a row for The Cards who got off to a great start thanks to two Trudy Bryan-Kerr goals inside the opening 15 minutes. Amy Berriman pulled a goal back for The Dons before 20 minutes were played. It stayed that way until the break. Jasmina Vanvooren then added a third shortly after he break, securing the points for Woking
LEAGUE CUP
Havant & Waterlooville 1-0 AFC Stoneham
The Hawks progressed in the League Cup thanks to a very, very late goal from captain Emma-Jane May. The skipper fired in a 96th minute free-kick to set up a quarter-final tie with either Fleet Town or Milton United.
Check out the match action photos courtesy of Dave Haines Photography.
The Hawks progressed in the League Cup thanks to a very, very late goal from captain Emma-Jane May. The skipper fired in a 96th minute free-kick to set up a quarter-final tie with either Fleet Town or Milton United.
Check out the match action photos courtesy of Dave Haines Photography.
MID-SEASON REVIEW
PREMIER LEAGUE
| Top Three Ascot United, 25pts from 9 Oxford City, 22pts from 11 Wycombe Wanderers, 20pts from 9 | Top Scorers Kayla Potter, Wycombe Wanderers, 15 Olivia Glover, Ascot United, 14 Sarah Lawrence, Woodley United, 14 |
Pre-season favourites Ascot United remain top of the pile at Christmas. They have a three point lead over Oxford City and two games in hand. It's looking good for the Yellawomen although they do still have to visit Oxford City and welcome third placed Wycombe to Marsh Lane. Both Woodley and AFC Portchester, 7 and 6 points adrift of Ascot respectively, will not be counting themselves out of the running just yet, but they are very reliant on the unbeaten leaders having a collapse in form. Sholing and Winchester City Flyers are sufficiently ahead of the bottom there to be comfortable, but probably not close enough to the top to cause any concerns in the title race.
At the bottom end three teams are cut adrift. Reading remain rooted to the bottom without a point, but do have a number of games in hand on Badshot Lea and Selsey, who both have two points. Reading have to play both teams directly above them twice before the end of the season.
At the bottom end three teams are cut adrift. Reading remain rooted to the bottom without a point, but do have a number of games in hand on Badshot Lea and Selsey, who both have two points. Reading have to play both teams directly above them twice before the end of the season.
DIVISION ONE NORTH
| Top Three Ascot United Reserves, 27pts from 11 Beaconsfield Town, 23pts from 9 Wycombe Wanderers u23, 20pts from 13 | Top Scorers Nicole Brown, Beaconsfield Town, 15 Shannon Read, Wycombe Wanderers u23, 15 Charlotte Bigmore, Abingdon Utd Development, 12 Sarah Jones, Ascot United reserves, 12 |
It will be a good Christmas down at The Racecourse Ground. Not only are the firsts leading the Premier League, the reserves are top of Division One North at Christmas. They have a four point lead over Beaconsfield, who have two games in hand, having not played a league game since November 3rd. Wycombe u23 and Abingdon United Development are still within touching distance. However, Wycombe have played two more than the leaders and are seven pints behind. Abingdon have played the same number of games as Ascot, but the nine point gap looks too much for them to make up.
Penn & Tylers Green, having only played seven games, four fewer than Ascot, are 13 points behind but still in contention should they win them all. The recent defeat at Ascot put a dent in their aspirations. Kidlington, Slough, Tilehurst and Milton United, are into double figures as far as points are concerned. All look to be relatively safe from danger, but probably too far adrift to make any waves near the top. The bottom two, Caversham United on 5 points, and Chesham United Development, on four, look likely to be the two slugging it out to avoid the drop. The are due to meet toward the end of January in what could prove to be a massive relegation six-pointer.
Penn & Tylers Green, having only played seven games, four fewer than Ascot, are 13 points behind but still in contention should they win them all. The recent defeat at Ascot put a dent in their aspirations. Kidlington, Slough, Tilehurst and Milton United, are into double figures as far as points are concerned. All look to be relatively safe from danger, but probably too far adrift to make any waves near the top. The bottom two, Caversham United on 5 points, and Chesham United Development, on four, look likely to be the two slugging it out to avoid the drop. The are due to meet toward the end of January in what could prove to be a massive relegation six-pointer.
DIVISION ONE SOUTH
| Top Three Fleet Town, 24pts from 8 AFC Stoneham, 24pts from 10 Havant & Waterlooville, 19pts from 9 | Top Scorers Mia House, AFC Stoneham, 15 Sophie Lee, Havant & Waterlooville, 13 Amy Granger/Keira Simpson, Fleet Town, 11 |
Fleet Town, with their 100% record after eight games, are top at Christmas and favourites to take the title. AFC Stoneham are only second by means of goal difference, but have played two more than Fleet. Third-placed Havant & Waterlooville are five points adrift having played one more than the leaders. Just below The Hawks sit Wimborne Town. The Magpies are currently the highest-ranked of the newly promoted clubs, although AFC Varsity and Bursledon are not too far behind and both have a game in hand on Wimborne. Bournemouth Sports Reserves have been on a lean run of late, but are still fifth. Woking, who started poorly, have picked up in recent weeks and have won their last two in the league. Abbey Rangers have suffered all sorts of behind the scenes disruption, losing their coaching staff and having to postpone games, meaning they have only played seven so far. Finally, QK Southampton who along with Reading in the Premier, are yet to gain a single point. They suffered some heavy defeats earlier on but are gradually growing to the league.
That just leaves me to say a big thank you to all of the players, coaches and behind the scenes staff who have made this a great half season, full of thoroughly entertaining football. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Hope to see every team before the end of the season, so lookout for me at one of your games soon.
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