It's been a particularly damp start to 2024 and, consequently, we saw a few postponements on the first Sunday of the month. With a cold snap coming, we may see a few more next week, if all of this standing water freezes over. Let's hope it clears up soon.
In the Premier League, second placed Bournemouth Sports continued where they left off, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season with another victory. Long Crendon edged the battle of the greens, winning 1-0 at Kidlington to stay top of the North Division. Meanwhile, in the South, Havant & Waterlooville moved level on points with AFC Portchester, although they have played three games more.
In the Premier League, second placed Bournemouth Sports continued where they left off, maintaining their unbeaten start to the season with another victory. Long Crendon edged the battle of the greens, winning 1-0 at Kidlington to stay top of the North Division. Meanwhile, in the South, Havant & Waterlooville moved level on points with AFC Portchester, although they have played three games more.
Premier League
Top of the League - Ascot United : Top Scorer - Ellie White (19), Oxford City
Bournemouth Sports 5-0 Eastleigh in the Community
Sports got the New Year off to a great start, maintaining their unbeaten run and closing the gap on Ascot United to two points, with a game in hand. Rosie Eden had them in front after 10 minutes. Emily Phillips and Jasmine Hughes added two more to see the home side go into the break three to the good. Hannah Bennett and Phillips again completed the scoring in the second half.
Oxford City 2-2 Wycombe Wanderers
A Katie Riddington strike saw Wanderers take a 1-0 lead into half-time. However, shortly after the restart, Emily Harris equalised for Oxford, only for Emma Newberry to restore The Chairgirls' lead three minutes later. Captain Georgina Tayman then struck a 71st minute goal to level the scores once more.
Winchester City Flyers 4-0 Badshot Lea
The Baggies run of defeats continued as Flyers put six points between themselves and the bottom side. Winchester were three up before half-time through Jasmine Pearman, Charlotte Warhurst and Emily McDonough. Badshot Lea steadied the ship after the break before Jasmine Pearman struck her second goal to round off the scoring. The result sees even more congestion in the middle of the table. Only five points separate second from bottom Flyers from fourth-placed Woodley United.
Woodley United 1-1 Warminster Town
A chill wind and a heavy pitch could easily have hampered this game but these two teams were having none of that. A thoroughly entertaining encounter saw them share the points, which was probably the fairest result on the balance of play. Mia Blazey had the visitors, backed by a good following from Wiltshire, in front early on. However, a series of corners finally paid off for Woodley when Gemma Sims got on the end of one around the half-hour mark. BotP had the pleasure of witnessing the action first hand. You can read the match blog here (Fair And All-Square). It was also good to catch up with photographer Andy Wicks who, once more, captured the action perfectly for us.
League Cup
Woking 3-3 (1-3p) Ascot United
This game had to be replayed after the original match ended 3-2 (aet) to Ascot but the league deemed that it should have gone straight to penalties. So, it was only right that the replay did, indeed, go to penalties. Kudos to Woking though. The lower-ranked team came from 2-1 down at half-time to level the scores before going out from the spot. Alix Todd put the Yellawomen in front before Kate Fox doubled the lead. Sheena Nichol managed to reduce the arrears before the break. Charlotte Keenan then levelled it up before the hour. Philippa Holden then put Ascot back in front, only for Sheena Nichol to smash in a last minute equaliser. You can read all about the game on the Woking web site and the Ascot United web site. You can also see the match action photos courtesy of James Prickett.
Sports got the New Year off to a great start, maintaining their unbeaten run and closing the gap on Ascot United to two points, with a game in hand. Rosie Eden had them in front after 10 minutes. Emily Phillips and Jasmine Hughes added two more to see the home side go into the break three to the good. Hannah Bennett and Phillips again completed the scoring in the second half.
Oxford City 2-2 Wycombe Wanderers
A Katie Riddington strike saw Wanderers take a 1-0 lead into half-time. However, shortly after the restart, Emily Harris equalised for Oxford, only for Emma Newberry to restore The Chairgirls' lead three minutes later. Captain Georgina Tayman then struck a 71st minute goal to level the scores once more.
Winchester City Flyers 4-0 Badshot Lea
The Baggies run of defeats continued as Flyers put six points between themselves and the bottom side. Winchester were three up before half-time through Jasmine Pearman, Charlotte Warhurst and Emily McDonough. Badshot Lea steadied the ship after the break before Jasmine Pearman struck her second goal to round off the scoring. The result sees even more congestion in the middle of the table. Only five points separate second from bottom Flyers from fourth-placed Woodley United.
Woodley United 1-1 Warminster Town
A chill wind and a heavy pitch could easily have hampered this game but these two teams were having none of that. A thoroughly entertaining encounter saw them share the points, which was probably the fairest result on the balance of play. Mia Blazey had the visitors, backed by a good following from Wiltshire, in front early on. However, a series of corners finally paid off for Woodley when Gemma Sims got on the end of one around the half-hour mark. BotP had the pleasure of witnessing the action first hand. You can read the match blog here (Fair And All-Square). It was also good to catch up with photographer Andy Wicks who, once more, captured the action perfectly for us.
League Cup
Woking 3-3 (1-3p) Ascot United
This game had to be replayed after the original match ended 3-2 (aet) to Ascot but the league deemed that it should have gone straight to penalties. So, it was only right that the replay did, indeed, go to penalties. Kudos to Woking though. The lower-ranked team came from 2-1 down at half-time to level the scores before going out from the spot. Alix Todd put the Yellawomen in front before Kate Fox doubled the lead. Sheena Nichol managed to reduce the arrears before the break. Charlotte Keenan then levelled it up before the hour. Philippa Holden then put Ascot back in front, only for Sheena Nichol to smash in a last minute equaliser. You can read all about the game on the Woking web site and the Ascot United web site. You can also see the match action photos courtesy of James Prickett.
Division One North
Top of the Table - Long Crendon : Top Scorer - Henna Hussain (20), Penn & Tylers Green
Ascot United Reserves P-P Milton United
Eversley & California P-P Caversham United
Kidlington 0-1 Long Crendon
A single Eleanor Lovelock strike kept Long Crendon top of the table whilst consigning Kidlington to their third league defeat on the bounce. It was some revenge for Long Crendon, who lost the reverse fixture 2-1 back in October. Kidlington remain in fifth spot still five points ahead of Ascot United Reserves.
Penn & Tylers Green 3-1 Abingdon United Development
Penn kept the pressure on Long Crendon, taking all three points in a game that saw all four goals scored in the first half. In the absence of suspended top-scorer Henna Hussain, Liberty Dieppe notched twice for Penn, taking her tally to 6 in 8 games. Ellie Ludgate-Williams scored the other Penn goal with her fifth of the season. Abingdon hot-shot Mimi Hodges wasn't able to add to her tally, Iva Georgievska hit the consolation for the yellows. The win takes Penn back into second spot.
Wycombe Wanderers u23 2-3 Beaconsfield Town
The Rams came out on top of this local derby. They went into the break a goal to the good thanks to top-scorer Grainne McNally's tenth of the season. Shannon Read equalised shortly after the restart only for Philippa Lance and then Ruby Harris to give Beaconsfield a two goal cushion with 20 minutes remaining. Daisy Thompson did manage to pull one back just before the end, but it was not enough for Wycombe, who dropped a place to third.
Eversley & California P-P Caversham United
Kidlington 0-1 Long Crendon
A single Eleanor Lovelock strike kept Long Crendon top of the table whilst consigning Kidlington to their third league defeat on the bounce. It was some revenge for Long Crendon, who lost the reverse fixture 2-1 back in October. Kidlington remain in fifth spot still five points ahead of Ascot United Reserves.
Penn & Tylers Green 3-1 Abingdon United Development
Penn kept the pressure on Long Crendon, taking all three points in a game that saw all four goals scored in the first half. In the absence of suspended top-scorer Henna Hussain, Liberty Dieppe notched twice for Penn, taking her tally to 6 in 8 games. Ellie Ludgate-Williams scored the other Penn goal with her fifth of the season. Abingdon hot-shot Mimi Hodges wasn't able to add to her tally, Iva Georgievska hit the consolation for the yellows. The win takes Penn back into second spot.
Wycombe Wanderers u23 2-3 Beaconsfield Town
The Rams came out on top of this local derby. They went into the break a goal to the good thanks to top-scorer Grainne McNally's tenth of the season. Shannon Read equalised shortly after the restart only for Philippa Lance and then Ruby Harris to give Beaconsfield a two goal cushion with 20 minutes remaining. Daisy Thompson did manage to pull one back just before the end, but it was not enough for Wycombe, who dropped a place to third.
Division One South
Top of the Table - AFC Portchester : Top Scorer - Chloe Melton (20), AFC Stoneham
Fleet Town P-P AFC Stoneham
Havant & Waterlooville 4-1 Bournemouth Sports Reserves
Two goals in each half saw The Hawks start the New Year with a bang, climbing back into second place and level on points with leaders Portchester. Sophie Lee and Emma-Jane May bagged a brace a piece, both scoring one in each half.
Rushmoor P-P AFC Portchester
Havant & Waterlooville 4-1 Bournemouth Sports Reserves
Two goals in each half saw The Hawks start the New Year with a bang, climbing back into second place and level on points with leaders Portchester. Sophie Lee and Emma-Jane May bagged a brace a piece, both scoring one in each half.
Rushmoor P-P AFC Portchester
Fixtures - 14 January, 2024
Note: AFC Portchester take on Portsmouth u23 this evening (Wednesday) . This is a Combined Counties Cup tie that has been re-arranged after falling foul of the weather previously.
ko 19:45 - On-Site Group Stadium, Cranleigh Road, PO16 9DP
Premier
Badshot Lea v Bournemouth Sports
When you've just lost eight league games on the bounce, the last thing you need is the league's only unbeaten team coming to town. That's the scale of the challenge facing Badshot Lea this coming weekend. Sports have won their last five league outings, scoring 21 and conceding 5. With leaders Ascot now within their sights, they will be looking to maintain this run of form. However, we've seen this sort of situation so many times before. The Baggies have nothing to lose in this game, it's almost a free-hit for them.
Operatix Community Ground, Westfield Lane, Wrecclesham GU10 4PF
Wycombe Wanderers v Woodley United
Two points and two place separates Wycombe, in sixth, from Woodley in fourth, although the Chairgirls do have a game in hand. Wycombe are defending an unbeaten home record this season, winning two and drawing two so far. If there's such a thing as a mid-table six-pointer, this is it. Three points could put wither team back in touch with the top three, defeat could leave them glancing over their shoulders and checking the Winchester v Warminster result.
18i78 Stadium, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham SL1 8JG
League Cup
Eversley & California v Eastleigh
Eversley have now not played a league game since their 4-1 home defeat to Long Crendon back on Bonfire Night. However, they beat Guildford 3-1 in the Combined Counties Cup in November, with goals from Joanne Harfield, Rebekah Pantony and Chloe Watkins. Since then they have had four league games postponed and conceded two cup games. It would be great to see this one go ahead. Eastleigh lost 5-0 at Bournemouth on Sunday and will be chomping at the bit to get things back on track. The winners of this game will be away at Wycombe in the 2nd Round.
ESA, Fox Lane, Eversley RG27 0NS
Winchester City Flyers v Warminster Town
An all Premier league encounter with the premier League leaders, Ascot United, awaiting the winner in Round 2. They have already met once in the league this season, at Weymouth Street. On that occasion Mia Blazey gave the hosts a half-time lead but two Shayne Prasad goals gave Winchester the points.
Winklebury Football Complex, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke, Hants RG23 8BF
Division One North
Penn & Tylers Green v Wycombe Wanderers u23
Game of the day across the leagues has to be this massive local derby between second placed Penn and third placed Wycombe. Currently they are level on points, separated by Penn's superior goal difference. Penn also have a game in hand. If this is anything like the reverse fixture, we are in for a treat. Back in October, Shannon Read scored twice in the first-half to give Wanderers a 2-0 lead. However, Liberty Dieppe and Henna Hussain were on hand for Penn after the break, only for Read to score a 92nd minute hat-trick goal to win the game.
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn HP10 8LG
Abingdon United Development v Kidlington
Two sides looking to regain some form after a couple of reversals in recent weeks. With two of the league's top scorers in Courtney Sumner (15) and Mimi Hodges (14), both sides can boast firepower, especially Kidlington, who also have 8-goal Abi Haynes to call upon. Both Sumner and Haynes were on the scoresheet when the sides met at Exeter Park back in October. Kidlington triumphed 3-1 despite Eva Georgievska's goal for Abingdon. BotP was at that game. You can read all about it here (Sunday Best).
Northcourt Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 1PL
Ascot United Reserves v Chesham United Development
Chesham, in fourth, currently lead the pack of teams chasing the top three down. Ascot are a further six points behind their Sunday visitors, but do have a game in hand. When they met earlier in the season, Chesham took all three points thanks to two from Katie west and one from Emma Nolan. Louise Pullen pulled one back for Ascot.
Racecourse Ground, Winkfield Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7LJ
Beaconsfield Town v Milton United
Currently ninth and eighth in the table respectively, these two are four pints apart. However, Beaconsfield have played six more games than Milton, who have still only managed to get through seven league fixtures this season. Despite that, they have already met at Milton Heights back at the start of October. Two from Millie Dyer and one each from Faith Kingdon and Katie Miller held sway for United despite Grainne McNally bagging another two for The Rams. After the weekend postponement at Ascot, Milton have now not played since mid-December. Beaconsfield, however, recorded an excellent 3-2 win at Wycombe last Sunday.
Holloways Park, Windsor Road, Beaconsfield HP9 2SE
Long Crendon v Caversham United
The classic top versus bottom match-up. The Goats are still to clock up a single point this season and a game against the currently league leaders is probably not highest on their agenda. After their game at Eversley was postponed on Sunday, Caversham were last in action in the reverse of this fixture. That day ended in a crushing 8-0 defeat after Long Crendon had led 2-0 at the break but then ran away with it in the second period. Brooke Burns, Tara Woodward and Sarah Harrison all scored twice. The other two were added by Megan Brockwell and Nicole Jacobs.
Long Crendon Recreation Ground, Chearsley Road, Long Crendon HP18 9BS
Division One South
AFC Stoneham v Havant & Waterloovile
After The Hawks leapfrogged Stoneham into second place at the weekend, it's quite fitting that the sides should be matched up this coming Sunday. The Purps trail Havant by two points but do have two games in hand. When the teams met at Westleigh Park it was Stoneham who edged a five-goal thriller. Chloe Dark and Emma-Jane May were on target for the hawks whilst Leah Webster and two from Susani Lucas gave the visitors the points.
Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh SO16 2PA
Abbey Rangers v Woking
There's just three points and one place separating Woking, in fifth, from their Sunday hosts. However, Abbey have played three more than The Cards. After beating Fleet in November, Abbey have lost their last two league outings, both by a single goal, 0-1 to Havant and 3-4 to Rushmoor. Woking are a team in good league form. They have not lost a league encounter since going down 2-0 at home to Portchester in September. This will be the first meeting between the teams this season.
Addlestone Moor, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 2QH
Bournemouth Sports Reserves v AFC Portchester
Sports Reserves are on a run of four league games without a win, including a 6-0 defeat to Portchy in the reverse fixture of this game. That day Eilidh Currie, Paula Taylor, Charmaine True, Aimee Hall-Guy and a double from Ella Wilson, sent Portchester to the top of the table. Although Portchy only top the league on goal difference from Havant, they do have three games in hand and, of course, are still defending a 100% record.
Chapel Gate, Nr Hurn Airport, East Parley, Hampshire BH23 6BL.
NHDA
Fleet Town P-P Rushmoor
ko 19:45 - On-Site Group Stadium, Cranleigh Road, PO16 9DP
Premier
Badshot Lea v Bournemouth Sports
When you've just lost eight league games on the bounce, the last thing you need is the league's only unbeaten team coming to town. That's the scale of the challenge facing Badshot Lea this coming weekend. Sports have won their last five league outings, scoring 21 and conceding 5. With leaders Ascot now within their sights, they will be looking to maintain this run of form. However, we've seen this sort of situation so many times before. The Baggies have nothing to lose in this game, it's almost a free-hit for them.
Operatix Community Ground, Westfield Lane, Wrecclesham GU10 4PF
Wycombe Wanderers v Woodley United
Two points and two place separates Wycombe, in sixth, from Woodley in fourth, although the Chairgirls do have a game in hand. Wycombe are defending an unbeaten home record this season, winning two and drawing two so far. If there's such a thing as a mid-table six-pointer, this is it. Three points could put wither team back in touch with the top three, defeat could leave them glancing over their shoulders and checking the Winchester v Warminster result.
18i78 Stadium, Wymers Wood Road, Burnham SL1 8JG
League Cup
Eversley & California v Eastleigh
Eversley have now not played a league game since their 4-1 home defeat to Long Crendon back on Bonfire Night. However, they beat Guildford 3-1 in the Combined Counties Cup in November, with goals from Joanne Harfield, Rebekah Pantony and Chloe Watkins. Since then they have had four league games postponed and conceded two cup games. It would be great to see this one go ahead. Eastleigh lost 5-0 at Bournemouth on Sunday and will be chomping at the bit to get things back on track. The winners of this game will be away at Wycombe in the 2nd Round.
ESA, Fox Lane, Eversley RG27 0NS
Winchester City Flyers v Warminster Town
An all Premier league encounter with the premier League leaders, Ascot United, awaiting the winner in Round 2. They have already met once in the league this season, at Weymouth Street. On that occasion Mia Blazey gave the hosts a half-time lead but two Shayne Prasad goals gave Winchester the points.
Winklebury Football Complex, Winklebury Way, Basingstoke, Hants RG23 8BF
Division One North
Penn & Tylers Green v Wycombe Wanderers u23
Game of the day across the leagues has to be this massive local derby between second placed Penn and third placed Wycombe. Currently they are level on points, separated by Penn's superior goal difference. Penn also have a game in hand. If this is anything like the reverse fixture, we are in for a treat. Back in October, Shannon Read scored twice in the first-half to give Wanderers a 2-0 lead. However, Liberty Dieppe and Henna Hussain were on hand for Penn after the break, only for Read to score a 92nd minute hat-trick goal to win the game.
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn HP10 8LG
Abingdon United Development v Kidlington
Two sides looking to regain some form after a couple of reversals in recent weeks. With two of the league's top scorers in Courtney Sumner (15) and Mimi Hodges (14), both sides can boast firepower, especially Kidlington, who also have 8-goal Abi Haynes to call upon. Both Sumner and Haynes were on the scoresheet when the sides met at Exeter Park back in October. Kidlington triumphed 3-1 despite Eva Georgievska's goal for Abingdon. BotP was at that game. You can read all about it here (Sunday Best).
Northcourt Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 1PL
Ascot United Reserves v Chesham United Development
Chesham, in fourth, currently lead the pack of teams chasing the top three down. Ascot are a further six points behind their Sunday visitors, but do have a game in hand. When they met earlier in the season, Chesham took all three points thanks to two from Katie west and one from Emma Nolan. Louise Pullen pulled one back for Ascot.
Racecourse Ground, Winkfield Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7LJ
Beaconsfield Town v Milton United
Currently ninth and eighth in the table respectively, these two are four pints apart. However, Beaconsfield have played six more games than Milton, who have still only managed to get through seven league fixtures this season. Despite that, they have already met at Milton Heights back at the start of October. Two from Millie Dyer and one each from Faith Kingdon and Katie Miller held sway for United despite Grainne McNally bagging another two for The Rams. After the weekend postponement at Ascot, Milton have now not played since mid-December. Beaconsfield, however, recorded an excellent 3-2 win at Wycombe last Sunday.
Holloways Park, Windsor Road, Beaconsfield HP9 2SE
Long Crendon v Caversham United
The classic top versus bottom match-up. The Goats are still to clock up a single point this season and a game against the currently league leaders is probably not highest on their agenda. After their game at Eversley was postponed on Sunday, Caversham were last in action in the reverse of this fixture. That day ended in a crushing 8-0 defeat after Long Crendon had led 2-0 at the break but then ran away with it in the second period. Brooke Burns, Tara Woodward and Sarah Harrison all scored twice. The other two were added by Megan Brockwell and Nicole Jacobs.
Long Crendon Recreation Ground, Chearsley Road, Long Crendon HP18 9BS
Division One South
AFC Stoneham v Havant & Waterloovile
After The Hawks leapfrogged Stoneham into second place at the weekend, it's quite fitting that the sides should be matched up this coming Sunday. The Purps trail Havant by two points but do have two games in hand. When the teams met at Westleigh Park it was Stoneham who edged a five-goal thriller. Chloe Dark and Emma-Jane May were on target for the hawks whilst Leah Webster and two from Susani Lucas gave the visitors the points.
Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh SO16 2PA
Abbey Rangers v Woking
There's just three points and one place separating Woking, in fifth, from their Sunday hosts. However, Abbey have played three more than The Cards. After beating Fleet in November, Abbey have lost their last two league outings, both by a single goal, 0-1 to Havant and 3-4 to Rushmoor. Woking are a team in good league form. They have not lost a league encounter since going down 2-0 at home to Portchester in September. This will be the first meeting between the teams this season.
Addlestone Moor, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 2QH
Bournemouth Sports Reserves v AFC Portchester
Sports Reserves are on a run of four league games without a win, including a 6-0 defeat to Portchy in the reverse fixture of this game. That day Eilidh Currie, Paula Taylor, Charmaine True, Aimee Hall-Guy and a double from Ella Wilson, sent Portchester to the top of the table. Although Portchy only top the league on goal difference from Havant, they do have three games in hand and, of course, are still defending a 100% record.
Chapel Gate, Nr Hurn Airport, East Parley, Hampshire BH23 6BL.
NHDA
Fleet Town P-P Rushmoor
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