Rep Teams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WOMENS REP TEAM
 

EAST ANGLIAN COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP
Essex    2  v  1    Norfolk

Tue 29 April 2008 at Wivenhoe Town FC
 
Essex narrowly missed out on East Anglian Counties Women's Championship glory despite defeating Norfolk 2-1 at a rain-drenched Broad Lane, Nicola Carty and Lynsey Bowman netting the winning goals on the night.
 

Photos by Essex Sports Agency. Buy photos and gifts from this final
while stocks last at www.photoboxgallery.com/ecfa
 
The County were narrowly edged-out on winning the title when Suffolk failed to recover a two-goal deficit against Cambridgeshire elsewhere, but Essex boss Kim Coster was still delighted with her first campaign in charge. "The girls have been superb," she declared, "not just tonight, but throughout the entire season. They have worked really hard for this, and it's brilliant to end the year unbeaten."

Essex completed the season with four victories and two draws and were the only county to take a point off of the champions. "When I consider the base we started from, we have achieved a lot," Coster added. "I hope I can retain this squad into next season and then we can push on for the championship."

Although Nicola Carty had an early effort saved by Norfolk goalkeeper Emma Fletcher, it was the visitors who created most of the early chances. Jemma Smythe's left-wing cross had to be palmed off the head of Gemma Farman by Michelle Bridgeman whilst Laken Duchar-Clark watched anxiously as her skimming header from another Smythe centre fizzed past her own post.

On the whole, the back-line of Duchar-Clark, Olivia Worsfold and Antonia Vassallo held firm in front of Bridgeman, and Essex reaped the rewards with a stunning counter-attacking goal. Laura Brown slid-in bravely to win the ball in midfield and Zoe Rushen threaded Carty in behind the defence. The Dagenham & Redbridge forward spotted Fletcher off of her line and crafted a lob into the corner of the goal.

Rushen was involved in front of her own net, nodding Smythe's header off of the goal-line, whilst at the other end Lynsey Bowman was unfortunate to see her swerving shot shepherded onto the outside of the left-hand upright by Fletcher.

Despite Norfolk holding the territorial advantage, and Smythe powering another aerial effort just wide, Essex asked plenty of questions on the break, with Brown seeing a shot deflected over and then touching the ball wide of the post, Fletcher narrowing the angle.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Norfolk deservedly equalised. Bridgeman failed to claim Nicola Stolworthy's corner, and Kate Parsons and Nicola Bray both attempted to stab in, with the latter getting the decisive touch.

In torrential rain, Essex proceeded to dominate the second half, although they were made to wait for their winner. Chelmsford City striker Brown was denied in the opening seconds when Fletcher made an excellent block, before Carty's strong shot was also kept out by the Norwich City blocker.

Carty believed she had added her second of the evening when she stooped cleverly to nod in Rushen's cross, but the effort was ruled out for offside. However, the same short corner routine proved effective at the mid-way point of the half when Bowman scored in spectacular fashion. Having been worked into a shooting position on the right-hand edge of the penalty area by substitute Jemma Beard, the Braintree Town winger whipped a curled effort just inside the far post.

Bowman could have scored a third for the County when Brown's intelligent reverse pass set her free on the left, but a disappointing shot dribbled across the face of goal. Despite some nervous moments - Parsons headed wide and also sent a hopeful punt into Bridgeman's gloves - Essex held-on in torrid conditions to claim victory.

Essex: Michelle Bridgeman (Dagenham & Redbridge), Kerri Binks (Chelmsford City [Jemma Beard (West Ham United), 46]), Antonia Vassallo (West Bergholt), Marie Barker (Billericay), Olivia Worsfold (Brentwood Town), Laken Duchar-Clark (Braintree Town), Lynsey Bowman (Braintree Town [Emma Wells (Chelmsford City), 90+1]), Nicole Manning (Dagenham & Redbridge [Carla Dickinson (Braintree Town), 79]), Nicola Carty (Dagenham & Redbridge), Zoe Rushen (Braintree Town), Laura Brown (Chelmsford City). Unused Substitutes: Kiran Hare (Colchester United) and Hollie Dimambro (Thurrock & Tilbury).

Norfolk: Emma Fletcher (Norwich City), Luka Goodfield (Norwich City), Jodie Allard (Hethersett Athletic), Kate Parsons (Norwich City), Logan Shepherd (Hethersett Athletic), Gemma Farman (Norwich City [Emily Lewin (Norwich City), 75]), Nicola Stolworthy (Hethersett Athletic), Jemma Smythe (Hethersett Athletic), Nicola Bray (Hethersett Athletic [Fran Lambert (Norwich City), 83]), Sophie Fuller (Hethersett Athletic [Jemma Thurtle (Norwich City), 69]), Emily Coates (Hethersett Athletic).

Referee: Ricky Johnson.

Assistant Referees: Chris Townes and Christopher Green.
 

Photos by Essex Sports Agency. Buy photos and gifts from this final
while stocks last at www.photoboxgallery.com/ecfa
  
 

EAST ANGLIAN COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP
Womens Division 
Hertfordshire    1  v  2    Essex

Tuesday 26th February 2008, Letchworth County Ground
 
Essex Women battled from a goal behind to clinch victory with a 2-1 win in Hertfordshire as super-sub Laura Brown grabbed the winner with her very first touch.
Andrea Wright had previously levelled for the County in the first half, breaking the hearts of Hertfordshire who, only a minute earlier, had edged themselves in front with their first goal of a difficult season.
 
"The way we have battled tonight has been fantastic," said Essex boss Kim Coster, toasting her birthday, after the game. "We scored two great goals and could have had a few more as we created some decent chances and hit the post just before they got their goal."
 
"It was a fantastic goal from Laura to win it," continued Kim. "To calmly lob the keeper like that with your first touch is fantastic! Andrea Wright's goal was really well taken too and I think we deserved the win. We did soak up a bit of pressure at times but our defence coped well and I'm really pleased."

Herts, searching for their first East Anglian points of the campaign, started well and on twelve minutes Natalie Adams wasted a fine chance to put the home side ahead, firing over the crossbar after Steph Cripps' low cross had squirmed out of the grasp of Essex goalkeeper Michelle Bridgeman.

Just three minutes later, though, only some impressive defending denied Essex the lead as Nicola Carty ended her fine run with a shot flicked past 'keeper Amy Carr that was brilliantly cleared off the line by Anita Cox. Jo Rutherford, enjoying a fine first half, zipped a twenty-yard shot just over the crossbar before hitting a low shot which was well held by Bridgeman.

On 29 minutes Essex were cruelly denied by the foot of a post after Carty had neatly turned and fired goalwards and just two minutes later the home county were ahead, Miranda Hall chipping a fine fifteen-yard finish over the advancing Bridgeman.

Essex responded perfectly, forcing themselves back on level terms within sixty seconds, Andrea Wright beating the offside trap before coolly finishing past Carr into the top corner.

It was Essex who enjoyed the best of the early play after the interval and, after a neat Carty through ball, Wright smashed a shot inches over the top from a most acute angle.

Steph Belcher slid a low effort wide of the near post for the home side but the visitors continued to press and Liane Prior's great run forward saw her stab wide after latching onto Lynsey Bowman's clever pass.

The winner arrived on 70 minutes. Chelmsford City striker Brown had been on the pitch a mere eighty seconds when she spotted Carr off her line and brilliantly executed a lob that dropped just underneath the crossbar.

It was the last real action of the game, but Essex showed great organisation and determination to keep Herts at bay as they the home side enjoyed much of the late possession and, despite some five minutes of stoppage time, the county held on for their second victory of the season.

Hertfordshire: Amy Carr (Arsenal) (Trippoli Witney [Tring Athletic], 85), Kelly Hughes (Watford), Anita Cox (Watford), Laura Jackson (Watford), Natalie Cole (Hemel Hempstead Town), Danika O'Riordan (Watford) (Kath O'Toole [Watford], 46), Natalie Adams (Hemel Hempstead Town), Miranda Hall (Watford), Steph Belcher (Welwyn Garden City) (Gaby Macis [Watford], 74), Steph Cripps (Hemel Hempstead Town), Jo Rutherford (Watford). Unused Substitute: Nicole Harvey (Watford).

Essex: Michelle Bridgeman (Dagenham & Redbridge), Kerri Binks (Chelmsford City), Antonia Vassallo (West Bergholt), Liane Prior (Barking Ladies) (Bryany Lynche [Brentwood Town], 87), Olivia Worsfold (Brentwood Town), Vanessa Wilson (Billericay Ladies), Lynsey Bowman (Braintree Town) (Laura Brown [Chelmsford City], 68), Nicole Manning (Dagenham & Redbridge) (Laken Duchar-Clark [Braintree Town], 82), Nicola Carty (Dagenham & Redbridge), Zoe Rushen (Braintree Town), Andrea Wright (Saffron Walden Town). Unused Substitute: Kiran Hare (Colchester United).

Referee: Paul Brownsell (Hatfield).

Assistant Referees: Brian Robson (Welwyn Garden City) and David Bailey (Stevenage).
  

EAST ANGLIAN COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP
Womens Division 
Huntingdonshire    1  v  1    Essex

Tuesday 12th February 2008, Alfred Hall Memorial Ground
Essex Women's side remain unbeaten as Andrea Wright's goal earned the county a point from a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Huntingdonshire at Eynesbury Rovers F.C.

"It's nice to keep the unbeaten record going," said Essex boss Kim Coster after the game. "We didn't play as well as we would have liked but the girls responded well after half time to fight their way back into the game. After our equaliser we could have won the game, but we came back well and we're pleased with the point."

In an even opening spell, Essex goalkeeper Michelle Bridgeman denied the hosts an early lead, smothering the ball in the box after some fine trickery by the Hunts frontline. Soon after, Wright found Lynsey Bowman on the left and her neat through ball was just inches ahead of Marie Barker, Hunts 'keeper Nicola Kuch doing well to gather.

As the home side began to get a grip of the first half they took the lead on 34 minutes, an attempted long ball up-field charged down by Vicky Lines who fired a rising left-footed shot past the helpless Bridgeman.

Within eight minutes of the interval though, Essex were level. Nicola Manning headed a goal kick back up the pitch and Wright got away from her marker before showing great composure to divert a low shot underneath the body of Kuch.

Just a minute later Essex could have stolen the lead as Kuch made a great double stop to deny Nicola Carty whilst Bridgeman was soon called upon to tip an effort over the top to keep the scores level.

Essex then began to dominate and Laura Brown and Kiran Hare were introduced to add some fresh legs and pace, the change almost having the desired effect as Hare nearly grabbed the points late-on, only to be denied by the impressive Kuch.

"We now move on to the Hertfordshire game and hopefully we'll put in a good performance. We are still very much in with a chance, although Suffolk will take some beating," said Coster. "We'll give it our best shot!"

Essex: Michelle Bridgeman (Dagenham & Redbridge), Kerri Binks (Chelmsford City), Antonia Vassallo (West Bergholt), Marie Barker (Billericay Ladies), Olivia Worsfold (Brentwood Town), Vanessa Wilson (Billericay Ladies), Lynsey Bowman (Braintree Town) (Kiran Hare [Colchester United], 83), Nicole Manning (Dagenham & Redbridge) (Laura Brown [Chelmsford City], 80), Nicola Carty (Dagenham & Redbridge), Zoe Rushen (Braintree Town), Andrea Wright (Saffron Walden Town). Unused Substitutes: Emma Wells (Chelmsford City), Emma Ridings (Chelmsford City), Laken Duchar-Clark (Braintree Town).

Huntingdonshire (selected from): Nicola Kuch (Aston Villa), Vicky Lines (Leicester City), Vicky Larham (Peterborough Azure), Emily Ingle (Bedford Belles), Samara Iredale (Peterborough Azure), Lisa White (Peterborough Ladies), Sarah Hudson (Peterborough Azure), Ashley Palmer (Peterborough Azure), Clare Everall (Peterborough Azure), Charlotte Clarke (Peterborough Azure), Hannah Phillimore (Peterborough Azure), Megan Quirke (Peterborough Azure), Sophia Aragrosa (Peterborough Azure), Stephanie Day (Huntingdon Town), Amanda Godfrey (Huntingdon Town), Jodie Penfold (Huntingdon Town), Nicola Holliday (Huntingdon Town).

Referee: James Emanuel (St. Neots).

Assistant Referees: Tony Clifton (St. Neots) and Karen Delaney (St. Ives).
  

EAST ANGLIAN COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP
Womens Division 
Cambridgeshire    1  v  1    Essex
 
Essex Women's side got off to a solid start to the new East Anglian Counties campaign as a first half header from defender Vanessa Wilson helped earn a point for new boss Kim Coster against Cambridgeshire.
 
"We've come a long way from last year," said boss Coster after the clash at Soham Town Rangers. "I'm very pleased for the girls and they've done themselves proud tonight. There were maybe a few early nerves, but when we settled we were excellent. Maybe we could have gone on to win. We were caught offside a few times in the second half and we could have gone two-up. We were all a little disappointed to concede in the final fifteen minutes and it would have been nice to hold on but I'm very pleased with the result."

Indeed, Essex were required to soak up much early pressure from their hosts as the County looked to find their feet early on. The first opportunity arrived on three minutes when Cambs' Jodie Lapish drove over the crossbar from the edge of the area before Michelle Bridgeman did well to cling onto Alison Wright's low shot.

Kayleigh Currie picked-up a loose ball for the home side from a Sophia Piotrowska corner and Kerri Binks was called upon to hack the ball off the goalline. Then Dagenham & Redbridge shot-stopper Bridgeman did well to twice block at the feet of Piotrowska before Essex calmed any jitters by taking a 27th minute lead, a perfectly delivered Lianne Prior corner powered home by the head of Billericay's Wilson.

Essex could have doubled their lead in similar fashion seven minutes before the break, this time Prior's flag kick was bundled goalwards by Wilson, but Cambs 'keeper Verity Crook eventually managed to gather the ball. The second period saw Essex make all the early running, but the best chance fell to Prior who's angled shot brought a fine stop from Crook after Zoe Rushen had created the opportunity.

Slightly against the run of play, Cambs grabbed a leveller on 78 minutes, Naomi Lyon sliding home a low shot from fifteen yards. Undeterred, though, Essex continued to create chances and Prior stabbed a Marie Barker free-kick just off target at the far post before, in stoppage time, Prior curled a twenty-yard free-kick inches wide of the upright. Essex, eventually settled for a draw but, were content with a fine performance and a strong base for the new campaign.

Cambridgeshire: Verity Crook (Welwyn Garden City), Ruth Godden (Cambridge United) [Nadine Sillence (Cambridge United), 73], Nicola Geoghan (Cambridge City), Jordan Holland (Cambridge City), Victoria Neal (Welwyn Garden City), Kayleigh Currie (Cambridge United), Alison Wright (Cambridge City), Jodie Lapish (Cambridge City), Sophia Piotrowska (Cambridge City), Naomi Lyon (Welwyn Garden City), Alice Kempski (Cambridge United). Unused Substitutes: Kathy Edwards (Cambridge City), Rebecca Sawink (Cambridge City).

Essex: Michelle Bridgeman (Dagenham & Redbridge), Kerri Binks (Chelmsford City), Antonia Vassallo (West Bergholt), Marie Barker (Billericay), Olivia Worsfold (Brentwood Town), Vanessa Wilson (Billericay Ladies), Michelle Davis (Chelmsford City) (Nicole Manning [Dagenham & Redbridge], 48), Lianne Prior (Barking), Nicola Carty (Dagenham & Redbridge) (Emma Ridings [Chelmsford City], 72), Zoe Rushen (Braintree Town), Andrea Wright (Saffron Walden Town) (Kiran Hare [Colchester United], 88). Unused Substitutes: Sian Jenkins (West Ham United), Laken Duchar-Clark (Braintree Town).

Referee: Peter Howard (Cambridge).

Assistant Referees: Alan Davies (Cambridge) and Tom Blackburne-Maze (Cambridge).

Attendance: T.B.C.