SWTFC Ladies B

Essex Ladies League Division Two

CHELMSFORD LADIES 3-1 SAFFRON WALDEN LADIES B

 A battling first half performance from the Carr and Bircher backed Walden ladies wasn’t enough to prevent them from going down 3-1 to relegation rivals Chelmsford.

Walden couldn’t have made a worse start to the game as Chelmsford took the lead within 20 seconds of the ref blowing the whistle as a result of a total lack of concentration in the Walden camp.

Determined midfield play from the lively Lizzie Belinger ensured that Walden then enjoyed the majority of the possession as good link up play with Julia Cornell and Pav Beasley created plenty of problems for the home defence with Claire Gooch playing the holding midfield role to great effect.

The ball spent most of the first half in the Chelmsford half as Walden sought a deserved equaliser while Lauren Hepburn and Vicky Smith in the heart of the Walden defence were alert and solid to any Chelmsford counter attacks.

A Belinger goal disallowed for offside didn’t dampen the Walden spirits and found them more determined to achieve a result.

The equaliser came shortly before half time as a Walden corner led to some persistent play in the box which eventually saw Julia Cornell strike home from inside the box.

The half time whistle enabled Chelmsford to regroup and the introduction of several substitutes was the difference between the two sides as the fresh legs provided Chelmsford with the ammunition they needed to take the lead against the run of play with a shot that keeper Deb Johnson was unlucky not to save.

Despite the grit and determination shown by the Walden side a third Chelmsford goal killed off Walden hopes and left them ruing what could have been.

Runwell Hospital Ladies 3

SW Ladies B 5

The Walden Ladies B team made the perfect start to 2008 as they secured their first points of the season in a hard fought battle away from home.

Post Christmas hang ups appeared to hamper Walden in the early stages as they failed to look convincing and were guilty of squandering possession which allowed Runwell to deservedly take the lead.   Walden were quick to equalise as Andi Wright slotted home after beating her marker and then Kim Jeffery provided Walden with the advantage with a calm finish having previously missed two good chances to score.

It was then Runwells turn to equalise which they did from the penalty spot after Julia Lockley was harshly adjudged to have handballed on the line, a decision which also saw the Walden skipper shown the red card.

A stern half-time talk saw Walden take to the field with more urgency and the reshuffle prompted by the sending off meant that Jeffery dropped back into the defence adding much needed pace and strength to the Walden backline

The lively Ali Wright a recent addition to the club, was instrumental in much of Walden’s attacking play and her strength in the air ensured that she consistently won the ball.  It was through a Walden attack involving Kylie Smith that Runwell were to find themselves on the receiving end of a controversial refereeing decision as Walden were awarded a penalty for handball in the area.  Ali Wright showed no nerves as she converted the resulting spotkick.

The points looked destined to be shared after Kim Jeffery was pressured into a back-pass to Walden keeper Debbie Johnson which unluckily found itself in the back of the net to draw the scores level.

Determined not to throw the game away Andi Wright restored Walden’s lead late into the game leaving the Walden defence to battle hard to prevent Runwell from ruining the celebrations.  The points were wrapped up in bizarre circumstances when Ali Wright headed the ball goal bound from just inside the area leading to a mix-up with two Runwell defenders who simply watched the ball helplessly as it trickled over the line leaving the Walden girls jubilant to move off the bottom of the league table.

Harlow Athletic Ladies 5 Saffron Walden Ladies B 0

For the second successive week the Walden ladies B team lost by a 5-0 deficit to stay rooted at the bottom of the second division table.

Despite showing character and determination the lack of the killer instinct in front of goal was always evident as Walden struggled to create any attacking opportunities for themselves.  The return of Kylie Smith in the Walden midfield was a welcome boost as she held the ball up and spread the ball to the wings for Hannah Coxall and Lauren Hepburn but Walden were unable to penetrate the staunch Harlow defence.

Defensively Walden will consider themselves unlucky to be on the receiving end of such a harsh scoreline as Debbie Brown and Julia Lockley led the backline well.  Debbie Johnson in the Walden goal was busy but assured as she confidently dealt with several goal bound shots until she was finally beaten on the half hour mark when Walden failed to deal with a corner.  A further two goals were added before halftime to leave Walden with an uphill battle to gain anything from a game that they needed to win.

A switch in formation for the second half seemed to provide Walden with extra options further up the field but a tame shot from Smith was the closest that Walden got to threatening the opposition goal mouth.

A further two goals from Harlow ensured that the Walden ladies had another miserable afternoon and leaves them seeking that illusive first win of the season.

Saffron Walden Town ladies B 0 - Chelmsford Reserves 5

Despite a spirited display Walden Ladies B team are still searching for that illusive first win of the season as they were cruelly beaten by 5 goals at home to Chelmsford.

For the first twenty minutes of the game Walden seemed to be in control as they defended strongly thanks largely to the presence of Debbie Brown and Michelle Smith in the heart of the defence, whilst Lauren Hepburn was able to move forward and help the attackers.

Christina Onley was solid and precise with her tackling to prevent Chelmsford from penetrating down the wing but it was the long ball over the top of the defence that ultimately caught Walden out as the visitors took advantage of a lack of pace to open the scoring on the half hour mark.  Chelmsford had the opportunity to double the lead soon after as they were awarded a penalty for handball in the box.  Walden keeper Evie Taylor pulled off an impressive save though to raise Walden moral.  A comeback before halftime wasn’t to be as the visitors doubled their lead against the run of play after Walden had failed to clear their lines with any real conviction.

The second half saw Walden continue to battle with Debbie Johnson in the middle of the park displaying determination but a third goal ultimately killed off any hopes Walden had had of kick-starting their season.

Fatigue was a large factor in the closing stages of the game as Walden heads dropped, allowing Chelmsford to score two more goals.

SAFFRON WALDEN LADIES B 1- 6 C AND K BASILDON LADIES

Sunday 23 September 2007

A lack of match practice and creativity was the main difference between the two sides as Basildon emphatically beat Walden on the opening fixture of the new season as Walden field three debutant players.  Early possession was equal with Julia Cornell putting in a lively performance on the left wing and Christina Onley making some positive running on her Walden debut but it was Basildon who made the initial breakthrough in the game.  Evie Taylor playing her first game in the Walden goal put in an assured and confident performance to deny Basildon further goals whilst at the other end a Walden corner saw Julia Lockley equalise with a far post header. 

Two further first half goals however meant that Walden were facing an uphill battle to salvage anything from the game. Despite the gallant efforts of Debbie Brown and Michelle Smith in the Walden back-line Basildon continued to capitalise on Walden’s shortcomings and managed to finish the home side off with three second half goals that left Walden ruing what could have been if they had converted possession into chances.