Nov 26, 2017
Goals: Jo Atkins (5), Sophie Mabbett (30), Alice Lilley (32,85)
Assists: Caz Paterson, Alice Lilley, Lauren Evans, Caz Paterson
Player of the Match: Caz Paterson
The Sumas Ladies started the day second from bottom in the league and ended in second place after another confident performance at Lowther Rd. The team had felt recent results did not reflect their performances and everyone put in a shift to make that a reality this Sunday. With a near record attendance of 36 braving the crisp autumn weather it was an early free kick from Sophie Mabbett that allowed Jo Atkins to react quickest to a Caz Paterson flick on and dispatch a first time strike on the turn to make it 1-nil to the Sumas.
Both sides then settled into some solid football with both sides having chances and made for a thrilling game. On 30 mins some hard work and strong lay from Alice Lilley led to a cross that deceived keeper and defenders to reach Sophie Mabbett on the back post to poke home. Tina Leahy went close with a smashing drive across goal that the crowd thought had found the back of the net. After being smashed 0-6 by barton in a previous game it came as quite a surprise to lead and that lead was soon strengthened.
A fine ball from Lauren Evans had Alice Lilley through on goal and a clinical finish top right gave the Barton keeper little chance. 3-0 and Barton started to use their speed and width to some effect as they pressed to get back in the game. Becky Atkins thwarted several breaks and Donna Robinson and Sam Holloway were distributing play brilliantly from the back. No further goals had the Sumas in at the break 3-0 up and feeling confident about seeing the game out.
The second half began with a fired up Barton who started to show why they were top of the league. However, a determined Sumas unit never rested with Mel Shepherd and Sian Cleary working hard in midfield and controlling play with their strength and composure. After 60 mins Barton got a breakthrough. A deflected cross ricocheted of a Suma defender and ended up in the back of the net. 3-1 and 30 minutes to go.
Megan Bonifacci in goal was dominating any potential threat and as Barton started to press further up the pitch, more opportunities opened up for the Sumas on the break. Rebecca Grieg and Lizzie Evans were brought on to sure up the 3 points but the Sumas actually went one better. Player of the match Caz Paterson had the final say and put the game beyond Barton’s reach in the 85th minute. A couple a free kicks were sighters for a delivery from the left that was inch perfect and found Alice Lilley rising in the box to head the ball down past the keeper into the bottom left corner for her second of the match.
It was a great game, played in great spirit that makes the First Northern Division a very interesting league as we move past the half way point of the season. Well done to the whole group that have been making the incremental gains each week required to be competitive at this level.
Sep 25, 2017
Wokingham & Emmbrook FC 2 - 1 Oxford City Nomads
Wokingham & Emmbrook FC’s first ever women's home game at the spiritual home of "The Sumas" ended with success in the sunshine.
It was tight and enthralling game that could have gone either way. The Sumas got off to a flying start against a quick and attacking minded Oxford side. Wokingham made the breakthrough after 20 minutes when Jo Atkins slotted Alice Lilley through on goal and she made no mistake with the finish. Wokingham keeper, Megan Bonifacii was calm and collected snuffing out a number of Oxford attacks and her distribution was first class. With the Wokingham defence keeping things tight it stayed 1-0 at half time.
Jo Atkins and Alice combined again and Alice completed her second brace in two games by rounding the keeper and finishing cooly under pressure. Oxford quickly grabbed one back to keep the pressure on Wokingham for the final 30 minutes. With both teams having further chances it made for a pulsating game with the final score never certain but ended with a win for Wokingham on their home debut at Lowther Rd.
Wokingham's player of the match went to Lauren Evans for a tireless performance in midfield contributing gong forward and in covering Oxford's speedy breaks.
A solid start for "The Town's" new women's team that showed the Suma spirit from start to finish.
Sep 05, 2017
Wokingham & Emmbrook FC’s first ever ladies team is an amalgamation of the now disbanded Bracknell Town Ladies and Wokingham & Emmbrook FC’s U18’s. Both sets of players have played together for many years and recently merged to form a side playing in the Southern Region Women’s Football League. The blend of experience and youth came together on Sunday for Wokingham & Emmbrook’s First Ladies fixture in it’s history.
Aug 23, 2017
Southern Region Women's Football League Division 1