The other new player on Thursday was Abigail Hayes, on the left of defence in the first half, switching to the right after the break. It was an eye-catching performance, quick and strong in the tackle, she did a really good job on keeping the speedy Watford wingers quiet.
She played for the RAF this season, alongside Cat Beaver in the Inter Services Final at Sandhurst last month, when the RAF beat the Army 3-0. Abi scored the third, a stunning left foot shot over the keeper. Her goal is at 2:23 in the highlights in the link below. Cat had a assist for one of the other goals and Lauren Drewett was right back for the Army.
It will be interesting to see if Abigail features in the remaining games this season, she certainly looks ready for this level. I am not sure what her football history is. There is an Abby Hayes from Erskine, a full back who has played for Scotland youth teams, I donât think that is her but someone please correct me if this is so!
No change in the requirements, the Chairgirls need a win at Portchester next Sunday to make sure of the title. Note that Portchester are at home to Eastbourne Borough on Wednesday in the Combined Counties Cup.
Some cup finals for your diaries, at some different and interesting grounds.
Sun 26 April - Firsts v AFC Portchester
SRWFL League Cup Final
Reading City FC, Rivermoor Stadium, Scours Lane, Tilehurst, Reading RG30 6AY - KO 15:00
Wed 29 April - U18s v MK SET
Berks & Bucks Girls U18 Invitational Cup
Risborough Rangers FC, The KAMTECH Stadium, Horsenden Lane, Princes Risborough, HP27 9NE - KO 19:45
Sat 9 May - U16s v West Bromwich Albion Foundation
JPL Warriors U16 Knockout Cup
Corby Town FC, Steel Park, Jimmy Kane Way, Rockingham Road, Corby, NN17 2FB - KO TBC
The Portchester game was stopped in the first half because of a kit clash, with Eastbourne continuing in bibs.
Sutton will be at home to Chatham Town in the QF, date TBC. I imagine the SF draw will be made quickly, I hope we donât get Portchester as that would mean playing them three games in a row. Maidenhead United are the other team in the draw.
Both youth teams are at home tomorrow in the league, both are showing in the fixture lists as at the 1878 Stadium, and both at roughly the same time - U16s at 10:00, U18s at 10:30. This cannot be so I presume one is playing at either Flackwell or Henley.
The U16s host Oxford City U16s, who have won three and lost eight. The teams have yet to meet and the Hoops are on a five match losing run.
The U18s play Dorking Wanderers U18s who are bottom with 11 out of 11 defeats. The Chairgirls won 6-2 in the reverse fixture two weeks ago.
On Sunday the Firsts Travel to AFC Portchester for this oh so important final league game. More on that later.
The U18s drew 5-5 at home to Dorking Wanderers yesterday.
The U16sâ match against Oxford City does not appear to have been played.
As mentioned on the Local Football thread, the U18s B & B Final against MK, at Risborough Rangers on 29 April, will have to be moved to a new ground, or a new date. Rangers now have a play-off game at home on that day against Cockfosters.
In the Combined Counties Cup Semi-final, the Chairgirls have been drawn away to the winners of Sutton United v Chatham Town, the date of that fixture TBC. In the other tie, AFC Portchester host Maidenhead United.
To play Portchester in the final would probably mean us beating Chatham, who are a very good tier 4 side, third in National D1 SE. Portchester have a big task in beating Maidenhead, who have also had a good season at tier 4, finishing fifth, their highest ever finish. After yesterday, I wouldnât be surprised if Portchester do beat them!
Tomorrow the U16s travel to Oxford City U16s in the league, after last weekâs home match against them was not played. The Hoops are still on a five match losing run and sit two points below the Chairgirls. This will be their last match if last weekâs is not played. Kick-off 2pm at the Community 3G pitch, Court Place Farm, Marsh Lane, Marston OX3 0NQ.
Also tomorrow, the U18s host Epsom & Ewell Colts U18s in the league. The Chairgirls beat the Salts 6-5 in the reverse fixture in November. Epsom have taken 15 points from 13 games and their last league game was four weeks ago, an impressive 3-0 win over Crystal Palace U16s. Kick-off 10am at the 1878 Stadium, Burnham.
On Sunday the Firsts face AFC Portchester for the third time this season, in the League Cup Final. More on that to come.
Other results today. Denham, the D1N champions with a perfect record in the league so far, beat Oxford City in the Chairmanâs Cup Final, also played at Reading City today at 11am.
Next Sunday itâs the big one, Winchester City Flyers v AFC Portchester, followed by Reading v AFC Portchester the following Wednesday. The Chairgirls can still do the double, we are awaiting our opponents in the CCL Cup, Sutton United v Chatham Town date is still to be announced.
A reminder that the U18s play MK U18s in the Berks & Bucks Invitational Cup Final this Wednesday at Aylesbury Vale Dynamos. Kick-off 19:45 at The Greenfleets Stadium, Haywood Way, Aylesbury HP19 9WZ.
There is an extra promotion place available for the second placed tier 5 team with the best PPG number, but I donât think that will be going to the Southern Region, looking at the other leagues.
News today that Sutton United v Chatham Town in the CCL Cup QF will be played on Tuesday 12th May at Sutton. We will be away to the winners and, according to Martin Etheridge, the CCL committee member responsible for the competition, our match âwill need to follow the following weekâ. The Final is at Cobham FC on Wednesday 27th May.
