STUDENTS FAIL COPSEWOOD TEST Copsewood (Coventry) 2 Loughborough Students 1 Midlands Combination Sunday 28th September 2008 Match Report From Allard Way By Glenn Lawrence In a partly scrappy game which lost in momentum following some lengthy injury stoppages early pace setters Copsewood carved out another fantastic result as they saw off the challenge of a plucky Loughborough Students side courtesy of Ria Baker's goal-double either side of the break. Table Toppers Copsewood Ladies looked to continue their dream start to their new found life in the Midlands Combination as they played hosts to Loughborough Students at Allard Way.Copses Ladies hit Alfreton Town for six just seven days ago thanks to Ria Bakers Hat-Trick Nicola Foskett's Goal Double and Amanda Whalley's strike to complement an opening day victory over Coventry City Ladies secured by Foskett's second half match-winner. Copsewood had the unavailable Melanie Ball and Heidi Sloan missing from their starting line-up while injured Keighley Brookes and Marsha Towey were named on the substitutes bench, while Loughborough Students arrived with a familiar face in the form of ex Leamington Lion Sabina Blackwell. On an overcast afternoon Copsewood took the lead on 8 minutes as Ria Baker latched on a Mckenna's through ball to hit home from 8 yards out.On 11 minutes Francesca Ferreira fired wide following Bell's cross before Xmas came early to Allard Way and Copsewood gift wrapped the equalizer when a mix up in the home defence gifted Loughborough Students with an equalizer on 16 minutes, after Stevens and advancing goalkeeper Smithers on the edge of the box lost out to Sophie Bell who took the ball wide too fired home low into the net from a tight angle.Despite playing some good football the first half finished all square. Ria Baker put Copsewood Ladies into the lead on 63 minutes hitting home before Amanda Whalley went close with an over head bicycle kick and Leanne McKenna rattled the woodwork as Copses Ladies failed to turn chances into goals a nervy ending saw the Students pressing for an equaliser and some neat footwork by Smithers in the home goal gave the home side supporters a heart rending moment as advancing Keeper Smithers skilfully rounded Students on-coming forwards.Nicola Foskett's legs bore all the hall-marks of a battling if not bruising encounter which saw her hobble off in the second half. Natasha White was unlucky when her curled the ball wide of the far upright. An enjoyable and entertaining hard fought battling game in-which the visitors could have stolen a point right up until the very end as Copsewood had two penalty appeals turned down a below par team performance amid some good individual performances from Natasha White, Chantelle Stanley and Goalkeeper Natasha Smithers, not too mention true professional McKenna who battled on with a heavy cold, Only a fine reflex save from Smithers denied the Students a goal as Sarah Gaciers well struck shot was superbly pushed around the past by the flying Smithers who handling of the ball was excellent, If only Smithers was just a little more vocal that would enhance her goalkeeping skills.Copsewood played some good free flowing passing football in the first 45 minutes and ultimately this game was probably closer than it should have been that said the Students will count themselves unlucky to have left Allard Way empty handed after a three way second half substitution inspired their performance in the closing 20 minutes the visitors looked more than capable of stealing a goal to dent Copsewood's winning streak.Tougher tests lie ahead for Copsewood but nine points from three outings sees Copsewood Ladies in pole position of the Midlands Combination after the opening month Copsewood travel to TNS/Shrewsbury next weekend hoping the hosts do not pull the wool over their eyes after they have removed the sheep from the pitch all in all this was a good result craved out of a mediocre performance, Copsewood Manager Mick Conneely will be disappointed this game was not killed off but along the way he and the Copsewood supporters may just be in for some nervous finishing until the normal Copsewood sparkle returns. Copsewood Line-Up 1.Smithers 3.Stanley 4.McKenna 5.Stevens 6.Brimson 8.Whalley 9.Baker 10.McGulkin 11.Foskett 12.White 15.McCook Subs 2.Towey 14.Brookes 17.Danks Loughborough Students Line-Up 1.Crawford 3.Curd 4.Hague 5.Blackwell 6.Bell 7.Gacier 8.Steele 9.Stirrup 10.Ferreri 15.Allen 17.Thackray Subs 12.Peckham 14.Eastham 16.Wann Referee Mr Barry Fox Match Bookings None

FOSKETT FIRES COPSEWOOD LADIES TO MOST POIGNANT WIN IN THE CLUBS EIGHT YEAR HISTORY Coventry Copsewood 1 Coventry City 0 Midlands Combination Womens League Sunday 14th September Match Report from Allard Way By Glenn Lawrence Midlands Combination newcomers Coventry Copsewood Ladies posted their most poignant result in their eight year history after beating the Sky Blues to win the Coventry Women's Football bragging rights courtesy of Nicola Foskett's 72nd Minute goal. The honour for the local bragging Women's football rights in Coventry took an early twist as newly promoted Copsewood clashed with fancied title challengers and local City rivals Coventry City Ladies.The Sky Blues last years Midlands Combination runners-up arrived at Allard Way on the back of a 7-1 success over Leafield Athletic Ladies achieved the opening day of the season seven days ago, goal doubles from Cherelle Archibald, Jade Formaston and Katie Moran helping City ladies to their emphatic opening day victory.Meanwhile Copsewood's Midlands Combination debut was put on ice for seven days following last weekends deluge which washed out the clubs opening league fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Goodrich Stadium.A crocked Copsewood side lined-up without the injured Marsha Towey and ineligible Katie Stevens against the mighty Sky Blues with Manager Mick Conneely forced to play new signing Emily Brimston who had been suffering a cold virus, Nicola Foskett who was not fully fit, and Jodie McGulkin who has been short of match pratice to make numbers up Conneeely was also forced to too name Melissa Danks on the subs bench, who returns to football after an absence of nearly twelve months having recently in the summer becoming a mother. A larger than normal Crowd at Allard Way watch the Sky Blues kick-off on what is one of the Midlands best playing surfaces on the Non League football scene as Coventry Copsewood Ladies kick started their Midlands Combination campaign in a typical local battling derby encounter clear cut chances were at a premium for long periods as both sides battled way for supremacy, Copsewood's best chances coming through Jodie McGulkin who fired wide and Nicola Foskett's well struck 6 yard effort which was pushed around the near post by Sky Blues goalkeeper Adelle Rogers just before the interval. The Sky Blues forced the early pace throughout the first ten minutes of the second half without capitalising for long periods it looked like one goal would settle this tight highly competitive local derby, and so it proved when Nicola Foskett rolled home the decisive winner from 8 yards out on 72 minutes as she latched onto White's through ball bore down on the goal rolling the ball past advancing Sky Blues goalkeeper Rogers and into the net, Scenes of juibilation erupting around Allard Way.Coventry City nearly capitalised a well place free-kick from the left which the home defence made a woeful mess of trying to clear the ball pinging around the area and eventually hitting the upright after the Referee blown for a foul, on home goalkeeper Smithers.Eight minutes of second half stoppage time were played but to no avail for City as Copsewood Ladies held out for a historic win over the big City Counterparts. Had Copsewood fired on all four cylinders to their true capabilities and potential then the result would have surely been clearer cut a below par performance saw them edge out the mighty Sky Blues who were kept at bay by a good slice of luck, solid defending, good goal-keeping, and the woodwork which City Ladies rattles on four occasions a nervous nail biting ending saw Copsewood holding out for victory, Sturdy defending from newcomer Emily Brimston means she is already looking more than a useful acquisition to Conneelys powerhouse squad but a good all round performance, especially from Leona McCook and Kayleigh Brookes mean the Sky Blues were restricted in the opening 45 minutes, However it was the visitors first out of the starting blocks in the second half as they subjected the hosts to a good opening ten minute spell of early dominance.In a David and Goliath battle it was small grass roots family football club Copsewood Ladies who carved out a magnificent result and victory against their more illustrious,flamboyant opponents from across the City the mighty Sky Blues, Managers will be judged on results and while this was a below par performance the foundations are being laid,However for long periods Copsewood had no one taking on the roll of Centre Forward and that was surely a gap that Conneely had hoped to plug when signing Lichfield Diamonds Striker Nikki Hazell who somewhat bizarrely has done a U Turn and having signed for Copsewood decided her future rests across the cIty of Coventry and transferred at today's opponents City Ladies.An enjoyable and entertaining game for one half of the City, The Copsewood side of Coventry as they carved out a great result but in all honesty the reality is that these two football sides should be a world apart from each other given the resources that Coventry City can and do call upon but a good all-round team performance and great team spirit paved the way for one of the Clubs biggest results in their history, the celebrations may have lasted 24 hours, but I am not wholly convinced they will have stopped just yet, but given the fact that most of the Copsewood Girls have come through the ranks of Coventry City Ladies Football Club at some point this result will be even more enjoyable in their eyes, having come along way, in eight years this result will take its place in history but never have such joyous scenes been witnessed for just securing three league points.City Ladies will have been very disappointed to have left Allard Way empty handed but what better start to their Midlands Combination league campaign could Manager Mick Coneely have wanted other than three league points and a postitive result from his big City rivals.This was probably Coventry Copsewood Ladies 1.Smithers 3.Stanley 4.McKenna 6.Brimston 7.Ball (12.White 70 mins) 8.Whalley 9.Baker 10.McGulkin 11.Foskett 15.McCook (16.Sloan 70 Mins) UnUsed Sub 17.Danks Coventry City Ladies 1.Rogers 2.Dermody 3.Forbes 4.Pinner (15.Olle 75 mins) 5.Lynch 6.Bryenton 7.Formaston (14.Lowe 83 mins) .8.Moran 9.Hanson (13.Williams 55 mins) 10.Saulter 11.Archbold Subs 12.Wilcox 13.Williams 16.Willis Referee Mr A.Stickley Match Bookings (3) Henson - Moran and Brimson

CLEAVER CUTS THROUGH MOULTON Moulton Ladies 4 Woodford United 6 Northants FA County League Sunday 21st September 2008 Match Report from Moulton College By Glenn Lawrence Woodford United Ladies arrived with a Cleaver to cut through the challenge of Moulton Ladies in the opening Northants FA County League fixture as Samantha Cleaver carved out five goals to send Woodford United Ladies home victorious after the visitors had hauled themselves back from a 3-1 half-time deficit. Moulton Ladies kicked-off their 2008/2009 Northants FA County League season with a visit from Woodford United Ladies with the hosts Chareen Brown, Rhoda Lawes, Laura Ponting,Amy Long and Summer Copeland all making their debut against a more experience United side lacking in numbers.Woodford Kick off with Assistant Manager David Hale in charge, in place of team-chief Danni Grogan with the Reds kicking off with just eight players as Hirons depututising in goal for Hillyard. A good move from Moulton on 3 minutes saw Berryman find Brown on the edge of the area who neatly threaded the ball through to Long but from 15 yards out she could not capitalize, Minutes later Copeland forced Hirons to save well before Ryan blazed over the crossbar from 18 yards out, On 7 minutes the home side looked to have taken the lead when a thunderous shot crashed off the underside of the crossbar and seemingly bounced over the goal-line only for the Woodford defence to hook the ball clear of danger. On 9 minutes O'Reilly dispossessed Brown, but she could not capitalize while seconds later at the other end Long miscued her 12 yard effort. Against the run of play Woodford United took the lead on 11 minutes through Sam Cleaver her opening goal being cancelled out Chareen Brown who hit home from close range after the ball slipped through the grasp of stand-in goalkeeper Hirons.Mouton took the lead on 28 minutes when Berryman's well struck 18 yard shot sailed across the face of goal into the far top corner of the net. With the homeside enjoying a good spell Berryman fired straight at goalkeeper Hirons after failing to take the best option which would have been crossing to the incoming Long at the far post. Jo Berryman fired Moulton into a 3-1 lead on 33 minutes with a well struck effort from 8 yards out. A long clearance by Hirons in the Woodford goal released Cleaver who low shot hit the legs of Moulton goalkeeper Wilson and cannoned of the foot of the far post and away to safety on 37 minutes.Only a last ditch clearance by experienced campaigner Julie Warren denied newcomer Summer Copeland who neatly toe poked the ball between the goalkeeper Legs only to see the loose ball hooked away to safety by Warren. Only a fine save, by Hirons in the Woodford United goal denied Copeland as Moulton went into the turn around point leading 3-1. On 50 minutes Hillyard replaced Hirons in goal who took up an outfield position while Harris came on as United extended their numerical advantage from eight too ten players.Sam Cleaver reduced the arrears making it 3-2 on 58 minutes firing home low into the net before completing her hat-trick Two minutes later.Unstoppable Cleaver fired Woodford into the lead making it 4-3 on 67 minutes, when hit home low into the net from 18 yards out past advancing goalkeeper Wilson.With the visitors forcing Moulton onto the back foot Cleaver burst clear and was uprooted by the outstretched hand of Moulton keeper Wilson who fell awkwardly after a lengthy stoppage Moulton lost goalkeeper Wilson who carried out, Her place in goal being taken by Evans from the resulting spot-kick Sam Harris drilled home the penalty making it 5-3 after 80 minutes.Sam Clever hit Moulton for Six on 85 minutes before Jo Berryman netted a late consolation for Moulton on 90 minutes. An enjoyable and very entertaining game Moulton paying the price for failing to convert their first half chances against an experience Woodford side who after a shaky start grew stronger on a typically tropical Northamptonshire afternoon Moulton played some neat free flowing football but new look Moulton will take time to jell. Berryman clinical finishing off some goods moves but ultimately Moulton failed to tighten their belts in the second half as Cleaver cut through the home defence as the old cliché says a game of two half the Second half belonging to Woodford but a good game played between two grass roots sides who struggle to field 11 players consistently Woodford defence being well marshalled by experience campaigners Julie Warren and Anne Davies who in the opening 45 minutes were forced to work over to keep a lively Moulton side at bay Debutante Amy Long being unlucky not too get on the score-sheet more composure and confidence in front of the goal would have capped her first appearance with a goal. Some good executed goals between two developing sides who continue the progress and impress but ultimately are hampered by the shire fact that they can never field a full team with substitutes. Moulton Ladies Line-Up 1.Wilson 2.Ponting 3. Farmer (Capt) 4.Copeland 5.Hills 6.Berryman 7 Lawes 8.Long 9.Brown 11.Ryan 18.Evans Woodford United Ladies Line-Up 1.Hillyard 2.Hirons 3.Davies 4.Cleaver 5.Warren 6.Ford 7.O'Reilley 9.Wrenn 11.Wood 15.Harris Match Referee Mr R.Wilson No Bookings

DONALD DOUBLE STEALS OPENING DAY VICTORY FROM FRIAR LANE LADIES Corby Stewart & Lloyds Ladies 3 Friar Lane & Epworth Ladies 3 East Midlands Regional Women’s League Premier Division Sunday 31st August 2008 Match Report from Occupation Road by Glenn Lawrence Corby Stewart and Lloyds Ladies marked their East Midlands Premier League debut by producing a amazing come back to deny Friar Lane & Epworth Ladies an opening Day victory at Occupation Road in the East Midlands Premier Division as the visitors surrendered a three goal lead inside the final twenty minutes. Missing the injured Natasha Walker and the unavailable Georgina Sturguss Corby Manager Mark Norton included Youngsters Cheryll Dilley and Gracie McLaren for the visit of Friar Lane and Epworth Ladies to Occupation Road who finished third in the league last season.An uneasy start found the visitors to top as Corby failed to find their Rhythm and for long spells were made to chase and soak up pressure however the hosts nearly capitalised on a defensive mistake on 4 minutes as Rebecca Johnson dispossessed the visitors finding Allinson on the right who deliver a deep cross to Stephanie Donald who shot was blocked at the far post by Corbett. Lucy O'Bryne saw a 30 yard effort sail wide of the target fore the visitors on 8 minutes before Shakes forced McFarland to push around the near post her 30 yard shot two minutes later. Only another fine block by home goalkeeper McFarland denied the visitors as the pacy Shakes found O'Bryne who low shot was fired straight at the legs of advancing goalkeeper McFarland on 20 minutes. Lucy O'Bryne smashed home the opening goal on 31 minutes following Shakes cross. Provider Shakes turned goal-scorer on 42 minutes as she doubled the visitors' lead firing home low into the net from 18 yards out ahead of the pursuing Gemmill. The Leicestershire visitors continued the second half in the way they had ended the first by adding goal number three four minutes after the restart, Roscheele Shakes fired home from a tight angle on the left into the far corner of the net. Corby replaced goalkeeper McFarland with Poppy Holmes on 57 minutes. Rachel Senescahll should have put the visitors further ahead on 63 minutes but with the gaol at her mercy and only home keeper Holmes to beat, she wasted the guilt edged chance by firing wide. Louise Allison started the Corby comeback on 70 minutes when she sprinted down the right following Reid's cross, Allison firing home low into the net across the face of the goal, that lift the home side and gave them hope Just Two Minutes later Donald reduced the deficit after picking up a through ball from Joanne Ross. Stephanie Donald equalised on 88 minutes as she sprang clear, after latching onto Carlie Norton's long ball, Donald beating advancing goalkeeper Cave to be left with a simple tap in and complete a come-back that twenty minutes early had looked virtually impossible to steal victory from under the noses of Friar Lane. Shakes had a goal ruled out late in the closing minutes when her well placed free-kick was ruled out by the Referee for pushing. Despite playing some neat free flowing football the hosts' usual sparkle was not evident until the final 20 minutes as the hosts paid the price for a nervous 45 minutes, against a good Friar Lane Side, the home side failed to close down the lively Shakes and O'Bryne. Defensively the hosts allowed the visitors to much space and time and were punished for their errors, for long periods Stephanie Donald looked to be alone shadow up front missing her striking partner Georgina Sturguss but even with a formidable strike force Corby will need to be much tighter in defence this season if they are not to be left trying to pick up the pieces. All in all, a very entertaining and enjoyable game which was a credit to both sides and Women's Football but the lesson from this game is you have never lost until the Referee blows the final whistle. A testing season lies ahead but today Corby salvaged a point against a Friar Lane side that panicked and paid the price having been in the driving seat for long periods, those two quick-fire goals inside three minutes paving the way for an impressive fight-back but if this opening game in the East Midlands Regional Women's Football League is anything to go by the Corby Management may just need a large supply of valium to steady their nerves this season because this game was not for the faint hearted, a good display, especially from Youngster Dilley and Mclaren amid the defensive errors but perhaps what Corby really need is an experience Central Defender to Marshall their defence, As for Friar Lane well the points were all but sealed leading by three goals and cruising to victory, they left Occupation Road having dropped two points, had the Referee played the injury time then victory was up for grabs but on the opening day Corby Manager Mark Norton will have been happy with a point as his side adjusts to life in the higher division. Next week sees last seasons Runners Up, Loughborough Dynamo visit for what promises to be on paper on very interesting league encounter. Corby S&L Line-up 1.McFarlane (18.Holmes 57mins) 2.Reid 3.Johnson 4.Allison 5.Clarricoates 6.Norton 7.Lowden 9.Gemmill 10.Donald 11.Ross 15.Dilley (12.McLaven 69 mins) Friar Lane Line-Up 1.Cave 3.Odell-Burley 4.Curd 5.Corbett 7.Seneschall 8.Shakes 9.Devlin 10.Galway (2.Biggs 73 mins) 11.Harrison 16.Sommer 17.O'Byrne (12.Smith 48 mins) No Match Bookings Referee Mr K. Innis

TWO QUICK GOALS SEE JAGUARS JUST OFF POLE POSISTION Woodford United Ladies 2 Kingsthorpe Jaguars 3 Northants FA County League Sunday 2nd November 2008 Match Report From Byfield Road By Glenn Lawrence Two goals inside Two minutes helped high flying Newcomers Kingsthorpe Jaguars claim their fifth win of the season from six outings in their first Northants FA County League Campaign at Byfield Road as Steve Hill's young side carved out a good result against more experience opponents Woodford United Ladies in difficult playing conditions. A succession of corners nearly paid dividends for the visitors inside the opening ten minutes, from one of those corners Kingsthorpe nearly broke the deadlock on 7 minutes when Smith found Brundenall who's well struck shot was pushed around the near post by Maddison in the home goal.Kingsthorpe Jaguars took the lead on 17 minutes when home goalkeeper Sue Maddison spilt the ball and Masie Brundenhall hit home from 8 yards out.With the home side steel reeling from that set-back the visitors went further ahead on 19 minutes, Marlow's low shot diagonal shot from the right wing grazed at the inside of the near post and slowly spun over the goal-line the ball already in the net before Julie Warren's valiant attempt to clear the ball could be executed. - That signalled the sign for a few heads to drop in the home side, However United continued to be danagerous without really testing Reed in the visiting goal to any real extend in the poor playing conditions. Woodford United Ladies reduced the deficit on 28 minutes when top-scorer Samantha Cleaver latched onto a well through ball and hit home past advancing goalkeeper Reed and a visiting defender.Kingsthorpe's Smith went close on 35 minutes when her 18 yard drive was turned around the post by Maddison in the Woodford United Ladies goal.Only a goal-line clearance from Julie Warren denied the visitors on 38 minutes as Lauren Smith's low drive slipped through the hands of Maddison, Warren hooking the ball clear of danger from 2 yards out.On 44 minutes Kingsthorpe Jaguars nearly increased there lead when Rachel Marlow glanced at a header wide from 12 yards out following Lowdon's well flighted free-kick from the right touch-line with the turn around point looming Woodford United Ladies pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time as Samantha Cleaver poked the ball home beneath advancing goalkeeper Reed following a good move in-which Hirons found O'Reiley who in-turn fed Cleaver who seized her chance. In atrocious playing conditions at Byfield Road which deteriorated minute by minute through-out the second half, both teams battled the strong swirling wind and driving rain on a heavy squelching pitch which was barely playable, The ball at times skidding in the surface water only some good saves from Maddison and the heroics of Warren in the home defence who made a number of goal-line clearances denied Kingsthorpe Jaguars a bigger winning margin. Smith continued to cause the home defence problems in the second half and despite adding fresh legs in the second half from the subs bench Woodford United Ladies could not capitalise as they battled hard to find an equaliser against a young Kingsthorpe side for whom an ideal acquisition would be something along the lines of an experienced female player/coach to guild and Marshall their developing side along. Lowdon had a great chance to put the visitors further ahead late on but could not capitalise on a well positioned free-kick, inside the box which sailed wide of the far post. An enjoyable and entertaining game despite the tricky conditions which was a credit to both sides, This victory sees Kingsthorpe Jaguars move second in the table level on points with league leaders AFC Trinity who are top on goal difference. As for Woodford they certainly missed Anne Davies in heart of the defence but consistency, getting the same team out week in week out and getting everyone at training is a winning formula many sides cannot achieve full credit to Woodford, they showed their true character by coming back, but it was all in vain after conceding two quick goals, Woodford's lowly position not a true flexion on their potential which yet has to shine amid the gloom, rain and wind that final whistle could not come soon enough for many, one things for sure the groundsman at Byfield Road will not be needing to water the pitches for sometime. Woodford United Ladies 1.Maddison 4.Cleaver 5.Warren 6.Ford 7.Hirons 8.Grogan 10.O'Reilley 12.Wren 14.Harris 15.Daniels 17.Hennessey Subs 9.Kepke 11.Wood 16.Hillyard Kingsthorpe Jaguar Ladies 1.Reed 2.Hill 4.Smith 5.Lowdon 6.Robinson 8.Drage 9.Marlow 10.Morris (E) 11.Morris (K) 12.Stanton 14.Brundenhall