Crawley still making a game of it in a boys’ world

There were some positive signs in Crawley Wasps’ second defeat of the season to Cuckfield Cosmos United

Crawley Wasps U15 0
Cuckfield Cosmos Utd U15 9 (Montford 9, 22, 49; Lehkyj 15, 69; Field 23, 76; Smibert 43; Crow 56)

It’s nearly two months since Crawley Wasps’ under-15 girls took the plunge and joined a boys’ league in the hope of presenting their talented players with the sort of challenge other girls’ teams were unable to provide.

Fine margins cost Wasps as record-breaking Orient march on

Roseanne Fine’s classy finish was the first goal Orient had conceded in 11 games this season (Photo: Dave Burt)

Crawley Wasps 1 (Fine 18)
Leyton Orient 4 (Campbell 2; Trezzi 58; Le Marchand 78, 85)

Crawley Wasps missed a golden opportunity to make up ground on Leyton Orient’s record-breakers after becoming the first team to score against the league leaders in an all-action first half before wilting under a second-half onslaught.

Jackson unstoppable as five-star Cowfold gear up for title clash

Haywards Heath & Wivelsfield 0
Cowfold 5 (V Smallman 10; Jordan 36; Jackson 39, 59, 64)

Stacey Jackson grabbed her fourth hat-trick in seven games this season as Cowfold limbered up for next week’s top-of-the-table encounter with Worthing with a straightforward victory over a game, but limited Haywards Heath and Wivelsfield.

Marrs leaves West Ham as “new era” dawns

Marrs joined West Ham Ladies in July but left days after the club was taken over by West Ham United

West Ham United Ladies might have been taken “in-house”, but there’s no sign of a let-up in the upheaval at the controversy-hit club as they announce the appointment of their fourth manager in 15 months following the departure of James Marrs, who lasted less than three months. 

Lewes director wants level playing field for men and women

Under a Lewes director’s plans, the women’s team would have the same budget as the men’s

Stephen Hunt’s public exposé of West Ham United’s lack of support for the women’s team that plays in the club’s name may – or may not – have done the Hammers Ladies a big favour.

The directors’ swift decision to take the autonomous – but related – club formally into the ample bosom of the West Ham family after being reported to the FA by West Ham Ladies’ chairman for alleged equality rules breaches, needs now to be followed by tangible, measurable commitment, as well as nice words, if the team are to reap the benefits.

Page three helps Oakwood youngsters cut Burgess Hill down to size

Jade Page’s hat-trick took her tally for the season to 17 in six games (Photo: Dave Burt)

Burgess Hill Town 2 (Nash 26; Pollendine 45+2)
Oakwood 3 (Page 12, 38, 87)

The teenagers of Oakwood sent a loud and clear message to women’s football in the South East with a hard-fought Sussex FA Trophy victory over an experienced Burgess Hill Town side that suggests they might become a force in the county.

Aylesford dig deep to maintain FA Cup momentum and swell club coffers

Aylesford survived a spirited Cowfold recovery to make it through to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup

Cowfold 1 (Dix 58)
Aylesford 2 (Brown 40; Chapman 66)

At the end of a week when the focus has been very much on women’s football finances, today’s round of FA Cup matches brought the pros and cons of running a women’s team into sharp focus.

Fulgence brace helps Portsmouth to the double over Lewes

Lisa Fulgence made maximum use of the little possession she had to fire Portsmouth to victory over Lewes (Photo: James Boyes)

Lewes 1 (Carter 28)
Portsmouth 2 (Fulgence 47, 57)

Poacher supreme Lisa Fulgence came out on top in the big Brighton reunion with two second-half goals that might just help turn her temporary club’s season around.

West Ham ‘sex discrimination’ row could kick-start revolution

West Ham Ladies chairman has reported West Ham United to the FA (Photo: Nicky Hayes)

The  joint-chairman of West Ham Ladies looks to be on collision course with the men’s club after reporting them to the FA for alleged discrimination.

But other clubs believe the fallout could yet help speed up changes in attitude and commitment to the women’s game.

Stephen Hunt says his extraordinary action, which conceivably could lead to the Premier League club being punished, was one of last resort after failing to persuade them to offer what he considers to be proper support to the women’s team.

Brighton’s quick learners take Super League in their stride

Brighton Development 2 (Rowe 17, Leitch 79)
Chelsea Development 1 (Cross 5)

Danielle Rowe (left) helped Brighton turn the game around with a first-half equaliser and a superb performance (Photo: Geoff Penn/BHAFC)

Several months ahead of Brighton’s debut in the Women’s Super League, their reserve side have begun their own Super League campaign – and they’ve taken it by storm.

After romping to a 7-0 victory at Millwall on the opening day, Amy Merricks’ young side took on the second string of Chelsea – last season’s WSL champions – and aided by their vaunted opponents’ shortage of players, collected another win.