Page 23 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.17 2020-21

Gloucestershire League
The Division Two title race, as in Division Three, went right to the wire and a title decider
on the final day with Olveston Utd needing to avoid defeat to win the division against
Longlevens, who would overhaul them with a win. The first half was tightly contested
with the two meanest defences in the division having the better of things, but the game
began to open up more after the break. Just after the hour, Olveston got the breakthrough
when Lauren White broke through to get past Jade Hodges in the Longlevens goal and tap
into the empty net for the opening goal. Longlevens pushed to get themselves back in the
game and almost levelled late on when a Lauren Mills header was cleared off the line but
Olveston immediately counter attacked and great work in the area from Chelsea Giles saw
her draw three defenders before finding substitute Abbie Mitchell who buried her shot in
the corner from fifteen yards. Olveston could have had a third, Jasmine Pither hitting the
bar and Mitchell unable to force home the rebound but minutes later they could celebrate
a 2-0 win and the title. Spare a thought for Longlevens who will finish third after Bishop's
Cleeve defeated Cheltenham Civil Service 6-1 to take the runners-up spot. The prolific
Leonie Gough again led the scoring for Cleeve with a hat-trick and their other goals came
from Jessica Stirling, Isabelle Owen and Ella Sharpe, with Gemma Riley replying. In the
other game, Kacie Anderson and Jade Powell netted for Mitcheldean SC as they battled
out a 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers Development.
The destiny of the Division One title was also confirmed on Sunday as Bristol
Rovers were crowned Champions, however it was a bit more of an anti-climax as they
were awarded the points in their final match of the season. The Gas Girls finish the season
one point ahead of Bristol & West, who are runners-up in the top division for the second
time in three (completed) seasons.
Greater London League
Walton Casuals sewed up the Premier Division title on Sunday with a 4-2 victory away
to Brentford. Nicola Saunders netted twice for Walton along with Allana Francis-
Ashmeil and Lauren Nicholson, whilst Brentford replied with two strikes from Kaitlyn
Spencer-Dempsey (see match report). Brentford are one of the teams still in the running
for the runners-up spot, which also includes Enfield Town Res who won 4-1 against
Dulwich Hamlet Res, courtesy of a goal apiece from Katie Harris, Molly Norman,
Lauren Cann and Leyla Yahioglu. Ella-Mai Coutts (2) and Elle Johnson were the scorers
for Crystal Palace Development as they battled out a 3-3 draw with Regents Park
Rangers, who responded with a Georgiana Wagemann double and Tara Copeland.
Headstone Manor will have to wait and see if they have done enough to win the
Division One North title after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Edgware Town. Sinead
Walsh scored for Headstone whilst Polina Avramova replied for Edgware, which means
that Sport London E Benfica need to avoid defeat against Tower Hamlets this
Sunday in order to overhaul them. Meanwhile, Jodie Brooks, Hannah Major and Emily
Hobbs were all on the scoresheet as Luton Town Res ran out 3-0 winners away to
Enfield Town 3rds.
One match was played in Division One South, Kayleigh Peters scoring both goals
for Actonians Ladies Res in their 2-1 victory over South East Parakeets, whose
consolation came from Sarah Quinn.
North Riding League
The title race is getting tighter and closer by the week and just three points now covers the
top four teams, all of whom still have a chance of finishing on top. With Redcar Town
Issue no. 17 - 13 May 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk