Stevenage FC

This weekend sees Stevenage FCW host St Albans City in a huge game towards the lower end of the table. Stevenage simply cannot afford to lose this game but neither can St Albans – which adds a lot of spice to the occasion.

First Things First

This season is being treated as an inaugural season for St Albans City, who are appearing in the ERWFL Premier Division as St Albans for the very first time. Whilst it is true that St Albans Women are facing their first ever season playing at Clarence Park, the history of the women’s team still exists. This season they have taken on the registration of Colney Heath Ladies whose reserves now compete In the Beds & Herts WFL Premier League as their first team.

As the fabled Colney Heath, the side had some success. In 2022 they made their first ever County Cup Final, following the pandemic and the cancellation of all football. Prior to that their highest finish was a lofty second place in 2016/2017 in their final year of the ERWFL Division 1 days, they would be a Premier League team to date. Colney Heath took over from St Albans in 2014 as they debuted in the ERWFL. St Albans themselves played exclusively in the Beds and Herts WFL from their inception in 2009. They were the champions of the 1^st Division in 2012 which remains their current league honour. Currently sat just above the relegation zone on goal difference, it has been a tricky first season.

Head to Head

Stevenage and St Albans have a rivalry that dates back to 2009 as in the previous section. However, these matches have always been against Stevenage’s second string side. The first recorded (and easily found) meeting of the first teams actually doesn’t take place until that post-Covid season where Colney Heath reached the final of the County Cup – but we’ll get to that!

Looking at the historical games, there are some names for both sides that crop up this year. Kelly and Lucy Hancock have both performed for St Alban’s City going back as far as the 2011-12 season in the Beds and Herts WFL Division 1 where Lucy found herself on the scoresheet in a 3-0 away win over Stevenage Ladies (Reserves.) That season was special for St Albans, as they finished that 18 game league season unbeaten with 16 wins and 2 draws on their way to the Division 1 crown. In the 2015-16 season – the ERWFL Division 1 West – Sarah Payne netted her only goal for Stevenage against our opponents in a 3-1 away win. Another familiar name, Emily Schofield, Netted in both games of the 2016-17 season – our opponents last in Division 1. Schofe was one of three different scorers for Stevenage in the away tie, scoring the only single goal as Leah Littlechild and Rebecca Day both scored hat tricks. She repeated the trick in the home game, but this time, Colney Heath were the victors with Holly Sheridan the hat trick hero.

And then – poof – no more matches for 4 years. Stevenage First Team were in the WNL Division 1 from that 16-17 season and the reserves were soon in the WNL reserve league, meaning even without the pandemic, clashes were unlikely. However, as football returned across the country – and Stevenage were in their final year of the WNL due to 4 teams being relegated – the County Cup arrived and Colney Heath and Stevenage did battle in the final. Sasha Manders scored for Colney that day, but goals from Kate French (her only goal for the club), Ailish Straver (her only goal for the club) and – that name again – Emily Schofield ensured Boro’ lifted their 4^th County Cup from their 7 consecutive finals.

Which brings us to last season. The aggregate score was 3-1 to Stevenage there too. A 2-0 win away from home with a goal from the amazing Vicky Neal and an OG. However, Colney/St Albans will forever hold history for a second reason. The home tie last year was the first ever competitive game for Boro’ FCW in the Lamex. Dionne Manning will forever be the legend who scored the first competitive goal for Stevenage Women at the Lamex, but Terri Harvey will have the honour of being the first opposition player to do the same. A 1-1 draw was how that piece of history ended. A feat that was repeated as the first game of this season rolled around. A Sophie Hendy goal was cancelled out by Becky Shephard early in the second half to ensure a point for both teams – which was their first points of the season as well.

Team News

St Albans have seen lots of tricky results this season, but have kept a fairly settled squad throughout the season. Despite this, Becky Shephard remains the only player to play in every game this season. Her name will surely be the first on the teamsheet. Scarlett Robb made her debut from the bench last week and could feature again this weekend. Summer Small, Kiera Ward and Jessica Burke have also featured heavily and should be in contention.

With no game for the Under 23s, there is room for another potential debut for another player from the Under 23s, with the likelihood of a few coming up to bolster the first team this week. Grace Brooks will return from suspension and Celine Ray is doubtful alongside the traditionally absent Sarah Payne – who is due to undergo surgery this week and Lucy Webster – who has already undergone hers. The goalscorer from the last match – Sophie Hendy – continues her return, but is not yet fit to play.

Ones to watch

St Albans

Appearances 23-24

Of course Stevenage will need to keep an eye out for Becky Shephard who scored 7 goals in 18 league outings for The Boro’ last season and is the only ever present for St Albans this season as well as their top goal scorer. Kiera Ward has been amongst the goals and Elsbeth Cunningham is also on three goals this season.

Stevenage

Appearances 23-24

Stevenage can count on three ever presents this season, but will also look to captain Amy Makewell who has scored 7 goals this season, leading the charts for Boro’.

Tale of the Tape – First Match Recap

St Albans City

St Albans have found it a difficult season so far. Four points from their first three games following a draw with Boro’ and a win against AFC Dunstable, saw a run of four games without a win as Barking, Real Bedford and Luton Town put them to the sword with Royston Town dumping them from the FA Cup. Another defeat to Barking was sandwiched between two single goal victories as St Albans dispatched Hertford Town in the county cup and beat Kings Lynn in the league. This was further buoyed by a progression in the League cup against Stanway Pegasus and a draw with Bowers & Pitsea. The end of November however, has seen St Albans dismissed from the county cup against Watford Ladies Development and defeated again by Royston Town, this time in the league.

Stevenage

Boro’ have had an equally frustrating campaign. It took four games for Stevenage to reach four points, but two further points were gained during two draws with Luton Town and Barking. A comprehensive victory over Wootton Blue Cross and a County Cup victory over Wormley meant things were looking up for Boro’. Defeat in the FA Cup 3^rd qualifying round to Real Bedford hurt Stevenage, who went on to score eleven goals in the next two games, dispatching AFC Dunstable in the league and Barking in the League Cup. Since that tie, Stevenage are on a streak of three losses, all by the single goal margin. As Barking and Bowers & Pitsea took the points and Royston Town avenged their County Cup Final defeat by progressing in that tournament this season.

Around the Grounds

Kings Lynn Town picked up their first point of the season in a goalless draw against AFC Dunstable last week, while Wroxham moved into second and six points behind the leaders Real Bedford with a win against Barking.

This week sees Barking host the leaders who suffered their first defeat of the season In the FA Cup first round against Billericay two weeks ago, only to smash Wootton Blue Cross in the League Cup last weekend before parting ways with manager Dean Perrett. Luton are in League Cup action so may drop further behind the chasing pack this weekend.

ERWFL Premier League

AFC Dunstable v Bowers & Pitsea

Barking v Real Bedford

Royston Town v Haringey Borough

Stevenage FCW v St Albans City

Needham Market v Kings Lynn Town

League Cup

Luton Town v Newmarket Town

U23 watch

The U23s have no action today after a stunning victory against Bedwell Rangers in the County Trophy last weekend. Goals from Stephanie Fausse, Sophie Jones, Amy Reeves and a hat trick from Ella Mercer were enough to see Stevenage advance to the next round of the newly founded trophy where they will face Garston Ladies FC Mets in the New Year for a place in the Semi Final.