Stevenage FC

It’s back to league action this weekend as Boro’ face Bowers & Pitsea in the ERWFL Premier Division. The trip to Essex is one of the longer trips, but also a match that tends to offer an exciting fixture! Here’s all the stats and info you could need

Background Check

Bowers & Pitsea Ladies FC were formed in 2018 following a move from Little Thurrock Dynamos FC. In the 2018/19 season, Bowers & Pitsea Ladies FC were Runners Up in the Eastern Region Women’s Football League Division One to St Ives Town Ladies FC and subsequently promoted to the Premier Division along with winning the Essex County Women’s Trophy Final against Lawford Ladies FC with goals coming from Holly Moore (2) and Georgia Fraser. Following a few years in the Premier Division, which were cut short due to COVID-19, the reds steadied into a mid-table side. The 2022/23 season was an exceptional season for the ladies as they reach the Women’s FA Cup 2^nd Round for the very first time before bowing out to Tier 3 side, Portsmouth FC Women at Havant & Waterlooville FC – an achievement that began with a win against Boro’ in the 2^nd Qualifying Round.

Head to Head

Little Thurrock Dynamos have history in the ERWFL since 2014 when they entered the Division One scene. They performed at this level through to 2018, playing against the Stevenage Reserve side with varying degrees of success. The Boro’ Reserves mostly finished better in the league, none more so than the 2017-18 season where Boro’ Reserves won the league and knocked Dynamos out of the League Plate.

It was at the end of this season that Bowers & Pitsea took on the side, ending the Little Thurrock Dynamos. It worked well for the Essex side, who finished second in the Division, eight points ahead of the Boro’ Reserves. They shared the points with each winning their home tie. Emily Schofield netted five (FIVE!) in the away fixture but still saw a loss as Danielle Styles netted four with Georgia Fraser – A  Dynamos legend – and Taylor Parrish just outscoring Schof.  She also netted a goal in the home tie with Daniella Martucci and Holly Darling also scoring to defeat Sophie Dowman’s two goals.

The history and head to heads with the first team only began last season – with three entertaining games.

The first two came within seven days of each other. Stevenage travelled to Essex twice in a row to face Bowers, who were defeated in the league fixture by four goals to one. The following week saw the aforementioned FA Cup match which saw Amy Makewell net twice, but still go out thanks to three goals from the hosts.

Boro’ did not take kindly to that and five months later, Boro’ hosted the league fixture and Bowers were put to the sword with a four-nil victory. This will be the first game between the sides since that match, and once again it takes place at the Len Salmon Stadium. It should be a corker!

Team News

Danielle Hindley and  Hannah Stone will surely start the game having been on the pitch from the beginning in the last twelve games, while Darcy Drewitt, Olivia Harris and Megan Elmes have also featured in all of those matches, but with appearances from the bench. As joint top scorers, Millie Isherwood and Whitney Locke will surely also be in contention if fit.

The Boro’ boss appears to have a settled squad in mind now Grace Brooks will be absent as she serves her suspension following her red card in the defeat to Royston, meaning there will be a spot for a potential call up from the Under 23s. Kristal Clarke began her return from injury last weekend and will be hoping to see more game time as she continues her march back to the game. Amy Gooderham will be chomping at the bit as well, having beaten last season’s goal tally already. There will, of course, still be no Webster, Payne or Hendy as per the last few previews, although the latter is beginning to train.

Ones to watch

With seven goalscorers this season, three of whom have five and top the rankings, there is an argument to watch out for them all, but the trinity of Harris, Isherwood and Locke will need to be kept under tabs, especially with Isherwood and Locke gaining seven of the last twelve Opposition Player Of The Match awards.

Hannah Nebbitt and Kelsey Millen both reached milestones with their 60^th and 40^th appearances respectively at the weekend – though both from the bench. Both will be in contention for this weekend. Amy Gooderham is one goal away from her tenth for the club. There will likely be a spot open for an U23 following Brooks’ suspension.

Tale of the Tape – The Season So Far…

Bowers & Pitsea

Bowers are three points better off than Boro’ but know that a defeat today would see them lose not just the advantage in points, but also give up their spot above Boro’ in the table due to goal difference. Three wins, three draws and three defeats have brought Bowers an inconsistent start to the season and one of those columns will read four on Sunday evening. They will be buoyed by their recent defeat of Luton Town however.

Home Form

Stevenage

Stevenage have spent most of their season on the road so far, and so it is again. Currently on a run of two games without a win, following a run of two fantastic wins means it has been an inconsistent start for Boro’ too. The knowledge that they could start an upward trajectory in the league on Sunday will be a massive incentive however. Coupled with the fact that our only away defeats have been to Real Bedford, it should make for a mouthwatering tie.

Away Form

Around the Grounds

All teams can try to peg back Bedford this weekend as they face off in their rearranged League Cup action. However, there will be some representation in the first round proper of the FA Cup also meaning a chance to catch up with the top half of the table also. West Brom against Needham being the tie of the round for the ERWFL.

ERWFL Premier

Kings Lynn Town v AFC Dunstable

St Albans City v Royston Town

Barking v Wroxham

Bowers & Pitsea v Stevenage FCW

ERWFL League Cup Second Round

Real Bedford v Wootton Blue Cross Lionesses

FA Cup 1^st Round

Enfield Town v Luton Town

Haringey Borough v Moneyfields

West Bromwich Albion v Needham Market

U23 watch

The U23s were not in action last week. The game has been moved to the County Grund in Letchworth where you will be able to see all the action live! Can Boro’ progress in the County Trophy?