Stevenage FC

Stevenage FCW will begin their defence of the Hertfordshire FA County Women’s Cip this weekend as they face familiar opposition in Wormley Rovers. With a couple of familiar faces returning too, this promises to be a banger…

Background Check

As is the case with most clubs at this level, Wormley are a tricky side to track down. With a twitter page that only began in October 2020 – during COVID times, the most recent information is found in their title winning campaign of last season. The visitors topped the Beds and Herts Women’s Football League Premier Division, with an outstanding return of forty-two points from eighteen matches. With an equally impressive sixty-one goals, averaging over three goals a game and conceding on average just one per game, the squad earned promotion into the ERWFL alongside Stevenage. Wormley are currently contesting the Division One South, the same tier as Stevenage U23s who are in Division One North, while Stevenage FCW ply their trade at the Premier Division level. 

Head to Head

Thanks to lack of information – there is only one fixture between the two. There may have been more in other County Cups, but these fixtures are notoriously hard to find. Thankfully, our eagle-eyed reporter caught the game last season as Stevenage put five past Wormley to advance to the next round of the County Cup, a trophy they eventually won.

That game was a corker, but interestingly – no goal scorer from that tie remains at the club. Shianne Swarres is still rehabilitating from a Futsal injury, Becky Shephard has moved to St Albans City and Erin Price is now at Real Bedford after a short stint with Cambridge City. The game itself was best remembered for a couple of instances. Firstly -  a goal direct from a corner from Shephard  – a feat recently repeated by Hannah Nebbitt against Wootton Blue Cross in the FA Cup. It was also the game where Holly Greenwood scored a penalty, only for the goal to be disallowed as there was apparently a previous offside before the penalty was given. If the game this weekend has half the excitement of this previous encounter, we are in for a treat!

Team News

Wormley have numerous players retained from last season, but will be looking towards some of their ever presents in this campaign. Rachel Daltrey has featured in all of their 6 matches this season, as well as 20 of a possible 21 last season. Nicole Cooper has also played every game this season. New signing Aulona Xhema will be expected to be in contention, while both Aimee Burling and Tearna-Leigh Shirley-Caroo should have both served their suspensions for being sent off against Stanway Pegasus – providing neither were for Violent Conduct.

Anna Baker-Re will be back in contention, whilst Kelsey Millen, Hannah Nebbitt, Lilia Dempsey, Hannah Bodily and Amy Gooderham remain the only ever presents for the season so far. Chloe Gunn will make her 50^th appearance for the club if she is selected, while Sophie Hendy is unlikely to be in contention following a knock in the game at Barking last week.

Ones to watch

With 37 of the 61 league goals scored for Wormley by Chelsie Fleming last season – they clearly have a talented goal scorer on their books and one who has netted three in three league games this season. She also netted an unbelievable seven goals in one game against Langford last season. Niamh Gallagher was the closest to her with eight last season, but she will also be looking to add to her two from this campaign. Kasey Keen has scored in every one of the five games she has started this season, with her only blank coming from her substitute appearance against Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers last week. Both Nicole Cooper and Ciara Purdue will be up for selection with both having a rich history with the Boro’ development squad and a handful of first team appearances between them.

Chloe Gunn is in line for her 50^th club appearance, while Amy Makewell has shot to the top of the goalscoring charts with five goals in her last two games. Emily Schofield remains a goal away from double digits. Unsurprisingly, both Lucy Webster and Sarah Payne will continue to remain out of contention with injury.

Tale of the Tape – The Season So Far…

Wormley

Wormley have had a difficult season as they languish in 9^th position of Division One South. They have earned four points through a win against Stanway Pegasus where Nicole Cooper and Ciara Purdue scored their first goals for the club. Wormley have drawn their opening game against Lawford with a thrilling 4-4 scoreline. They have lost both other league games in high scoring matches by the odd goal, 5-4 and 3-2. The club were also unlucky to be knocked out of the FA Cup to Frontiers after a 1-1 draw and subsequent loss on penalties. Their most recent game came against the Division One North Leaders in the League Cup, the only game in which Wormley have failed to score a goal so far.

Stevenage

Boro’ begin their defence of the County Cup with the knowledge they have made the final in the last eight competitions and having won the trophy on no fewer than five occasions. All of that will count for nothing though as they enter the game off the back of a thrilling game where the lead was squandered three times on the trot. A resolute back line will be required and an accurate front line if Boro’ wish to progress once again. Also languishing in the lower half of the table, Boro’ nevertheless will still be looking to maintain their record of scoring in every match so far this season.

Around the Grounds

Real Bedford will face a team struggling to get it’s first win of the season as they host bottom of the table Kings Lynn Town. Luton, Wroxham and Haringey all face difficult away trips in second to fourth as Barking, Royston and Bowers & Pitsea will look to dent their hopes of keeping Bedford in sight. There are two County Cup games being played as St Albans City travel to Hertford.

ERWFL Premier

AFC Dunstable v Needham Market

Barking v Luton Town

Real Bedford v Kings Lynn Town

Royston v Wroxham

Bowers & Pitsea v Haringey Borough

Herts County Cup

Hertford Town v St Albans City

Stevenage FCW v Wormley Rovers

U23 watch

Goals from Katoe Boyle, Stephanie Fausse and Remi Martin were not enough for the U23s as they slumped to a 5-3 defeat at home to Mulbarton Wanderers last week. This time around they will be in action at second placed Harpenden Town. With both sides in need of the points for very different reasons, it should be another thrilling tie.