Saturday 11 April 2015

The Race to the Premier League

Into April and it's the business end of the season a handful of games left for the promotion chasers to win the points required to be crowned Champions. The race to the Premier League, in this case the FA Women's Premier League South and the tussle between 3 clubs in one of it's feeder leagues the FAWPL South East Division One.

   C&K Basildon Ladies, Milton Keynes Dons Ladies and Crystal Palace Ladies are the 3 clubs with their eye on claiming top spot in the league and clinching promotion to the Women's Premier League going into their final games of the season.


FAWPL South East Division One League Table
Pos
Team
Pl
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts
1
C&K Basildon Ladies
14
11
2
1
43
15
28
35
2
Milton Keynes Dons Ladies
14
10
3
1
37
9
28
33
3
Crystal Palace Ladies
14
9
3
2
35
19
16
30
4
Enfield Town Ladies
18
7
4
7
29
30
-1
25
5
Denham United Ladies
18
6
5
7
35
24
11
23
6
Luton Town Ladies
16
7
2
7
24
29
-5
23
7
Cambridge WFC
16
5
4
7
17
26
-9
19
8
Bedford Ladies
18
5
3
10
29
38
-9
18
9
Ipswich Town Ladies
17
3
4
10
29
41
-12
13
10
Norwich City Ladies
15
1
2
12
15
62
-47
1*
 *adjustment made
   Formerly one of the old Combination Leagues (South East, South West, Midlands & Northern) the winter leagues saw some restructuring last season as what is effectively the 4th tier of the women's football pyramid being renamed the FAWPL Division One.
 
  When I'm not travelling all over the shop watching the FAWSL I watch a lot of women's football in the East of England which I help promote through my @WFEast twitter feed and write match reports for the blog. The FAWPL South East Division One is the top division in that regards, although I would love to see more teams pushing into the FAWPL itself and even the FAWSL from this region.
 
   10 teams left in the division with Chesham United Ladies relegated from the FAWPL South the season before disbanding their 1st team before the season kicked off (are still going though, through their reserves I think play in the Southern Regional League set up). The league also lost Ebbsfleet United Ladies too early into the season.

Race for Promotion
 
   That caused a few adjustments to the points tally and goal differences for the other 10 clubs who had played Ebbsfleet early on. The early pace setters were Crystal Palace Ladies and C&K Basildon Ladies. Milton Keynes Dons Ladies didn't get the early games in like the others but once they started playing they weren't long on joining the other 2 at the top of the table. All 3 clubs have had extended cup runs and been victim to the postponements that plagued most clubs in the past three months.
 
   Into April and the race for promotion is perfectly set between the 3 clubs all with 4 games left to play and they all have to face each other more than once in the run in too! So it promises to be an exciting end to the season.
 
   No doubt C&K Basildon Ladies were many peoples favourites for the title had given a good shot at promotion last season narrowly missing out to eventual winners QPR Ladies. Are always a good side to watch, like to move the ball about the pitch short passes too. Just the 1 defeat in the league so far. Had a long spell of not playing at home through weather and fixtures, had games in hand to move clear of the chasing pack 2 draws away from home though has given their rivals a glimmer of hope.
 
      C&K Basildon Ladies run in
 
           Sun 12th April - Cambridge WFC (A)
           Sun 19th April - Milton Keynes Dons Ladies (H)
           Sun 10th May - Milton Keynes Dons Ladies (A)
           Sun 17th May - Crystal Palace Ladies (H)
 
    3 of their last 4 games are against their fellow promotion chasers, in pole position though will be aiming for maximum points.
 
  Milton Keynes Dons Ladies have been up amongst the top teams in the division in recent seasons but haven't quite had enough to go on and push for the top of the table. Were in contention for a spell last season before fading away at the end. Have only registered the 1 defeat in the league so far just like C&K Basildon Ladies which finds them with a great opportunity to challenge for the top of the league.

   Milton Keynes Dons Ladies run in

         Sun 12th April - Crystal Palace Ladies (H)
         Sun 19th April - C&K Basildon Ladies (A)
         Sun 26th April - Cambridge WFC (A)
         Sun 10th May - C&K Basildon Ladies (H)

   Same as C&K Basildon Ladies 3 of their last 4 against fellow promotion chasers the end of the season has been set up perfectly and the scenario's the same aim for maximum points.

  Crystal Palace Ladies are newly promoted to the FAWPL South East Division One. They hit the new league running picking up points and I was told at the start of the season they would do well in the league. A great start then postponements didn't help their progression but coming into April with 4 games left they find themselves 3 points behind Milton Keynes Dons Ladies and 5 behind leaders C&K Basildon Ladies.

    Crystal Palace Ladies run in

         Sun 12th April - Milton Keynes Dons Ladies (A)
         Sun 26th April - Norwich City Ladies (A)
         Sun 10th May - Norwich City Ladies (H)
         Sun 17th May - C&K Basildon Ladies (A)

   The outsiders maybe as they lay in 3rd place, but they play both the teams above them and are the only team that has beaten C&K Basildon Ladies in the league this season. Win their final 4 matches and you never know.

   It's set up for a intriguing finish mostly because the 3 of them have to face each other so many times in their final 4 matches. There are too many scenario's to pan out right now so let's see how it unfolds. Don't discard Cambridge WFC or Norwich City Ladies they get to have a say too and they will want to finish their seasons on a positive note.

    Through the various postponements that have hit the last few months I haven't seen either Milton Keynes Dons Ladies or Crystal Palace Ladies yet this season so am really looking forwards to going to watch them both on Sunday at Newport Pagnell FC where Milton Keynes Dons Ladies play their home matches.

   Who will win promotion?
 

No comments:

Post a Comment