As it stands Berkshire is set to see seven teams finish in the top three across five divisions, with a guaranteed county winner in Division Three South of the Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League.
As the return of football slide tackled it’s way back into our lives at the end of March, many assumed a curtailed season would ensue in Tier 7 as had been the fate of Maidenhead in Division One South West of the National League and the four Berkshire teams competing in the Southern Region Women’s Football League.
However, a unanimous vote by the clubs of the TVCWFL saw fixtures recommence on the first weekend of the restart with many teams undertaking double-headers and midweek fixtures in order to complete the season. Here we dissect the final week and the possible fates of our clubs.
Division One
Tilehurst Panthers Development sit comfortably in third place in the table. Eversley & California Ladies are the next team in the table in 5th, however, place no threat to Tilehurst’s position as they leave a minimum of a 5 point gap should they win and Tilehurst lose.
Eversley & California Ladies fought hard in a double-header battle just last weekend against Wargrave and came up trumps as they secured all six points, Football in Berkshire were in attendance for game too, you can catch up on the whole match including all six goals here. An impressive feat given they’d secured the Hampshire Women’s Trophy 2019/20 on the Friday before.
Division Two
Just the solo Berkshire team in this division in the form of Holyport Ladies, they are set to come 7th of 9 in this division whilst Buckingshire-based runaway winners Long Crendon Ladies claim first place.
Division Three South
Down to the wire in this division and our most densely populated of the five with eight of the 9 teams Berkshire based. There is a guaranteed spot in first place for one of them, the big question is…who? S4K FC Berks County Ladies currently sit top of the table having completed their season two weeks early. However, Mortimer have the opportunity to clinch first place and go two points clear should they beat Newbury on Sunday. Whilst Thatcham & Newbury Ladies First could swoop in to claim second place with two games to go as they play Wallingford Town AFC Ladies and Slough Town Rebels. It’s all to play for in what feels a little like a game of musical chair as it goes to the final whistle.
Division Three East
Penn & Tylers Green Ladies have already claimed victory in the division, however, Ascot have a nervous wait as they hope to secure second spot having been in fifth place at the beginning of the restart. A Hillingdon Abbot Ladies victory over Slough Town Ladies is needed for the Yellawomen to maintain their position. Either way, a top-three finish is guaranteed for two of our Berkshire sides.
Development Division
Shinfield Rangers Women are one of the most recent additions to the TVCWFL having formed in the 2019/20 season but just missing out on a league spot, they clearly utilised the ‘free season’ in order to work on performance and it’s paid off as they currently sit 3rd in the table. However, Wraysbury play newcomers AFC Henley Ladies who find themselves 7th in the table so it’s possible they will notch two places up in order to claim third from Shinfield.
Notable facts
Some other interesting facts of note*; of the top 10 goal scorers, two of the players are from Berkshire teams, Abi Canvin of Slough Town Ladies takes the crown with 23 goals in 14 appearances making her fifth top goalscorer in the league, whilst Sarah Leonard of Wokingham & Emmbrook Ladies is in second with 22 in 13.
Mortimer have scored the most number of goals in Berkshire having slotted home 66 goals to date. Unfortunately, just one side has failed to secure a single point this season, Caversham AFC Women of Division 3 South, AFC Henley Ladies & Wargrave Women Development share the title for red cards with two each, however, no teams were issued blue cards for a Sinbin in our Berkshire sides.
You’d be mistaken to think all the fun and games were being had by our Thames Valley sides though, as the SRWFL put on a Subsidiary Cup to replace the second voided season. Football in Berkshire went along to the clash between Woodley and Ascot in a lively game that saw Ascot come out on top, you can look back on all our live updates here.
Good luck to all our Berkshire sides this weekend as they complete their final fixtures of the TVCWFL in quite possibly the most bizarre season in modern football times. All the final day fixtures are available to view here. Where will you be headed?
*Statistics are accurate at the time of publishing, subject to change.
