Ascot United have spent the last two seasons in gripping title races in the Premier Division of the Southern Region Women’s Football League, and twice missed out on promotion to the National League So, after last season’s dramatic ending, you’d be remiss to expect another close game between Berkshire rivals Ascot United and Woodley United. However, the Yellas blew Woodley out the water with an emphatic 11-0 win at The Racecourse on the opening day of the season.
It wouldn’t be unusual to expect a new season wobble given the player overhaul new manager, Nathan Baker, has implored with sixteen new faces at Ascot, including a number of JPL U18’s stepping up. However, they were instead able to register their best ever start to a season and their third highest scoring game ever (thanks stat extraordinaire Darrel Evans). They have certainly set the precedent for the season ahead having already scored a quarter of the goal total they netted in the whole of the 2023/24 campaign.
Ascot will head to AFC Porchester next, who were relegated from Division one South West of the the National League, whilst Woodley welcome Badshot Lea to Bulmershe Pavilion.
Adobe Women’s FA Cup
Not quite the fairytale start we’d have liked for our sides kicking off their Adobe Women’s FA Cup journeys today. Ashridge Park will instead begin their campaign in the Second Round Qualifying as Banbury United confirmed they couldn’t field a side whilst Eversley & California withdrew from the competition due to ‘difficult circumstances’ before they were set to face Steyning Town away.
Related: Adobe Women’s FA Cup draw: Berkshire clubs in the First and Second Round Qualifying
Three ties did at least go ahead, but it was an exit for all sides unfortunately as Caversham United went down 5-0 to old foes Penn & Tyler, Milton United slotted four past Slough Town with the Rebels scoring a consolation goal and Wallingford & Crowmarsh bowing out after a 3-1 defeat to Brackley Town.
Headlines across the county
Maidenhead United have steadied the ship after a tricky start to the National League season with two wins in four days as they triumphed over Ashford Town (Middlesex) on Thursday night in the League Cup and picked up three important points against newcomers Bournemouth Sports on Sunday.
Burghfield signalled their intentions for Division Three West in the Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League (TVCWFL) as they hit eight past Newbury, who could only answer with two returns. Hattricks for both Holly O’Connor and Natasha Caswell.
Windsor & Eton‘s debut in Division Three South of the TVCWFL couldn’t have gone much better if they’d tried as they travelled to Barton Rovers and brought the three points back to SL6 Three players opening their accounts with braces from Stevie Romney and Sophie Kinsman plus a solo goal from Georgie Hill.
Berks County nabbed a successful away day too with a 2-1 win over Harefield United to cement their debut in Division Three South after securing Development Division promotion from second place in the 2023/24 season.
Arborfield top scorer Hannah Room is no stranger to the scoresheet and she clinched her fourth hattrick for the club in their 6-3 winning opener at home to East Oxford Reserves.
