Welcome to the final edition of SoReg Review for 2025.
This week saw the last SoReg side, AFC Portchester, go out of the FA Cup but not before setting all sorts of club records along the  way. In the Premier League Wycombe took out their frustration at losing the 100% record by putting nine past Beaconsfield. Meanwhile, Reading v Southampton was abandoned following a medical emergency. Best wishes go to Reading's Keren Banduka for a swift recovery. Winchester kept up their good form with a 2-1 defeat of Woodley, whilst Sholing got a much needed three points against Oxford City.
Denham roll on in the North, clocking up their 8th win on the bounce. Oxford City Devs won for the first time in six, whilst Slough, Farnborough and Penn all picked up maximums. Farnham's 100% start continued in the South with Stoneham still hot on their tails. Wimborne won again whilst Bournemouth and Bemerton shared the spoils.

​AFC Portchester 0-5 Ipswich Town
Championship side Ipswich Town produced a thoroughly professional performance to finally end Portchester's record-beating Cup run. Prompted by the lively Maddy Early, Lucy O'Brien gave the visitors an early lead. However, Portchy dug in and, despite Town pressure, held out until the 45th minute before Kyra Robertson made it two. After the break Ipswich continued to press forward, scoring quick goals through Rianna Dean and Ruby Seaby, before Earl added a well-deserved goal of her own to round off the scoring. Watch the goals courtesy of the Ipswich X feed and read the BotP match blog (End Of The Road For The Royals)

​Reading A-A Southampton
Game abandoned after 35 minutes with the score at 1-0 to Southampton. Reading player Keren Banduka was involved in a medical incident that led to the players being taken off. Reading has since issued a statement stating that the player has been discharged from hospital and is at home recovering. BotP wishes Keren a speedy and full recovery.

Sholing 3-1 Oxford City
A vital three points for Sholing who had been on a run of five defeats. Claudia Weston got them off to a great start, scoring after just 8 minutes. New signing Danielle O'Leary then added two more, one either side of half-time, to put the Boatwomen three goals clear. Billie Bough-French pulled one back from the spot, who also had Ellie White sent off after picking up two yellows.

Woodley United 1-2 Winchester City Flyers
Bottom side Woodley held off high-flying Winchester for over an hour before two quick-fire Annie Northwood goals, on 65 and 67 minutes, saw them finally fall behind. Caitlin Levy pulled a goal back for United, but it was not enough to prevent them falling to a sixth defeat of the season. Andy Wicks was pitchside to capture the action.

Wycombe Wanderers 9-1 Beaconsfield Town
The Chairgirls lost their 100% record last weekend and took out their frustrations on local rivals Beaconsfield. Jess Watkins slotted home a 9th minute penalty to start the day. Kayla Potter made it two before the break. The Rams pulled one back on 50 minutes through Katie Riddington, but that was quickly cancelled out by a second for Watkins. Cat Beaver then made it four and Laura Hennessy added a fifth. Another penalty, and a third goal in seven minutes, sealed the hat-trick for Jess Watkins. Sophie Schofield added a seventh. Jordanne Hoesli-Atkins then got in on the act, before the ninth goal was added by Chloe Melton. Watch the Wycombe goals here.

​Farnborough 4-2 Chesham United Development
Two late goals helped Farnborough to all three points, after the side's shared four first half goals. Ruby Slade put the visitors ahead but Lily Stride cancelled this out. Slade again, and Ruby Andrews then exchanged goals just before the break. It stayed that way until Laura Quinn-Low put Borough ahead in the 83rd minute and Izabel Woodger sealed the points four minutes later.

Larkspur Rovers 2-5 Denham United
The Denham bandwagon rolls on. This win takes their 100% record to eight league games with 48 goals scored and only 9 conceded. Two more goals for Sofia Harris plus strikes from Niamh Cashin, Annie Hewitt and Brogan Moore were enough to earn the points for United. Larkspur retaliated through late goals from Polina Avramova and top scorer Savana Fearon.

Oxford City Development 3-2 Kidlington Youth
City halted a run of six consecutive league defeats, dating back to early October, with a 3-2 defeat of bottom side Kidlington Youth. Olivia Day, Anna Goddard and Demi Lovatt scored the Oxford goals. Julia Rushmere and Kiera Isaac were on target for The Greens, who are now winless in eight.

Penn & Tylers Green 2-1 Abingdon United Development
After two league defeats on the bounce, Penn got themselves back into winning ways by defeating second-placed Abingdon. Megan Brockwell and Annalise Scott-Green had the home side two to the goods at the break. However, substitute Sasha Scott got one back from Abingdon.

Tilehurst Panthers 1-2 Slough Town
Slough got back to winning ways to move level on points with Panthers. Sajunae Turner put The Rebels in front after just two minutes, a lead they held through half-time and, in fact, for an hour. Leah Why then hit her eleventh of the season to square it up before Daisy Skinner popped up with a 91st minute winner. Watch the Slough goals courtesy of their X feed.

​AFC Stoneham 3-1 AFC Varsity
It's now three wins on the trot for The Purps as they hand in to the coat tails of leaders Farnham Town. Chloe Marshall's 11th minute goal gave them the lead, but Varsity top scorer Kayleigh Mackay levelled the scores just past the half hour. Not to be outdone, Chloe Marshall them scored two more in the second half, completing her hat-trick, to give Stoneham the points.

Bournemouth Sports Reserves 2-2 Bemerton Heath Harlequins
A manic first half hour saw all four goals scored as Sports and Harlequins shared the spoils at Chapel Gate. It all started with Sofia Rodrigues giving Bournemouth a sixth minute lead. Paige Brazier equalised after 15 minutes, but seven minutes later, Emily Phillips put the hosts back in front. Back came Quins, levelling again through Imogen Brady on 28 minutes.

Farnham Town 8-1 Guernsey
Guernsey will be glad to see the back of Farnham this season, as the league leaders made it a total of 14 goals put past the islanders. Town extended their 100% record to seven games with goals from Iesha Swaby and Rachael Manley in the first half. Then, after the break, they went on the rampage. Emily Foss scored four in 15 minutes, including a 9-minute hat-trick. In between those three, Francesca Thornton her fifth of the season. Codie le Flem got a consolation for Guernsey before Echo Barrett chined in with five minutes to go. Watch the action on the Farnahm YouTube channel

Havant & Waterlooville P-P Andover New Street

Wimborne Town 2-1 Bursledon
The Magpies continued their recent winning run with a hard-earned 2-1 defeat of Bursledon, wo remain second from bottom. Ellie Chaffe opened the scoring after 20 minutes, a lead that Wimborne still held at half-time. Ten minutes in the second period, The Dons equalised through Samantha-May Gamble. However, Chaffe was on the mark again late in the game to secure the points.

The next schedules SoReg fixtures are on Sunday January 11th, which will be previewed in the first week of the New Year.
Until then it's time for everyone to take a well-earned breather, recharge and prepare for the season run-in.

Another Sunday, another trip South for BotP. However, it was not just another Sunday for AFC Portchester. Having already made club history by knocking out higher-ranked Worthing in the previous round of the FA Cup (Royals Give Worthing The 2nd Half Blues), The Royals were preparing to set their sights on Championship side Ipswich Town in Round Three.
The Tractor Girls have been part of the National League structure for over a decade, progressing through the divisions and gaining promotion to WSL2 (The Championship) at the end of last season. It's fair to say that they've found life in the second tier quite difficult so far, having won just one league game from their opening ten, a 3-2 home defeat of Portsmouth. They did, however, earn a very creditable 1-1 draw at Durham last time out.
Portchester, despite not playing since they beat Worthing, have not lost a game in any competition since the 2-1 home defeat to Beaconsfield back in mid-September, a run of nine games in which they have won seven.

Portchester began the game kicking towards the sea end, down the slight slope. However, they quickly found themselves defending quite deeply at the other end, with their visitors pushing them backwards from the off. Ipswich did not begin the game like a team at the bottom of their league. Where there could easily have been a lack of confidence and wariness of the banana skin, The Tractor Girls looked sharp and ready for the challenge. It was quite obvious that this was going to be a very tough assignment for Portchy.
It was, therefore, no great surprise when the visitors took the lead in the fifth minute. Maddy Early drifted past a couple of challenges before finding Lucy O'Brien inside the box. The striker had time to pick her spot, sending the ball into the bottom corner. 0-1
Of course, Portchester had gone behind in the previous round, but this was a different game. Although Worthing took the lead it was against the run of play and it always felt like Portchester would score. Ipswich, on the other hand, were controlling the game.
The Tractor Girls continued to keep Portchy penned in their own half. Millie Bradbury was seeing very little of the ball and, when it did get to her, she was immediately shutdown by the well organised Town back-line.
However, despite their dominance in terms of possession, Ipswich were finding it difficult to increase their lead, and this was in no small way down to the inspired performance of Portchy goalkeeper Shannon Betteridge.
A brave block at the feet of an Ipswich striker was followed, on 17 minutes, by a brilliant double save from Rianna Dean. There was even better to come in the 25th minute when Lucy O'Brien saw her first effort come back off the post and her follow-up superbly tipped over the bar by Betteridge, who appeared to collide with the post in making the save and required a fair bit of treatment, from both medical teams, before she could continue. This injury would eventually see her taken off in the second half. Her opposite number, Laura Hartley, was having a much quitter afternoon having not had a shot to stop.
That said, the banks of orange defenders were still holding off the Town onslaught. Captain Gemma Hillier was fighting for everything in the centre and, across the board, the Portchy players were working incredibly hard against an Ipswich side that were very comfortable on the ball and very assured in their passing.
Town probably should have added to their total on 43 minutes when Dean rounded Betteridge before slamming her effort against the foot of the post. They did, however, still go in two to the good. Right on the stroke of 45 minutes, Ipswich were awarded a free-kick wide on the left. Centre-half Paige Peake too the kick, sending the ball deep towards the far post where Kyra Robertson was able to deftly guide a header back across Betteridge and into the bottom corner. 0-2

HT AFC Portchester 0 Ipswich Town 2. A half dominated by Ipswich but, after their early lead, they did struggle to find the killer touch to get past a battling Portchester defence. The second goal, right on half-time, was a big blow to the home team, who must have been thinking they were going into the break just a goal down.

The second half showed no change in pattern to the first. Ipswich set about their task in the same with the same vigour, Portchester defended with the same tenacity. Eight minutes in the home side were once again grateful to their goalkeeper who was off her line sharply to block a Maddy Early effort at point-blank range. However, there was nothing Betteridge could do ten minutes later, as Ipswich extended their led with a cleverly worked free-kick move. Their Kiwi defender Grace Neville shaped to curl a ball into the box but, instead, slid it down the line for captain Maria Boswell. Her cut-back was slammed into the net on the half-turn by Rianna Dean. 0-3
Effectively the game was sealed, but Ipswich weren't finished and, three minutes later, they conjured another goal. Ruby Seaby picked the ball up 40 yards out on the right wing. Driving infield she then fed Early, who cleverly cut the ball back into the path of Seaby to drive, high, past Betteridge. 0-4
Betteridge, clearly still shaken from the first-half knock, stayed down after the ball fizzed past her. Despite both medical teams coming on again (great credit to Ipswich for helping out both times), the Portchy stopper was unable to continue, leaving the pitch to a thoroughly deserved ovation from both sets of fans.
Former skipper, Eilidh Currie, took over in goal and proceeded to make a couple of decent saves before finally being beaten in the 82nd minute. Maddy Earl, who had been a constant thorn in the Portchester side all game, twisted and turned on the edge of the area, working a small gap before leashing the ball into the top corner past a stunned Currie. 0-5. A very well deserved goal to add to the Town midfielder's excellent overall performance.

FT AFC Portchester 0 Ipswich Town 5. A well controlled and thoroughly professional performance from Ipswich. They took hold of the game early and never gave their hosts a glimpse of a way back into the game. Portchester worked as hard as they possibly could and, I'm sure, will have learned a lot from the experience. There's a three division gap between these two sides and Ipswich certainly made that show. As a team, they had too much for Portchy.
Let's not forget that this was a record-breaking run for Portchester and, yet again, the stadium attendance record was broken, with 446 in attendance. Credit should go to the Ipswich Town supporters, of which there were plenty, who made 320 mile, 6 hour round trip.
Portchester now have to wait until Jan 11 for their next game, a home Premier League clash with Badshot Lea.
Ipswich travel to Sunderland on Sunday in a massive relegation 6-pointer. Sunderland are currently four points and one place above the Tractor Girls.

AFC Portchester: Betteridge, Bell, Potvin, Marshall, Butterworth, Hillier(c), Fuller, Morgan, Barron-Clark, Bradbury, Nightingale. Subs: Stroem, True, Hill, Riley, Meyer, Currie, Aitken, Kelly, Bath
Ipswich Town: Hartley, Neville, Boswell(c), Peake, Hughes, Robertson, Fleming, Seaby, Earl, O'Brien, Dean. Subs: Negri, Roe, Wearing, Dear, Bonwick, Guyatt, Peskett, Thomas


Ground Number: Revisit
Att: 446 (new stadium record for women's football)
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: Online

The big news this week is the build-up to the challenge facing the last remaining SoReg team in the FA Cup. AFC Portchester are preparing to take on Championship side Ipswich Town in what is probably the biggest game in their history. All being well, BotP will be at The OnSite Group Stadium to follow the action.
Meanwhile in domestic matters, Reading became the first side to both stop Wycombe form scoring and take a point from the leaders, and Oxford City got off to a flyer as they won 6-1 at Beaconsfield. Denham won the big clash in the North, maintaining their 100% record. All three surviving games in the South went the way of the away side, and Farnham progressed in the League Cup.

​Wycombe Wanderers 0-0 Reading
The Royals became the first team to take league points from Wanderers this season, becoming the first team to prevent Wycombe's prolific strike-force from scoring, into the bargain. The Chairgirls remain top of the pile with a two point lead. Reading are now just four points behind second-placed Southampton, with two games in hand.

Badshot Lea P-P Winchester City Flyers

Beaconsfield Town 1-6 Oxford City
What looked like a close game on paper was transformed by City's blistering opening salvo. Lucy White, Yasmin Edwards and an own goal, saw them race to a 3-0 lead within 9 minutes. Henna Hussain did get one back just before the break, as the Rams rallied. However, an early second-half goal from Kate Parsons set them back again. Ellie White and a late second from Yasmin Edwards, rounded off a great day out for The Hoops. Read the BotP match blog here. (Charitable Rams).

Woodley United P-P Sholing

​Chesham United Development 7-2 Kidlington Youth
United rallied from an early setback to score five in the first-half. Bo Edwards and Ruby Slade started the fightback after they went a goal down inside 4 minutes. Then Henrietta Cunnison scored a 10-minute hat-trick either side of the midway point of the first half. Edwards and Oana Filip then added two more early in the second half. Julia Rushmere was on target for Kidlington, who remain anchored to the bottom.

Denham United 3-2 Penn & Tylers Green
United continued their 100% start to the league season with what could be a crucial defeat of Penn & Tylers Green. Sofia Harris gave them the lead, but this was cancelled out by Tara Woodward just before the break. Liana Horwood restored the lead from the spot, only for Woodward to equalise again. Another penalty gave Liana Horwood the chance to earn the points and, although her initial save was saved, she follow in to win it.

Tilehurst Panthers P-P Larkspur Rovers

​Bemerton Heath Harlequins 2-3 Wimborne Town
The Magpies made it four wins on the bounce, scoring three in all four games, with a come-from-behind victory at Harlequins. Imogen Brady put the hosts in front after 20 minutes, only for Georgia Reeks to level the scores 15 minutes later. Ten minutes into the second period, Emilie Regnart gave Town the lead and, just past the hour, Lucy Roberts gave them a 2-goal cushion. Nicola Frier did get one back from Quins, but Wimborne took the points.

Bournemouth Sports Reserves P-P AFC Stoneham

Guernsey 1-4 Bursledon
The Green Lionesses suffered their second home defeat of the season as Bursledon put eight points between themselves and the bottom. The home side found themselves two behind at the break thanks to goals from Nikita Rahman and Isobel Pouncy. Codie le Flem then reduced the deficit only for Isobel Pouncey to add two more to complete her hat-trick.

Shaftesbury 3-4 AFC Varsity
A game that sprang into action in the second half after an Eloise Paine goal had sent Varsity in one up at half-time. Chelsie Johnson and Armiee Akpobire then traded goals to leave the visitors 2-1 up. However, Johnson equalised for Shaftesbury, only for Katie Finn to restore the lead on 66 minutes. Kayleigh Mackay made it 4-2 with 13 minutes to go and, despite Nicola Castle getting another back from the hosts, Varsity took the points back to Hampshire.

​Southampton Women P-P AFC Portchester

Farnham Town 5-1 Ascot United Reserves
Farnham made it to the last eight in the League Cup following a comprehensive defeat of Ascot on Sunday. Maya Adams put the hosts in front after 15 minutes, and they were two to the good by half-time. Top scorer Iesha Swaby scored twice after the break, before Emily Foss made it 5-0. Ascot pulled a goal back near full-time, but it was too little, too late.

​AFC Portchester v Ipswich Town
It's fair to say that this is AFC Portchester's biggest game in their history. The FA Cup Third Round for the first time and they are up against a team from the Championship. Portchy showed their determination, coming from behind against higher-ranked Worthing in Round Two. (Royals Give Worthing The 2nd Half Blues). Ipswich are currently bottom of the Championship, having won once in ten league outings. Last season they went out at the 4th Round stage, losing 3-0 to Manchester City.
​Wicor Recreation Ground, PO16 9DP

​Reading v Southampton
Reading came from a goal down to beat The Sirens 3-1 at Test Park back in September. Theis was Southampton's first defeat of the season. The Sirens have not lost at home since and currently occupy second spot, two points behind Wycombe. Reading also became the first team to take points from the leaders last weekend, drawing 0-0 on the road.
Arbour Park, Stoke Road, Slough SL2 5AY

Sholing v Oxford City
Following last weekend's 6-1 win at Beaconsfield, City travel to Sholing full of confidence to face a side who have lost their last three games. It's a reverse of the opening day fixture that saw Oxford come from behind twice to finally snatch the points with an 80th minute Ellie White winner.
The Mortgage Decisions Stadium, SO19 9PW

Woodley United v Winchester City Flyers
Winchester have won their last three games in all competitions and have moved up to third spot in the table. Not ideal visitors for a Woodley side who need to kickstart their season and are still looking for their first win. Three points could lift United out of the drop zone, so there's plenty of incentive.
UofR Bulmershe Pavilion, RG5 3HE

Wycombe Wanderers v Beaconsfield Town
Having dropped points for the first time this season last Sunday, Wycombe will be looking to get back to winning ways in this local derby. Beaconsfield will be desperate not to repeat last Sunday's disastrous opening 10 minutes, in which they found themselves three goals down. They will also be aware that Wycombe won 7-1 at Holloways Park on the opening day of the season.
18i78 Stadium, SL1 8JG

​Farnborough v Chesham United Development
Chesham have won their last two league games, scoring twelve goals in the process. They currently sit in fourth spot, but have played more games than the teams above them. Farnborough, currently 9th, have played just five in the league, six fewer then United.
The Easy As HGV Stadium, Farnborough, GU14 8UD

Larkspur Rovers v Denham United
Denham take their 100% league record to Larkspur, who have a 100% home league record. Something has to give in this one. Rovers will be looking to get some revenge for their 6-0 defeat at The Den earlier in the season. Rovers top scorer, Savana Fearon, has scored in every game since that defeat in October.
Lord Halsbury Playing Field, Priors Farm Lane, Northolt, UB5 5FE

Oxford City Development v Kidlington Youth
Two out of form sides go head to head. Kidlington are still searching for their first league victory of the season. City have lost their last six. They did, however, win 4-2 at Yarnton Road back in September, despite Poppy Ellis seeing red.
Venue: Oxford City Development

Penn & Tylers Green v Abingdon United Development
After losing their last two league games, At Denham and at home to Slough, Penn are looking to restart their season against an Abingdon team that still sit top of the league, albeit having played three more then second-placed Denham. United are unbeaten in their last four in all competitions.
French School Meadow, Elm Road, Penn HP10 8LG

Tilehurst Panthers v Slough Town
Third placed Tilehurst have lost just one in their last six. However, that was a 3-2 reversal at Slough, who came back from behind twice to beat Panthers. Town have played four more games than Tilehurst, but they can go level on points with their hosts should they win.
The Rivermoor, Scours Lane, Reading, RG30 6AY

​AFC Stoneham v AFC Varsity
The Purps had won two on the bounce before their last two games were postponed. They still sit in second place, two points adrift of Farnham. Varsity, who won 4-3 at Shaftesbury last time out and currently sit third from bottom, could climb to within two points of Stoneham with a win, in a very congested table. Stoneham have the advantage of a 3-0 win at Hatches Farm back in September.
Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh SO16 2PA

Bournemouth Sports Reserves v Bemerton Heath Harlequins
Both of these teams have won one, drawn one and lost one of their last three. However, both could also climb as high as second if results went their way on Sunday. This is their first meeting of the season.
Chapel Gate, East Parley, BH23 6BL

Farnham Town v Guernsey
When Farnham won 6-2 at Victoria Avenue a month ago, they became the first team to beat the Green Lionesses in the league. Since then, Bursledon have also won in Guernsey. Farnham's record is formidable this season. Still defending a 100% record, they've scored 34 goals in their 6 league outings. This match also sees the league's two highest scorers going head to head. Iesha Swaby has 18 in 10 games for Town. Calleigh Hedley has an even better average, with 16 in 8 games.
Memorial Ground, Farnham, GU9 7DY

Havant & Waterlooville v Andover New Street
New Street have hit a mini-blip in their last two games, losing to Stoneham i the league and Larkspur in the League Cup. However, they are still sitting third and only two points off top spot. Havant are two places and three points below them but so have a game in hand. The reverse fixture finished 3-0 to The Hawks and features Chelsie Hay's last goal for the club before her move to Winchester.
Westleigh Park, Havant PO9 5TH

Wimborne Town v Bursledon
Both teams had excellent away wins in their last outing. Wimborne were 3-2 winners at Bemerton Heath Harlequins, whilst Bursledon won 4-1 at Guernsey. The reverse fixture, in September, was won 4-1 by Bursledon, who came from behind after Sheree Bell-Jack had given The Magpies the lead. Two Rosina Folkes strikes helped The Dons to victory.
​Wyatt Homes Stadium, New Cuthbury, 16 Ainsley Road, Wimborne BH21 2FU

This Sunday a combination of reasons saw me heading back down the M40 for a return visit to Holloways Park. My first train of thought had been to ensure I picked a game on an artificial pitch. The rain was still coming down hard at lunchtime and I didn't want to risk a long journey only to find the game called off. Secondly, the game between Beaconsfield Town and Oxford City had the potential to be a good game between two teams that were, on paper, quite evenly matched. Thirdly, this weekend was also a big charity weekend for Beaconsfield. Both their men's game on Saturday, and women's on Sunday were focused on the OneCan Food Bank & Trust (www.onecantrust.org.uk). The club had declared that, instead of paying an admission fee, supporters were encouraged to donate tinned food to the trust, helping local families in need during the Christmas period. A fantastic gesture from the club.
My trip down the M40 made me realise that the two service stations I had to pass were Oxford and Beaconsfield. Could this fixture be known as the Service Station Derby?
As always when visiting Holloways Park, it's always great to catch up with Beaconsfield's Press Officer Craig Anderson. Nice to have a chat about women's football in general, and about today's game. Despite being busy on match days, Craig always has time for a chat.
Thankfully the rain, which had been torrential on the journey down, began to ease off prior to kick-off, although the artificial surface was definitely going to be slick and the ball was going to fly off the surface at every bounce.​

​Having dropped off a bag of tins on my way in, my charity deeds for the day were done. However, it seems that no-one told the Beaconsfield players that charity ended at the entrance, and they proceeded to gift their visitors a three goal lead inside the opening 10 minutes.
The game was under three minutes old when Grace Craven slid a ball between full-back and central defender, to set Ellie White on her way towards goal. The striker was closed down before she could get a strike away, but the loose ball fell into the path of Lucy White who, without breaking stride, deftly set the ball over Liv Sieradzka from the corner of the penalty area. 0-1.
A minute later the visitors were two up, and it was another through ball into the space behind their defence that was the undoing. Ellie White bust clear on the right before sending over the perfect cross to Yasmin Edwards, who stroked the al home from 6 yards. 0-2.
In a breathless start to the game, Beaconsfield immediately tried to hit back. Nicole Nedd's ball across the face of goal found Henna Hussain, but her effort was narrowly wide. That miss proved even more costly three minutes later when Lucy White got free on the right and delivered a dangerous ball across the six-yard box. Ruby Harris, tracking back, tried to clear but was unfortunate to see her sliced effort loop into her own net. Only nine minutes on the clock and Oxford already 0-3 to the good.
To be fair, The Rams did mange to steady the ship a little after this point. Once again the Nedd Hussain partnership almost paid off, with the latter's attempt only narrowly wide of the mark. At the other end, Edwards came close again before, just before the half-hour, Alix Todd's vicious strike came back off the underside of the bar and away to safety. That pretty much summed up Beaconsfield's day so far. Three-nil down but, on another day, they could have been level. I had jokingly said to Craig that it could even end 6-6 today. The way things were going, I was beginning to think I should have placed a bet on it.
Edwards again came close for Oxford, heading just wide from a corner, but for a short period after that, the clear-cut chances dried up.
As we headed towards the break Katie Riddington, who had been quiet by her standards, sent a delightful curling effort skimming over Gerrow's bar, with the keeper beaten. Then, as the Rams pressed to get a foothold, Hussain brushed off a challenge, beat another defender and sent a 20-yarder just over. 
The home side did, however, finally get on the scoresheet with a minute or so remaining. Alix Todd sent over a right-wing corner which was met by Henna Hussain, who headed into the far corner. 1-3

HT Beaconsfield Town 1 Oxford City 3. A blistering start from The Hoops, aided by some generosity from Beaconsfield. Both teams could easily have had a couple more goals, but could that late goal back be a building block for The Rams?

Any hopes that Beaconsfield had about getting back into the game were pretty much shot down as early as the fifth minute of the second half. Yasmin Edwards was quick to pounce on a fumble from Liv Sieradzka, nudging the ball back into the path of Kate Parsons, who drilled the ball into an empty net from the edge of the box. 1-4
Beaconsfield were not about to throw the towel in though, and Hannah Gerrow had to be quick and brave on 54 minutes, throwing herself at the feet of Katie Riddington to make the block. Yasmin Edwards then had a header scrambled off the Beaconsfield line before, with twenty minutes to go, Ellie White got in on the goalscoring act for the visitors. Turing sharply on the edge of the box, she let fly. Sieradzka got to the shot but the wet ball squirmed through her grasp and trickled over the line. 1-5
Despite being comfortably in front, Gerrow was determined to not allow Beaconsfield any glimpse of a way back. With just over ten to go, she was once more called upon to race off her line and throw herself at the feet of an attacker, this timer Freya Harris, to ensure the four goal lead remained intact.
Almost on the stroke of full-time, Henna Hussain was sent clear but delayed a little too long, and was closed down. Then, to add icing to the cake, deep into added time Yasmin Edwards broke clear on the left before driving into the box and calmly sliding the ball past Sieradzka. 1-6

FT Beaconsfield Town 1 Oxford City 6. Tree in each half for City, who were devasting going forward today. They played an attacking line-up from the start, and it paid dividends. Beaconsfield were rocked by the early onslaught but did have chances of their own. The difference was the clinical finishing that Oxford showed. The win lifts The Hoops into seventh spot, just three points behind Beaconsfield with two games in hand.
Coming up next week, Beaconsfield face a very local derby, just down the road at Burnham FC, as they take on leaders Wycombe Wanderers, looking to improve on their opening day defeat to The Chairgirls. City, meanwhile, travel to the cost to face ninth-placed Sholing, who they beat 3-2 in the reverse fixture on the opening day.

Beaconsfield Town: Sieradzka, Haines, Lloyd, R.Harris, Harte, Messitt, F.Harris, Todd(c), Riddington, Hussain, Nedd. Subs: Godfrey, Parkin, Lyon, Haye
Oxford City: Gerrow, Ayers, Bough-French(c), Leach, Wellington-Faissal, Lester, Parsons, Craven, Edwards, E.White, L.White. Subs: Maskell, Davis, Gorman, Walecki, Harris

Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 
Entrance: Food donation
Programme: N/A

​Many games were called off again this weekend but one match that went ahead was AFC Portchester's FA Cup tie with Worthing. BotP had the pleasure of watching the game as the Royals made club history by carrying off a 4-1 defeat of their higher-ranked opponents, in front of a record crowd. Portchester will now face WSL 2 side Ipswich Town in the Round Three.
Across the leagues only two games survived. Oxford City came from behind to defeat Badshot Lea in a ten-goal extravaganza, whilst i the South, Wimborne Town also came from behind to beat Bournemouth. There were League Cup wins for  Larkspur, Reading, Beaconsfield and Winchester City Flyers.

This week's edition is a little sparse and with a slight change of format, due to some business travel and a general lack of time. 
Buena salud desde Barcelona

​Oxford City 7-3 Badshot Lea
An extraordinary game at Marsh Lane where Oxford City and Badshot Lea managed to clock up 10 goals between them. The Baggies took the lead in the 3rd minute before goals from Ellie White, Kate Parsons and Yasmin Edwards, had the Hoops 3-1 up at the break. Back came Badshot Lea, who were level within 10 minutes of the restart. However, Edwards and White both completed hat-tricks to send the Baggies home defeated. Charlotte Keenan with two, and Michelle Quinn, hit the goals for Badshot Lea.

Sholing P-P Southampton Women

Bemerton Heath Harlequins P-P Havant & Waterlooville

Bursledon P-P Shaftesbury

Wimborne Town 3-1 Bournemouth Sports Reserves
Bournemouth took the lead through Lila Charlton as early as the 4th minute. It took Wimborne until the 40th minute before Abigail Buck leveled the scored. Emilie Regnart then scored twice in the second period to give the Magpies their third league win on the bounce.

​Farnham Town P-P Ascot United Reserves

Larkspur Rovers 2-1 Andover New Street
Savana Fearon scored in both halves to take her total to 12 for the season and send Larkspur through to the next round, despite a goal back for New Street from Isabella Turpin. Andover also had Nicole Barnes sent off.

Penn & Tylers Green 1-4 Reading 
The Royals took control of this tie early on. Mia Parker put them ahead in the 5th minute. Keren Banduka made it two after 17 minutes and, four minutes after that, Parker had them three to the good. Tara Woodward pulled one back on the half-hour, but a Rachel Southby red card and a Georgia Hayes goal in the 73rd minute, sealed a victory for the visitors.

Slough Town 0-0(p3-4) Beaconsfield Town
The Rebels put up a great fight against their higher-ranked visitors, holding them to a goalless draw after 90 minutes. However, Rams goalkeeper Liv Sieraszka proved to be the difference, saving the deciding penalty to send Beaconsfield through.

Winchester City Flyers 2-1 Farnborough
Flyers edges past a determined Farnborough side but had to survive a late red card for Shayne Prasad. Chelsie Hay put Winchester in front after 16 minutes but Farnborough were level just past the hour, through top scorer Ellie Stalley. Sian Wylie restored the home side's lead with seven minutes to go, but they were almost immediately reduced to ten after Prasad's 84th minute dismissal. Take a look at the match photos and listen to Gabriel Heidler's comments, courtesy of the Winchester web site.

Wycombe Wanderers H-W AFC Varsity

​AFC Portchester 4-1 Worthing
The Royals produced a superb performance to comfortably see off their higher-ranked opponents. A new stadium record of 332 spectators saw Worthing take the lead against the run of play through Lucy Jellett. They held the lead into first half added time, when Layal Morgan popped up with a leveller. Charmaine True and Becki Bath put Portchy 3-1 up early in the second half, before a second Bath goal sealed the victory. You can watch all of the goals courtesy of the Portchester X feed. You can also read the BotP match blog (Royals Give Worthing The 2nd Half Blues)

​Wycombe Wanderers v Reading
Reading travel to Burnham looking to become the first team to take anything from a league meeting with Wycombe this season. Reading are fresh from a resounding League Cup win at Penn & Tylers Green, although they were beaten in their last league game, at Winchester. Three Wycombe players, Kayla Potter, Chloe Melton and Jess Watkins are in double figures for the season already.
i8i78 Stadium, SL1 8JG

Badshot Lea v Winchester City Flyers
With Southampton not having a league match this weekend, Winchester could go second with a win in this game. The Baggies were beaten at Oxford last Sunday, in a crazy 10-goal game. However, they've scored three times in both of their last two games. City won the reverse fixture 4-1 back in September.
Operatix Community Ground, GU10 4PF

Beaconsfield Town v Oxford City
City make the short trip down the M40 still looking for their first away win of the season. However, The Rams are on a run of four straight wins in all competitions. They too can leapfrog Southampton with a win. 
Holloways Park, HP9 2SE

Woodley United v Sholing
Two out of form sides going head to head. No win in four for Sholing, no win in the league for Woodley. Woodley could lift themselves off the bottom with a win, depending on Badshot Lea's result. Sholing will want a repeat of the reverse fixture, which they won 5-1 back in early September.
UofR Bulmershe Pavilion, RG5 3HE

​Chesham United Development v Kidlington Youth
The Greens travel to Chiltern Hills Academy still searching for their first win of the season. Conversely, Chesham's first win of the season came in the reverse fixture, when they won 5-1 at Yarnton Road
Chiltern Hills Academy, HP5 2RG

Denham United v Penn & Tylers Green
Penn return to league action after a run of cup games, and it's a tough one as they travel to The Den to face a Denham side still defending a 100% league record. United are four points adrift of Abingdon, at the top, but have four game sin hand on the leaders. Penn have played just four in the league and will be looking to climb the table with their games in hand.
The Den, UB9 4DW

Tilehurst Panthers v Larkspur Rovers
There's only one place and three points between third-placed Panthers and Larkspur. However, Rovers have a game in hand on their Sunday hosts. Both teams have in-form strikers in their ranks. Savana Fearon has already scored 12 in 8 games for Rovers, whilst Leah Why has 10 in 7 games for Tilehurst.
Scours Lane, RG30 6AY

​Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Wimborne Town
The Magpies go into this one full of confidence after three wins on the spin. Quins, however, have won both of their two home league outings this season and have taken seven points from the last nine available. Harlequins also won 6-3 at Wimborne in September despite being two down inside 12 minutes.
Shrewton Recreation Ground, SP3 4JU

Bournemouth Sports Reserves v AFC Stoneham
Despite currently sitting fourth, Sports are yet to register a win at Chapel Gate in any competition this season. Stoneham come into the game with some confidence, having won their last two league games and also have the advantage of a 2-1 home defeat of Sports on the opening day, in the reverse fixture.
Chapel Gate, BH23 6BL

Guernsey v Bursledon
The Dons travel to the Channel Islands sitting just one place above the drop zone, but with a five point buffer. The Green Lionesses have started SoReg life well, suffering just one league defeat so far. These two sides drew 2-2 in the reverse fixture. Bursledon are yet to register a maximum on the road this season.
Victoria Avenue, GY2 4BB

Shaftesbury v AFC Varsity
Still looking for their first league points, Shaftesbury did at least manage to take the lead in their last game, before succumbing to Bournemouth Sports. Varsity let a two goal lead slip at Wimborne last time out and will be looking for their first league win since the end of September. They did beat Shaftesbury 3-0 on the opening day.
Coppice Street, SP7 8PD

​Abingdon United Development v Fleet Town
Current Division One North leaders, Abingdon, will be looking forward to testing themselves against Premier League opposition. United beat Tilehurst 2-0 to get to this stage. Fleet were 4-3 winners in their penalty shootout with Wimborne, after drawing 1-1 in normal time.
The Northcourt, OX14 1PL

Southampton Women v AFC Portchester
A proper Southampton/Portsmouth south coast derby. Southampton have only lost one in their last seven across all competitions, a run that includes the 2-2 home draw with Portchester in the league. Portchy will, no doubt, still be buzzing after their FA Cup victory over Worthing. However, they may have one eye on the visit of Ipswich Town in two weeks.
Test Park Sports Ground, SO16 9QZ

Farnham Town v Ascot United Reserves
Taking a break from their 100% league record, Farnham turn their attention to the League Cup and a meeting with an Ascot side who have not played in almost a month. That was a morale boosting 3-1 win at Oxford City, their first league win of the season. United's defence will need to be on their guard against Farnham's Iesha Swaby, who has already hit 18 goals this season.
Memorial Ground, GU9 7DY

​This Sunday, in much need of relaxation after my daughter's team out us all through the wringer on Saturday (before eventually winning a penalty shootout), I was pleased to find that the postponed FA Cup match between AFC Portchester and Worthing was going ahead. Having already purchased a ticket for the postponed game, I set off down the A34 for my first ever trip to The OnSite Group Stadium.
The second round FA Cup game was a big one for both teams. For Worthing, struggling i the National League Division One South-West, it was the opportunity to progress into Round Three for the second consecutive season. For Portchester, a division below Worthing in The Southern Region Premier, it was a chance to make history and get to the 3rd round for the first time.
Despite being bottom of their league with only one win, Worthing have been in good FA Cup form. They have already put out two fellow Division One South-West teams, beating Abingdon United 4-1 and winning 2-1 at Maidenhead United.
Portchester have already played three cup games. They began by edging out Havant & Waterlooville, 3-2 on the road. They then went goal crazy at home to Weymouth, hitting 19 goals without reply. In the First Round they defeated South-West Premier side Gloucester City 6-2 at home. 

It was surprising to see Worthing appear in their all red kit. Whilst Portchester's orange shirts and black shorts didn't create an exact colour clash, the shirts were sufficiently similar to cause confusion. However, the referee didn't seem to be to worried, and we were soon under way with Worthing kicking towards the sea end, and with the slight slope in their favour, in the first half.

​There was an initial period of jousting in which Worthing saw plenty of the ball in their own half, but didn't pose any threats going forward. Portchester swung a couple of earlier free-kicks into the Worthing box, but these were dealt with by the visitors defence. However, it was noticeable that the vast majority of the game was being played between the halfway line and Worthing penalty area.
However, as happens on many occasions in football, the home side fell behind against the run of play and to Worthing's first real foray into Portchester territory. Jasmine Smith did the early damage, breaking free and driving towards the left edge of the penalty area, before firing across the face of goal to provide Lucy Jellett with the relatively simple task of slamming the ball past the exposed Shannon Betteridge. 0-1.
Undeterred, Portchester immediately went on the hunt for an equaliser. There minutes after going behind, Layla Morgan came close when she volleyed narrowly wide. A minute after that Becki Bath came close to making it double-figures for her in the cup, also shooing just wide of Ella Hunkin's post. The same Portchy player then swung in a free-kick from the right flank that evaded everyone before Hunkin got down well at the far post to deal with it.
When, midway through the half, Gemma Hillier saw her volley bravely blocked and Hunkin, once again, thwarted a close-range effort, Portchester must have been staring to wonder what they needed to do to score.
That said and despite being a goal down, Portchester were not being threatened by Worthing, who were defending brilliantly but not posing much threat at the other end. It had the feeling that it was just a matter of time until the home side broke through.
The second half of the first period was much quieter when it came to goal attempts. Portchester were still probing, but Worthing stood firm at the back, and the home side were beginning to run out of ideas to break them down. That was until deep into added time, when Sarah Butterworth broke a tackle to get free on the left. Her cross found Charmaine True, who was closed down quickly. The chance looked to have gone, but True laid the ball off the Layla Morgan who side-stepped her marker before drilling the ball low to Hunkin's right and into the bottom corner. 1-1.

HT AFC Portchester 1 Worthing 1. A half of football played almost exclusively in the Worthing. However, after scoring on the counter early one, the visitors defended just like their nickname, The Lions. Portchester kept plugging away and finally got a deserved equaliser in added time.

​There was a plenty of conferring going on between the officials and the Worthing bench as the players left the pitch at the break. The conversation topic became clear when Worthing appeared for the second half wearing Portchester's pale blue change shirts. Obviously, the officials felt the colour clash was affecting the game in some way.
The kit may have changed, but the pattern of the game remained the same. Portchester, now attacking the sea end goal and backed by their vociferous Arancione support's club behind the goal, set about their visitors with a renewed vigour.
Five minutes after the restart they played in Sarah Butterworth on the left again. Her first time cross was half-cleared by a Worthing defender, but only into the path of Charmaine True, who returned it straight past Hunkin, into the bottom corner. 2-1. The home side were now on a roll. Only a further three minutes had passed before they extended their lead. Once again the danger for Worthing came down Portchy's left. Butterworth, their chief tormentor, sent free by another clinical through ball. Her low ball across the six-yard box was perfect for Becki Bath to finish with ease. 3-1
Once again, credit to Worthing for not letting their heads go down. The two quick goals could easily have seen them fold, but they dug in and stemmed the flow of orange, for a while at least. Hunkin, who had already made a number of very good stops, was called into action again just past the hour, when Portchy captain and midfield controller, Gemma Hillier, latched onto an errant clearance before firing goalward, only for Hunkin to make another good stop.

The Ground
The OnSite Group Stadium or Wicor Recreation round is situated a stone's throw from the coast of Portsmouth Harbour, around 6 miles to the North-West of Portsmouth. There's ample parking available, but note that charges do apply, even on Sundays. Access to the ground is through a turnstile just off the main car park. 
The stadium is a great example of a traditional style non-league ground. None of these out of the box, pre-built and lifted into place stands here. This ground has grown organically and it's brilliant. Upon entry, immediately to your right is the snack bar and entrance to the clubhouse, which runs along abut a third of one side. Just pas the club house and players entrance to the pitch, is a small covered seating area. The remainder of this side of the ground is taken up by a covered standing area. At the far end of the ground, the goal is backed by a large advertising hoarding. On the opposite side to the clubhouse there are two further covered seating stands, either side of the non-symmetrical dugouts (the home one is noticeably larger than the away one). Finally, to the left as you enter, behind the goal of what is known as the sea end (according to the stadium announcer), is the Arancione Supporters Club shop. The only gripe I have about this stadium is that it is too far away for me to visit more often.


Ground Number: 472
Att: 332 (new stadium record for women's football)
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: Online