Colchester United Women v Halstead Town

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2023/24 FIXTURES

HEAD COACH LUKE WORLEY

Welcome to those supporters who are present today in person, what a fantastic first four matches we have had.

We are starting to really see what the coaching team are asking the players to implement, which is the most pleasing thing for me personally. With the level we currently find ourselves, there are very different obstacles that we face each week, but I think the girls are really embracing this challenge and seem more and more determined to achieve success.

I have asked for the team to keep their feet on the ground and to take one match at a time. So today’s match really is the priority before turning our attention to the County Cup next week away to Frontiers, who play in the Essex Premier Division.

We have seen a fantastic support from the club and supporters alike who have travelled to watch us in our home matches as well our away matches such as last week at Barking which we are so grateful for.

We welcome Halstead this weekend, which we are sure will be a competitive match and hope to show the supporters both old and new what we have to offer this season

Luke

"THERE ARE VERY DIFFERENT OBSTACLES THAT WE FACE EACH WEEK, BUT I THINK THE GIRLS ARE REALLY EMBRACING THIS CHALLENGE AND SEEM MORE AND MORE DETERMINED TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS"

BARKING 2 COLCHESTER UNITED 10

Colchester United Women bag their third double-figure victory in a month following a comfortable win over Barking Women Reserves.

Playing on a pitch that in some areas appeared to contain more leaves than blades of grass, the U’s delivered a fourth successive win to put them 5 points clear on the table. Head Coach Luke Worley’s clear instructions throughout the game secured a 5-1 lead at half-time with the women doubling that result to 10-2 at 90 minutes. Goals from Emily Ager, Lindsey Morgan and Jamie Newstead were complemented by braces from Kira Wealls and Hayleigh Jenkins, with Ruby Greenleaf bagging her third hat-trick this season to deliver another impressive, one-sided U’s display.

The U’s adopted their attacking mentality straight from the whistle with Emily Ager looping a perfectly-timed ball for forward Ruby Greenleaf to find the net just 16 seconds into the match. After the crossbar denied a headed

attempt from a corner at the sevenminute mark, Greenleaf returned the favour by drilling a ball across the goal mouth for Ager to comfortably bag the U’s second goal in the ninth.

A rare break from Barking in the 14th required a well-timed sliding tackle from Karis Paton, the ref ignoring calls for a penalty and the U’s defence showing their composure and control of the game from the outset.

The 17th minute saw seven one-touch passes from the U’s goal area end with an exquisite Jamie Newstead aerial ball for midfield’s Kira Wealls to run onto, beating Barking’s defence and sealing the deal with a right-footed finish to the side of the keeper. A near-identical delivery followed three minutes later from defender Deben Howlett, her pinpoint ball from well inside the U’s

half enabling Greenleaf’s explosive pace to beat the keeper to the ball with a deft chip into the net. This fourth concession visibly dented the opposition’s confidence on the ball, and any counter-attacks were shut down by composed triangle passes from a solid U’s back line.

Defender Rosie Mowatt often adopted a sweeping role to drive the ball up the left wing for much of the latter part of the first half, with plenty of options for a volley of attempts at goal. A slick offside trap and outstanding reactions from Barking’s keeper were the only things keeping the score down, including a goal-bound strike from Greenleaf tipped over the net in the 33rd minute.

With the blanket of autumn leaves producing unpredictable bounces, keeper Rosa Devall was caught out

by an unfortunately-timed bobble, leaving a loose ball for Barking to hit home at 34 minutes, despite a quick thinking run from Howlett to cover the goal line. Raised heads from the home team encouraged a handful of motions, but the tide soon turned again in the U’s favour with a number of attacks, including a cleared Hayleigh Jenkins corner inviting a Newstead shot from inside the box that glanced the top of the crossbar for a goal-kick.

As the first half drew to a close, Jenkins quick thinking punished the Barking side with a quick throw-in to newcomer Lindsey Morgan, sending a perfectlyweighted lob over the keeper in her debut match and bringing the result to 5-1.

SECOND HALF

The opening 60 seconds of the second half saw three attempts on goal from Barking, unveiling a revised home team’s tactic for the second half. The following minute saw the U’s regain control of the game however, with Morgan gifting Caitlin White with a well-placed through ball for her to cross in for Greenleaf, only to be beaten by another high quality save from Barking’s keeper.

A few wayward passes in the following minutes revealed some fatigue on both sides, and the U’s found themselves once again at the receiving end of more Barking strikes from outside the box. A turning point for the U’s came in the 51st minute after Greenleaf was brought down outside the area, leaving Jenkins to take a free-kick within her scoring range. A solid wall denied her getting on the scoresheet, but bolstered the U’s determination to regain the upper hand. A call for handball in the home team’s sixyard box a few minutes later was quickly waved away by the ref but set the scene for more attacks, mostly from White on the left wing who received through balls from Adams and Morgan via the same channels.

White’s succession of crosses was rewarded in the 56th minute

after delivering a Newstead-fed ball to the edge of the area for Jenkins to hit home a finish to the roof of the net. The U’s attack continued on the left wing as soon as play resumed, with Morgan receiving another White throughball and sending a first-time strike just wide of the goal. The onslaught continued until a penalty was awarded at the 61-minute mark for Greenleaf being brought down in the area, with a confidently taken spot-kick by Newstead adding her to the tally sheet.

Despite the scoreline, Barking continued to battle hard and won a number of challenges that may have dictated a different result in the first half had their playing style been deployed earlier in the match. Barking’s #11 in particular saw a number of balls reach her to upset the U’s midfield and back four with solo dribbles, which on another day would have seen the back of the net. When play changed in the U’s favour, the same offside trap that denied so many attempts in the first half was still polished in the 2nd, denying clear breaks on goal from Greenleaf and Ella Cahill in particular.

Craddock-Ball added to the quantity of crosses into the box before a strong attack from Greenleaf & Cahill in the 67th minute saw a deflection land at Jenkins’ feet for a finish similar to hers earlier in the half.

Play moved more towards the centre of the pitch and right wing midway through the second-half with the Barking offside trap continuing to work its magic on a number of occasions. That, along with an increase in physicality from Barking’s defence, enabled the home

Greenleaf to secure her hat-trick from a swift Cahill through-ball.

Play remained largely in Barking’s half for several minutes with corners and attempts on goal dominating highlights, until a Wealls right-wing sprint from the halfway line and subsequent shot-come-cross lobbed the keeper. With the victory looking secure, more ambitious shots came into play including a short corner to Ager inviting a curler that narrowly missed the top corner. Composed play continued to feature as well however, with White setting up Adams for a worthy attempt outside the box along with several through-balls that again were only denied by the linesman’s keen eye.

Barking continued to pursue a second goal, with a change of players matching The U’s midfield for strength and pace. The U’s responded with their own strategic substitutions to midfield and by adding the fresh legs of Leah Pope and Jodie Morgan to the back line. Barking’s #11 was largely a sole attacker in the 2nd half and managed to shrug off challenges to unleash a couple of near misses in quick succession and the home team’s persistence finally paid off with a forward cross finding #4, who had been a dominant feature throughout the match, sending the ball over Devall’s raised hands from the edge of the box.

Fatigue featured in both teams a little more towards the latter stages of the game, but the U’s opted to pass the ball around for the final few minutes to maintain possession, confirm their dominance and secure their fourth successive win. The U’s continue to sit at the top of the table with maximum points and a goal difference not usually seen until the end of a season.

Colchester United Women starting

XI: Adams, Ager, Craddock-Ball, Devall, Greenleaf, Howlett, Morgan, Mowatt, Newstead, Paton, Wealls.

Subs: Cahill, Jenkins, Morgan, Pope, White.

Barking Women Reserves starting

XI: Ali, Anderson, Clark, Greenway, Jackson, Malik, Msekwa, Mutuale, Reed, Savill, Sheen.

Subs: Jackson, Turner.

Ruby Greenleaf bagged her third hat-trick of the season

CAPTAIN CASSIE CRADDOCK-BALL

It’s been a fantastic start to the season so far - lots of goals and some really positive performances from the team.

The team is starting to have a lot more cohesion on and off the pitch and the hard work is showing with our results.

We’re looking forward to being at home this weekend and playing in front of our fans. I’m also excited to be back, after a few weeks on the side-lines with injury!

We have an opportunity to continue our unbeaten run, against Halstead, before heading into a tough cup match against Frontier. We’re hoping for a really positive performance, good defensive display and more goals!

"WE’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING AT HOME THIS WEEKEND AND PLAYING IN FRONT OF OUR FANS. I’M ALSO EXCITED TO BE BACK, AFTER A FEW WEEKS ON THE SIDE-LINES WITH INJURY!"

GETTING TO KNOW

Previous Clubs:

Colchester United, Lawford FC

Position: CM or GK

Full-Time Job: Fire fighter

Fun Fact: Season Ticket holder at CUFC

JAMIE NEWSTEAD #16

JACQUELINE CRADDOCK

-BALL

Previous Clubs:

Ipswich Town, Wymondham Town

Position: RB

Full-Time Job: Sports Therapist

Fun Fact: Original student on the CUFC College Programme

#2

HOME GAMES VENUE CONFIRMED

Colchester United Women's Team will play at a special new home for the 2023/24 season.

Colchester Garrison B ground will be the home of the women’s team for the 2023/24 season and beyond after discussions and an agreement for the facility to host our women’s team home fixtures was reached. Over the pre-season period, our women’s team fixtures have seen on average 100 spectators at games, and the team have been supported by more than just families of the players, we have been delighted to see so many followers. There is a real hope about this team and for their growth both on and off the pitch.

Head Coach Luke Worley said: “As a team we have been attempting to create as professional environment as possible and it was felt that although Shrub End had the opportunity to host our games, we wanted to be able to offer

more to the supporters this season with enhanced facilities, with The Garrison B, this facility will give us just that.

“We will be playing on one of the best grass surfaces in the area which will enable our team to thrive both on and off the pitch. Supporters will be able to purchase refreshments from the wonderful club house,

there is seated stand for up to 250 people which we are sure will create a fantastic atmosphere. We also want to be able to create something for after the matches too, where the team can gather with friends, family, and supporters alike in the club house.’’

Venue Address: Colchester Garrison, Circular Road N, Colchester, CO2 7SZ

SITE MAP

ALL

PARKING TO BE IN THE OVERFLOW CAR PARK

BFOOTBALL PARKING

CAR PARKING DIRECTIONS

• Head towards Garrison A Cricket Ground Colchester via Circular Road East off of Circular Road North and Napier Road.

• Do not enter the cricket car park, but follow road to end and bear right after approximately 50 metres

• Once there you will see an open playing field

• On your left, park on the grass

• Entrance through silver foot gate, see blue

• Matches to be played on Pitch B

• Club house located next to Hockey Pitch: Phoenix Club

• Foot gate marked by the orange triangle

COLCHESTER UNITED WOMEN