The Middlesex Ladies representative team played its 4th and final game of the season in defence of its Southern Counties Women’s Competition title, on the evening of Tuesday, 18th February.  They entertained The Army at Harrow Borough FC’s splendid Earlsmead Stadium, knowing that a single point, from a drawn game would earn them the championship for a 2nd successive season.

The match had added significance because it was the 100th in the history of the Middlesex Ladies’ team and also the last game in charge for popular long serving manager, Craig Nicholson.

Middlesex had won 55 of their previous 99 games, drawn 16 and lost 28.   They had scored 270 goals and conceded 159.

They had played The Army more times than any other association and had won 8 of the 18 previous encounters, drawing 6 and losing 4. They had scored 49 goals to The Army’s 28.

Craig first managed the side on 24th February, 2011. Tuesday’s match was his 44th in charge.  22 of his previous 43 games have resulted in victories and 7 in draws. His teams had previously been Southern Counties Competition winners 3 times, in seasons 2014-15, 2018-19 and 2023-24.

Middlesex had won each of their previous 3 matches this season, starting with a stunning 10-0 home victory against Jersey. They had then successfully negotiated difficult away trips to Essex and Kent, winning 4-2 and 2-0 respectively.

The Army were currently occupying second place in the table, having beaten both Kent (3-0) and Jersey (1-0) at home and lost to Essex (2-4) at Aveley.

An exciting match kept the sizeable number of spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the game. The visitors gave the Middlesex defenders a really stern test and put them under pressure in the early stages, before going ahead in the 14th minute. However, Middlesex equalised in the 28th minute and scored what proved to be the winning goal, 11 minutes later.   

Krissy Wright burst through the middle and crashed a shot against the Middlesex crossbar in the 4th minute. Fortunately, the ball bounced down into Emma Vigolo’s hands.

At the other end, visiting keeper, Nicole Gair twice saved at the speedy Jas Williamson’s feet.

In the 14th minute, Lauren Drewett hit the ball through the crowded goalmouth into the home net to give The Army the lead.  

Middlesex hit back. A one-two, involving Hana Lalani, who was returning to the side after an absence of 8 years and Ashley Cheatley finished with Hana’s shot passing narrowly wide. Then Ashley’s shot from Guisy Carnevale’s pass was blocked.

A penetrating run by Jas Williamson opened up the visitors’ defence but Hana’s shot was too high. The advancing Nicole Gair blocked Ashley’s drive. 

However, in the 28th minute Ashley collected a loose ball and took it on to chip over the keeper for the equaliser.

Ashley and Hana set up Jas, whose shot was deflected for a corner.   

In the 39th minute, Renai McCrea released Ashley, who brought a good diving save from Nicole Gair. Mara Bramwell emphatically headed home from the resulting corner, taken by Alissa Down, to put Middlesex ahead.

Nicole saved Hana’s low drive.

Score at Half-time: Middlesex 2   The Army 1.

Play moved swiftly from end to end in the second half, with Middlesex having the better of the chances and generally remaining in control. The Army looked dangerous on the break though and demanded the home team’s vigilance right until the final whistle.

Guisy Carnevale fed Mai Louvrier, whose low shot was well saved by Nicole Gair. Nicole then saved at Ashley Cheatley’s feet.

Mai Louvrier fired just wide, following a good move. Ashley set up Jenny Nagle, whose shot was saved at the expense of a corner. Then Jenny drove narrowly wide.

The Army’s Issy Crooks shook off a challenge and broke clear but Emma Vigolo saved low down.

Alissa Down tried a shot from more than 40 yards but just missed the target.

A Middlesex corner was cleared up-field for Courtney Jones to release Yasmin Williams but Emma saved Yasmin’s shot.

Alissa Down was particularly prominent, keeping her attackers well supplied with passes from both live and dead-ball situations. She was rejoined in midfield, for the latter stages of the game by Aimee Durn, who had been substituted earlier. Between them, they were largely instrumental in keeping the visitors at bay; as time ran out.

Aimee was just wide with a 25-yard drive in the 78th minute and also produced a crucial interception on Lucie Waddon in the 87th minute.

Final score: Middlesex 2   The Army 1

Referee Mohammed Kausar had a very good match, ably supported by his Assistant Referees.

The Trophy was presented on the pitch at the conclusion of the match, to the winning captain, Alissa Down. Alissa, who had a great match controlling the midfield proceedings, has been with the team even longer than Craig Nicholson. This match was her 45th appearance. Her first was also against The Army, a 4-0 victory on 23rd October, 2008.

The presentation was made by Middlesex FA President, Barbara Bivens, who also handed mementoes to each of the Middlesex players.

Further presentations were made during the indoor post-match proceedings by Barbara and by John Taylor, Chairman of Middlesex FA and also of the Southern Counties Competition. They gave Gabby Bishop and Guisy Carnevale  caps to mark their 6th appearances for the team and Hana Lalani, Mai Louvrier and Emma Vigolo medals following their 4th matches.

Finally, John spoke in glowing terms about Craig Nicholson’s outstanding contribution to Middlesex football and Barbara presented him with a suitable memento.

The significant contribution of Craig Nicholson’s support team of Head Coach George Wells, Coaches Jacob Ballheimer, Ashwin Rajakumar and Sue Kamaning and Physio Scott Everley to the teams’ successes should not be forgotten.

Our thanks are given to Harrow Borough FC for allowing us the use of their excellent facilities.

TEAM LINE UPS: 

Middlesex: Emma Vigolo (Ashford Town (Middx)), Guisy Carnevale (MK Dons), Renai McCrea (QPR), Gabby Bishop (Ashford Town (Middx)), Rachel Keightley (Denham United), Mara Bramwell (Actonians), Hana Lalani (Actonians), Aimee Durn (London Bees), Ashley Cheatley, Alissa Down (capt) (both Brentford) and Jas Williamson (Actonians).

Rolling Substitutes: Kayleigh Currivan and Jenny Nagle (both Denham United), Hannah Duncan (Ashford Town (Middx)), Kasha Petit and Mai Louvrier (both QPR)

The Army: Nicole Gair, Emily Ellis, Ashleigh Mills, Amber Marsh, Courtney Jones, Indianna Totty, Imogen Fisher, Lauren Drewett, Krissy Wright, Issy Crooks and Gabby Collett.

Rolling Substitutes: Eden Schofield, Rosy Williams, Lucie Waddon, Emma Hutton and Yasmin Williams.

Referee: Mohammed Kausar   

Assistant Referees: Richard Coker and Dennis Torres. 

Report: Jim Taylor

Photography: Chris Benn

PICKS

FULL SET