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ENGLAND
Clubs
1999 - 2000 Season
Provided by Colin A Aldis

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NATIONAL DIVISION

COMMENTARY
by Colin Aldis

May 6, 2000

Despite being tired, CROYDON ARE CHAMPIONS of England again, with a comprehensive win over Aston Villa. Tara Proctor, Joanne Broadhurst and Carmaine Walker scored 2 each, to give the South London team their 2nd double in 4 years. Doncaster secure runners-up spot with the win at Everton, one place higher than last year.

The top 5 of last season are the same as last year, with slight changes in positions. The two relgated clubs will be replaced by BS Kestrels from the North and Barry Town from the South.

May 4, 2000

The 'Gunners' finish the season on a high, with a win over likely champions, Croydon and the last 4 games have yielded 18 goals for, and none against. Croydon lost their unbeaten league run, going back almost 2 years, but with 3 days of celebrating the FA Cup victory against Doncaster and a visit from relegated Aston Villa on Saturday, surely they will also win the league title again.

April 24, 2000

Easter Monday was a special day for Croydon, as they open a gap at the top, and with one of the matches to play against Aston Villa, surely they will lift the English Championship for the second successive year. Next Monday, they will be going for their 2nd double, when they take on Doncaster in the FA Cup Final, who could also win the double. Arsenal consolidate 3rd place with two comfortable wins over Millwall, the home match being played at Highbury.

April 16, 2000

Croydon playing catch-up with another game, make a significant move to the top of the table, after a narrow win at Southampton. Saints were disappointed by having a goal disallowed near the end.

April 9, 2000

Doncaster Belles hit 9 past relegated Aston Villa to put pressure on chasing Croydon and Arsenal. This latest win means 2 points from 3 games will give them 2nd place at worst, a position they have narrowly missed over the last 3 years. Also Everton cannot win the title, but hold the key as they have to visit Croydon and play Doncaster at home. Croydon put an end to the misery of Reading, and will want keep their streak of not losing in the league all season intact, with a trip to Arsenal being the toughest to come.

April 2, 2000

Everton keep their hopes alive with this catch-up win, while the Reading defeat at Tranmere means they return to the Southern Division after one season in the top flight.

March 30, 2000

Croydon to play Doncaster in FA Cup Final

This was a controversial encounter between the English Champions, Croydon and a team who plan to reach the highest level very soon, Leeds United.

The final scoreline was 2-1 to Croydon, unbeaten in the top division for 22 months, and heading for a possible League, League Cup and FA Cup treble. The match played at Ossett Town, not far south of Leeds, with 600 spectators, saw a penalty to Croydon just before half-time, give them the lead. Then England keeper, Pauline Cope was bundled into the net with the ball, making it 1-1.

The winner came from a lob by player-manager Debbie Bampton, one of the stalwarts of the English game, reputedly due to retire at the end of the season, with the ball being held by the Leeds keeper, but then dropped into the right corner of the goal, after she was pushed by one of her own players.

There were so many incidents, good and bad, that this was an interesting match, covered on video by Sky, so what will they show as the preliminary to the final on May 1st?

March 25, 2000

The 'Belles' break record of Final appearances.

Fans of Women's Football in England were treated to a Cup Semi- Final, shown live on Sky Sports TV for the first time, when Doncaster Belles (6 times winners of the trophy) beat Arsenal, the current holders, by 3-2 in an enthralling match at Field Mill Stadium, home of Mansfield Town, in front of 1300 spectators.

With the 'Belles' having a greater percentage of the support, they had a dream start when MICHELLE JACKSON headed in, after just 100 seconds. Arsenal replied with a superb volley by CIARA GRANT after 8 minutes. In the 38th minute, referee Wendy Toms harshly ruled a handball against captain Gillian Coultard, and MARIEANNE SPACEY hit a rocket into the roof of the net from the spot, to give the 'gunners' the lead. On this day, Doncaster were out to avenge last year's defeat at the same stage, and just before the break, the prolific KAREN WALKER equalised with a lob over keeper Lesley Higgs. The winner arrived on 61 minutes, Aran Embleton slipping the ball forward for MELANIE GARSIDE, who beat the keeper with a low shot going just inside the left post.

Arsenal had chances to equalise, but keeper Leanne Hall made several good saves. Also, Marieanne Spacey had a couple shots going off target, and substitute Kelley Few fired over from just 7 metres, with a few minutes to go.

So the 'Belles' were through to their 12th final in the 30 year history of the Cup, now sponsored by the insurance company, AXA. The prize money will help them develop their plans to be a top club, which is independent of a mens 'pro' club.

Arsenal must reflect on a poor second half display, but have to recover, for the FA Premier League Cup Final, next Saturday at Barnet, which is also live on Sky Sports. Although the league title is still to be decided, this is arguably their last chance to lift a major trophy this season. The club have won the London Cup and the FA Premier League Reserve Cup this season.

March 19, 2000

Croydon keep their amazing run going, with the win at Everton, as it is 22 months since they last lost a league match. A penalty in stoppage time by Jo Broadhurst secured the win.

Reading Royals have 3 games to play, and will find it tough to remain in the top division. Two points from 3 games for Liverpool will also decide the fate of Reading.

The top 3 are in AXA FA Cup semi-final action on 25th and 26th March, so the title race continues. The following week, Arsenal play Croydon in the League Cup Final at Barnet so Doncaster will have a chance to increase their lead.

February 27, 2000

Following this defeat at Southampton, Aston Villa will be relegated to the FA Premier League, North Division for season 2000-2001.

Sept 19, 1999

Croydon keep their top place after a comfortable win against Reading. The two promoted clubs, ie Reading and Aston Villa are struggling to get points in the top flight.

Everton lose their great start after a draw with Merseyside arch-rivals.

Arsenal move up after a 2nd win. Southampton Saints were delayed due to a motorway accident, so the kick-off was 2 hours later than scheduled.

With some clubs having completed a quarter of the league season after one month, 32 of the top clubs will compete in the league cup first round next Sunday.

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Sept 12, 1999

Croydon again show championship form by winning at Hatfield Main. Arsenal gain their first points, but Liverpool lost their first game in SE London.

Everton win in Birmingham to keep a 100% record.

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Sept. 5, 1999

Liverpool have not often led the National Division, but for a few days this is case, although arch-rivals Everton will steal all the headlines after knocking 13 goals past newcomers, Reading Royals.

Croydon and Doncaster stay near the top after two hard-fought wins. Veteran Northern Ireland defender and Croydon captain, Gill Wylie smashed home the only goal against Tranmere and Melanie Garside scored her first for the 'Belles' as won a vital match against the 'gunners'.

For Arsenal, losing two games in succession is almost a historic event.

Southampton stay in 4th place after the win against Millwall, (who were missing captain, Abbie Walsh who was in USA playing for the Republic of Ireland).

Next week, Doncaster play Croydon at their new home of Hatfield Main.

COMMENTARY
by Colin Aldis

May 1, 2000

While most were watching Croydon v Belles cup final at Sheffield or on TV, Bradford could not escape relegation, as Bangor City won their 3rd game in 4 days, even better than 'pros', and a point in the last match will give them 2nd place.

The bottom two will be replaced next season by Oldham Curzon (from the North Comb) and a team from the Midland Comb. (tbc)

April 30, 2000

With the recent spell of heavy rain, with many matches postponed the relegation issue is still to be resolved. Bangor and Wolverhampton will fight it out for the runners-up position.

April 16, 2000

An incredible win for Huddersfield gives them a chance to stay in Premier League. Bradford drop into the relegation spot after the loss to Birmingham, and with their last match against Bangor, they could be doomed. Last season, they were in the National Division, so it could be a rapid decline. If Bradford win, then Huddersfield would be relegated.

March 29, 2000

The 'bubbly' was flowing as Kestrels win promotion to the National Division for the first time. They will need to be good travellers, because this North East based team will have to visit the South coast of England to play Southampton Saints and possibly Brighton, as well as 3 trips to London.

March 26, 2000

This was an important day for the division, with BS Kestrels more or less wrapping up the title, and they just need a point from 3 games to gain promotion to the National Division. Only Bangor City, with 7 games to play can reach 54 points.

At the bottom, Arnold Town will be relegated to the Midlands Combination League, and would need to win that next season, to return to the top league. The battle for the team to avoid the drop is very interesting with 4 clubs in the danger zone. Birmingham City with 5 matches to play and Bradford City with 3 to play, look best placed to stay up.

SOUTHERN DIVISION

COMMENTARY
by Colin Aldis

MAY 7, 2000

Despite the loss to Brighton, BARRY TOWN are promoted to the National Division for next season.

There has been a lot of talk about London club Fulham becoming professional, but they are in the play-offs to move into the Southern Combination. If results go well, and they win the Combination in season 2000-2001, they can join the elite league in August 2001.

MAY 5, 2000

Wembley Mill Hill finish their first season in the Premier League in 3rd place. Readings Royals, down from the National Division will replace the winners (Barry Town or Brighton)

APRIL 27, 2000

With Brighton needing to win, to keep slim hopes of promotion alive, and Three Bridges also needing a win to survive, this was a crucial match for both. The Brighton winner came just a few minutes from time, sending Three Bridges down. As both relegated clubs are from the SE of England, this gives a problem for the lower league. These two will be replaced by Chelsea, and Newport (a South Wales club, who need a new ground to satisfy FA Premier League rules) The final match will decide the promotion, but with a superior goal difference, it looks as though a Welsh club will achieve National Division status for the first time.

APRIL 9, 2000

Barry Town take a big step to winning the division with the win over Langford, who have now finished their matches. Wimbledon put a dent in Brighton's hopes of promotion. At the bottom, Three Bridges still have a chance to survive, but must win their last 3 matches.

March 26, 2000

Ipswich Town move to the top, but with only game to play, they are likely to be overtaken by Barry Town or Brighton. This time last year, Ipswich were at the other end of the table, so they must be happy with their progress and development.

Whitehawk are relegated to the Southern Combination, and will probably be glad when the season is over. Three Bridges still need 2 or 3 wins to avoid the drop.

March 19, 2000

At the top, 4 clubs are fighting to gain top spot, and be promoted to the National Division. Brighton fell back after the defeat at Barking, but still have a game in hand on leaders Barry Town.

With 5 games to play, Whitehawk look certain to drop down after one season in the Premier League's 2nd level, unless they win all the matches by massive margins, which is very unlikely. Three Bridges need to improve if they are to avoid the drop as well.

At the top, 4 clubs are fighting to gain top spot, and be promoted to the National Division. Brighton fell back after the defeat at Barking, but still have a game in hand on leaders Barry Town.

With 5 games to play, Whitehawk look certain to go down just a year after almost reaching the Premier League National Division, unless they win all the matches by massive margins, which is very unlikely. Three Bridges need to improve if they are to avoid the drop as well.

COMMENTARY
by Colin Aldis

AXA FA PREMIER LEAGUE CUP FINAL, AT BARNET FC, SAT. 1ST APRIL 2000

On a cold and wet evening (kick off 5.35pm to allow Sky Sports to show the game live for the first time) in North London, Arsenal bounced back from a disappointing display last Saturday in the FA Cup semi-final, to lift the League Cup trophy for the 6th time in 9 years, and the 3rd successive win. This time it was a convincing defeat of south London arch-rivals, Croydon who were chasing a League and Cup treble, who were unbeaten during season 1999-2000.

On the sloping Barnet pitch, Arsenal used this to their advantage to have the better of the early stages, and despite Marieanne Spacey and Rachel Yankey being tightly marked again, it was Irish International CIARA GRANT who opened the scoring with a 25 metre cracker, as the ball flew into the top left corner, despite England International keeper, Pauline Cope getting her fingertips to it.

This gave Arsenal the confidence to control much of the play, and the frustration for Croydon was shown by former England International and now player/manager, Debbie Bampton made a comment to referee Amy Rayner following a foul by a team-mate, and was shown the yellow card. Just before the break, Pauline Cope did well to hold onto a fierce cross from the left by Marieanne Spacey.

Croydon started the second half with more urgency, but this only spurred Arsenal into action, and a terrific cross from the left by Marieanne Spacey was headed home by full-back KIRSTY PEALLING from 6 metres, to make it 2-0. Just 6 minutes later, it was 3-0 as a superb cross-field pass by Rachel Yankey was collected on the left by the tireless captain Sian Williams (who recently became Wales manager), and her neat flick found CLARE WHEATLEY, who composed herself to lift the ball over Pauline Cope and into the right corner. Just a minute later, Marieanne Spacey again sent over a strong cross from the left, and the ball just eluded Ciara Grant close to the goal.

A few seconds later, Angela Banks took the ball into the penalty area, and a lunging tackle by Croydon captain Gill Wylie (a former Arsenal captain) brought her down. The Arsenal striker needed treatment, and had to go off, and was replaced by Justine Lorton. In the meantime, the free kick outside the area, was correctly given as a penalty, and MARIEANNE SPACEY lifted the ball into the left corner, with her England team-mate going the other way, to give the the gunners a 4-0 lead. Soon after, Carly Hunt made a poor tackle on Kirsty Pealling, and was shown the yellow card.

In the 63rd minute, there was some consolation for Croydon, as Joanne Broadhurst laid the ball back for TARA PROCTOR, who spotted that keeper Emma Byne was off her line, and struck the shot from 25 metres into the roof of the net, to make it 4-1. Moments later, Kirsty Pealling limped off to be replaced by Kelley Few. A couple of minutes later, Arsenal were forced to make another change, when a clash between Pauline Cope and Ciara Grant left the Arsenal player with a severe leg injury, and she had to be stretchered off, and was replaced by 17 year old Ellen Maggs. Soon after, Croydon made a change, with Gemma Hunt going off to be replaced by Alexa Hunn.

Croydon had a little more of the play in the last quarter, but could not create any clear cut chances, and near the end, Justine Lorton fired in a shot from 12 metres which was welll saved by former team- mate Pauline Cope.

With the rain still falling, the gunners were soon celebrating another important win, and adding to their impressive collection of silverware. For Croydon, they will need to regroup for the next month will decide the fate of the League championship and the FA Cup.