Cambridge United Women vs Dulwich Hamlet Women by Hashtag Digital Media

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JENNY HORSFIELD

Welcome everyone to today’s game and a very warm welcome to our visitors, Dulwich Hamlet.It has been a busy summer at the Club as we continue to strengthen our Women’s Board, staff and squads within the Women’s section of the Club.I want to formally thank all the players who have left Cambridge United during the close season for all their efforts. We are delighted to welcome a number of new players to the squad, who have great experience as we continue to make progress and try to improve each season.Recent team performances have been excellent with three wins in a row and 16 goals scored! Let’s hope we can continue our run today.This is our first game at the Cledara Abbey Stadium this season and I hope you have a great afternoon. If it’s your first game, welcome and for those of you who attend our games regularly at St Neots, thank you for your support.Our visitors today have an impressive following who will also make lots of noise - enjoy the afternoon and have fun.I would also like to thank our brilliant sponsors – FORA, Genie Ventures,

Belle Maison and Scotsdales Garden Centre, who are all great supporters of the Women’s team. Our sponsor contributions make a great difference to the things we have been able to achieve on-and-off the pitch. Finally, to all those young girls here this afternoon, dream big. Playing at the Cledara Stadium can be a reality. If you can see it, you can be it.

Jenny

DARREN MARJORAM

Good afternoon and a warm welcome everyone to the Cledara Abbey Stadium. I would also like to welcome the Dulwich Hamlet staff, players and supporters.

Today’s opponents have made a very good start to their debut season in tier 4 and today promises to be a great occasion for both teams.Although our season started disappointingly with two defeats from our first two league games, we have started to gel in recent weeks and our new signings have settled in well. Three wins from our last three games with 16 goals scored and 2 conceded, has seen us shoot up the league table, but it’s now about gaining consistency to continue our progress.

There will of course sometimes be bumps along the way, but we are really happy with the squad we have assembled and the quality we have throughout the team. Today starts a run of three games over the next seven days with a trip to Real Bedford on Wednesday in the league, followed by Bristol City U21’s in the league plate at St Neots next Sunday, so the depth and quality of our squad will be vital.

Fixtures at the Cledara Abbey Stadium are always very special occasions, and today is no different. Players dream of being involved in big games at big stadiums, and so days like today are always ones that create memories. This also applies to everyone who comes to watch and support, whether this be a child dreaming of one day playing on this wonderful pitch or a grandparent proudly watching from the stands.

Our aim of course is to make that memory complete with a win, and the players are ready to give their all to achieve that. One thing that always makes these games even more special is the number of supporters here to show their support for team and the players. I am lucky and privileged to have led the team on quite a few occasions now and I can safely say that the more noise everyone can make, the more energy it brings to the players. So please, make as much noise as you can! I know that the Dulwich fans are a noisy bunch, so don’t hold back and let’s make this another special atmosphere, occasion and memory for everyone. Thank you for all your support, and enjoy the game.

Darren

2024-25 will mark the sixth season for Dulwich Hamlet Women, since the players and staff of AFC Phoenix merged with the Hamlet in the summer of 2019…

Phoenix had worked its way through the ranks of the football pyramid to the London & South East Regional Women’s League (Tier 5) after a titlewinning 16-17 season.

After two consecutive second place finishes and a cup final win, the decision was made to seek out the support the women playing for the club deserved, and merge with an existing men’s club that matched their ethos and ambition.

After playing their final league game of the 18-19 season at Champion Hill, narrowly losing to Kent Football United and missing out on promotion, the two clubs would link up and our women’s side was born.

OPPOSITION: DULWICH HAMLET

Heartbreak would hit the side in their first season, as manager Farouk Menia lost his battle with a long illness and passed away, with current manager Ryan Dempsey taking over and continuing Farouk’s excellent work, guiding the side to two top place finishes, only for the pandemic to intervene, and QPR were chosen by the league for promotion instead of the Hamlet in 2021, despite us having a greater pointsper-game record across the two seasons.

After the near-miss of promotion to the National League, optimism was high ahead of 2021-22, but it would be a disappointing one for the side, as inconsistency saw them end the campaign in fifth. However, a

first cup final as the Hamlet was reached, losing 2-0 to Ashford Town in the Capital Senior Cup at Meadowbank in Dorking.

2022-23 brought with it the continued rise of the Pepper Army, our faithful group of supporters, with league attendances averaging 350.

The side would go on a club-equalling eight game unbeaten run during the spring, ending the season in fourth, and playing a match at the New Den on the final day of the season.

The highlight was undoubtedly the FA Cup run, with the side reaching the proper

stages of the competition for the first time, with Aylesford then beat in Round One to set up a tie with Tier 3 Gillingham at home in Round Two. In front of a record 631 fans, the Hamlet could not force an upset, losing 2-1.

The 2023/24 season was undoubtably the most successful season yet. The team reached the second round of the FA Cup for the second season in a row losing to Billericay Town 2-1. They would go on to win the league and get themselves promoted to the Women’s National League South East on the last day of the season beating Saltdean United FC 5-1 at Newhaven FC.

A solid start to the season has seen them win two and lose two of their opening four games, positioned just three points below the U’s heading into today’s match.

ONES TO WATCH

CEYLON HICKMAN

DHFC’s Very Own Leah Williamson

Some call her a center-back, others call her a human chessboard. Ceylon doesn’t just read the game – she narrates it! With the vision of an owl and the passing range of a FIFA cheat code, Hickman can ping a ball over the top with pinpoint accuracy or thread one through the midfield like she’s knitting a sweater.

ELEANOR HUTCHINS

Uni Graduate with a Degree in Goal Scoring Fresh out of uni and already sending defenders back to school! Eleanor is a creative attacking midfielder who’s as likely to craft a killer assist as she is to unleash a thunderbolt from the edge of the box. Goalkeepers, get your gloves ready (or maybe a helmet), because when Hutchins lines one up, it’s coming in hot!

LUCY MONKMAN

Wing Wizard Extraordinaire

If defenders thought they had an easy day, they haven’t met Lucy Monkman. She’s got more tricks than a magician, and once she’s 1v1, it’s game over. Whether she’s flying down the wing or cutting inside to unleash chaos in the box, Monkman’s a menace to full-backs and a best friend to the back of the net. Expect goals, assists, and a lot of defenders with twisted ankles.

ANNA JOWLE

Midfield Maestro

One of the final midfield maestros from last season’s promotion-winning team, Anna Jowle controls the pitch like she’s got the world’s best remote. With vision that’ll make you wonder if she’s got superpowers, and passing that turns opposition midfields into spectators, Jowle is the engine that keeps DHFC running like a well-oiled machine. She doesn’t just dictate the game – she writes the script.

LAUREN WEBB

AAdmire - Which player did you idolise growing up?

Emma Byrne

BBucket List - What’s one thing on your bucket list you’ve yet to do?

Visit Australia

CCereal - Which is your favourite?

Krave

DDisruptive - Who is the naughtiest teammate in the squad?

Sammy Edgar (100%)

EEuphoria - Best moment in your career?

Getting to the FA WNL League Plate Final with the team

FFamous - Biggest celebrity you’ve ever met?

Thomas Frank

GGroovy - What song will get you on the dancefloor?

Gimme Gimme Gimme! ABBA

HHoliday - What is your favourite destination?

Paphos, Greece

Inspiration - What/Who inspires you the most?

Mary Earps

JJoker - Who is the funniest player in the squad?

Lauren Rouse (don’t tell her I said that...)

KKit - Which is your favourite kit this season?

Blue away kit

LLunch - If you could have lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?

Mary Earps

MMovie - Which film can you watch over and over?

Matilda

NNostalgic - What childhood memory makes you smile?

Going on holiday with my family to Portugal

OOpposition - Toughest opponent you’ve faced? Crystal Palace back in 2016 playing for Solent

PPassion - What are you most passionate about outside of football?

Crossfit!

RQQuirky - What’s a quirky habit you have? I love hoovering...

Relax - How do you unwind after a tough day?

Talking to my family/ friends, going for a run/playing football/doing some form of exercise!

Superstition - Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Always eat marmite on toast and put boots, shin pads & gloves right hand side first...

Talent - Do you have a hidden talent no one knows about?

I know all the words to American Boy by Estelle ft Kanye West

UUltimate - What’s your ultimate three-course dinner?

Nachos, tacos, pancakes with strawberry & chocolate sauce

Vintage - Do you have a retro or vintage item of clothing that you love?

I have an England shirt from 2013 that I still wear... (children size 14-15...)

WWrestle - Which teammate would you not want to face in a wrestling match?

Sammy Edgar... something tells me she’s quite feisty

Xmas - What’s your most memorable or unusual Christmas present you’ve ever received?

Getting a Nintendo Wii...

I was still quite young and we managed to get the last one at Argos and had to keep it a surprise from my brother...

YYouth - What advice would you give to your younger self?

Take all the opportunities that are given to you

Zoo - If you could have any animal from the zoo as a pet, which would it be? Owl

RESULTS, FIXTURES & TABLE