Berks & Bucks Trophy Final: Penn & Tylers Green Ladies v Caversham United Women preview

Caversham United Women debut their new home kit in their first league game of the season. Photo: Oakmist Photography / https://www.oakmist.co.uk
Caversham United Women debut their new home kit in their first league game of the season. Photo: Oakmist Photography / https://www.oakmist.co.uk

Enter your email address to receive regular Berkshire football updates in your inbox

Caversham United Women

Caversham United Women, affectionately known as The Goats, are in their debut season with the club. They play in Division One of the Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League. They were previously part of Caversham AFC competing in the same division before they made the transition to United.

Holly Swan occupies the squad’s top goalscorer spot with fourteen goals in eighteen appearances with Rosie. Page-Smith in second spot with ten.

The Goats have had some very respectable cup runs in their maiden season including entering the Vitality Women’s FA Cup for the first time this year and successfully made it to the Third Round Qualifying to face Queens Park Rangers.

League Form: 11 W 5 D 0 L 6

Words from the manager

Georgia Graham and her thoughts ahead of the game.

What does it mean to you as a manager that the team have made it to a final?
It just shows what we are capable as a team when we are at our best. To get to a final was something I wanted to aim for at the start of the season so this is a great result in itself but to win would be even better of course. 

What can we expect to see from the squad?
We have signed some players within the last few months but unfortunately they can’t play as they haven’t played in previous rounds. I am still confident with the squad we have available that we can win. 

What are you expecting from your opponents on the day?
From our opposition I’d expect them to want it just as much as we are. They will come fighting for the trophy but so will we. 

Georgia Graham, Caversham United Women manager. Photo: Oakmist Photography / https://www.oakmist.co.uk
Georgia Graham, Caversham United Women manager. Photo: Oakmist Photography / https://www.oakmist.co.uk

Penn & Tylers Green Ladies

Penn & Tylers Green Ladies won Division Three East of the Thames Valley Counties Womens Football League in 2020/21 and gained promotion to Division One.

Sasha Smith and Ellie Ludgate-Williams are tied for top goalscorer with thirteen goals each.

League Form: 13 W 5 D 3 L 5

Journey to the final

Round One
Caversham United Women 13 Wraysbury Village Ladies 0 Tiff Newland (4), Emma Hopkins (3), Katie Dearling (2), Holly Swan, Sumayah Zayadi, Jodie Hayden, Steph Nelson

Round Two
Holyport Ladies 1 Caversham United Women 7 Holly Swan (4), Tiff Newland (2), Caitlin Levy
Haddenham Youth Ladies 0 Penn & Tylers Green Ladies 3 Ellie Ludgate-Williams (3)

Quarter-Final
Penn & Tylers Green Ladies 1
Long Crendon Ladies 0 Sasha Smith
Aylesbury United Ladies 2 Caversham United Women 7 Holly Swan (3), Stacey Butler (2), Emma Hopkins, Molly McKeever

Semi-Final
Wargrave Women 0 Penn & Tylers Green Ladies 3 Rachel Harnby, Henna Hussain, Sasha Smith
Caversham United Women 2 Slough Town Ladies 0 Emma Hopkins, Freya Jenkins

A word from the captain

Emma Hopkins and her thoughts ahead of the game.

What does it mean to you as captain that the team have made it to a final?
I couldn’t be any prouder of the team, it’s a fantastic achievement to make a cup final in our debut season. It’s been a real team effort, every member of the squad has played their part in getting us here. We also couldn’t have done it without the guidance of our gaffer, her commitment and dedication to the cause is second to none. 

What’s the team morale like? Are the girls ready?
The girls are buzzing, we’ve built such a great team spirit amongst the squad and I think our recent results show we are reaping the benefits of that. We’ve been in excellent form since December and feel like we’ve prepared in the best possible way for this final. 

Sophie Wicks makes a clearance for Caversham United in their FA Cup fixture against QPR. Photo: Oakmist Photography
Sophie Wicks makes a clearance for Caversham United in their FA Cup fixture against QPR. Photo: Oakmist Photography

Trophy final history

This will be the twelfth instalment of the competition with the first in the 2009/10 season. Chesham United Ladies Reserves were victorious. There have been. nine different winners since its inauguration with Reading Reserves winning twice. The current title holders are Abingdon Town, who won it in the 2018/19. The 2019/20 was voided due to the pandemic whilst the 2020/21 competition did not take place.

A word from the chairman

Paul Gutteridge and his thoughts ahead of the game.

What impact has the the success of the girls season had on the club?
It’s humbled all the lads! Kidding, but there are definitely comparisons between the two teams in terms of success and results each weekend. The addition of the women’s team has been a positive transition, in honesty. We’ve had joint socials and frequently see members of the men’s squad at the Women’s games.
Off the pitch, it’s been great too. It’s brought the club as a whole into the spotlight a bit more but more importantly promoted our ethos that Caversham United supports women’s football. That’s not a new thing – we’ve been vocal about that for years and finally been able to provide for female footballers in the area in a structured, positive environment.

What does it mean to you as a club chairman that the team have made it to a final?

I expected it. No, really. Captain Emma Hopkins told me back in September that they were reaching a cup final this season. She mentioned on the podcast too. And wow, they delivered. If only she’d said they’d win the cup… Making BBFA Cup final is a brilliant achievement and as a chairman I’m proud – both of the playing squad and their “backroom staff”, and of the club for making the step into the female game and tangible results showing almost instantly. Whilst silverware was never the primary motivation for starting the team, or club at all, it certainly helps to make the time and effort worthwhile…

Can we expect the rest of the goat herd in the stands supporting?

Beaconsfield isn’t exactly in our back garden, and the men also have a match in Woodley on Sunday, but you can be sure to see Goats in attendance at the final!

Venue details

Beaconsfield Town FC Holloways Park, Windsor Rd, Beaconsfield, Bucks, HP9 2SE

The nearest train station is Beaconsfield. The 102, 103 and 104 buses all runs services from station to the ground.

Ticket information

Tickets are available to purchase here. Adults are £5 and children are £3.

Good luck Goats!

Football in Berkshire has a Breaking News WhatsApp Channel where we’ll send you updates on all the latest football news from the Royal County. You can join Breaking Berkshire Football News by clicking here

Subscribe to the newsletter

Enter your email address to receive regular Berkshire football updates in your inbox

Leave a Reply

Search Football in Berkshire
FIB-Badgetransparent-dud.png