Forest Green Rovers Women head into the final stages of the 2021/22 the South West Region Women’s Premier Division season with a trip to Marine Academy Plymouth FC.

Last Time Out for FGR and the race for the top half

FGR earned an important point on the road at Bishops Lydeard, with young winger Faith Pound scoring her first goal for the club to cancel out Imogen Miller’s opener. It may prove to be an important point as it maintains FGRs chances of making the top half of the table with a 5th place finish. A top half position at the end of the season would be a great achievement for FGRs players and coaching staff in their first season back at this level.

FGR currently sit in 6th place of the 10-team league, and it seems to be a three way shoot out for 5th place.

5th – Royal Wootton Basset Town Lades | 18 matches – 22 pts

6th – Forest Green Rovers Women | 15 matches – 21 pts

7th – Bishops Lydeard Ladies | 14 matches – 18 pts

RWBTL have finished their season with a 4-1 defeat to Middlezoy, meaning FGR have three matches to overtake them. Given Bass’ favourable goal difference FGR will realistically need two points.

Bishops Lydeard are 3pts behind FGR but with a game in hand. They are 19 goals worse off than FGR on goal different – so they will most likely need to make 4pts up on FGR.

FGR fixtures – Marine Academy Plymouth (8th) away, Ilminster Town Ladies (1st) home and AFC St Austell Ladies (4th) home.

Bishops Lydeard fixtures – Sherborne Town (3rd) home, Ilminster Town Ladies (1st) home, Marine Academy Plymouth (8th) away and AFC St Austell Ladies (4th) home.

With very similar fixtures ahead, it will be an exciting run in for FGR Women.

The Opposition

Marine Academy Plymouth Ladies currently sit 8th in the league but will be another tough test for FGR. In their last fixture MAP, who play in sky-blue and white striped shirts and black shorts, managed to put in a strong performance in a 2-0 defeat away to AFC St Austell.

The Devonshire side are jointly managed by Owen Hambly and Greg Mogford who have overseen some good displays this season.

Home fixtures are played at Ivybridge Town FC and there is normally an admission fee of £3 for ages 16+.

Ones To Watch

Goalkeeper Charlie Nicholson has put in some strong performances this season and will be keen to keep a clean sheet. At the other end of the pitch the two Samantha’s will look to cause FGR trouble, with Drewery (11 goals) and Metters (8 goals), both a threat going forward.

Last Meeting Between The Two Sides

FGR won 6-0 the last time the two sides met earlier this season. A hattrick from Hattie Jones and goals for Vandries, Hitchcox and Hateley secured 3points for Rovers, whilst strong performances from Morris and Herbert at centre back helped Beca Woods keep a clean sheet.

Did you know?

MAPLFC normally issue a matchday programme online on the day of home fixtures – be sure to keep an eye on their social media and give it a read.

Looking ahead

In the league FGR’s final two home games are;

vs Ilminster Town (home) 03/04/22

vs AFC St Austell (home) 01/05/22

Its not just the league to look forward to!

This season FGR have played at two large stadiums in front of big crowds – The Fully Charged New Lawn and the Silverlake Stadium, which Eastleigh Ladies share with the men’s team.

Now FGR are set to face Bristol Rovers Women on the 23rd April at the Memorial Stadium in Bristol. The match will follow on from the two men’s team’s League 2 fixture earlier in the same afternoon as part of a double header.