2022–23 Hashtag United season (women)

**The 2022–23 season was Hashtag United's third season in existence and third in the National League - Division One South East. The club competed in the aforementioned league and in the FA Cup, the National League Cup and the Essex Senior Cup.**

## Overview

### Competitions

 **Essex Senior Cup** | Semi-final

*italics indicate competition still ongoing*

**Updated**: 19:09, 30 April 2023 (UTC)

## Summary

April 2022
On 12 April, HTU revealed that the club would move to Parkside in Aveley, England from the 2022–23 season.

May 2022
On 25 May, HTU confirmed pre-season matches against Oxford United, Cheltenham Town, Boldmere St. Michaels, Liverpool Feds and Sunderland across July and August. Other matches were unofficially pencilled in for 10 July and 6 August, with one (potentially further) match-up described by the club as "huge".

June 2022
On 10 June, HTU confirmed (presumably the "huge" match-up previously mentioned) a home friendly encounter with WSL side West Ham United (later revealed to be an XI side, featuring non-first team players) for 3 August. The 2022–23 National League - Division One South East line-up was officially confirmed on 26 June. On 28 June, HTU released an updated pre-season schedule as the fixture versus Sunderland was dropped, with the Oxford United match being moved to its place from 3 July; though was subject to the league's start date being confirmed. They also added matches with Bowers & Pitsea (A) and Harlow Town (H). HTU returned to pre-season training on 30 June.

July 2022
HTU opened their 2022–23 campaign with a 6-0 victory away to Eastern Region League side Bowers & Pitsea on 10 July. A friendly with Cheltenham Town, scheduled for 17 July, was cancelled on 16 July due to squad availability issues. That was followed by a further change on 19 July, as that date's proposed match at home to Harlow Town was postponed (potentially to a later date) at their opponent's request. A day prior, on 18 July, HTU's provisional league fixture list for 2022–23 was revealed as they were given an away start against AFC Wimbledon. On 24 July, HTU defeated Boldmere St. Michaels 3-1 in their second pre-season fixture.

August 2022
August opened with a noteworthy 3-1 win at Parkside against West Ham United XI on 3 August, as Emma Samways and Sasha Adamson (2) got on the scoresheet. On 7 August, HTU drew 0-0 in an away friendly versus Liverpool Feds. HTU unveiled their new home and away kits on 10 August. On 12 August, HTU were given a home tie against Ashford Town to kickstart their run in the National League Cup. On the same day, goalkeeper Jamie-Lee Bamford revealed that she had joined HTU; no announcement came via the club until 17 August. On 14 August, HTU fell to a 3-0 loss in their final friendly away to Oxford United. 17 August saw HTU confirm the signing of Lucy Critchell, which preceded Maizi Garwood's arrival a day later.

On 21 August, HTU opened their league campaign with a 0-0 draw away to AFC Wimbledon. On 24 August, Eva Frazzoni became HTU's latest new signing. A week after their opening day draw, they got their first three points after defeating Wymondham Town at home by a 10-0 scoreline; a result that surpassed their record league win of 8–0 away to Harlow Town in October 2021.

September 2022
On 1 September, HTU made it back-to-back victories with a 4-1 win on the road against London Seaward. It was soon to be three straight leagues wins, as the club defeated Actonians on 4 September. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September, HTU's match against Ashford Town in the National League Cup (scheduled for 11 September) was postponed. HTU returned to action on 18 September with a 5-0 beating of Cambridge United at home. On 23 September, HTU confirmed the signing of Samantha Rowland; who had scored in the most recent match against Cambridge United. Two days later, HTU progressed in the National League Cup after winning the rescheduled clash against Ashford Town by a 7-0 scoreline.

October 2022
On 2 October, *The Tags* made it five straight league victories with a one-goal win on the road against Cambridge City. On 3 October, HTU were drawn away to Bedford in the FA Cup third qualifying round. Another three points were added to their tally as they put four unanswered goals past Ashford Town at Parkside on 9 October. HTU won 13-2 on 12 October in the league against Chesham United. A day prior, the club had been drawn with Ipswich Town in the next round of the National League Cup. Their FA Cup tie with Bedford was postponed on 23 October until 30 October, meaning their National League Cup tie with Ipswich Town was also postponed. In the FA Cup, HTU won 7-0 to advance into the first round, where they'd face Colney Heath on the road. Their National League Cup was soon fixed for 6 November, meaning their league match with Hounslow for that day was postponed.

November 2022
Goals from Samantha Rowland and Grace Gillard gave HTU a 2-0 win in the National League Cup first round versus Ipswich Town on 6 November; in a match that *The Tags* hosted after an agreed fixture reversal. HTU were drawn away to higher division Watford for round two of the National League Cup on 8 November. Their league match with Hounslow, originally postponed from 6 November due to cup commitments, was rescheduled for 8 January 2023; a day that would've seen them face Wymondham Town, if not for the Norfolk club's withdrawal from the National League - Division One South East on 14 October. 13 November saw HTU put double figures past Colney Heath to advance into the second round of the FA Cup with a 10-1 victory. The day after, they were drawn away to lower division Dartford for the second round on 27 November; meaning their league game with Queens Park Rangers was postponed.

On 24 November, HTU were given an away trip to Bowers & Pitsea to begin their defence of the Essex Senior Cup. HTU progressed into the third round of the FA Cup on 27 November after eliminating lower league Dartford, as they won 2-0 thanks to goals from Kelly Wealthall and Grace Gillard. In round three, they were drawn at home to fellow National League - Division One South East team Actonians, which caused a league match with AFC Wimbledon to be postponed.

December 2022
HTU opened December with three points away to Hounslow, as they lodged their biggest win of the season so far with a 13-0 victory. *The Tags* advanced into the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time on 11 December, defeating Actonians at home 3-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Samantha Rowland. Subsequently, on 12 December, HTU were drawn away to second tier Coventry United for the fourth round. In the National League Cup second round, on 17 December, HTU were knocked out of the competition after losing 5-3 after extra time to higher division Watford.

January 2023
On 6 January 2023, HTU announced the signing of free agent Lauren Griffiths; who had most recently played for Huddersfield Town. Two days later, Griffiths scored in a 16-0 victory in the National League - Division One South East over Hounslow. She scored again next time out as HTU put nine unanswered goals past Bowers & Pitsea in the Essex Senior Cup quarter-finals on 15 January. HTU were eliminated from the FA Cup on 29 January, after losing 4–0 away at Coventry United.

February 2023
HTU responded to their FA Cup exit with a come-from-behind 5–1 win over Cambridge United in league action on 5 February. A week later, the team defeated top half Norwich City by a scoreline of 7–1 away from home. HTU were eliminated from the Essex Senior Cup semi-finals on 19 February, as Billericay Town beat them on penalties. They returned to winning ways on 22 February, beating London Seaward 3–1 in the National League - Division One South East. HTU lost for the first time in the league on 26 February, as second place AFC Wimbledon put four unanswered goals past them at Woodlands School.

March 2023
March started with a 4–1 victory over Norwich City on 5 March in the National League - Division One South East at Parkside. Hounslow had withdrew from the division in the weeks prior. Their fixture with Queens Park Rangers, originally set for 27 November, was postponed for a second time on 12 March due to a waterlogged pitch. Chesham United were defeated on their own turf 6–0 in the league on 16 March, as new signing - announced on the same day - Maddie Farrand netted a debut goal. HTU beat Cambridge City at home in the league 8–0 on 19 March. On 26 March, HTU's league match at Ashford Town was postponed due to inclement weather.

April 2023
On 2 April, HTU beat Actonians 2–0 at the Rectory Park Football Centre in the National League - Division One South East. Prior to the penultimate league match of the season, *The Tags* secured a 3–0 victory over Ashford Town on 9 April. HTU secured promotion as champions on 23 April with a 4–1 road win at the Powerday Stadium versus Queens Park Rangers. A week later, *The Tags* beat the same opponents 4–0 to conclude the campaign.

## Fixtures

### Friendlies

#### Pre-Season

Bowers & Pitsea  v  Hashtag United

Boldmere St. Michaels  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  West Ham United XI

Liverpool Feds  v  Hashtag United

Oxford United  v  Hashtag United

Removed Matches
Cheltenham Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Harlow Town

Sunderland  v  Hashtag United

### National League - Division One South East

#### Matches

AFC Wimbledon  v  Hashtag United

London Seaward  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Actonians

Hashtag United  v  Cambridge United

Cambridge City  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Ashford Town

Hashtag United  v  Chesham United

Cambridge United  v  Hashtag United

Norwich City  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  London Seaward

Hashtag United  v  AFC Wimbledon

Hashtag United  v  Norwich City

Chesham United  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Cambridge City

Actonians  v  Hashtag United

Ashford Town  v  Hashtag United

Queens Park Rangers  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Queens Park Rangers

Removed Matches
Hashtag United  v  Wymondham Town

Hounslow  v  Hashtag United

Wymondham Town  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Hounslow

### FA Cup

Bedford  v  Hashtag United

Colney Heath  v  Hashtag United

Dartford  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Actonians

Coventry United  v  Hashtag United

### National League Cup

Hashtag United  v  Ashford Town

Hashtag United  v  Ipswich Town

Watford  v  Hashtag United

### Essex Senior Cup

Bowers & Pitsea  v  Hashtag United

Hashtag United  v  Billericay Town

## References

1. ↑ "After Thursday’s final you’ll be seeing a lot more of the venue as next season our Women’s team will play at @AveleyFC’s state of the art PARKSIDE STADIUM!" , 12 April 2022.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "PRE-SEASON!" , 25 May 2022.
3. ↑ "3/8 there is likely to be a womens home game" , 25 May 2022.
4. ↑ "We’ll be facing off against @westhamwomen in a pre-season friendly at our new home Parkside on Wednesday the 3rd of August!" , 10 June 2022.
5. ↑ "The #FAWNLfamily constitution has been confirmed for Season 22/23! The Season will start on Sunday 21 August so just 8️⃣ weeks to wait until the massive #FAWNLBIGKICKOFF!" , 26 June 2022.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "PRE-SEASON FIXTURE UPDATE We can’t wait to get going again, and there’s only a couple of weeks before our 1st pre season game! 🙌 Check out all the updates to our schedule in the graphic below" , 28 June 2022.
7. ↑ "Smiles all around because we’re back" , 30 June 2022.
8. ↑ "Full Time at The Len Salmon Stadium @bowersladiesfc 0-6 @hashtagutdwomen" , 10 July 2022.
9. ↑ "Unfortunately, due to issues with availability (injuries, holidays, etc…) this game is now OFF" , 16 July 2022.
10. ↑ "At the request of @HarlowLadies tonight’s game has been postponed and will hopefully be rearranged for a later date" , 19 July 2022.
11. ↑ "FIXTURES ARE OUT!" , 18 July 2022.
12. ↑ "The Tags leave Birmingham with a 3-1 win, goals from Malika, Eva and Courtney" , 24 July 2022.
13. ↑ "FT HTU 🔵3-1🟣 @westhamwomen" , 3 August 2022.
14. ↑ "We leave the North-West with a 0-0 draw against a top @LiverpoolFeds side" , 7 August 2022.
15. ↑ "THE BIG QUESTION" , 10 August 2022.
16. ↑ "Check out the Determining Round draw of this season's 1st team #FAWNLCup!" , 12 August 2022.
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 "#TheNextChapter ⚽️" , 12 August 2022.
18. ↑ "🚨NEW PLAYER ALERT! @jambam10" , 17 August 2022.
19. ↑ "FULL TIME" , 14 August 2022.
20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "🚨NEW PLAYER ALERT! @critchell\_lucy" , 17 August 2022.
21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "🚨ANOTHER NEW SIGNING!" , 18 August 2022.
22. ↑ "FT 0-0" , 29 August 2022.
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "🚨NEW PLAYER ALERT! @e\_frazzoni" , 24 August 2022.
24. ↑ "FULL-TIME HTU🟡10-0🟣@WymondhamWomen" , 28 August 2022.
25. ↑ "FT @LondonSeawardFC 🔵1-4#️⃣ HTU" , 1 September 2022.
26. ↑ "FULL TIME" , 4 September 2022.
27. ↑ "As a result, all of the club’s fixtures this weekend are off. We’ll advise when they’re rearranged" , 9 September 2022.
28. ↑ "FT HTU 🟡 5-0 🔵 @CambridgeUtdWFC" , 18 September 2022.
29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "NEW PLAYER ALERT!" , 25 September 2022.
30. ↑ "FULL TIME" , 25 September 2022.
31. ↑ "FT @cambscitygirls 0-1 #️⃣⚽️ @GraceGillard1" , 2 October 2022.
32. ↑ "Our @VitalityWFACup draw sees us travel to @BedfordLadiesFc" , 3 October 2022.
33. ↑ "FULL TIME HTU 4-0 @AshfordWomens" , 9 October 2022.
34. ↑ "FULL TIME HTU #️⃣13-2🟣 @cheshamutdlfc" , 12 October 2022.
35. ↑ "Looking forward to travelling to @ITFCWomen at the end of the month for a scarily good cup tie!" , 11 October 2022.
36. ↑ "GAME OFF" , 23 October 2022.
37. ↑ "FULL TIME" , 30 October 2022.
38. ↑ 38.00 38.01 38.02 38.03 38.04 38.05 38.06 38.07 38.08 38.09 38.10 38.11 38.12 38.13 38.14 38.15 38.16 38.17 38.18 38.19 38.20 38.21 38.22 38.23 38.24 38.25 38.26 38.27 38.28 38.29 "Fixtures" .
39. ↑ "FULL TIME" , 6 November 2022.
40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 "LAUREN GRIFFITHS BECOMES A TAG!" , 6 January 2023.
41. ↑ "NEW LEAGUE, NEW TEAM?? Hashtag United 23/24 Women's Squad Update" , 18 August 2023.