Impetus‘ Darrell Allen provides his weekly round-up of all the women’s football action in Norfolk (27/9/22).
Above: Katie Knights (grey kit) in action for Norwich City at Watford. Photo: Norwich City Women FC.
FA Women’s National League Cup
Sunday marked the Determining Round stage of the FA Women’s National League Cup.
Tier Four Norwich City suffered their first defeat anywhere this season as they were comprehensively beaten 6-0 away to a very strong Watford side who were playing Championship football last season. Watford captain, Wales international legend Helen Ward scored a hat-trick and the other three goals were scored by Ellie Head, Nicola Gibson, and Flo Fyfe.
Wymondham Town’s tie at Chesham United was postponed and the game was awarded to Chesham as a home walkover.
Eastern Region Premier Division
It was a fantastic day for Norfolk teams in the Tier Five Eastern Region Premier Division.
After two consecutive defeats, Wroxham stormed back by beating Bedford Town 5-1 at Trafford Park. Zara Carroll gave Bedford a surprise lead within the opening minute but then the Yachtswomen shined.
Captain Jess Horn headed home a Holly Walker cross to get Wroxham level before two quick fire goals from Holly Connell and new signing Hannah Waters on her debut gave the hosts a comfortable 3-1 lead at half time.
Lauren Bullard, back in the team after missing the two consecutive defeats scored on 50 minutes before Keela Olive rounded off the scoring to give Wroxham an outstanding 5-1 win.
This was a big win for Joe Simpson’s team, and a landmark day with Lauren Bullard back in the side and scoring. When Bullard has played this season Wroxham have won both times with the opposite occurring when she hasn’t. Bullard is a key player at this level who will only get better as the season goes on.
It was also a good day for King’s Lynn Town as they picked up a superb point in an entertaining 2-2 draw at Haringey Borough. The game played at Coles Park, always a long and challenging away assignment for any Norfolk team, was goalless at the break but sprang into life in the second half.
Tori Campbell opened the scoring for Haringey before the visitors’ captain Jodie Hopkins levelled it up with a stunning effort from distance. King’s Lynn then took the lead with a penalty through Tilly Sands. Campbell got her second of the afternoon in injury time to get Haringey Borough a share of the spoils.
Eastern Region Division One North
In Tier Six, Fakenham Town were beaten 6-2 at home by Biggleswade United.
A brace from Halie Richards, plus further strikes from Kayleigh Gray, Nicola Henman, Tashai Simms, and Tayla Murray were enough to give Biggleswade the victory. The hosts’ goals came from Megan Spurrell and Shelley Woods.
Fakenham are still without a point this season but encouragement remains in performances, especially a fantastic goalkeeping display in this game from Ciah-Lilly Rudkin and belief that results are not far away is still very much alive at Clipbush Park.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One
After not playing on the opening day, Mulbarton Wanderers started their season as they mean to go on with an emphatic 7-0 home success over Stalham Town. Melissa Belsey scored a brace with other goals by Laura Hedtke, Ellie Hunter, Rebekah Lake, Rachael Wall, and Charlotte Groves.
Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers maintained their 100% start with a 4-1 home win over Beccles Town. A Betty Booker brace was the highlight with other goals from Bethan Taylor and captain Calista Tink. The Beccles goal was scored by Elisha Bower.
In the game of the day, Long Stratton and Thetford Town shared the points in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Manor Road. Thetford Town goalkeeper Amber Browne heroically saved a Long Stratton penalty from Samantha Walker before Laura Martins scored twice in quick succession to give Thetford a 2-0 halftime lead, the second of which was a stunner from 30 yards.
Long Stratton, determined to get something for their captain Samantha Walker who they lost in the third minute of the game to a fractured elbow, rescued a point thanks to a brace in the second half from Luci Middleton who has eight goals in two games after her double hat trick against Stalham on the opening day last week.
In the day’s final game in tier seven, Bungay Town recorded an impressive 3-1 away win at newly promoted Caister. A Lauren Goulder brace and a Porsha Renwick strike was enough to get Bungay the victory. Ellie Hills scored for Caister.
After this game, albeit unconnected to the result, Caister manager Sophie Gillett announced she would be stepping down to take time for herself and her personal life. Gillett leaves a wonderful team and great foundations for the next chapter in Caister history.
Norfolk Women and Girls League Division Two
In Tier Eight, Aylsham made it two wins from two with a 5-0 victory over FC Viking Valkyries with a brace from Sophie Lubbock and other goals from Hannah Claughton, Captain Jordan Arnoup and Sophie-Jayne O’Connor.
Blofield United won 8-0 at Thetford Bulldogs thanks to four goals from Bailey Duffield, a brace from Lucy Schug and further goals from Scarlett Royden and Lola Hallam.
Shrublands got their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory at Freethorpe thanks to goals from Rachel Adams and Brianne Dyer, Eden Simmonds with the goal for Freethorpe.
King’s Lynn Soccer Club beat Thorpe St. Andrew 6-1 with braces from Chloe Edwards and Jordan Turner plus other goals from Kelsey Ramm and Trinity Tokaji. Jennifer Brown with the goal for Thorpe St. Andrew.
Mulbarton Wanderers Reserves beat Horsford 5-0, Megan Anderton hit two with strikes from Natalie Merry plus Lucy Kean and a own goal securing the points.
In this week’s final game, Gorleston won 8-1 at North Walsham Town, A brace each from Megan Bartlett, Sienna Saunders and Joana Patricia da Cunha Teixeira, plus goals from Kelsi Adams and Nyah White gave Gorleston a brilliant away day success with Kiera Brown getting the goal for North Walsham.
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