Impetus’ Darrell Allen provides his weekly round-up of all the women’s football action in Norfolk (1/11/22).
Above: Thetford Town captain Melissa Boulton in action against UEA. Photo: Ben Cunningham.
Main Match of the Week
Thetford Town 3-1 University of East Anglia
Thetford Town produced an astonishing second-half comeback to defeat University of East Anglia and at the same time end their opponents 100% winning record in Norfolk Women and Girls League Division One in stunning fashion at Mundford Road.
UEA deservedly led at the break thanks to a goal from Freya Fuller but a goal from Mia Bambury and a brace from Laura Martins saw Thetford roar back in the second half and take all three points.
The first half saw UEA comfortably dominate with a stunning exhibition of high-quality passing and some wonderful balls in behind the Thetford Town defence. First up was Freya Fuller who found herself in acres of space but could only place the ball wide of the near post.
UEA continued to put countless balls through and slice open the Thetford defence. Engineered brilliantly by captain Lucy Gooding. Burnley was presented another gift to open the scoring but could only slide the ball wide.
Fuller finally opened the scoring on 18 minutes when she found herself out on the right went past Askins and calmly slotted the ball home.
There were further chances as Dayna Howard denied Fuller again with a superb tackle and Zoe Klimcke cleared off the line to ensure this match was still a contest in the second half.
Laura Martins was also taken off injured in the first half but she would later return to have a starring role in proceedings.
The second half was a completely different affair as Thetford came out after their halftime team talk with superb authority and determination as they went at UEA from the start. Thetford captain Melissa Boulton had a beautiful curling shot that hit the crossbar before Mia Bambury lit up Mundford Road with a thunderous strike from around 25 yards out which found the top corner and levelled the scores.
Martins returned to the pitch and added further attacking presence to Thetford’s play. From this point, the contest was only ever heading one way. A corner found Martins who fired in to give Thetford the lead.
Askins was forced into a couple of saves by UEA but they never really looked like getting level and the afternoon got better for Thetford when Martins added a third from distance to put the gloss on all three points and an impressive win for David Skipp and his team.
In truth, a game that Thetford should never have been allowed to win but UEA gave them the opportunity by wasting several first-half chances. The hosts changed their attitude and approach for the better and it paid off with a superb comeback and their finest result of the season to date.
Teams: THETFORD TOWN: Askins, Levy-Twomey, Klimcke, Davies, White, Lloyd, Martins, Howard, Rogers, Boulton, Bambury. Subs: Omeleviciute, Musgrove, Howard, Corbyn, Browne.
Scorers: Bambury, Martins (2).
UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA: Williamson, Brewer, Lee, Goodenough, Robb, Gooding, Thompson, Standing, Fuller, Burnley, Lawrence. Subs: Coombs, Neate, Woods, Stel, Piejko.
Scorer: Fuller
Attendance: 60
Referee: Craig Ellis.
Norfolk Wrap
FA WOMEN’S NATIONAL LEAGUE PLATE FIRST ROUND
Norwich City were comfortably beaten 4-1 at home by Crawley Wasps from the division above. Olivia Cook opened the scoring for Norwich City before Crawley Wasps came buzzing back. Amelia Ajao scored a brace with Selin Buyukgiray and Holly Tallbut-Smith scoring their other goals.
EASTERN REGION PREMIER DIVISION
King’s Lynn Town returned to winning ways with a 7-1 win at home to Harlow Town with seven different scorers. Amy Magnius, Samara Nche, Lily Porter, Tilly Sands, Olivia Skinner-Pelaz, and Rachel Skinner all found the net in a fine victory with Ellie Bates getting Harlow’s goal.
NORFOLK WOMEN’S AND GIRLS LEAGUE CUP FIRST ROUND:
There was one remaining tie in the League Cup First Round as Sprowston won 5-1 at King’s Lynn Soccer Club. A brace from Nyah White and other goals from Rosie Milligan, Anais Winney and an own goal put Sprowston through. Jordan Turner scored for KLSC.
NORFOLK WOMEN AND GIRLS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
On a day when every team in the division scored at least one goal. Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers won the day’s big match 6-2 at Long Stratton thanks to braces from Shanice Sutton and Phoebe Green with Chelsea Brister and Victoria Leyer getting their other goals. Mary-Anne Hoy and Luci Middleton found the net for Long Stratton.
Mulbarton Belles picked up a 9-1 win over Caister thanks to a hat-trick from Rebekah Lake, a brace from Laura Hedtke, and other goals from Sophie Jermy and Aneliese Smith. Caister’s goal was scored by Ellie Blaxhall.
Beccles Town had a super Sunday with a 6-2 win at Stalham Town. Mia Rose scored four with Tilly Bowen and Megan Sergeant scoring the others. Stalham had Emma Gillespie and Abigail Gower to thank for their goals.
NORFOLK WOMEN AND GIRLS LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
Freethorpe picked up an important 2-1 win over FC Viking Valkyries with Kiera Squires scoring a brace. Chloe Ward scored for FC Viking Valkyries.
Gorleston won 10-0 at home to Bulldogs FC thanks to four goals from Kelsi Adams, A hat-trick from Rebecca Waters, a brace from Hazel Saddington, and the other from Megan Bartlett.
Blofield United won 6-0 at Horsford thanks to a brace from Jorja Patterson and further goals from Bailey Duffield, Lauren Monument, Lola Eadie and an own goal.
Mulbarton Belles Reserves beat Shrublands 11-0 thanks to a hat-trick each from Lucy Kean and Amelia Barrett, there was a brace from Alice Ladbrooke and Eloise Peek, Megan Anderton and Charlotte Groves finished the scoring.
Thorpe St. Andrew beat North Walsham 3-1 thanks to a brace from Rebecca Sutton and Abi Simmonds got the other. North Walsham’s goal came from Stella Fletcher-Helps.
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