Darrell Allen provides his weekly round-up of all the women’s football action in Norfolk (24/1/23).
Above: Norwich City’s Kathryn Stanley wins a header against AFC Wimbledon star Megan Stow. Photo: Hardy Scott Photos
The weather was the winner in Norfolk this weekend but, as usual, I round up the games that did take place on Sunday – all three of them.
FA Women’s National League Division One South East
Norwich City welcomed AFC Wimbledon to The Nest in tier four, and it was birthday girl Hannah Billingham who gave the visitors the lead just before half-time. Wimbledon must have thought they would be taking all three points back to southwest London with them but Natasha Snelling poked the ball home on 89 minutes to ensure Norwich a share of the spoils. For a full report of the game, click on George Jones’ report here: https://impetusfootball.org/2023/01/23/dons-disappointed-by-draw-at-norwich/
Eastern Region Premier Division
In tier five, The Yachtswomen of Wroxham made the long trip to Bowers and Pitsea for what was a thrilling contest from start to finish.
Joe Simpson’s Wroxham side enjoyed a flying start as Hannah Waters put them in front on eleven minutes, only for joy to be short-lived as Maddie Thomas equalised for Bowers and Pitsea five minutes later. Becky Russell’s strike from distance restored Wroxham’s lead on 41 minutes and ensured the visitors held the halftime advantage.
Two goals in two second-half minutes (Millie Isherwood and Whitney Locke on 69 and 71 minutes respectively) turned the game in Bowers and Pitseas’s favour with Danielle Styles making it a two-goal lead nine minutes later. Hannah Waters’ second on 82 minutes reduced the deficit but, to cap a frantic period of play, Locke then scored again to make it 5-3 at full time to Bowers and Pitsea.
Norfolk Women’s Cup Quarter Final
With their main pitch at Manor Road frozen, Long Stratton went to immense effort to ensure their Norfolk Women’s Cup Quarter Final against Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers went ahead: They hired the 3G at Easton College and held a floodlit match kicking off at 4pm.
Dussindale and Hellesdon asserted their authority on the game early and took the lead on eleven minutes through Georgina Belton – and the score stayed 1-0 until the break.
Victoria Leyer doubled the advantage on fifty minutes and Long Stratton never really looked like getting back into the contest. A six-week delay without a competitive fixture, unsurprisingly, seemed to have a negative effect on the Long Stratton team.
Chelsea Brister put the gloss on the victory when she made it 3-0 on 90 minutes to seal Dussindale and Hellesdon’s place in the Quarter Finals.
impetusfootball.org 