Darrell Allen is back with the first of his detailed weekly reviews of the women’s football scene in the country of Norfolk (17/8/23).
Above: Rebekah Lake fires the ball over Yaxley Phoenix goalkeeper Kira Markwell to score Mulbarton Wanderers’ first ever goal in Tier Six. Photo: Ben Cunningham.
Match of the Weekend
Eastern Region Division One North
Mulbarton Wanderers 4-3 Yaxley Phoenix
Mulbarton Wanderers made a victorious start to life in the Tier Six, Eastern Region Division One North in a game that was closer than it should have been.
Mulbarton started at a frenetic pace, an exquisite ball from Samantha Walker found Rebekkah Lake but new Yaxley goalkeeper (the highly experienced former Tier four player Kira Markwell) saved well. But Mulbarton meant business and a great ball from Ellie Hunter soon after found Lake once more but this time her curling shot hit the post.
Yaxley began to have their own moments going forward but found Mulbarton defender Megan Belsey in the way on a couple of occasions so there was no way through to the Mulbarton goal.
Mulbarton finally got a deserved lead when a super ball from Hunter found Lake, who chipped Markwell to register Mulbarton’s first-ever goal in Tier Six.
Mulbarton had just the one at Half time but could have been out of sight. Lake found Walker just before the break but the ball stuck under her feet and was unable to get the shot at goal from just a couple of yards out.
Mulbarton started the second half of the game with the same intent as the first, Walker found Lake who wellied it in for her and Mulbarton’s second of the afternoon.
A flash moment in the contest came when Yaxley’s Alexa Hunter was sent off for foul and abusive language towards match referee Daniel Bird. Hunter has previous disciplinary issues against Mulbarton, having been sent off whilst playing for King’s Lynn Town against Mulbarton in Mulbarton’s victory at Kings Lynn in the Norfolk Women’s Cup Semi Final in March 2022.
You would have thought that would have been the end of Yaxley’s hopes for the afternoon but the Red Card to Hunter seemed to wake the rest of her teammates up, who upped their game whilst playing with only 10.
Andrea Oliviera halved the scoreline and gave Yaxley hope 20 minutes from time and the game then descended into absolute drama until its conclusion. Lake should have had her hat-trick for Mulbarton when she received a ball from Laura Hedtke only to put her chance wide.
Walker was then through on goal but was denied superbly by the legs of Kiera Markwell who performed inspirationally in the Yaxley Phoenix goal all afternoon. Mulbarton did then re-store their two goal lead when Rebekah Lake found Lanta Griffth who tapped in for the hosts’ third.
Yaxley came back for more in a game you could not take your eyes off. Katie Steward was denied superbly by Jody Todd in the Mulbarton goal before Steward did score with a fantastic clipped finish into the net.
That wasn’t the end of the scoring as a topsy turvy finale saw Beth Edwards finish after being assisted by Alice Ladbrooke as Mulbarton again re-stored their two goal lead. Codie Steward received a wonderful ball to again half the deficit but Mulbarton got over the line to claim a 4-3 victory.
A great win for Mulbarton which will give them confidence heading into a tricky trip to Newmarket Town on Sunday.
Teams: MULBARTON WANDERERS: Todd, Belsey, Belsey, Brown, Bumstead, Hedtke, Hunter, Jermy, Lake, Mungham-Gray, Walker. Subs: Edwards, Griffith, Ladbrooke, Spurrell.
Scorers: Lake (2), Edwards, Griffith.
YAXLEY PHOENIX: Markwell, Barhoumi, Frederick, Hatfield, Hunter, Kulesza, Loveridge, Newman, Oliveira, C.Steward, K.Steward. Subs: Cockel, Scott, Willis.
Scorers: Oliveira, K.Steward, C.Steward.
Referee: Daniel Bird.
Attendance: 44.
Norfolk Wrap
Eastern Region Premier Division
Adam Race made a winning start as manager of the Yachtswomen as Wroxham were 12-0 winners at King’s Lynn Town thanks to four goals from Hannah Fuller, a brace from Luci Middleton, and other goals were scored by Holly Connell, Ella Gambell, Tigi Robson, Rebecca Russell, Lauren Bullard, and an own goal.
Eastern Region Division One North
Dussindale and Hellesdon Rovers made an eye-catching start as they thrashed last season’s Tier Six North runners up Biggleswade United. Two goals each from Victoria Leyer and Abby Hutchin plus one from Chelsea Brister saw Adrian Tink’s side claim an extraordinary opening-day win.
Fakenham Town were also winners with a 5-3 home success over Wooten Blue Cross, Chloe Gravett and Rochelle Woods scored a two each with Jemma Riches getting the other goal. A brace from Kelly Sutton and a goal from Nicola Henman were the visitor’s scorers. It was a fine start to Fakneham Town’s second season at this level.
Thetford Town produced a sensational 6-0 win at St. Ives Town. Thetford who finished third in the Tier Seven Norfolk Women and Girls League last season, dominated their opponents from start to finish with four goals from Kamile Omeleviciute and two from experienced Tier Six star Jordan Sillitoe on her debut saw Luke Pickford and Amber Browne’s side claim an impressive opening day win against St Ives who finished third last year.
All in all, an impressive opening day for many of Norfolk’s teams.
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