by Darrell Allen (24/05/2024)
Above: AFC Sudbury celebrating their 11-1 win in the Suffolk Women’s Cup Final on Tuesday night. Image: Paul Voller
On Tuesday night Tier Four AFC Sudbury defeated 11-1 Tier Seven Stowupland Falcons in the Suffolk Women’s Cup Final. A night that looks simple based on the scoreline but in reality was anything but straightforward.
A Premier League stage
AFC Sudbury and Stowupland Falcons had the privilege of facing off at Portman Road, the home of now Premier League Ipswich Town and it was obvious from the moment of arrival that this was a Premier venue, the press invited into the same lounge as the hospitality guests.
The Hall of Fame lounge simply stunning, an a la cart buffet and hot drinks served by staff with smiles on their faces. Ipswich Town had treated this grassroots occasion like it was one of their own first team matches and it was brilliant to see.
The seats padded in the centre of the upper tier of the Cobbled Stand with a perfect unrestricted view of the pitch. Suffolk FA went to huge length to give the players an experience they will never forget. Flag bearers and senior dignitaries from the Suffolk Football Association greeted the teams as they lined up on the pitch before kick off.
A Super Start then Severe Weather
Everyone attending on Tuesday night might not have admitted it but everyone knew this result was a forgone conclusion before we started out. That didn’t matter though as both teams played with smiles on their faces roared on by their huge numbers of supporters either side of the Hospitality box in the Cobbled Stand.
AFC Sudbury were 6-0 up in 39 minutes, Sophie Jeffery tapped in, Eva Frazzoni got two plus Aliyat Lambe, Kaylee Dodd and Alex Penny made up the six. The game won already with some quality football but what was happening around it was equally as fascinating.
The Portman Road pitch had been saturated during the time Sudbury were scoring six. Horrendous conditions which led to referee Isabel Chaplin being forced into a difficult but correct decision to suspend play and take the players off the pitch on 40 minutes with the score 6-0 at the time 8.10pm.
A perfectly managed delay
Following the suspension and the rain continuing to fall many within the ground thought the game may be entirely abandoned. Suffolk FA managed this situation brilliantly by informing the crowd inspections would take place at 8.45pm and then 9.05pm to see if we could resume. .
The rain had stopped but the pitch was unplayable on the 8.45pm inspection but thankfully did pass at 9.05pm. The players then needed time to warm up so Suffolk FA announced the game would resume at 9.35pm, with the five minutes of the first half being played. A five minute half-time then the full second half. Perfect: we knew exactly where we were now at and everyone in attendance delighted we were continuing.
Sublime Sudbury and Superb Stowupland
AFC Sudbury got the game complete with five more superb goals. Yasmin Drake from the spot to make it seven, Jess Allen made it eight, Ava Jouvenel nine, Alex Penny got us to double figures before Penny got her Hat-trick by making it 11. It was a great performance from AFC Sudbury in a no win situation where they had all the pressure. They can be so proud of themselves.
The Supporters magnificent as a crowd of 920 watched the biggest occasion in Suffolk Women’s Football. Just two persons shy of the Norfolk equivalent final the week prior which staged big name Norwich City in their home venue and Wroxham. Suffolk FA will be delighted by that figure and rightly so.
Just as we thought that was our lot, Stowupland Falcons decided they wanted to produce the moment of the night when Enya Moore scored for them on 86 minutes to the loudest cheers of the night from their supporters. It was a privilege to witness.
The game ended shortly after 10.30pm to a standing ovation for both teams followed by the medal and trophy presentations. It was a lovely night that had everything and a truly great advert for Suffolk Women’s Football.
A Long but perfect Suffolk FA day
After working 9-5 in Norwich I caught the 5.30pm train to Ipswich, arriving at the ground around 6.20pm and leaving after a fun evening at 10.50pm. With the next train back to Norwich not until 11.42pm I had time for McDonald’s by which point the heavens had opened again for my walk back to the station.
I eventually arrived home at 12.40am after a long but really enjoyable day and to be honest I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is the third consecutive year I have covered the Suffolk Women’s Cup Final and Suffolk FA look after you like no other, treated like Kings from arriving to leaving and despite the weather it was a great evening.
Thanks to both AFC Sudbury and Stowupland Falcons as well as the Suffolk FA and Ipswich Town staff who were tremendous hosts all evening.
See you next year!
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