Sunday 2nd February

Norfolk Women’s Division Three

Love to get up and down the league across the East to watch my football and having started the year with action from the FAWNL and regional leagues it’s time to take in some county league football with a game from Norfolk Women’s Division Three, with newly formed, Kirkley & Pakefield FC Ladies hosting Martham FC Ladies.

The Norfolk Women’s County football leagues expanding to 3 Divisions this season with a host of new sides entering an adult team in the competition. The east of Norfolk and the coastal area around Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft in Suffolk seeing a host of new sides formed in recent seasons.

Kirkley & Pakefield FC reforming a ladies side this campaign, the Lowestoft based club having previously had a side 7 years or so ago. The highlight of that time going all the way to the Suffolk Women’s County Cup final and played at Ipswich’s Portman Road stadium. A new era for women’s football at Walmer Road. Recruiting players from Great Yarmouth and the surrounding area with useful experience joining what is a new look league has been a mixed start so far off to a blistering start with 3 wins on the bounce all away from home before losing the next three. A couple of postponements to start 2025, got back to winning way away to Red Rose with a 3-1 win last weekend and with 7 of their remaining 9 matches at home will be looking to build some momentum going into the 2nd half of the season. Captain Maddie-Me Kerrison the top scorer so far with 5 goals.

  Martham FC Ladies entering a women’s team into the NWGFL for the first time last season, a club with a strong youth section, boys and girls have female teams from U10’s to U16’s. Joining a large 13 strong Division Two was a baptism of fire for the new women’s side finding it tough losing 9 on the spin before final securing their first 3 points in February, kept at it picking up 3 more wins and a draw towards the end of the campaign to give them something to build on. Expanding to a 3rd division last season to better match the sides Martham are all the better for that experience bringing in new faces and experience, a county cup win to open the season, were to lose their opening 2 league games but haven’t looked back six winning the next  on the spin to climb up the table into 3rd pressure the leaders Brundall Bolts Women at the top. Lily Bulloch bringing goals to the side netting 19 so far from 10 appearances. Laurel Chambers with 6 goals too from her 10 games.

  Kirkley & Pakefield playing at the Recreation Ground on Walmer Road. This play was always a buzz of activity when I visited in the past with plenty of youth football going on, and pleasing to see nothing has changed now, pitches both grass and artificial leading to the main stadium itself. The clubhouse and changing facilities in between, the bar open along with the kitchen hatch serving hot food and drink. The weather has not been great to start the year, so good to see a bit of sun if a little chilly still a frosty start but clear now with the game to take place on the 3G pitch a good sized playing surface with standing viewing on one side, the sun beginning to drop behind that side.

Kirkley & Pakefield FC Ladies starting XI – Paige Curtis, Daphne Siracusa, Sasha Friel, Abbie Pogmore, Nyla McKay, Sophie Barber Boakes, Scarlet Miller, Karina Filippus, Lashaya Marnell, Emily Clarke & Maddie-Mae Kerrison (C). Subs – Danielle Ashley, Paige Sterry & Niamh Howard.

 Martham FC Ladies starting XI – Laura Barnard, Ella Saunders, Cerys Speak, Baelie Fairbrother, Lorella Ashcroft, Paige Searle, Melissa Anderson, Emily Dennington, Laurel Chambers, Ellie Jade Nekrews & Lily Bulloch. Subs – Bethany Shearing (C), Jessica Pasco & Scarlett Colby.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

A late switch for Martham with captain Bethany Shearing starting on the bench, with the hosts, Kirkley & Pakefield to kick-off the game, wearing blue and white shirts with blue shorts and socks. Martham lined up opposite wearing green coloured shirts and socks with black shorts. Scarlet Miller from the circle playing the ball back to Abbie Pogmore in defence, the ball launched up the middle with captain, Maddie-Mae Kerrison leading the line, Paige Searle intercepting the pass for Martham, setting up a counter attack firing a long pass into the right wing for Laurel Chambers to attack, Sasha Friel coming across to defend across her run to shield the ball out for a goal kick.

Martham making a positive start pushing players up capitalising on a loose pass at the back for Kirkley & Pakefield on the right side, Chambers getting onto the ball 25 yards out rolling it inside to striker, Lily Bulloch she takes on the shot from outside the box angled in low to the right post, goalkeeper Paige Curtis down low keep it out runs behind for a corner kick. The in swinging corner dropping at the near post cut out by Kirkley & Pakefield’s Karina Filippus, not cleared however players closing in on the ball the final touch taking it out of play for a goal kick.

Emily Dennington with pace bursting away with the ball at her feet on the left flank as Martham press well in the final third, going to the by-line checks back inside to feed the ball in across the top of the area, Bulloch going for it, Daphne Siracusa, stretching out a leg for Kirkley & Pakefield defending the take the ball away from the attacker, loose in the six yard box in front of goal, the hosts living dangerously as they scramble the ball behind for a corner on the right. Can see this one curl safely over the crossbar.

Kirkley & Pakefield riding out some early pressure look to launch an attack Miller sending the ball on for Kerrison on half way she has Lashaya Marnell breaking down the right looks to send the ball on into her path too much on it however, Lorella Ashcroft coming to close Marnell down can see the ball safely out of play. Roles reversed moments later as Marnell out wide right turns provider playing the ball on for Kerrison as the attacker pulls out to the wing to receive the ball, Ashcroft sliding in to take the ball out for a throw in.

The game opening up as Kirkley & Pakefield begin to get some joy going forwards he pass on for Sophie Barber Boakes to take on down the left wing comes back inside to play the ball into the top of the area, Emily Clarke looking to hit it first time opening up her body to, send the ball up into the air over the keeper and sees it cannon against the crossbar! Martham launching the ball out of their box.

Kerrison seeing the ball into her feet on the halfway line turning to play it out to the right for Clarke ahead of her driving into the right channel, forcing her way into the area, Ashcroft closing her down the defender does well to keep Clarke away from the ball see it out for a goal kick. The ball rarely still both sides looknig to turn play around, tackles flying in, Melissa Anderson sending the ball out to Dennington on the left for Martham, looks to burst away, a timely foot in from Marnell seeing the attack snuffed out.

Marnell battling for the ball in the middle for Kirkley & Pakefield, wins it and plays it forwards into Clarke 30 yards out in the right channel has Kerrison breaking in behind the defence out wide, Martham hold their line well though to catch the Kirkley & Pakefield captain, offside.

Both side are preferring to play the ball into the channels rather than attack through the middle, have willing runners Searle breaking up play in the middle for Martham put to the right, Ellie Jade Nekrews putting it forwards for Chambers, Siracusa getting her foot in for the hosts to put the ball out for a throw.

Competitive in the middle, Miller and Filippus getting stuck in for Kirkley & Pakefield played forwards into Clarke sends it out to the left with Kerrison pulling wide, taking the ball on down the flank, Cerys Speak moving in to tackle sending the ball out of play for the throw. Several foul throws with the referee picking up on improper foot control when releasing the ball, both sides penalised.

Chambers escapes with the ball at her feet on the right for Martham as the visitors look to turn defence into attack running on attempts to slide the threaded ball on into the area for Bulloch making a central run, Curtis sharp out of her six yard box racing out to gather the ball safely into her gloves. Pogmore getting hold of the ball at the back for Kirkley & Pakefield playing a fantastic ball forwards into the right channel for Clarke to get hold of powers clear of her marker looking to get into the box strike her shot across the keeper into the bottom corner, the Martham defence racing back on the cover, it’s Baelie Fairbrother, who puts in the block to see the shot defended.

Kirkley & Pakefield’s turn to build some momentum Marnell out to Nyla McKay right side gets on down the wing, both Clarke and Kerrison moving over to that side of the pitch to support her the trio looking to combine passes force there way past the Martham defence, both Anderson and Searle back to defend no way through. Kirkley & Pakefield making a change bring off Clarke sending Daniel Ashley on.

Lively as Kirkley & Pakefield work the ball well down the flanks winning a throw on the right into Miller, turns on the ball to send the cross into the box, cut out by Fairbrother at the near post, the visitors launching a rapid counter as Dennington is put away on the left burst towards the box, attempts to lay the ball on into the area for Chambers making a run cross the D to receive the pass, Curtis again out well to get hold of the ball before she can get a touch.

Martham keeping hold of the ball in the final third, clipped forwards into Chambers positioned left of the D 20 out look to turn the ball over her shoulder into the area. blocked by Pogmore, not clear, Bulloch getting onto it central pushing it out to the right for Nekrews on the by line right of goal close in tries to fire it past the keeper into the central position inside the six yard box, Curtis getting down to smother the ball.

Both sides enjoying spells of pressure inviting errors from the opposition, Anderson on the ball for Martham moving left attempts to play it through the middle into the box for Bulloch pulling off the defence, a little too much on the pass reaches the keeper first. Dennington breaking on with the ball at her feet on the left for the visitors taking the ball to the by-line outside the box held up. checks back inside to lay the pass back into Bulloch positioned left corner, goes to curl a shot in towards goal, drops invitingly into the keepers gloves.

Anderson strong on the ball through the middle, pushing on, Filippus getting in the blocking tackle 25 yards out, the ball not under control, Anderson looks to keep it alive stabbing it on for Bulloch breaking into the area, Pogmore with a vital interception. Pogmore in well again at the back to cut the ball out for Kirkley & Pakefield, carries it into the middle, before sending the pass into Kerrison peeling into the left channel takes the ball on before coming back inside 20 yards out to curl in a shot towards go from the corner of the box, but like Bulloch’s attempt up the other end places the ball straight into Laura Barnard’s gloves.

Clarke coming back on for Kirkley & Pakefield for Ashley. Dennington’s pace on the left causing Kirkley & Pakefield a few problems as she burst away on the wing cuts her cross back into the top of the area, over Bulloch central, Siracusa stretching for it stopping the ball running through to Chambers, down into the area however, Bulloch goes to stab her foot at the ball 10 yards out sends it away over the bar.

Half a hour gone has been plenty of action, the Kirkley & Pakefield defence pressed back Clarke and Kerrison are up on halfway looking to receive the ball, Clarke bringing a Marnell pass under control has Kerrison making a move to go left, the attacker seeing the ball rolled into her path shapes to go wide before coming back inside to let loose from all of 35 yards out the ball running wide of the near post.

Friel doing the defending at the back for Kirkley & Pakefield getting across to put her foot in to tackle Bulloch as she attempts to get onto an Anderson ball threaded into the right channel. Anderson herself taking on the shot as the ball comes to her 20 yards out right of the Kirkley & Pakefield area blasts her strike wide past the far post.

Barber Boakes from the left sending the cross field pass into McKay 35 yards out inside right, no one moving to close her down she accepts the invitation to shoot, screws the ball wide of the right post. Dennington races on with the ball for Martham into the left corner at the by-line checks back well to fire a cross into the top of the area, Bulloch on the penalty spot looking to control it down off her chest and shoot, is closed down immediately by the Kirkley & Pakefield defence, an almighty scramble ensues with the ball somehow ending up in the keepers gloves.

Is an open contest, Kirkley & Pakefield more often than not running the ball out wide lacking crossing options breaking from the middle of the park, Clarke going it alone on the right turns inside looking to take on Fairbrother top of the area, the defender with a good tackle to regain possession. The host get the ball back on the right, Marnell on for McKay a throw won high, Clarke seeing it into her feet turning into the area on the run goes to strike the ball with the outside of her boot, her shot lacking any power a simple gather for Barnard.

McKay getting a timely foot out to take the ball away from Bulloch for a throw out on the left, Bulloch after it to take a quick throw to try and set up Dennington to turn 25 yards out and run into the box, the ball there to be won as Friel comes out to close it down sees the pair collide in a nasty coming together that sees Dennington come off the worst. A pause in play as Dennington is treated, will be coming off regardless with captain, Bethany Shearing entering the action. Friel is shown a yellow card with Martham winning a free-kick out wide of the box 25 yards out to the left. Shearing over it goes for goal, pulls her attempt wide of the near post.

Miller getting in well to win the ball in front of the defence for Kirkley & Pakefield bringing it on trying to get her team going forwards. Into the closing stages of the first half Speak on the right playing the ball on for Nekrews up to Chambers brings the ball inside from the right looking to power her way forwards, sends it on through the middle for Bulloch, top of the D, Siracusa going with her getting a vital touch to take the ball out of her path.

Half-time Kirkley & Pakefield FC Ladies 0-0 Martham FC Ladies

  Goalless at the break, a lively first half ending in stalemate, both sides with good opportunities to open the scoring. Martham getting off to a strong start applying the early pressure pushing the Kirkley & Pakefield defence back. The hosts coming back well however as the game opened up, competitive in the middle both looking to use the flanks, the hosts breaking well to hit the crossbar, shots in on target but not troubling either keeper, both enjoying good spells evenly matched no telling as to the outcome of the game as the sides ready for the 2nd half.

Both sides unchanged from the sides that ended the 2nd half, the sun lower now shade on one side of the pitch, Kirkley & Pakefield attacking with it in their eyes. It’s Martham to get the 2nd half underway the ball played back into defence, Barber Boakes left side presses well for Kirkley & Pakefield, players on to attack the ball inside the Martham half, Anderson back to help the defence winning possession back for the visitors.

Kirkley & Pakefield stop any advance into their half the pass into Marnell right some 25/30 yards out goes for goal her effort claimed by Barnard in the Martham goal. The hosts making a determined start to the 2nd half players pressed on to battle for the ball, Miller with Filippus in the middle lively…

GOAL! That early pressure bringing the break through the ball won 25 yards out to the right of the D, played across the top of the box into the feet of Barber Boakes 20 yards out goes to strike the ball, her shot racing in on goal past the keeper before she can react, and in off the inside of the left post to open the scoring 1-0.

Martham falling behind 4 minutes into the 2nd half, look to get on the attack from the restart Bulloch on the drive through the middle, brought down winning the free-kick. Shearing over the set-piece 25 yards out again lines up the effort on goal getting plenty of zip behind the ball but not on target as Curtis sees it sail past her left post.

Kirkley & Pakefield making a change with Clarke coming off up top to be replaced by Paige Sterry. The low sun causing a few issues for the Kirkley & Pakefield defenders trying to pick out a pass up top, (at least the excuse being peddled). Bulloch making several determined runs with the ball at her feet through the middle for Martham lifts it over the top for Chambers out on the right channel, Siracusa going with her for Kirkley & Pakefield does well in defence to get across Chambers to see the ball back safely into her keepers gloves.

GOAL! Having scored Kirkley & Pakefield have taken their foot off the gas allowed Martham to press players on down the flanks, the ball carried inside from the right 25 yards out the diagonal pass is fed into the box with Nekrews stealing into the box from the left to meet it angling her first time effort back across the keeper into the bottom corner to level thing’s up 1-1. 

The lead lasting just 4 minutes Kirkley & Pakefield needing to regroup, send the ball out to Barber Boakes attacking on their left flank drives inside looking to get into the area the ball knocked on for Sterry, right side of goal, Ashcroft closing her down the ball popping loose as Barber Boakes continues her run stabs it wide. Dennington coming back on for Martham goes into the back line replacing Ashcroft on the left. Scarlett Colby on too for Saunders.

Chambers cutting inside from the right for Martham driven inside for Bulloch top of the D, Pogmore cutting it out well for Kirkley & Pakefield. Cleared to the right, Martham with numbers up regaining the ball look to return it back into the box, no advantage however play brought back for a late free-kick on the wing. Shearing dangerous with her set-piece deliveries dropping the ball in front of the keeper, another frantic scramble ensues in front of goal, no one getting a clear touch on the ball before the hosts wrestle it to safety.

Nekrews with the ball at her feet on the left for Martham surging on inside hitting a strike on the run 25 yards out, frustrated to place her effort straight at the keeper. Martham with a quickly taken throw from Shearing on the right looking to play, Colby clear to attack inside the box, Curtis reacts quickly racing out to claim it for Kirkley & Pakefield.

Chambers skipping away with the ball out wide right for Martham delivering a looping cross into the near post, Curtis snatching hold of it with Colby closing her down. The game remains open both sides using the width of the pitch looking to stretch things, Speak lunging in to tackle Barber Boakes as she looks to turn off a Siracusa pass.

Sterry brought down on the right giving Kirkley & Pakefield a free-kick. Clarke replacing Sterry before the free-kick is taken. Angled in centrally comes into Clarke quickly reacts well to spin into a shot send it in on target, Barnard down sharply to make the blocking save the ball spinning away to her left threatening to creep in at the post. cleared off the line by a defender, even as Kerrison looks to blast it home from close range.

Bulloch with an ambitious volley from 30 yards out sends the ball wide of the mark for Martham. Players beginning to tire on both sides with little let up in the open nature of the game one side winning it back at the back, then looking to get it forwards quickly, Siracusa sending the ball on up the left wing for Barber Boakes breaks clear to run down the line, Fairbrother needing to come running across to close her down, putting in the tackle to send the ball out for a throw. 

 Shearing taking the ball on for Martham threading the pass into Chambers on the right, looks to drive infield, Siracusa stretching out a leg to get hold of the ball for the hosts fires it up the line for Barber Boakes, seeing it down into her feet, attempts to turn, Speak closing her down for Martham. Fairbrother looks to have picked up a knock for Martham coming off on comes Jessica Pasco. The game stretched Kirkley & Pakefield with a throw high on the left taken quickly, Siracusa curling the ball into the top of the area, Shearing back to intercept for Martham then again as the ball deflected away to the right falls to the advancing McKay. 

 The game moving into the final 10 minutes, certainly has the feel it could go either way, Kirkley & Pakefield have willing runners up top, Miller putting the ball out to the left for Clarke to attack taking it on to the by-line held up, looks to shift it between her feet before sending in across the face of goal Barnard diving down to get hold of the ball. Kerrison stealing in on the ball out on the right bursting forwards, shooting on the angle 20 yards out, annoyed as the ball is screwed wide at the near post.

  Martham over commit going forwards as Kirkley & Pakefield fight to regain possession outside their box, Marnell giving it to Siracusa who has space to carry it into on the left, Colby tracking back to deal with her getting in a timely tackle. The hosts pushing for the winner getting a corner on the left driven in low to the near post, defended deflected back out to the taker, played up into the top of the area for Miller positioned top of the D, attempts to curl a strike in on goal, can only pick out Barnard, the keeper getting hold of the ball.

  Martham pushing players on late on as they themselves look for the winning goal, Kirkley & Pakefield pressed back to defend their box, getting the ball upfield looking to expose their opponents at the back, Clarke through the middle, Dennington with the blocking tackle, the ball not cleared however as Barber Boakes left channel looks to take it on Speak with a blocking tackle forcing Barber Boakes wide, goes with her, with Saunders getting back to support the ball cleared. 

  Nekrews with the ball for Martham down in the left corner, winning her side a corner kick, players up into the area, congested at the near post as the ball is curled in at an inviting height, Curtis going to punch it, drops instead into the mix inside the six yard box, chaos as players from both sides attempt to get their foot on the ball, could go anywhere, is knocked in towards goal to the right, cleared off the line away to the right. 

  Martham pushing hard in the closing moments of the game winning a corner on the right, players up the ball fired in across the top of the six yard box bouncing up off the surface at the far post, Anderson leaping looking to meet it with her head, turning her chance wide. The final whistle blowing moments later, the points shared.

  Full time Kirkley & Pakefield FC Ladies 1-1 Martham FC Ladies

  Overall perhaps the fair result, but no doubt both sides will feel they could have won the game, created good opportunities. Kirkley & Pakefield showing a positive intent at the start of the 2nd half to get after the ball, take the lead. Sat back then as Martham looked for  quick reply and took their opportunity. An even contest the game stretched as players began to tire and gaps opened up. The point enough to see Martham into 2nd spot with, Bure Valley Women Development losing against FC Viking & Valkyries Reserves, now 2 points behind leaders Brundall Bolts Women with a game in hand. Kirkley & Pakefield remain 7th but with games in hand themselves are more than capable of getting involved in the tussle at the top too.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

Onto this Sundays Women’s Football East – Player of the Match award. As tough a decision as any in choosing todays winner, contenders on both sides, both teams working hard in defence. Several performances to mention, firstly for Martham, Baelie Fairbrother putting in several good challenges at the back to win the ball for the visitors get around on the cover. Paige Searle winning her tackles in the middle, playing some good passes out to the flanks. Lily Bulloch getting hold of the ball making some driving runs in attack, finding good positions in and around the box. Emily Dennington with her pace causing Kirkley & Pakefield a few issues on the left. Bethany Shearing adding steel to the Martham midfield when she came on used the ball well, a threat from a set-piece. For Kirkley & Pakefield the three in defence all put in some vital tackles and blocks, Abbie Pogmore getting her foot in to win the ball turning play around, Sasha Friel covering well to get across to snub out threats, Daphne Siracusa too on the left side of defence closing down well. Maddie-Mae Kerrison leading the attack with some strong runs to take the ball forwards constantly looking for an opening to set up a teammate. Sophie Barber Boakes with some good work too on the left opening the scoring. Karina Filippus with some great foot work in the middle of the park in a congested midfield to bring the ball away. The award though goes to Scarlet Miller worked hard though out to win the ball in front of her defence, carrying it out from the back with some good runs, tackled well and found herself in some great positions when Kirkley & Pakefield got the ball forwards.

  Great to get down the leagues see some action from Norfolk Women’s Division Three, nice to return to Walmer Road, always a buzz of activity. My thanks to both teams for their help with the team line-ups today. Will certainly be interested to see how both fair during the rest of the season and good luck to both. 

by Darren Gilham