Sunday 6th April

Norfolk Women’s Division One

Back to league action this Sunday, with a trip to Youngs Park to take in a game from Norfolk Women’s Division One, as Aylsham FC Women take on Long Stratton Women.

Bungay Town Ladies the defending champions looking strong in their defence of the title, 5 points clear at the top with games in hand, although a surprise 1st league defeat of the season to 2nd bottom KLSC FC Women last time out raised a few eyebrows, have a busy run in too, having reached both the League and Suffolk Women’s County Cup finals. Behind Bungay the race for runners-up spot is incredibly tight and wide open with UEA FC Women climbing into 2nd, just 6 points between them and 8th placed Fakenham Town Ladies sure to be plenty of twists along the way. Anyone finding a run of results now could claim that spot and be ready to pounce should Bungay falter.

 Aylsham FC Women, 9th in the Division One table looking to pull clear of the bottom two sides and get in amongst the pack in the middle of the table. Like nearly all the sides in the league getting a decent run of matches has been a challenge for various reasons this campaign, with weather and cup competitions playing there part, went deep into the County Cup and even better in the League Cup reaching their 1st final since reforming where they will take on Bungay Town Ladies on Sunday 18th May.

A tough start to Aylsham’s league campaign taking just 1 point from their opening 4 matches have since improved without finding consistency in the league winning as many as they’ve lost, get a run of results going and that will see them climb the table with a useful blend of experience and youth in the squad have the potential to finish the season strong. Christina Papadopoulou Aylsham’s top scorer so far this season netting 19 goals from her 15 matches. Vicky Lubbock too also into double figures scoring 12 goals in her 16 matches. Twin sister Sophie has 9 to her name along with Shelley Woods.

Long Stratton Women with an unbeaten streak of 4 matches through February through to March including 3 straight wins climbing up to 4th spot in the Division One table since than have suffered a couple of back to back defeats allowing others to overtake dropping to 7th but still well placed to push on. Like many sides in the Division have plenty of games to play, having completed just over half their league fixtures through a combination of postponements and cup games interrupting the league campaign with the majority of those games at home will be looking to finish strong. The club expanding it’s women’s section this season too creating a new Development side playing in Division Three.

Long Stratton Women’s recent good run coinciding with them bringing Luci Middleton out of retirement (again) having previously played for the club finishing highest scorer in the league too before following manager Adam Race to Wroxham Women, coming back to Long Stratton a proven goal scorer smashed home 11 goals in her 7 appearances. Has since signed for Wroxham, a miss for Long Stratton no doubt but have another striker in good form in front of goal with Caitlin Skipper the leading scorer with 14 so far from her 9 appearances. Daisy Stobbart on 5 goals Long Stratton are bringing through alot of young players at the moment building for the future.

A bit of toing and froing with this weekends fixture with the sides yet to meet this season, was earlier moved to Long Stratton’s Manor Road ground before Aylsham rearranged to play the fixture at home on their brand new 3g pitch at Youngs Park. The ground continuing to develop, with numerous grass pitches beside the clubhouse with large function room bar and kitchen open serving hot food and drink. The 3G pitch bringing in new revenue for the club hosting a number of games, beside the main grass pitch being rested and watered today. A compact artificial pitch with standing viewing on one side. A bright sunny day albeit with a stiff and chilly breeze blowing from one goal end to the other the sun too bright behind one goal.

 Aylsham FC Women starting XI – Mia parker, Jess Greengrass, Ellie Snowling, Charlotte Crane, Sophie-Jayne O’Connor (C), Cayla Brown, Carly Allum, Shelley Woods, Jasmine Walford, Olivia Baker & Billie Myall. Subs – Sophie Lubbock, Vicky Lubbock & Elisha Nobbs.

 Long Stratton Women starting XI – Cyan Fullbrook, Emily Coe, Summer Whiting, Jade Copeman, Esme Goodall, Megan Vincent (C), Ella Karkoska, Pip Giacomelli, Liv Charlton, Eloise Flack & Caitlin Skipper.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

  Aylsham without a number of key players, including top scorer, Christina Papadopoulou for this afternoon’s game, with twin sisters, Sophie and Vicky Lubbock arriving late on the bench. Welcome back Australian, Billie Myall recently returning for Aylsham after giving birth, having made a huge impact for the club signing on last season. Long Stratton too with several missing travel with the bare 11.

A last second switch with Elisha Nobbs coming on right on kick-off with Myall needing to feed her child, babies have no sense of timing but most certainly come first. It’s Aylsham to kick-off the first half wearing orange coloured shirts with blue shorts and socks with Long Stratton lined up opposite wearing red coloured shirts and socks with black shorts. The ball rolled back to the defence played right to Jess Greengrass, sends it up the wing for Jasmine Walford to attack, Emily Coe can see it safely out of play at the back for Long Stratton.

Probing balls forwards from both sides early on put into the channels, Long Stratton looking for Caitlin Skipper as she turns to attack on the right, Aylsham captain, Sophie-Jayne O’Connor at the back getting across her run putting a foot in to divert the ball away from her allowing full back Ellie Snowling to clear. Long Stratton winning a free-kick in the middle inside the Aylsham half the ball launched up to the top of the area won by Charlotte Crane at the back for the hosts, then as the ball drops to a Long Stratton player outside the box, it’s Crane who gets the block in as the shot is fired in.

 

The ball being moved quickly between the sides congested in the middle not finding the nark up top, lifted forwards by Aylsham, Jade Copeman at the back penalised for a handball as she goes up to clear it. Shelley Woods over the free-kick top of the circle hit long to the left post area, too much on it runs out of play before anyone can run onto it. Snowling sending the ball up the left wing for Aylsham, Elisha Nobbs looking to get it under control as she turns into the area, Copeman in close attention managing to get her tackle in to knock the ball from under her feet before she can get a shot away.

Long Stratton with energy in their attack looking to get players forwards, Skipper seeing the ball into her feet looking to spin off her marker and make runs into both channels. Eloise Flack with the ball at her feet on the right for the visitors aiming to play Skipper in behind the defence into the box right of goal, the pass intercepted by Aylsham’s Carly Allum.

Aylsham press winning a throw high on the left, Olivia Baker up around the box on for Nobbs, challenged by Copeman inside the box, cleared straight to Woods, 25 yards out hits it first time sent over. Myall being subbed back on going into attack replacing Nobbs. Aylsham bring the ball on through the middle into Myall back to goal lays it off for Baker coming on spins to get into the area, Baker lifting the ball over the Long Stratton defence, goalkeeper Cyan Fullbrook alert to the danger, out quickly to rush onto the bouncing back.

Long Stratton quick to launch the counter attack the ball wasting no time on its way out to Skipper pulling into the right channel, in behind the defence, looking to break into the area goalkeeper Mia Parker comes racing out to close her down sliding in to try and save the pair colliding as Skipper sees her hurried effort to evade her loop up to fall onto the crossbar and out of play. Both down for a moment, Skipper up first Parker needing a little more attention, Walford a good keeper in her own right should she be needed however, Parker is back on her feet and ready to continue.

Aylsham win the ball back in the centre Cayla brown on for Allum, Woods ahead of her looking to get on up top with Myall the pair playing a one tow as they turn the Long Stratton defence, Woods looking for the return pass as she goes right, Coe intercepting well for the visitors.

GOAL! The break is one as Coe launches the ball forwards long out to the right helped on for Skipper with gets hold of it drives forwards with pace to burn outside the area 25 yards out with the keeper starting to advance she strikes it on the angle firing it with venom low past the keeper across goal into the bottom corner 0-1. 

Long Stratton into the lead inside the opening 15 minutes, getting forwards with purpose, Skipper the ready outlet making some great runs into the right channel looking to get in behind the Aylsham defence the hosts put on the back foot. Skipper linking up with Flack out on the right the cross into the top of the area sliced clear by O’Connor going out for a throw in.

Allum sending the ball on through the middle for Aylsham up to Myall in attack carries it out to the right, Coe going with her putting in the challenge to put it out of play for a throw in level with the long Stratton box, the ball thrown in towards Myall positioned just inside the area right of goal, chests it down well turning towards goal hitting her strike on the angle sending it into the side netting.

Ella Karkoska winning the ball in the middle for Long Stratton laying it out to Flack to her right lifted on for Skipper in attack looking to surge into the box right of the D, O’Connor just getting a slight touch on the ball, enough to deflect it away from Skipper, on for parker to snatch up into her gloves. Aylsham counter with Baker finding Myall bursting into the left wing, looking to drive on to the by-line, Summer Whiting lunges in to tackle playing the ball out for a throw.

The wind is bitter in the shade, may be favouring Long Stratton too as they play the ball forwards with pace looking to get Skipper on the ball run at the Aylsham defence, Snowling being kept busy at left back, Flack looking to double up with Skipper with pip Giacomelli providing runs through the middle, Megan Vincent seeing the ball into her from Liv Charlton lifting it on over the top for Skipper, bursting into the box, Parker jumping up to claim it on the rise.

Aylsham winning a throw high on the right, put into the area for Walford back to goal hooks it on towards the far post, at an awkward height for Copeman to deal with especially with Woods closing her down but does well to get it away for a throw on the left. Aylsham getting players on better now, but that in turn leaves them vulnerable to the counter attack, Coe winning it well at the back for the visitors plays it on for Vincent, Brown moving in quickly to close her down before she can attempt to release Skipper already on the move into the right channel.

Aylsham find Walford out on the right drives on, Coe closing her down, Walford emerging with the ball after the 50/50 challenge inside looks for Myall inside the D, controls looks to turn left, Esme Goodall putting her foot in to win the ball back for Long Stratton. Charlton for Long Stratton into the centre for Vincent lifted out to Skipper right channel sees it down laying it on down the line for Flack to surge forwards, Snowling managing to get across her path to shield the ball play it back to her keeper to clear.

Long Stratton regain possession on the left Charlton playing in on for Flack coming to receive the ball with Giacomelli ahead of her the ball crossed into the top of the Aylsham area, Crane cutting it out for the hosts. Both sides intent on getting forwards Brown clearing for Aylsham, up to baker 20 yards out forwards into Myall inside the D right of goal looks to turn, Coe putting in the blocking tackle.

Long Stratton waste no time getting the ball on through the middle, into the path of Skipper who shapes to go right before pulling the trigger some 35 yards out from goal, her low bouncing effort running straight into Parker’s gloves. Skipper getting a few knocks for her efforts to, fouled on a number of occasions as she threatens to get in behind the Aylsham defence. One of those attacks seeing the attacker break into the area from the right, then being pulled down, the referee pointing to the spot, Penalty!

 GOAL! *Correction* It’s Karkoska to take the penalty. No messing goes for power hitting it on the ride before Parker can react into the right side of the goal to double Long Stratton’s lead. 0-2.

The visitors moving 2 goals ahead on the half hour, Aylsham rocked looking to get on the attack from the restart, baker finding Myall moving out to the right taking the ball on a drop of her shoulder to give herself a half yard of space to cross sends it in low to the near post, Fullbrook down onto it to make the save.

Woods playing the ball forwards into Walford coming in off the right 25 yards out, Charlton in to put in the blocking tackle just as she is about to pull the trigger. Long Stratton counter the ball into Skipper back to goal lays it on for Flack going on down the right wing, plays the ball back in across the top of the area with Giacomelli making a central run looking to get onto the end of the ball, O’Connor stretching forwards to get her foot out to cut out the pass.

Myall up top for Aylsham seeing the ball down into her feet from the left outside the D, Coe in to close her down getting a nick on the ball, but Myall still has it as she pulls left into the area with Fullbrook advancing looks to lob it over her, the ball bouncing wide at the far post. Reinforcements have arrived in the shape of the Lubbock twins as they are subbed into the game, with Walford and Baker the players coming off.

Sophie Lubbock moving up top with Myall straight into the action off a throw high in the right, comes into her inside the D, turns to shoots a low strike lacking the power to trouble Fullbrook at the far post. Aylsham pushing players on now Myall with players around her looks to go right, tackled well by Coe, the ball quickly won back however Aylsham with a punt from range on the angle dropping wide of the far post.

 GOAL! The clock ticking down in the first half Aylsham getting players on Vicky Lubbock with Woods fed into Myall back to goal inside the box right of goal, strong taking it down to the by-line holding over Coe she manages to wriggle free to sweep a cross low into the six yard box straight into Sophie Lubbock’s feet controls well and stabs it goal wards wrong footing Fullbrook putting it across her to score 1-2.

The substitutes with an immediate impact pulling a goal back for Aylsham late in the first half. The hosts coming no strong late in the half winning a corner on the right, swept in long across the six yard box, turned behind beyond the far post for another corner on the left. Played in high to the far post Woods up to head it back across goal, Long Stratton getting it clear.

Skipper brought down on the right on halfway, the referee having a word with Snowling, Long Stratton with the set-piece, fired long up into the box, Parker going up to claim it even as Giacomelli comes running in trying to attack it, the pair colliding the keeper coming off worse, however once again is alright to continue. Long Stratton look to counter the ball into Skipper back to goal tackled by Allum as she looks to turn right, Flack onto the loose ball surging on, Snowling in to close her down.

Charlton bringing the ball on down the left for Long Stratton squaring it into the middle for Karkoska, to strike from 30 yards out her effort finding the Parker back on her line to make a comfortable save.

The first half finishing at a furious pace as Aylsham press players on Long Stratton remaining a threat on the break, end to end before Mileham-Carol blows up to bring play to an end.

Half-time Aylsham FC Women 1-2 Long Stratton Women

 Both teams opting to stay out on the pitch during the half-time interval. Aylsham pulling a goal back late in the 1st half reducing the deficit to a single goal. Long Stratton starting the game well getting the ball forwards quickly Caitlin Skipper making some positive runs into the right channel looking to take the ball on find her way through the Aylsham defence scoring the opening goal inside 15 minutes, then brought down inside the box on the half hour to double the visitors lead from the penalty spot. Posing Aylsham a few questions the hosts tentative probing with their attacks early on gradually committing players further forwards, Billie Myall taking the ball into the channels looking for an opening, the introduction of the Lubbock twins seeing them press the attack get more bodies forwards Myall setting up Sophie Lubbock to score, late in the half giving Aylsham the momentum going into the 2nd half.

  A quick turn around ready for the 2nd half, Long Stratton to get the 2nd half underway the ball rolled back into the defence out to Whiting looking to push up on the right, clips a long diagonal ball up into the box looking for Skipper making the run through the middle, Parker though moving out of her six yard box coming to collect the ball.

  Straight from the start Aylsham looking to push players on fight for the ball higher up the pitch, Myall now out to the right, Allum sending the ball into her, Coe tackling before she can get a cross into the box. Myall again with the ball at her feet on the right has support with Vicky Lubbock outnumbering Coe the cross into the box cleared by Goodall. Long Stratton look to get it forwards quickly a long punt up towards the top of the area for Skipper to try and chase down, travels through to the keeper.

 GOAL! Parker releasing the ball quickly, Aylsham’s turn to get the ball forwards with speed played through to Myall making a run right channel, driving on towards the top of the box, unleashes her strike early sending in arrowing in on goal past the keeper and into the bottom corner to level the scores 2-2.

  Aylsham back on level terms 3 minutes into the 2nd half. Long Stratton’s Karkoska winning the ball putting it out to the right for Skipper to attack, Snowling going with her getting to the ball first no taking any chances playing it out for a throw in. Up the other end Aylsham attack right winning a throw high up the pitch. Dropped into Myall who turns to strike the ball on the angle flashed over the bar. 

 Vicky Lubbock pressing up with Myall out on the right winning her side a corner kick. Aylsham pushing the Long Stratton defence back. Players up from the back, the delivery coming in towards the near post, headed over the crossbar. Lively Aylsham pressing high Allum into Vicky Lubbock taking the ball right, squaring a cross along the top of the Long Stratton box, Goodall intercepting and clearing for Long Stratton.

  Goodall winning the header inside the box as the cross comes inside from the right the clearance dropping straight into Vicky Lubbock’s feet 25 yards out central shifts it to her right before getting her shot away low angling in to the right post, Fullbrook diving down to make the save. 

  Long Stratton working hard at the back under pressure now chances to get the ball up field more limited, Skipper not getting the support up to her as quickly, the visitors nevertheless remain a threat on the counter attack, Flack moving right getting onto the end of a cross-field pass taking the ball on delivering an early cross in towards the top of the box, Crane cutting it out to clear for Aylsham.

  Aylsham probing, the Lubbock twin’s linking up with Myall in attack, Woods pushing further forwards too, linking up with Myall given the return ball as they pair attack on the right Woods lifts it into the top of the area with Allum central the target, Whiting in to close her down bringing the ball clear for Long Stratton. 

 Brown operating in front of the defence for Aylsham cutting out a number of inviting balls forwards as Long Stratton look to counter, play turned around Woods pulling into the left channel breaks in behind the defence moving towards the area comes inside onto her right foot to curl in a shot from outside the box, her effort just wide of the far post.

  Long Stratton bring the ball on right side Whiting getting up the pitch with Flack the diagonal ball into the area as Giacomelli bursts on through the middle, Parker quick off her line getting hold of the ball 1st. Myall straying offside as the Long Stratton defence hold their line with Allum on the turn looking to put the diagonal ball into her path. 

  Coe does well at the back for Long Stratton under pressure from Myall to deal with an awkward bouncing ball played over the top by Allum out to the right. The visitors working hard at the back forced back into their box at times as Aylsham push players on, that does occasionally leave them light at the back Skipper moving out into the wing to chase the ball down, keeping Snowling busy the full back closing the ball down turning it out for a throw. Long Stratton take it quickly Flack up with Skipper getting the ball into the box, Parker claiming it.

  Giacomelli moving into the left wing taking the ball on from Charlton getting forwards to lift a high cross into the area, Flack the furthest forwards running in central, Parker though with a confident claim high at her near post. Aylsham turn play around Vicky Lubbock right channel bringing the ball on looking to set up sister Sophie inside the box, crossing the ball in low, Goodall intercepting for Long Stratton. 

 Midway through the 2nd half Aylsham winning a free-kick top of the circle, O’Connor to deliver into Woods’ feet top of the D, looking to turn find a half yard to shoot is closed down by Vincent the ball deflected away for a throw to the right. A spirited game by Long Stratton fighting for the ball with the bare 11, Vincent with Karkoska trying to get the ball on through the middle, Brown cutting it out as Skipper looks to break in behind, forwards for Allum her through ball seeing Sophie Lubbock caught offside.

 Myall right putting a lopping cross in towards the top of the area, Sophie Lubbock trying to get it under control, Goodall on her shoulder, Woods up with play seeing it down into her feet inside the D, back to goal hits it on the spin, turning her strike over the bar. Aylsham making a change, Allum coming off in midfield, Baker coming back on.

 GOAL! Baker onto the ball laying it out to the right for Myall as she bursts down the wing before lifting a cross into the box, Sophie Lubbock in central top of the six yard box, Woods too closing in on the ball attacking it ahead of her meeting it on the run to smash into the back of the net to fire Aylsham into the lead 3-2. Looked to have received a tug too so may well have been a penalty otherwise.

 Aylsham turning the game around coming back from 2 nil down to take the lead in the 65th minute. Aylsham getting players forwards keeping Long Stratton on the back foot, winning a free kick outside the box, 20 yards out left of the D, Woods over it goes for the strike, hits the shot over the bar. Coe getting a vital touch at the back to clear the ball for Long Stratton as Sophie Lubbock steals into the box from a Baker through ball. 

  Coe defending again out to the right as Aylsham attack Vicky Lubbock on for Myall, shielding the ball from the attacker allowing Fullbrook to come to claim the ball. Myall with the ball on Aylsham’s right squared into Woods top corner of the area cushions it back for Baker to run onto, her low strike angling in on goal straight at the keeper. 

 Whiting lunging in with the tackle to stop Sophie Lubbock getting away on the left. Aylsham over commit in attack pressing for a 4th goal Long Stratton get the ball up the pitch quickly Skipper on her own looking to race in behind the defence central, Parker comes rushing out of her box needing to get there to try and clear Skipper getting the touch just ahead of the keeper, trying to lob her the ball running wide of the left post.

 Long Stratton doing there best to get players up to support Skipper, Giacomelli linking up with her to the left of goal, Greengrass into defend for Aylsham comes back to Karkoska who strikes it from distance not a bad effort landing on the roof of the net. Skipper continues to get fouled as her pace threatens the Aylsham defence picking up another knock. 

  Aylsham build on the right Baker into Vicky Lubbock on for Myall with speed the cross angled into the Long Stratton box coming to Sophie Lubbock six yards out to the left of goal, looking to set herself for the shot, the Long Stratton defence looking to recover, it’s Whiting who throws herself across Lubbock to block her shot deflect it away for a corner on the left.

  Skipper seeing the ball into her feet from all of 35 yards out, back to goal turns well to strike the ball a speculative effort that doesn’t trouble Parker. The hosts getting on well down the left Sophie Lubbock inside the box laid back for Baker top of the area, into her feet look to turn get a strike away, her shot past the keeper off the base of the left post away for a corner.

  Hit long beyond the far post cleared but so won back by Aylsham players up around the box, Brown into Sophie Lubbock top of the box central, Whiting in to make the blocking tackle, Goodall with her clearing the ball. Aylsham looking the more likely to add to their lead Long Stratton working hard at the back, Woods sending a free-kick into the box dealt with by Whiting. The hosts back on the ball laid out to the right, Woods with Myall bringing a throw that leads to a corner kick.

  Players up from the ball as the delivery is curled in from the right, Baker trying to get a touch far post, not getting clean contact with O’Connor better placed behind her. Karkoska looking for Giacomelli moving to the left attempting to bring the ball on for Long Stratton, Crane across to tackle play it out for a throw in. A few niggly fouls creeping into the game Long Stratton tiring. Goodall dealing well with an awkward bouncing ball top of her area as Sophie Lubbock looks to try and bring it under control.

 Greengrass playing Myall on with the ball on Aylsham’s right flank sends a looping cross in across the face of the Long Stratton goal. Vicky Lubbock with a shot from 25 yards out blazed wide past the near post as a deflection sees the ball come back at her. Walford coming back on for Aylsham replacing Myall. 

 Snowling getting a vital touch on the ball as Flack looks to try and send Skipper clear on the right, the ball out for a throw. Vincent getting back to defend on Vicky Lubbock inside the box as she drives on with the ball right of the goal the ball turned behind for a corner. Moving into the closing stages of the first half, Aylsham encouraged to keep the ball on the corner, work a cross low into the near post, Fullbrook down on it smartly to turn behind for another corner.

  Flashed in from the right over Walford leaping up at the near post runs on for Baker to meet central turns over the bar, but a nick off a Long Stratton player spotted seeing another corner awarded. Curled into the near post Copeman down at the near post as Whiting gets the ball clear. The final whistle blowing to see Aylsham win the 3 points.

Full time Aylsham FC Women 3-2 Long Stratton Women

  Aylsham coming back from 2 goals down to win the game 3-2 moves them onto 15 points and right onto the tails of the mid-table sides some of whom may be looking over their shoulders with KLSC FC Women also winning too. A valiant effort from the visitors playing with the bare 11 making a positive start Caitlin Skipper’s pace asking questions of the Aylsham defence, firing them into the lead and doubling it from the penalty spot. Aylsham making substitutions paying off straight away with the hosts pulling it back to 2-1 just before half-time. Came out strong at the start of the 2nd half pushing players on equalising early through Billie Myall. Chances created Shelley Woods going on to score what would be the winning goal. Long Stratton with the bare 11 worked hard through out opportunities to get forwards themselves limited as they battled to keep Aylsham out the other end.

 Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Onto this Sunday’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. Several contenders once again a spirited display from both sides with depleted numbers. A few performances to mention. Caitlin Skipper for Long Stratton lively making many forceful runs on the ball a ready outlet up top throughout scoring and winning the penalty, always a threat. The defence putting in a shift, Emily Coe had her hands full but coped brilliantly winning her one on one tackles and round on the cover to intercept the ball. Esme Goodall winning the ball well inside her box. As a group worked tirelessly. For Aylsham Cayla Brown did a superb job in front of the defence reading the game and cutting out numerous balls setting her side going forwards. The introduction of the Lubbock twins giving Aylsham more thrust going forwards linked up play well. Shelley Woods with some strong runs from the middle to get into the box scoring the winning goal. Ellie Snowling like Coe was kept busy by Skipper but got more than her fair share of tackles in. The award goes to Billie Myall moved the ball well up top for Aylsham throughout taking it into the channels and looking for opening for herself and her teammates getting on the scoresheet too.

  Good to catch up with both sides especially Long Stratton has been a challenge, a good contest from Norfolk Women’s Division One. My thanks to both teams for their help with the team details today much appreciated as always. 

by Darren Gilham