Sunday 30th November

Norfolk Women’s Division One

 Well I certainly hadn’t intended to miss 3 weeks of the season, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. Various reasons, but back at it now and keen to get back into the action as we head into the final few weekends of 2025. The football coming from Norfolk Women’s Division One this Sunday with a trip to King’s Lynn to watch KLSC FC Women take on Aylsham FC Women.

 A strong line up once again in Norfolk Women’s Division One, Bungay Town Ladies doing the double last season, will again be the team to beat this season, albeit under a different name as the women’s squad move to reform, Lowestoft Town Ladies. Making a 100% start to their league campaign with 5 wins from 5 so far. Cup competitions and poor weather affecting the first half of the season seeing several clubs playing just 4 or 5 matches so far in the league, teams still jostling for position, Mulbarton Wanderers Ladies Reserves leading the pack with Costessey Sports Ladies hot on their heels in 2nd.

 Aylsham FC Women with a strong end to last season, powering their way up the table to clinch runners-up spot behind Bungay. Narrowly beaten by Bungay too in the League Cup final, aiming to use that to establish themselves as one of the leading sides in the county. A good start to the league this time around too, 3 wins from 3 to start the season collecting 36 points from a possible 36 in their last 12 games over both seasons that run coming to an end with a 3-1 home loss to Mulbarton Wanderers Reserves last weekend.

 Aylsham are also through the last eight of both the League and County Cups. Taking on UEA FC Women in their county cup quarter final will guarantee an NWGFL side into the last 4 of the competition. A few changes within the squad to deal with losing some experience, bringing in some youthful talent. Have lost goalkeeper, Mya Parker to RWFL side Thetford Town Ladies, new recruit Fawnee Ansbro doing well in goal, with another new signing Tegan Lusher returning from an injury also a goalkeeper. Attacker, Marseilles Will joining Aylsham from Bungay. Sophie George (formerly Lubbock) joint top scorer along side Shelley Woods still going strong on 5 goals each.  

 KLSC (King’s Lynn Soccer Club) FC Women, now the only women’s side featuring for the town with the sad demise of King’s Lynn Town Ladies. Have established themselves firmly within the women’s football scene in their short history. Reaching the League Plate final last season losing out to Mulbarton Wanderers Ladies Reserves. Are like Aylsham through to the last eight of this season’s League Cup. Just missing out on a spot in the last eight of the county cup however beating by UEA FC Women on penalties after drawing 2-2.

  A club with a strong youth section the women’s side seeing the benefits of that with players such as midfielders Lana Sturgeon and Bonnie Parsons bursting onto the scene last season recording some impressive displays. Continue to bring youth players into the women’s squad with a god balance of youth and experience within the group. Will look to build on last season’s strong mid-table finish, have found results tough so far in the league this campaign however with 1 win from 4 played so far but know they are capable of beating anyone on their day as they have proven on several occasions. 3 players currently sharing the top scorer position with Viktorija Burkauskaite, Tayla Miles and Lana Sturgeon all on 4 each.

 The playing fields at Kings Way on Edward Benefer Road the venue for today’s match home to all KLSC’s matches, situated to the northern end of King’s Lynn, boasting several grass pitches, beyond the changing rooms and carpark. A youth game taking place on an adjoining pitch the women’s match on the furthest pitch, holding up well despite another day of heavy rain on the Saturday. None overnight however and with a little power left in the sun as we end November the game on. The sun setting behind the supporters on one side of the pitch with the dugouts opposite. Dry if a little muddy underfoot, good to get the camera and notepad back out.

KLSC FC Women starting XI – Stella Astle, Rhian Ellis, Geovanna Salles, Elizabet Puckova (C), Amy Cropley, Lana Sturgeon, Bonnie Parsons, Lucy Clarke, Trinity Tokaji, Holly Pitcher & Lauren Moyse. Subs – Viktorija Burkauskaite & Skye Ironside.

 Aylsham FC Women starting XI – Fawnee Ansbro, Cayla Brow, Ellie Snowling, Sophie Buckley, Charlotte Crane, Carly Allum, Rachel Bussey, Olivia Baker, Marseilles Will, Shelley Woods (C) & Sophie George. Subs – Billie Myall.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

  Both sides a little short of players today due to work and other commitments, KLSC with 2 on the bench, Aylsham with just the one. Shelley Woods captaining Aylsham this afternoon with Sophie-Jayne O’Connor absent. Elizabet Puckova captaining KLSC. 

 A switch of ends at the start the low sun across the pitch as too directly affecting one end still likely to pose some issues with high diagonal balls. KLSC to get the match underway kicking off the 1st half wearing red and black vertical stripped shirts with black shorts and red socks with black piping. Aylsham lined up opposite wearing orange coloured shirts with blue shorts and socks. The ball played back to the defence, Aylsham push up right from the start condensing play a hastily cleared ball out to the right for Trinity Tokaji, headed clear by Aylsham full back, Ellie Snowling.

  The ball toing and froing between the midfield in the early moments of the contest KLSC moving in to close Aylsham down, Bonnie Parsons squeezing the ball out to the right, flashed back in central top of the area intercepted by Charlotte Crane at the back for the visitors. Lively as Rachel Bussey takes the ball down Aylsham’s right tackled by Rhian Ellis the ball out for a throw, Cayla Brown up from full back to take it dropped into Marseilles Will edge of the box, challenged by KLSC’s Lucy Clarke, Brown latching onto the cross, firing a ball in central inside the six yard box, Sophie George running into meet it from the left side stabbing her attempt narrowly wide of the right post.

  Lana Sturgeon running onto a Parsons pass on the right driving up the wing, Snowling stretching out a leg to take the ball away for a throw in. The hosts getting players on well, Geovanna Salles up with Tokaji and Lauren Moyse on the right flank, looking to force their way in behind the visiting defence, Sophie Buckley and Carly Allum both with blocking tackles to halt their progress. Amy Cropley intercepting the ball at the back for KLSC, her long pass into the right channel just a little too strong for attacker, Holly Pitcher to run onto. 

  KLSC continue to apply pressure to Aylsham inside their opponents half making it difficult for the visitors to find a way out, Pitcher stealing onto the ball 30 yards out powering on into the right channel, Snowling getting back to close her down. Parsons upended as she takes hold of the ball in the middle, captain Elizabet Puckova over the set-piece 35 yards out doesn’t get the connection she wanted on the ball pulling it wide past the near post. Parsons proving a handful for Aylsham snatching hold of the ball, looking constantly to feed the ball into the channels.

 The hosts with a throw high on the left, Clarke crossing the ball in central, headed clear by Crane for Aylsham who look to counter on the left, George taking it on Salles slowing her progress before Olivia Baker looks to take over for the visitors closed down by Cropley. George given the ball for Aylsham out again on the left wing driving forwards her cross cut out diverted away for a throw in. Lifted on into the top of the area cleared by Puckova, KLSC’s attempted counter attack, snuffed out by Buckley as Moyse drives on with the ball at her feet.

  Aylsham struggling to get the final pass right KLSC risking a high line at times allowing their midfield to close the ball down. KLSC turn play around the ball given to Moyse’s feet as she powers her way n up the right cutting a shot in across goal, Brown back for Aylsham clearing it back out to the right, Moyse latching onto it laying it into Parsons running in top of the area her low shot in on target claimed low by goalkeeper, Fawnee Ansbro.

 Bussey taking the ball on from Baker on the right for Aylsham whipping an early cross into the top of the D, George slightly behind the ball, getting hold of it looking to turn and shoot, Salles snapping in with the tackle to take away the opportunity for KLSC. Tokaji playing the ball on for Pitcher right flank for the hosts pushing forwards is stopped by Aylsham’s Buckley.

 GOAL! KLSC play the ball out for a throw at the back out on the right, dropped into the middle, Will does well to get hold of the ball keep possession, closed down the ball pops up off her over the top with captain Shelley Woods bursting in behind the KLSC defence caught static half expecting a flag doesn’t come Woods in the clear breaking into the box, using her experience to commit the keeper, Astle diving, Woods taking the ball around her the angle acute six yards out makes no mistake rolling the ball into the empty net to fire the visitors into the lead 0-1. 

  Aylsham with the lead just over 20 minutes into the match. KLSC attack looking for an immediate response Moyse attacking on the ball into the right wing shooting from the angle her effort over the bar. Salles combining with Tokaji on the right for KLSC the cross into the box cleared by Crane for the visitors. Clarke seeing a cross field pass from Sturgeon down well out on the left to get inside Brown push forwards, Crane quick to get across on the cover to snap in clear the ball for a throw.

  George taking the ball on down the left for Aylsham, pushing into the box holding off Salles the defender getting back at her to deflect her shot away behind for a corner kick. Curled into a tightly packed six yard box, George with a glancing header taking a deflection off a defender on it’s way over for another corner kick. Again curled in central George again with the header knocking the ball down across goal to the far post KLSC getting it clear to the right, Allum moving in quickly to regain possession edge of the area from the angle lifting her cross/shot over the bar. Viktorija Burkauskaite coming on for KLSC to replace Pitcher.

 GOAL! KLSC get themselves back on level terms pressing the ball high winning a throw on the right the ball helped on into the box by Salles Moyse rushing in to attack it near post getting a foot up to lift the ball past the keeper to score the equalising goal 1-1.

  Aylsham start an attack on the left Snowling sending the ball on for George up the wing, Burkauskaite closing her down to force the ball out for a throw in. Snowling’s throw’s on the left causing the KLSC back line a few issues as Aylsham push players on the ball dropped into the top of the area left of the D, Woods, Baker and Bussey all clustered together the latter unleashing a shot on the angle driven in low to the near post, Astle with an acrobatic dive to her right down well to save pushed the ball wide for a corner kick.

   Another vicious delivery from the Aylsham corner into the six yard box Astle attempting to come through bodies to claim it near post, doesn’t get hold of it drops to the floor, George with the poke out with her boot to deflect the ball across goal, cleared at the far post by Ellis. A lively contest both sides getting on with thing’s the game rarely paused. Clarke tracking back to defend for KLSC as Bussey gets onto a diagonal ball from Baker on the right.

 George is brought down on the left presenting Aylsham with the free-kick, launched long into the area, Astle is fouled as she comes to collect the ball. Aylsham making a change bringing Baker off up top, Australian, Billie Myall coming on to lead the attack. Salles pushing up on the right linking up with Moyse for KLSC, the ball inside to her, Buckley going in to make the challenge Moyse’s shot deflected off the defender on for Ansbro to claim.

  Burkauskaite the last defender with a vital tackle on Myall as she looks to break into the box off of a throw on the left. Moyse with some strong running on the ball whenever KLSC launch a counter taking the ball on right side smashes a shot in on the angle striking the base of the near post. Parsons on the move with the ball through the middle for KLSC Sturgeon up with her the ball into into clipped out to the left for Clarke, Brown nipping back at her to defend for Aylsham.

  Allum launching a diagonal ball forwards for Aylsham intended for Myall pulling away to the left inside the area, Burkauskaite winning it instead for KLSC out for a corner kick. Another dangerous corner form the left for Aylsham swung into the middle, Woods on the penalty spot with the drilled header in on goal dropping low cleared off the line by Ellis. KLSC straight on the counter.

 Winning a throw up on the left, KLSC do everything but score in their next attack the ball lifted into the area not cleared by Aylsham, Moyse grabbing hold of it on the left into the six yard box cutting her shot past the advancing keeper across goal, her effort coming back off the far post, Tokaji closing down on the follow-up at the far post sees the ball come at her quickly tries to adjust divert the ball back inside the post but throws her arms up in dismay as the ball instead runs wide for the goal-kick. 

 GOAL! KLSC keeping Aylsham pushed back winning a throw high on the right, lifted on for Moyse to turn take a run into the box, tries to ride the tackle as a defender throws out a leg but can’t stay on her feet, referee Christian Grove pointing to the spot Penalty! Sturgeon placing the ball on the spot to take the spot kick for KLSC, steps up before driving the ball low into the bottom left corner across the keeper to fire the hosts into the lead 2-1.

  Last into the 1st half, Aylsham their own worst enemy at times giving the ball away, KLSC straight on the attack right side a shot driven in low across goal on the angle on Ansbro quickly does well o make the sharp save with her legs. The hosts lively Sturgeon out to Salles right on for Moyse her angled strike has plenty of pace behind it racing wide of the far post. Aylsham winning a free-kick on halfway in the closing moments o the half the delivery into the top of the area not dealt with by the KLSC defence sees George latch onto it inside the area left of goa her low shot lacking power held by Astle low at her near post.

Half-time KLSC FC Women 2-1 Aylsham FC Women

An intriguing 1st half’s play, non stop action both sides snapping in to win the ball in the middle, KLSC getting the ball into their attackers well putting the Aylsham back line under pressure, the visitors not helping themselves giving the ball away inviting the counter both side looking to use the flanks, Aylsham finding the break through midway through the 2nd half captain Shelley Woods breaking clear in behind from midfield to open the scoring. KLSC came back well creating chances Lauren Moyse getting the equalising goal before winning the penalty to see Lana Sturgeon fire her side into the lead. Both keepers called into action. Aylsham looking a threat from corners seeing one effort cleared off the line. The game beautifully poised for the 2nd half could go either way.

  A short turn around with both sides staying out on the pitch for their half time team talks. Aylsham unchanged for the 2nd half, KLSC making a change with Skye Ironside on replacing Tokaji. The sun dropping fast now low casting long shadows across the pitch. Decidedly colder too! Aylsham to get the 2nd half underway the ball back into Buckley in defence lifted on up into the middle, Sturgeon pro-active rushing in to intercept it for KLSC.

 Ironside taking the ball on from Cropley carrying it forwards into the right channel, attempts to pick out Salles inside the box, Buckley heading it clear for Aylsham. Parsons nipping in to snatch the ball for the hosts finds Ironside free on the right, Snowling coming to close her down the ball deflected off Ironside for the throw. 

 Both teams busy at the start of the half, Aylsham looking to press the ball higher get after the KLSC defence, Buckley intercepting a clearance launching the ball on into the area, Myall looking to chase it down can’t get there before the keeper snatches it up into her gloves. Aylsham closing the ball down 2nd half Allum out to Bussey right her cross in to Myall running in near post turns her shot wide across goal, George under challenge looking to attack it far post turned away instead for a throw in. 

 GOAL! Chaos inside the box from the throw in sent on into the six yard box Woods in front of the keeper diving in Astle blocking, looking to get back on her feet as George looks to dive in on the loose ball somewhere in the melee the referee sees an infringement and points to the spot Aylsham’s turn to win the Penalty. Woods to take the penalty a chance for fire Aylsham back on level terms early in the 2nd half makes no mistake drilling the ball hard and straight to the keepers left 2-2.

  Moyse collides with Buckley as she looks to break in behind on the left channel, the defender getting the decision. Moyse taking a knock but slowly back to her feet. Crane clearing at the back for Aylsham as Sturgeon looks to play a threaded pass on from midfield. Sturgeon with several powerful midfield runs for KLSC taking the ball on through the middle lays it forwards for Salles breaking into the box, Buckley with her though under pressure to close to dive in with the challenge gets her foot around the ball in an attempt to clear instead strikes it against Salles the rebound taking it wide past the right post. 

  Parsons on for Moyse in attack into the box right of goal cuts it back central for Salles, Crane in to close her down, Buckley clears. Myall seeing the ball into her feet off Woods turning to send the ball long into the right wing for Bussey getting forwards. Ellis closing her down to regain possession for KLSC. The game opening up as both sides look to commit players forwards a big pitch players keeping wide, Puckova cutting a diagonal ball out at the back for the hosts as Brown fires it in from the right.

  KLSC winning their first corner of the 2nd half on the right side, a teasing ball lifted into the near post, Burkauskaite rising under challenge to get her head on the ball, Ansbro throwing up a hand to try and save the ball over no touch however as a goal-kick as given. 

 Parsons can’t quite get the ball down under control to of the D as KLSC launch it into her from the left. Buckley snatching out a foot to steal it back. KLSC making a change up top, Moyse coming off, Pitcher back into the action. An intense game you can’t help feel the next goal wins the contest and there’s still half an hour to play. Crane steps in to halt the run of Clarke as she turns inside with the ball from the left 20 yards out.

  Scrappy in the middle the ball seeing no respite, Parsons fouled a free-kick to KLSC on halfway, launched up to the top of the area half cleared falls to Parsons free in space 25 yards out lines up the shot her effort through on goal but straight at the keeper, Ansbro holding onto the ball. KLSC looking to get after the visitors now after Aylsham’s positive start to the 2nd half. Pitcher onside as the ball comes into her inside the box from the left, Snowling just getting there ahead of her caught in two minds the keeper too close for the back pass snatches it away in the nick of time.

  Myall looking to hold the ball up in attack for Aylsham fouled on the halfway line. Crane over the set-piece launched out to the right with Bussey looking to get forwards Ellis defending for the hosts. The visitors pressing on the right again winning the free-kick inside the KLSC half.

 GOAL! Midway through the 2nd half, Crane over the set-piece once again sends a fearsome cross into the box striking a defender on it’s way through to Myall central but before she can get a shot away the referee blows up once again pointing to the spot, the ball handled by the defender, Penalty! Aylsham with another spot-kick, Woods to take on a hat-trick now. Goes for power again going the opposite side this time Astle getting down but can’t reach it as it is rammed home into the bottom left corner 2-3!

Aylsham coming back from a 2-1 deficit at the break to take a 3-2 lead in the 68th minute. The sun really low now dropping behind the tree line with the river Ouse beyond. KLSC’s Sturgeon nipping in to knick the ball 25 yards out running at the box, Buckley in well to close her down the ball out for a throw.

A change for KLSC falling behind bring Ironside off on the right with Tokaji coming back on. The hosts winning a free-kick on halfway launched up to the top of the area, headed clear by Aylsham’s Crane. KLSC with a strong reply to falling behind Sturgeon gathering the ball into her feet outside the box taking the ball left forced on to the by-line cuts the ball back superbly into the top of the six yard box nearly picking out Salles, but for the outstretched leg of Buckley diverting the ball away behind for a corner kick.

  Moyse back into the action for KLSC as they put 3 in attack the game is wide open Woods has it into her feet as the visitors look to turn play around plays the ball forwards into the box for Will to attack left of goal, Cropley tracking back with her preventing the shot getting a vital touch to get the ball into her keeper to clear. George out on the left brings a cross-field past down well with a deft touch off her foot, looks to break forwards, Burkauskaite’s touch not so deft as she dives in to dispossess her the ball out for a throw. 

 The throw into the top of the area, more appeals for hand ball, against Burkauskaite, the referee giving the decision, outside the box however left of the D. Woods over the free-kick loops a shot in on goal aiming for the top right corner, Astle getting up well to tip the ball over to save for a corner kick. Attacked at the near post Astle up beyond to punch the ball away to safety. 

 Moving into the final 10 minutes of the 2nd half, Aylsham sending Baker back on to replace Myall in attack. Moyse getting onto the ball left side driving on for KLSC, Brown staying with staying on her shoulder doing enough the ball played off Moyse behind for a goal-kick. Salles racing clear with the ball out on the wing her cross cut back into Pitcher top of the D her strike charged down by Buckley for Aylsham.

  Snowling coming off for Aylsham late on, Myall back into the action going into the vacant left back role. Parsons in to take the ball on halfway threads it through to Moyse breaking in behind the assistant flag going up overruled by the referee, Moyse bearing down on the box, Buckley diving in with the last ditch tackle excellent to deny Moyse the shot the ball away to the right. 

KLSC pushing players on late on looking for an equaliser, Aylsham clear at the back Allum up to Baker sends it on into the box for George left of goal can’t get the ball out from under her feet charging in to get a clean shot away Astle going to ground claiming the ball low inside her six yard box.

  Aylsham having taken the lead struggling to take control of the game in the closing minutes, Sturgeon a bane rushing in on the ball is fouled by Allum on the left not sure if a card is shown, the free-kick awarded either way, the delivery knocked on into the box from the top of the area claimed low by Ansbro at her near post. KLSC pressing hard late on Parsons intercepting inside the Aylsham half knocked on for Sturgeon, Crane fouling her the free-kick awarded in a dangerous position 30 yards out. Cropley over the ball clipped in long on goal, Ansbro right behind it catching it into her mid-riff. 

 Astle on hand with a vital double save to deny Aylsham a 4th goal as we move into stoppage time Baker on the turn sending the ball into George in the box coming in from the left bearing down on the six yard box sliding in on the ball, Astle down low to make the blocking save, the rebound popping back to George on the ground tries to adjust throwing a leg out to try and stab it wide of the keeper. Astle lunging to her left to get her arm behind the ball pulling it into her body.

  End to end action the Aylsham defence under pressure late in the game pushed back Buckley lunging in to deny Moyse inside the box, quick to recover as Salles tries to keep the attack alive. Myall bringing the ball clear left for Aylsham with a long diagonal ball up to Bussey right side, tackled by Ellis. Time almost up the light almost gone Parsons gets on the move with the ball central pushing for the box, Crane stepping out of the back line to close her down.

Full time KLSC FC Women 2-3 Aylsham FC Women

 The final whistle blows and Aylsham hold on to claim the 3 points. I did say the next goal wins it at 2-2 but I certainly didn’t expect as intense a finish to the match. Aylsham not taking their chance to get control of the game having gotten back into the lead midway through the 2nd half. Struggled to keep hold of the ball as KLSC pushed them hard for a reply, but for some crucial last ditch defending may well have been a different story but sometimes you have to win ugly back to winning ways keeping them 5th pushing the sides above. KLSC can feel hard done by a 3-2 win in their favour could just a easily been the result however they leave empty handed, but if anyone thinks they’re coming to the Kings Way playing fields for an easy game they’re in for a rude awakening. 

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto this Sunday’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match, a few contenders for this one and certainly hard to pick out a single individual, with two neck and neck throughout the notes. But pick one I will a few to mention first of course. For KLSC, Lana Sturgeon was outstanding in the middle closing the ball down, lively pro-active throughout with several strong runs on the ball, clos behind, Bonnie Parsons the pair linked up well kept KLSC on the front foot for much of the contest nipping in fast to win the ball getting it up to the attackers. Lauren Moyse strong up top powerful on the ball hard to shake off scoring and winning the penalty. Stella Astle win a couple of vital saves to keep her side in it till the end. For Aylsham, Shelley Woods was composed throughout using the ball well, opening the scoring going on to score her hat-trick from the spot. Piking a defender after a game like this might be controversial but nevertheless and despite some of the pressure being of their own making the contribution to the game can’t be ignored, Charlotte Crane was well paced to make some crucial interceptions throughout the contest and read the game well stepping up when needed. The award however goes to Sophie Buckley, KLSC were nearly through on goal on a few occasions late in the 2nd half and without her well timed and composed defending in a pressure situation the score-line might have been very different. 

 It feels good to be back after a 3 weekend hiatus, a lively contest from Norfolk to rekindle things. My thanks to both sides for their help with the team line-ups today too as always is much appreciated.

by Darren Gilham