The Round-Up

Sunday 17th March

Suffolk Women’s County Cup

 Semi-final weekend for the Suffolk Women’s County Cup, the final to be held back at Ipswich Town FC’s Portman Road Stadium on Tuesday May 7th. 

  Ipswich Town Women will be their once again as they look to keep thier hands firmly on the trophy in a competition they have dominated in recent seasons. Are through to the final without kicking a ball after opponents AFC Sudbury Ladies took the decision to withdraw from the competition, the ERWFL Premier Division side having a tough season struggling with numbers and injuries.

Contesting the other semi-final were Haverhill Rovers Ladies leading the Cambridgeshire Women’s Championship South up against Needham Market Women top of the table in the Suffolk Women’s Division going into the match. Both making their debut season in women’s football a huge incentive a place in the County Cup Final at Portman Road for the winners. Played at a neutral venue Long Melford FC, Stoneylands Ground. A well contested match placed in front of a crowd of over 300, it was Needham Market who came out on top to win the game 4-1 and book their place in a 2nd final of the season. Currently the treble is on for Needham Market but no matter how thing’s go from here it’s a season that will live long in the memory.

Needham Market Women, through to the Suffolk Women’s County Cup Final (picture credit Gary Reed)

Suffolk Women’s Division

Whilst Needham Market Women were writing another chapter in their short history, their title rivals in the Suffolk Women’s Division, East Bergholt United Ladies were playing their vital game in hand at home to Woodbridge Town Ladies on Sunday. Level with Needham Market at the top a positive result would see them move clear of their rivals with both having 5 left to play. Just the one league defeat to date East Bergholt made no mistake getting the 3 points thanks to a 4-0 win. Elena Nitsche scoring a brace, along with a goal a piece for Annie Northwood and Stacey Teager.

Lauren Page was on target for a hat-trick on Sunday her first goals for Brantham Athletic Ladies as they came home with the 3 points comfortably beating bottom side University of Suffolk Women. Along with Page’s hat-trick their was all a brace for Shanice Leeks with Carra Marie Seeley also getting a goal. 3rd placed Brantham Athletic winning 9-0, Toni Mott and Jessica Ryan on the scoresheet too celebrating their first goals.

Coplestonians Ladies were also in action at the weekend at home to Walsham Le Willows Ladies in the Suffolk Women’s Division. Goals from Abigail Eley her 10th of the season, along with a first for Coplestonians for Ashley Bustos and a strike from Sophie Allen seeing the home side leading 3-1 at half-time. Laura Brame on target for Walsham Le Willows, pulled it back to 3-2 in the 2nd half with her 25th goal of the season, it wasn’t enough however as Coplestonians held on to take the 3 points.