Thursday 25th April

Norfolk Women’s Division Two

 A return trip to Clipbush Park this Thursday evening for another slice of action from Norfolk Women’s Division Two, Fakenham Town Lades once again the hosts taking on Bure Valley Wildcats Ladies.

Still plenty of games left to play in Norfolk Women’s Division Two, Fakenham with 4 left, Bure Valley Wildcats with 5, although some of these may see the points awarded. Fakenham taking on league leaders Taverham Women United 11 days ago, under the cosh for much of the game Taverham leading 1-0 didn’t take their chances with Fakenham’s bare 11 battling hard breaking late on to win a last gasp penalty and level the scores. Taverham however getting the points they needed to clinch the title this Sunday.

  Fakenham’s hopes of clinching runners-up spot taking a huge blow this Sunday away to Tavern Ladies, A poor performance seeing Fakenham lose 5-1, Tavern the form side in the league moving above them into 2nd spot. Fakenham with a game in hand played this evening looking to move back level on points, Tavern with a superior goal difference however now in pole position.

 This evenings game technically Bure Valley Wildcats Ladies home game but without floodlights at their Coltishall base forfeited home advantage to get the game played with Fakenham one of the few sides in the league to possess a pitch with floodlights. Bure Valley Wildcats are into their 2nd season playing women’s football stepping up from the youth league was a tough start to that season a steep learning curve but they adapted well and towards the end of the season they were in promotion winning form. A good start to the season scoring goals new signing Kiera Brown making a difference, since then Charlie Cooper has took over as top scorer with 25 goals from 15 appearances. A larger league this season with a host of new sides Bure Valley are comfortable in mid-table looking well placed to secure a top 6 finish.

 Clipbush Park the venue this evening a flurry of activity on arrival, the circus in town the big top set up on the field leading into the ground, youth matches and coaching taking place on the practice pitches beyond. Fakenham Town Ladies play on the main pitch, the bar open, food and hot drinks available too. The pitch large in good shape for the time of year could do with a little moisture but the rain forecast today didn’t arrive. A dry evening the sun setting low to one side of the ground, behind the stand thankfully making viewing the game less of a strain.

Fakenham Town Ladies starting XI – Chloe Easter, Katrina Townsend, Ellie Websdale, Jemma Riches, Maddie Smith, Sian Sands (C), Jennifer Codman, Amber Guyatt, Fran Dankskanen, Tara Betts & Megan Spurrell. Subs – Tash Patten & Kayleigh Robb.

Bure Valley Wildcats Ladies starting XI – Danielle Barnes, Chloe Yarham, Abbie Cushion, Molly Ferguson Willow Locke, Imogen Shearing, Carrie Last, Lalaine Davey, Hannah Burton, Becky Wood & Charlie Cooper (C)

(roll on roll off substitutes)

  Better numbers for Fakenham this time around with two substitutes available, Bure Valley the side this time only able to field the bare 11 have the kick-off wearing navy shirts with red and white trim on the sleeves, navy shorts and red socks. Fakenham wearing their amber shirts with black shorts and socks. Bure Valley look to play the ball on through the middle Hannah Burton on for Cooper captaining the side in attack, Maddie Smith winning it at the back fr Fakenham.

 GOAL! A fantastic start to the game for Fakenham as they open the scoring from their first attack, Fran Dankskanen played on down the right winning her side a corner. The delivery put in from the right dropping down at the near post bodies around the ball deflected on into the back of the net Jennifer Codman with the final touch putting the hosts into the lead 1-0.

  Bure Valley build on the left wing Abbie Cushion on for Carrie Last the ball carried into the corner, Ellie Websdale preventing a cross from coming in for Fakenham. From the resulting throw in the ball is played back up the line before a cross is lifted in towards the near post the ball cut out by the Fakenham defence. Attacking the ball played out t captain Sian Sands moving into space on the left she looks to combine with Tara Betts in attack the final ball into the area having too much weight on it running out for a goal kick.

 Willow Locke at centre back for Bure Valley heading a cross put in from the left wing out of her area. Fakenham quick to regain possession the ball played diagonally out to Dankskanen peeling in behind right, Chloe Yarham in to tackle concede the corner. The delivery into the near post again Bure Valley scramble it clear. Fakenham counter the ball through the middle played on to see Megan Spurrell in behind right taking the ball on into the area, shoots her strike rising over the crossbar. Cooper getting the ball down central drives on through the middle, stopped by Smith outside the area, the ball out for a throw on the left Bure Valley play well getting a good cross into the area, Becky Wood making the run the ball however safe in the hands of goalkeeper Chloe Easter.

   Amber Guyatt with a fantastic pass through the middle releases both Sands and Dankskanen in behind on the right, Bure Valley goalkeeper Danielle Barnes reading it well out of her area quickly to win the race and clear the ball. Guyatt with another quality through ball 25 yards out that almost sees Sands played in central as she peels in behind the move not quite coming off Barnes able to claim. An injury blow for Fakenham as full back Katrina Townsend goes down after played the ball clutching her calf. In pain is helped of the pitch after treatment can’t continue on comes Kayleigh Robb. 

Fakenham looking better organised the back four keeping a good shape Jemma Riches clearing the ball Codman on for Guyatt plays another ball forwards, Molly Ferguson stepping up to intercept for Bure Valley. Tash Patten also on for Fakenham in place of Tara Betts. A slip at the back from the Fakenham defence sees Cooper getting hold of the ball 30 yards out and making a driving run towards goal unleashing a shot from outside the area the ball pulls wide of the right post. Sands left with the ball sends it on for Spurrell into the area forced away from target marshalled well by Ferguson a throw won high on the left.

GOAL! Fakenham keep the ball in the final third Sands top of the area central back to goal holding the ball up looks to tee it up for Spurrell, Lalaine Davey getting back from midfield to put in the tackle the ball pops out to the Patten 20 yards out right of the D, with no back lift strikes the ball well lifting it in towards goal past Barnes before she can react to double Fakenham’s lead 2-0.

Bure Valley look for an immediate response the ball played between Last and Burton sent forwards into Cooper left of the D , strikes the ball towards goal her low effort racing wide across the six yard box. Burton and Cooper link up in attack through the middle for Bure Valley the ball into the striker she is closely marked by Riches. Codman plays the ball forwards with Spurrell looking to get hold of it top of the area central, Ferguson doing really well under pressure to control the ball and get it away for Bure Valley. Sands winning the ball more often than not as Bure Valley attempt to play it out from the back to put Fakenham back on the front foot.

  An injury blow for Bure Valley sees them having to continue with just 10 players, Yarham the player down having defended a corner, in alot of discomfort can’t put any weight on her leg needs to he helped off. Fakenham press the attack Dankskanen right combining with Patten and Spurrell, the ball laid back to Sands, Cushion getting the tackle in as Bure Valley scramble it away. Fakenham on top seeing more of the ball as the floodlights start to take effect. Sands central 25 out rolls the ball on into Spurrell top of the area, sees Dankskanen free to her right looks to tee her up Ferguson sticking out a leg nicks it for Bure Valley the ball collected by Codman 35 yards out has a go the shot wide of the goal.

  Sands with time to shoot 20 yards out central her effort over taking a nick off a defender on the way through a corner given. Sands to take from the left put back to her by Codman running in near side the second delivery high towards the far post the Bure valley defend heading the ball over for another corner. This delivery in central headed clear falling straight to Guyatt her strike from 25 yards out straight at Barnes the keeper claiming the ball. Woods charging the ball down on the right as it is sent on, deflected in behind into the area, Woods after it, Easter out smartly getting her gloves around it first.

   Barnes down to smother the ball to the left of her goal as Patten shoots from 20 yards out a curling ball in. Fakenham pressing late on Dankskanen picking up a knock. Sands nodding the ball on central gets into the area moving left looking to shoot, Ferguson back well in throw herself into make the block.

Half-time Fakenham Town Ladies 2-0 Bure Valley Wildcats Ladies

   Fakenham leading 2-0 taking an early lead in the game in control throughout, organised with some good build up play Sands, Guyatt and Codman with some great balls on. The lead doubled through Patten, Bure Valley with the bare 11 hit but an unfortunate injury to Yarham down to 10 now players out of position have been on the back foot a testing 2nd half looms. A change for Fakenham at the start of the 2nd half Betts back on for Dankskanen. The hosts with the kick-off. Patten providing an early run through the middle the ball put on from the left, Ferguson intercepting for Bure Valley at the back. 

The ball back and forth a spot of head tennis in the middle it bounces away in behind with both Betts and Spurrell after it the latter with a shot form the top of the area dragged wide across the face of goal. Cooper doing her best in attack to get the ball on but with little support Fakenham soon outnumber her to regain possession. Betts in to steal the ball on the left high a shot fired in near post Barnes down smartly to save. 

Numbers forwards for Fakenham using their player advantage well, Betts coming inside Guyatt getting forwards centrally the pass into her feet out for Spurrell right tries the return ball for Guyatt, Locke closing her down, Guyatt laying it back to Codman position 25 yards out takes on the shot the ball over the bar. Smith with a shot from all of 40 yards out, high into the area, not enough though to trouble Barnes who can safely catch. All Fakenham, Bure Valley absorbing alot of pressure, Imogen Shearing with the sliding tackle getting back to take the ball of Betts as she comes inside the full back.

   Robb with a great ball in from left back to Guyatt central breaking into the area, goes to strike the ball the shot wide of the left post. Riches heading the ball on for Sands in midfield combining with Codman, Guyatt bursting forwards the through ball attempted, Ferguson in again with a determined challenge to win the ball.

  GOAL! On the hour Fakenham further extend their lead great possession and build up play on the left inside the final third the pass into the box seeing Guyatt baring down on goal, poking the ball on she sends the ball wide across the stranded keeper and into the bottom corner to score 3-0. 

   Last carries the ball out from the back left for Bure Valley has support inside from Burton into the Fakenham half Cooper looking to make a run in behind, Smith holds her ground for Fakenham winning the header to give possession back to the hosts. A free-kick awarded to Fakenham top of the area 20 yards out Guyatt to play it her strike sent over. Davey plays the ball on for Cooper in attack in behind but too much ground to cover as Easter who has virtually been a spectator 2nd half gets to the ball first. 

  Fakenham’s Sands winning the ball from a goalkick strikes the ball back towards goal from 25 yards out, the attempt dropping wide of the post. A corner on the right for Fakenham Sands to take the delivery fired in low across goal met by Smith at the back post getting her foot over the ball smashes a shot back wide across the six yard box. Websdale coming off for Fakenham, Townsend recovering from her first half injury back on. A tough game for Bure Valley are working hard continue to be on the back foot, Locke and Ferguson battling well in the centre of defence.

   Betts is in on goal as the ball in from the left inside the six yards box is missed by Barnes, hesitates before shooting however giving the keeper the opportunity to scramble to grab the ball at her feet. Fakenham forwards on the left a corner awarded put in towards the near post Barnes doing well getting a glove on the ball to take it off Betts as she goes to head it. Cleared only to the edge of the box a shot is lifted back in lands on the roof of the net. Codman with a strike on the half volley 30 yards out caught by the keeper. 

  Last, Burton and Wood getting forwards when they can to try and support Cooper in attack but often two, Fakenham can soon get back to outnumber them. A further blow for Bure Valley as anther injury blow sees them forced to play on with 9. Davey I think helped off but Bure Valley have red numbers against a navy background tricky to read under the lights, especially on Fakenham’s wide pitch. More adjustment players well and truly out of position now but they regroup for the final 15 minutes. 

  Barnes plucking the ball down well as it is fired in high from the right. A free kick for Fakenham right Codman running onto the ball at the far post, Barnes down well keeps it out. Dankskanen back on for Fakenham with the ball on the left holds it up support from Townsend, her cross into the six yards box, Betts can’t reach it out for a goal kick. Robb on the ball at right back players bombing forwards into the area her ball played in bouncing safely gathered by Barnes. 

Fakenham push late on Bure Valley have done well in defence restricting them to one goal 2nd half, Spurrell top of the box laying in inside to Patten inside the D, Sands on behind her 20 out gives her the ball a tremendous save from Barnes tipping her strike over the bar. Fakenham with a corner in towards the near post Bure Valley defending.

Full time Fakenham Town Ladies 3-0 Bure Valley Wildcats Ladies 

  Back to winning ways for Fakenham Town Ladies, the perfect response to last weekends disappointing result. On top right from the start an early goal. Both sides having to deal with injuries, Fakenham having the substitutes available, whereas Bure Valley didn’t. 2-0 down then going down to 10 players meaning they were always up against it from then on. A creditable performance however as Fakenham pushed for further goals with some great build up play and forward passes. Bure Valley backs to the wall limiting Fakenham to just one more goal in the 2nd half, Ferguson and Locke in central defence with Barnes making some vital stops in goal. A long hard season in Division Two most sides feeling the strain towards the end, games still to be played yet.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Onto this evenings Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. Mentioned the Bure Valley central defence a great effort under pressure for much of the game. For Fakenham the link up play in the middle was excellent Sian Sands winning alot of ball bringing others into the game, Jennifer Codman notable too with some fine balls forward plus the early goal. The award this evening going to Amber Guyatt played some fantastic through balls from midfield and made several runs to support the attack scoring Fakenham’s 3rd goal.

  My thanks to both sides for the team details tonight always appreciated, good to see both sides, has been a while since I’ve watched Bure Valley good to see them in action again despite it being a tough game for them credit to the 11 and wishing both their injured players a speedy recovery.