The Round-Up

Sun 1st September

Suffolk Women’s Division

One more Round-Up to bring you this week as the county leagues get underway, the rest kicking off their season next Sunday, Suffolk’s Women’s Division began this Sunday. 10 of the 14 sides competing this season in action. Was 15 but an 11th hour withdrawal from Coplestonians Ladies sees a readjusting of fixtures. League winners 4 seasons ago hope to see Coplestonians back at some point in the future. 

A thrilling title race last season with newcomers Needham Market Women pushing eventual champions East Bergholt United Ladies all the way both are promoted to the ERWFL this season. Needham Market creating a Reserves side one of 5 new names in the league, with Henley Athletic, Ramsey & Mistley also new. AFC Kesgrave are back in the league along with Bury Town formerly Walsham Le Willows. Holland Ladies formerly FC Clacton from Essex moving across the border. 

Two of the newcomers meeting on the opening day as Needham Market Women travelled to play Ramsey & Mistley Ladies. Needham Market having several familiar faces in their line-up having represented the club last season and that experience showed as they racked up a double figure scoreline to win their opening fixture. Lois Balfour and Hannah Cobbold both opening their accounts with a hat-trick apiece. Katie Moore was also on target with a brace with Gemma Moore, Megan Stock and Abbie Wilkinson all netting a goal in an 11-1 win. A tough beginning to life in the league for Ramsey & Mistley their goal scored by Dominique Merchant.

Also recording an opening day away win to start the season are Leiston St Margarets Ladies. Began their season at Chantry Grasshoppers Ladies who were giving debuts to 7 new players as they began their 2nd season in the Suffolk Women’s Division. Leiston St Margarets more established in the league winning the match 5-1 with Lucy Eagle netting a brace. Leanne Morphew and Justine Young also opening their accounts with a goal each an own goal adding a 5th goal. Lucy Robson getting her first goal for Chantry Grasshoppers.

Brantham Athletic Ladies will be amongst the title favourites this season they began their campaign at home to Brightlingsea Regent Ladies. A close first half saw Merlin Watson put Brantham 1-0 up inside 15 minutes, Brightlingsea scoring in the 23rd minute an own goal plus another goal for Merlin in the 44th minute seeing Brantham 3-1 up the visitors pulling it back to 3-2 just before the half-time whistle. Better from Brantham 2nd half as Danielle Harvey opened her account to make it 4-2 in the 54th minute. Rebecca Prime giving Brantham a 3 goal advantage scoring in the 64th minute. Brightlingsea getting it back to 5-3 with 10 minutes left Shannon Giles getting on the scoresheet in the last 5 minutes to see Brantham start the season with a 6-3 win. 

Rebecca Prime amongst the goalscorers for Brantham Athletic Ladies on the opening day.

Alresford Colne Rangers will be looking to push for the top positions in the Suffolk Women’s Division as they begin their 2nd season having moved from the Essex County league a year ago. At home for their first fixture were taking on AFC Kesgrave Ladies making a return to the league after a season’s absence. The visitors making a good start with Abigail Eley scoring. Alresford though coming back well to lead 3-1 at half-time a 4th goal added to secure the 3 points in the 2nd period. Rae Clancy, Georgia Egner, Jo Harvey and Tracey Lewis all getting their first goals of the campaign.

Woodbridge Town Ladies improved to finish strongly in their debut season in the Suffolk Women’s Division last season, will be hoping to continue that form into the new season. Began this Sunday at home taking on Bury Town Ladies who have reformed the squad having been Walsham Le Willows last season will be strong themselves and so it proved in a close game as the visitors edged out Woodbridge 2-1 to claim the 3 points.

  3 points to awarded to Brettvale Ladies a home win against league newcomers Henley Athletic.