Sunday 1st March

ERWFL Division One North

Left it late again this Sunday before deciding where to go to watch a match another storm front breaking yet more rain in affecting the fixture lists once again, spoilt for choice of course so when one game falls by the way side there are plenty more to choose from so kept it local in the finish a sort journey west along the A47 into King’s Lynn to watch King’s Lynn Town Ladies play fellow Norfolk side Gorleston Ladies in ERWFL Division One North. 

In anticipation of their fixture being under threat and with no games for 3 weeks King’s Lynn Town Ladies made the switch onto 3G at Lynn Sport just behind their usually Riverlane venue. King’s Lynn Town Ladies are enjoying a strong season in the league an established side in the ERWFL now are looking to push on challenge for the title and with it promotion into the Premier Division itself. Got off to a slow start however losing their opening 2 league fixtures. Recovered well going onto win 6 in a row to propel themselves up into 2nd spot in the table. That run brought to an end by a narrow 3-2 loss to current leaders Cambridge City Ladies Development. The newcomers 4 points clear at the top a question mark over whether they would take promotion themselves or not, might well depend of where their 1st team finishes their season should they win the title even if King’s Lynn don’t overhaul them in the run in 2nd position could be crucial.

Captain Becky Russell at the heart of their midfield top scoring for King’s Lynn with 11 goals so far this season with strikers Tiffany Forshaw and Emma Corbyn both on 8 goals. The club bringing in several young players to join the squad recently adding energy and additional talent to an experienced side. Have lost a couple at the back to long term injury but otherwise can name a full squad for today’s match with 5 available from the bench. A narrow 2-1 win away for King’s Lynn when the two sides met in the reverse fixture at the start of 2020.

  Gorleston Ladies are newcomers to the ERWFL themselves this season like King’s Lynn applying for promotion off the back of a 3rd placed finish in Norfolk Women’s Division One. One of four new sides in Division One North this season along with leaders Cambridge City Ladies and Suffolk sides East Bergholt United Ladies and Needham Market Women. A rapid rise through the county set-up winning 3 successive promotions. The ERWFL the next step up. Have found it tough at the higher level adrift at the bottom of the table losing all 8 league games played so far. A mixed bag of results several narrow defeats and some big losses, looking to improve, Jason Croft standing down as manager, Sophie Gillett has taken on the role as player/manager. The women’s side well supported by Gorleston FC remain in good spirits despite the lack of points so far. Won’t be easy this afternoon however as Gorleston travel across the county with just the bare 11 available no one on the bench a few carrying knocks and some out of position.

   The game today played a Lynn Sports 3G pitch a popular sporting facility to the north of the town, my first visit to the place a hive of activity. Despite all the rain Sunday bright the sky blue a few clouds around. Very chilly mind a keen wind that was quite strong blowing from one end of the pitch to the other. The pitch a good size a viewing area to one side.

 King’s Lynn Town Ladies starting XI – Bryony Robinson, Lily Porter, Shanice Burch, Georgia Freeman, Jodie Hopkins-Duckhouse, Tegan Wheeler, Becky Russell (C), Deva Rawlings, Rachel Skinner, Nikita Morris & Tiffany Forshaw. Subs – Oksana Imanalijeva, Millie Hopkisson, Rhian Ellis, Zara O’Neill & Emma Corbyn.

 Gorleston Ladies starting XI – Brianne Dyer, Hayley Muir (C), Abbie King, Chantelle King, Leanne Muffett, Kelly Allen, Sophie Gillett, Nicola Sheldrake, Tia Roberts, Hannah Chamberlain & Laura Atkinson.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

 King’s Lynn to get the match underway kicking off 1st half wearing blue shirts and shorts with yellow trim with yellow and blue socks. Gorleston playing in an all green kit. The ball put back to captain Becky Russell she plays the pass forwards looking for lily Porter making a run on the left cleared by Gorleston captain Hayley Muir at right back the ball intercepted 30 yards out by King’s Lynn’s Nikita Morris right of the D plays it on into the path for Tiffany Forshaw running into the area, Abbie King closing on her shoulder in to challenge prevent the shot coming in.

  Russell getting hold of the ball in the middle has options ahead of her runners right and left aims her pass out to Forshaw coming inside from the left, the ball cut out by King at the back. King’s Lynn lively early on getting bodies forwards, Tegan Wheeler in the middle on for Deva Rawlings the ball put out wide right Rachel Skinner taking it on turning to get inside her marker flashing a ball in across the face of goal. 

 Sophie Gillett picking up the ball in the middle strong a she carries on on holding off Russell before sending it on for Hannah Chamberlain making herself available on the right channel, Georgia Freeman standing her ground not letting the attacker get inside her. Brianne Dyer called into action to make the save in the Gorleston goal as King’s Lynn get on down the left Morris on the ball cutting inside to shoot. 

 A corner given as Russell’s shot from the top of the area takes a nick on it’s way wide following good work from Skinner on the right. The corner in high near side headed up by Morris, drops back down for her to hit first time her effort blocked inside the six yard box deflected out to Porter left side she fires it back in another block before Gorleston scramble it away. King’s Lynn on the front foot, Gorleston pressing well in the middle of the park but the ball coming back too often

 GOAL! The early pressure telling as King’s Lynn open the scoring, Wheeler getting on down the right Leanne Muffett closing in to tackle the ball running on into the corner Skinner after it into the corner getting control and firing the ball in across the face of goal to find it’s way inside at the far post 1-0.

  An error at the back bringing Gorleston a bit of respite at the back as they win a corner can’t capitalise from the set piece, Gillett though doing well to prevent King’s Lynn mounting a rapid counter attack. Wheeler laying the pass forwards for Forshaw running left channel under pressure a defender on her shoulder pokes her shot wide. Gillett looking to make things happen through the middle for Gorleston the ball put on for Chamberlain right her touch heavy allowing King’s Lynn defender Shanice Burch the opportunity to clear the ball out for a throw. 

 GOAL! King’s Lynn double their lead inside the opening 20 minutes Skinner carrying the ball forwards on the right down to the by-line players coming forwards through the middle the winger does well jinking inside to play it back towards the top of the box for Russell to strike her low drive blocked at the near post may have even struck Morris forwards inside the six yard box, either way Morris is sharpest to react latching onto the ball and tuning into the shot to smash it high into the roof of the net 2-0.

  King’s Lynn winning the ball looking to get forwards as quickly as possible players making good runs Porter left side taking the ball in looking to thread it through in behind for Forshaw, Muir getting her foot on the pass deflecting it towards King to launch up field. Bryony Robinson dealing with a cross fire in from the left as Gillett goes on from a Tia Roberts pass, the hosts break quickly the ball forwards into Forshaw left channel bringing the ball down bursts into the box and angle closing quickly at the near post looks to lift the ball over the keeper, Dyer gloves up pushing the ball up and catching safely. 

  Skinner blasts a shot wide as a defensive clearance falls to her. Russell lining up a strike from distance the ball smashing against the crossbar. Forshaw inside the box left holding off defenders puts her shot wide. King’s Lynn on top Gorleston on the back foot defending unable to get the ball up to Chamberlain and Laura Atkinson in attack. A double switch for King’s Lynn Porter and Wheeler off on come Oksana Imanalijeva and Millie Hopkisson. Forshaw and Russell combine in front of the box for King’s Lynn going forwards Chantelle King with a superb tackle on Russell to win the ball back for Gorleston. 

  Muir blocks inside the box as Imanalijeva brings a diagonal ball down from the right. Gillett with another powerful run through the middle, tackled by Rawlings, Russell takes the ball on aiming to release Forshaw early in behind, Dyer out of her box early winning the race for the ball. Forshaw a threat on the left in attack touching the ball on into the area shoots across the keeper the ball striking the base of the far post out towards the right Morris racing onto it opens her body up to place her shot low, Dyer on her line saving with her legs before the ball is cleared. Forshaw frustrated so far as she sees another effort at goal fly over the ball from inside the D.

 Forshaw off for a rest on come Emma Corbyn in attack. The substitute with a chance straight away forcing a save from Dyer down low to her left to push the ball away. Relentless from King’s Lynn, Gorleston losing possession in the final 3rd have to get back quickly King’s Lynn rushing on Imanalijeva sending a shot wide across the face of goal as she gets free on the left.

GOAL! Five minutes left to play in the 1st half and King’s Lynn further extend their lead, Russell with a burst of pace travelling withe the ball getting on down the right squaring it near post into the path of Corbyn to strike home from 8 yards out 3-0.

  Gorleston with a rare attack Roberts up with Gillett on the left first winning a throw high and then a corner kick. The delivery in near side cushioned down latched onto by Chantelle King getting her foot over the ball striking it wide of goal.

 GOAL! Out of no where Gorleston have a goal back and a superb shot it is too. The visitors winning the ball back high, Gillett central onto it 25 yards out catching it on the half volley a spectacular strike angling away from the keeper Robinson with no chance to stop it 3-1. 

 GOAL! Almost immediately after they’ve scored however Gorleston concede a 4th goal. Desperately unlucky for Dyer but great persistence from King’s Lynn as they press forwards, Hopkisson with a shot from inside the box right Dyer with a superb double stop gloving her effort away they a follow up strike from the right the ball down in the six yard box Hopkisson racing in on the follow-up quickest to it smashing it past keeper at close range 4-1.

 The woodwork struck again as Hopkisson and Skinner combine on the right for King’s Lynn. Hopkisson again on the ball with a first time hit inside the D as the ball comes in front the left struck over the bar. Russell coming forwards working the ball on with support from Imanalijeva on to Corbyn inside the box her first touch giving Dyer the opportunity to step forwards and claim the ball. Russell away left side sending a deep cross in towards the far side Morris onto it hits the shot blocked by Muffett full in the face a painful one a bloody nose has to come off for treatment Gorleston down to 10.

 King’s Lynn constantly first the any 2nd ball never a moments let off for Gorleston battling hard but their opponents keep coming Morris running into the box from the right, Chantelle King lunging in to tackle, Morris with a 2nd bite at the cherry fires into the side netting. Nicola Sheldrake able to bring the ball on for Gorleston right side on for Gillett her pass on to Chamberlain holding it up outside the box can’t pick out Atkinson as Burch closes her down.

Half-time King’s Lynn Town Ladies 4-1 Gorleston Ladies

  The first half ends with King’s Lynn leading 4-1 have dominated play from start to finish creating a host of chances getting into a early lead moving the ball well players providing great runs all over the park getting forwards well always an option for the player on the ball. Gorleston working hard but on the back foot haven’t had any meaningful possession and the ball is coming back all too quickly getting a goal back with just their 2nd attempt on goal giving them some hope but short lived King’s Lynn able to rotate their players keeping energy levels high.

  Gorleston the get the 2nd half underway the wind at King’s Lynn’s back now have made a three changes Forshaw back on for Morris, Rhian Ellis on for Skinner on the right and Zara O’Neill on to make her debut replacing Hopkins-Duckhouse. Straight away the hosts have Gorleston under pressure Russell on for Corbyn, Muffett defending. Muffett one more as on Forshaw inside the box doing enough to see the striker put her shot wide as Ellis puts the cross in from the wing.

GOAL! An early goal for King’s Lynn at the start of the 2nd half a heavy blow for Gorleston. Forshaw with the run and shot from the left the shot stinging the keepers gloves falls down to Hopkisson racing in near post to blast in from 6 yards out 5-1.

GOAL! Not one but 2 quick fore goals at the start of the 2nd half as Forshaw causes mayhem on the left once again driving on to fire in a low cross to the near post Corbyn to it first inside the six yards box clipping it up back across the keeper Dyer unlucky getting a touch on it but so close had no chance to set herself 6-1.

 All King’s Lynn at the start of the 2nd half pushing on through the middle, Russell firing a 25 yard drive wide of the right post, Forshaw with an effort put over from the left. Ellis skipping free on the right playing a cross in towards Hopkisson top of the area striking across the ball, Dyer with a fine save. 

  King’s Lynn have the ball in the back of the net again this one though ruled out for offside. The hosts bringing the ball on O’Neill getting forwards to support Forshaw inside the box left of goal players going forwards, Forshaw striking the ball Dyer saving gloving the ball forwards Corbyn racing onto it burying it into the back of the net but it won’t count the flag up against her.

 Robinson has had little to do up the other end comes racing out of her box as Gillett manages to feed the ball through for Chamberlain. Forshaw coming on left side sends a shot into the side netting.

GOAL! King’s Lynn soon have a 7th goal and it’s a goal on her debut for O’Neill making a superb run from midfield into the box getting in behind onto the ball left of goal to send the ball across the keeper from close range 7-1.

  Hopkisson brings the ball on through the centre for King’s Lynn unopposed she goes on has Corbyn ahead of her 25 yards out back to goal gives her the ball held up she sends it back across to Hopkisson top of the area, doesn’t get a clean strike on the ball her attempt angling wide of the post. 

GOAL! Forshaw on the scoresheet at last, must have been wondering if it was going to be one of those days but you can’t keep giving her opportunities through the middle this time a well made run the ball fed into her feet takes in on in behind into the area the keeper comes but can’t get there Forshaw rounding her to place the ball into the bottom corner beyond 8-1.

 The wind is alot keener now very chilly, Gillett the most likely to make thing’s happen for Gorleston strong on the ball pressing forwards goes it alone bearing down on the box is simply outnumbers in the end run of the ball Rawlings bringing the ball forwards passing to Russell to set off another King’s Lynn attack. 

GOAL! A goal for the captain as King’s Lynn win a corner on the right, a great inswinging delivery put under the bar Dyer doing well to keep it up a glove up high knocked down onto the penalty spot straight to Russell strikes the ball Dyer with a reactive save with her legs the ball deflected away Russell onto it again not closed down able to smash it high into the back of the net 9-1.

  Dyer by far the busier of the two keepers making another save with her legs as O’Neill races through into the box latching onto a crossfield ball as Forshaw looks to find Russell. Dyer low to her left to push a strike fired in from 20 yards out for a corner on the right. The delivery deep to the far post Forshaw adjudged to have committed the foul as she climbs for the ball. Gorleston are tiring alot of effort put in and run ragged by King’s Lynn as they come wave after wave in the 2nd half.

GOAL! Forshaw with her 2nd of the game bring’s up a double figure scoreline Gorleston slow to react at the back the ball finding it’s way through to Forshaw clear in the box left of goal hits it hard across the keeper to find the far corner 10-1.

 Abbie King cutting out the ball as Hopkisson attempts to thread it through for O’Neill making a great run. Played forwards won back by the King’s Lynn defence won’t stick no respite the hosts press forwards. Bursting forwards the ball put quickly into Forshaw inside the D, shapes to shot the tackle deflecting the ball wide for a corner kick. A high ball in near side Allen up to head the ball to safety for Gorleston. Imanalijeva comes off as King’s Lynn bring Porter back on.

 Muir getting in the block to send the ball away for a corner as O’Neill tries her luck from 20 yards out. Corbyn coming near side to receive the corner tuns into the shot her first time strike sent over the bar. Skinner comes back on for Freeman

GOAL! O’Neill with her 2nd of the game scores as she makes a fantastic run forwards as Russell collects the ball on the right the diagonal pass put into her run O’Neill takes it on into the area and cool as you like strokes the ball wide of the advancing keeper 11-1.

 15 minutes left to play relentless from King’s Lynn, Gorleston can get no where near the ball, Russell hard to track at the best of times never stays still away to the left this time into the channel hits a shot in from 25 yards out, Dyer making the diving save pushing the ball out to the right not out of play gather in the corner by Corbyn squared back in O’Neill attacking it near post close in Dyer behind it able to get her gloves on the ball.

 King’s Lynn with another double change Hopkins-Duckhouse and Wheeler back on for Rawlings and Corbyn. Porter with a strike over the bar from inside the box as she receives ball following great work from O’Neill coming forwards right side. All King’s Lynn 2nd half no respite for Gorleston still playing with smiles on their faces even though they are on the wrong end of a heavy defeat. 

GOAL! The goals keep coming too Forshaw scoring her hat-trick as she is put through on goal by O’Neill 25 yards out, Forshaw closing in on the keeper slotting her shot past her into the bottom corner 12-1.

 Muffett sliding in to tackle Ellis on the right as she looks to cut inside with the ball. 

GOAL! A hat-trick for O’Neill on her debut set up by Forshaw out on the left wide on the ball comes on before sending in a dangerous ball to the near post O’Neill allowed to steal in unopposed one more meeting the ball close it to flick past the keeper 13-1.

GOAL! King’s Lynn full of energy in the closing stages of the match, Gorleston dead on their feet the goals keep coming, O’Neill getting hold of the ball on halfway looks up for options Forshaw with the call is making the run left side wants the ball, a fantastic delivery from O’Neill dropping it into her path into the box Forshaw with the clinical finish has 4, 14-1.

  GOAL! 4 minutes left to play Wheeler and O’Neill combine getting the ball on quickly into the box Gorleston don’t get it away King’s Lynn close down the pass sneaking across the box to O’Neill free on the left of the six yard box struck low and scores a 4th on debut 15-1.

Full time King’s Lynn Town Ladies 15-1 Gorleston Ladies

 King’s Lynn run rampant in the 2nd half to take full advantage and rack up the goals, netting 15 in the end a totally dominant display, on the front foot straight away scoring early Gorleston working hard knew it would be tough but their opponents movement on and off the ball was too much along with having no substitutes to bring on rest players King’s Lynn using their bench well, kept going clinical finishes the goals flowing. Close the gap to leaders Cambridge City to 1 point the goals helping their too the difference -7 at the start of the day now plus 7. All to play for yet. A valiant effort from Gorleston in good spirits throughout despite the huge loss will hurt no doubt and this report won’t help at all but credit to them gave it a go can only move on to the next one.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto this afternoon’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match a few players to mention, have nothing but praise for Gorleston goalkeeper Brianne Dyer was under the cosh from the first minute and despite the goals produced some fine saves. Sophie Gillett too several strong runs on the ball tried to make thing’s happen but lacked support as King’s Lynn kept the defence penned in scored without a doubt the best goal of the game. For King’s Lynn, Becky Russell will always gives everything. What a debut for Zara O’Neill scoring 4 goals showed a great first touch and timed her running excellently. This weekends award though goes to Tiffany Forshaw frustrated early on kept going in attack a threat constantly left side or in the box creating numerous opportunities ending up with 4 goals herself. 

 Always a hard one to cover when a game is so one sided but it is what it is, Gorleston will know they were beaten by a far better side today, King’s Lynn with a professional performance took their chances well creating plenty kept playing no arrogance shown at all, although the management team have a selection headache in front of them now. My thanks to both sides for the team details as always much appreciated.