Sunday 15th May

Norfolk Women’s League Plate Final

A cup final double from Norfolk this Sunday on Women’s Football East with the NWGFL hosting the it’s final day for it’s women’s sides. Following on from yesterday’s youth finals day 3 finals taking place today, the League Plate and League Cup aswell as the 7’s League Cup. First up with a 10:30am kick-off the Women’s Plate Final between Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women and Caister FC Ladies.

 A clash between two of the highest scoring sides across the league with well over a 100 goals scored for each. Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Ladies currently 3rd in the Norfolk Women’s Division One table with 2 games still to play and could yet clinch runners-up spot with 4 points needed to overhaul Fakenham Town Ladies in 2nd. Have been playing catch-up all season, having made good progress in the cup competitions including reaching the semi-finals of the County Cup. Victoria Leyer has always been prolific in front of goal for the club since first joining the league as Sprowston carrying on as the club moved to Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers a couple of seasons ago. Leyer has 37 goals for this campaign from just 13 appearances. Closing her down for top scorer is Shanice Sutton now on 35 from 20 games. Charlie head in good form too in front of goal since joining from Long Stratton scoring 20 goals with Chelsea Brister netting 16 times. 108 league goals in total for Dussindale & Hellesdon with just 19 conceded.

With 3 more goals to their name with 11 in the league are today’s opponents, Caister FC Ladies who have stormed to the Norfolk Women’s Division Two title in their debut season winning 14 of their 15 games played so far. A strong side have vast experience in the league having formerly been Gorleston FC Ladies 1st team. Making the move up the Norfolk coast this season they were hot favourites to win the league. Scoring 111 league goals an incredible 51 of those have been scored by Bethany Turner coming from just 17 games too! Ellie Hills has 22 to her name too from 17 appearances with Samantha Hunn also in double figures. Winning the Division Two title with the best defensive record too less than a goal a game with 11 conceded.

Road to the Final

  The sides knocked out of the early stages of the League Cup going onto contest the League Plate in Norfolk. Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women were unfortunate to be drawn at home to Mulbarton Belle Ladies in the 1st Round of the League Cup a strong side like Caister odds on favourites to retain the Division One title, lost 5-1 to put them into the Plate competition. Caister FC Ladies were at home to in the 1st Round of the League Cup taking on Division One side, Stalham Town Ladies. Narrowly missing out on the wrong end of a 4-3 defeat.

Finding their goal scoring form Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women racked them up in the 1st Round of the Plate at home to North Walsham Angles Ladies with both Shanice Sutton and Chelsea Brister netting hat-tricks in an 11-1 win. Caister FC Ladies progressing without kicking a ball awarded the A-W over Horsford FC Women.

Onto the quarter final and it was once again a double figure winning margin for Dussindale & Hellesdon this time at home to Division Two newcomers, KLSC FC Women. Chelsea Brister on target for 4 goals with Charlie Head netting a double in an 11-0 win. Caister at home to local rivals, Gorleston with their new look side. A closer result this one with goals from Samantha Hunn and Bethany Turner securing a spot in the semi-finals with a 2-1 victory. Dussindale & Hellesdon needing to squeeze there game in their semi-final against fellow Division One side Sprowston FC Women taking place at The nest under the lights, drawing 2-2 at half-time Sprowston were to have their goalkeeper sent off in the 2nd period Dussindale & Hellesdon going on to score 3 to win the game 5-2. Victoria Leyer scoring 4 goals, Sutton with the other to send them into this Sunday’s final. Caister originally drawn to host Freethorpe in their semi-final the weather playing it’s part the tie switched to Freethorpe’s ground. Goals from Turner and Laura Atkinson seeing Caister into a final in their debut season winning 2-0.

A new venue for NWGFL Finals day after it’s 2 season absence due to Covid. Youngs Park, home of Aylsham FC. The modern, new built clubhouse and changing rooms overlooking a number of grass football pitches with the main pitch behind. The clubhouse is a god size housing the bar and kitchen area. Hot food available on the day. Hosting the youth finals the day before a busy one with 10 games squeezed in today’s action hosting the 3 senior final the Women’s Plate and Cup along with the 7’s final between Kirkley & Pakefield and Costessey Sports. Not as warm as yesterday. Mild but with plenty of cloud around with the threat of a shower growing throughout the day.

Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women starting XI – Tyla Cole, Amee Kennett, Siesha Humphries, Maddison Goodenough, Calista Tink (C), Abbi Nobbs, Georgina Belton, Lucy Wetherall, Abby Hutchin, Chelsea Brister & Shanice Sutton. Subs – Ruby Wilson, Charlie Head, Kari Kowalczyk, Kirstie Rusted & Zuleika Laffitte. 

Caister FC Ladies starting XI – Laura Beevor, Hayley Muir (C), Enya Tooke, Elisha Maher, Maia Hollis, Nicole Sheldrake, Courtney Charlton, Molly Sims, Ellie Hills, Olivia Broughton & Bethany Turner. Subs – Kelly Allen, Caitlin Smith, Melissa Anderson & Samantha Hunn.

  (roll on roll off substitutes)

  It’s Dussindale & Hellesdon wearing an all claret kit to get the final underway kicking off 1st half with Caister lined up opposite wearing an all navy away kit.

  GOAL! A fast start to the game for Dussindale & Hellesdon the ball played back into Abbi Nobbs in midfield passed out to right back Amee Kennett is fed forwards to Abby Hutchin racing away up the right wing getting in behind taking the ball on squares her cross along the top of the six yard box low straight to Shanice Sutton at the far post to turn the ball into the back of the net with her first touch of the match 1-0. 

  A fast start to the game for Dussindale & Hellesdon taking the lead inside the opening 15 seconds. a blow for Caister who look to get the ball into Bethany Turner moving right from the restart her ball into the area cleared by Dussindale & Hellesdon’s Maddison Goodenough is help on upfield out to Sutton pulling away right her early diagonal ball into the top of the Caister area looking to Chelsea Brister moving in from the left, bringing the ball down Enya Tooke is in to close her down clear the threat for Caister. 

  Dussindale & Hellesdon buoyed by their early goal pile players on in attack Sutton drifting out to the left taking the ball off Brister dribbling to the by-line cutting inside into the box goes on before shooting close in the angle acute, Caister goalkeeper, Laura Beevor down smartly to her right diving to push the ball behind for a corner kick. The corner driven into the near post from the left is headed wide by Dussindale & Hellesdon captain Calista Tink up from the back. 

  Both Brister and Hutchin looking to travel with the ball on the flanks for Dussindale & Hellesdon with Sutton looking to play off the Caister defence. Siesha Humphries on the left of defence for Dussindale & Hellesdon defending as Turner looks to drive on with the ball wide. Caister make ground on the left winning a throw in the final 3rd, Molly Sims bringing the ball under control hooking it forwards into the Dussindale & Hellesdon area with Ellie Hills making the run, goalkeeper, Tyla Cole off her line quickly to claim the ball. 

  Beevor comes rushing out to the top of her area to save at the feet of Sutton as she is put in behind from a diagonal ball from Hutchin on the right. The offside flag however is up against her.  Georgina Belton coming into space on the right for Dussindale & Hellesdon is played in by Nobbs, her diagonal ball into the top of the Caister box is won by Elisha Maher. Dussindale & Hellesdon looking a threat everytime they go forwards closing down the ball Caister are unable to gain a foothold inside their half. Tink coming on with the ball right sending it on for Kennett running up the right wing her cross into the area sliced clear drops straight to Lucy Wetherall outside the D drops her shoulder moving inside onto her left foot to send a shot in from 20 yards is straight at Beevor. 

  Nicole Sheldrake bringing the ball on through the middle for Caister has Olivia Broughton ahead of her playing the ball into her path she looks to spread it left for Hills making the run to get in behind, the pass intercepted by Kennett for Dussindale & Hellesdon. Caister with a change Caitlin Smith on for Maia Hollis at the back. A throw high on the right for Dussindale & Hellesdon dropped into Belton controls and turning sends a cross in along the top of the area, coming to Brister left side, her first time strike blasted wide of the right post. 

  Little respite for Caister as Nobbs with Belton and Wetherall in the middle hustle possession forcing errors the ball lost. A chance for Caister to relieve some pressure as they win a free-kick wide on the right send into the opposition box, the ball cleared put on upfield the break on with Sutton racing after it. Beevor though out rapidly to the top of the area to see the ball safely into her gloves. Hutchin strong on the right bursting forwards her cross cut out by Maher falls straight to a Dussindale & Hellesdon shirt the 25 yard strike picking out Beevor back on her line to grab down. 

  Beevor by far the busier of the two goalkeepers, Humphries on for Brister left cut out rolls straight to Weatherall outside the area top of the D her strike held by the Caister keeper. Belton bringing the ball on from the middle for Dussindale & Hellesdon moving right sends the diagonal pass into the box looking for pulling off the defence, her header held by Beevor. Keeping the ball in the final 3rd Dussindale & Hellesdon with a throw right put inside for Weatherall top of the box right side sends it across to Brister far side her shot struck in low racing wide across the Caister goal. 

 GOAL! 20 minutes played and Dussindale & Hellesdon have shown attacking intent throughout press forwards through the middle the ball fed out to Brister moving down the left pace on the ball fires a cross into the top of the six yard box Sutton at the near post getting her foot on it striking the ball high past the keeper into the the roof of the net 2-0. 

  Strong midfield running from Dussindale & Hellesdon, Belton in particular bringing the ball out finding space on the right with Hutchin occupying the defence her cross in the attack thwarted by the offside flag. Caister are doing their best to get their attackers into the game primarily Turner on the right pushes the ball out wider to be crossed into the area, cleared by Tink. Forwards into Belton again moving right attempts to lob the keeper from distance her high ball into the area dropping short, caught low by Beevor a good claim back on her line needing to be wary of players looking to rush in on her.

  Smith on the ball for Caister left travelling has Turner making a run into the left channel looking to pull in behind, threading the pass on, Tink reads it cutting the ball out for Dussindale & Hellesdon. Courtney Charlton defending inside the box for Caister as Sutton plays the ball into Hutchin right of goal. A corner for Dussindale & Hellesdon on the right the ball in defended by Beevor at the near post falls to Wetherall moving left but can’t find a way through. 

 Dussindale & Hellesdon regain possession in the middle Belton with the crossfield pass left to right for Hutchin, jinks inside her mark moving across the top of the Caister area before shooting her low strike saved by Beevor. Hutchin right on the attack inside for Sutton 20 yards out right side of the box looks to play it across to Brister moving in from the left, Maher getting the tackle in on her to clear the threat for Caister. 

  A free-kick to Dussindale & Hellesdon on the right as Hutchin is body checked by Tooke the set-piece 30 plus yards out. Brister over it flights a ball in to be attacked far post area, won and cleared by Caister captain, Hayley Muir. Hutchin is quick to nip in and win it back 30 yards out her shot taking a slight deflection on it’s way through to the keeper. Muir is then booked as she brings down Brister as she looks to accelerate away with the ball on the left. A pause for drinks before the free-kick is taken. Brister with a dangerous ball in across goal to the far side, Charlton getting her head on it for Caister good work to turn the ball up over her own crossbar for a corner kick. Charlton then defending from the corner as Dussindale & Hellesdon fire it in towards the near post area. Comes to Humphries up the line on the right to send a curling strike in towards goal swerving in front of Beevor the keeper is down well to lay claim to the ball.

   Caister struggling to get anything going up top getting hold of the ball in the middle placing a pass into an attack is proving difficult, Tink and Goodenough reading the ball well. Hutchin driving inside with the ball from the right, the pass fizzed into Sutton getting free central inside the area her shot sent goalwards, Beevor with a superb save instinct as she throws a leg out to block the ball deflect it out to the left, Brister back in across the six yard box Hutchin right after it with Charlton the defender doing well against her for Caister.

 The free-kick count rising another one for obstruction this one closer outside the area as Brister places the ball down for Dussindale & Hellesdon right of the D, curls a shot in her effort landing on the roof of the net. Weatherall getting on for Dussindale & Hellesdon angling a shot in from wide her strike palmed down by Beevor. 

 GOAL! A couple of minutes left to play in the 2nd half largely dominated by Dussindale and Hellesdon, they go on to extend their lead. Nobbs on for Wetherall through the middle sends it out to Brister on the left attacking turns inside and strikes the shot in on the angle rising for the top corner across goal Beevor dives in vain the ball smashing down off the crossbar over the line 3-0. 

  Pressing on from the restart Caister find no way through the Dussindale & Hellesdon defence, Goodenough out to Belton who passes on to Nobbs getting forwards plays the ball into Sutton’s feet as she drifts in left of the D, her shot pulled wide of the left post. 

 GOAL! Moments later Sutton goes on to score her hat-trick. Once again linking up with Brister breaking on down the left with the ball, her cross lifted in near side Sutton gets under the ball to head it in up over the keeper 4-0.

 A frustrating 1st half for Caister haven’t get going at all, Smith taking the ball on through the middle looking to link up with Turner outside the area playing a one two the final pass cut out by Kennett for Dussindale & Hellesdon. Beevor out to save bravely at Sutton’s feet as she looks to get onto the end of a Brister pass fed into the box from the left. Charlton doing enough at the back for Caister to stop Hutchin getting into a shooting position as Sutton sends the ball on for her right side.

Half-time Dussindale & Hellesdon Women 4-0 Caister FC Ladies 

 A 4-0 lead for Dussindale & Hellesdon in the League Plate Final. In control of the half from start to finish. Taking the lead in their very first attack seconds on the board the early goal clearly settling any nerves, whilst rocking their opponents. Caister never looking settled have struggled to get the ball into their attackers while keeping any meaningful possession, given away too easily has invited Dussindale & Hellesdon on in attack their movement causing problems. A mountain to climb if they are to find a way back into the tie in the 2nd half.

Caister look to have made a change at the start of the 2nd half, Melissa Anderson on. Caister to get the 2nd 45 underway. The sun making an appearance, the ball quickly lost as Belton closes in for Dussindale & Hellesdon out to Hutchin on the right on for Sutton trying to break into the box, Beevor racing out to close her down the pair colliding, nothing in it, as Muir clears the ball. Sutton down for a moment but is okay to continue.

Caister looking to get the ball into Turner, use her strength to battle her way through the Dussindale & Hellesdon defence, linking up with Smith out on the wing, Humphries steals in to win the ball back sends it up to Brister on the move left playing in forwards for Sutton her angled shot in low from 25 yards out wide at the near post.

  GOAL! 5 minutes into the 2nd half and Dussindale & Hellesdon go on to extend their advantage the ball fed out wide to Hutchin running on play drawn across to the right support from Sutton the cross is driven into the area straight to Brister free in front of goal, unmarked opens up her body to place the ball into the bottom corner 5-0.

Dussindale & Hellesdon with plenty of energy, just won’t click up top for Caister, Turner working hard on the ball finding no way through. Hills inside to Broughton, Tink halting progress for Dussindale & Hellesdon. Belton getting free on the right on to the top of the box the shot in down off the crossbar rebounding to the left Brister with the outside of her boot looking to turn it back in towards goal Beevor down at her near post the ball behind for a corner. 

  Tink comes out to challenge, Turner as she is given the ball by Sheldrake on the right out for a throw in. Sutton on the attack into the box Maher on her stretching for the ball, Sutton turns to life her shot up over the bar. Dussindale & Hellesdon keeping the ball getting on with it at every opportunity. Changes for Caister with Hollis back on along with Kelly Allen. Charlton on the ball making a driving run through the middle for Caister challenged landing heavily a pause for treatment up gingerly. A change for Dussindale & Hellesdon with Charlie Head coming on for Brister. Charlton off for Caister on comes Samantha Hunn. 

  Humphries winning the ball back off Allen high up the pitch shoots on the angle 25 yards out left side her effort racing wide across the Caister goal. Belton in the middle putting the ball on into Sutton in attack central lays it out to Head on the right drives on into the area, shooting the strike wide across the goal out at the far post. Sutton up on the right with Hutchin the ball into the box for Head her shot, charged down by Muir. 

  Caister battling for possession, Allen and Anderson in the middle looking to send it forwards, Turner moving across the Dussindale & Hellesdon area. Hutchin attacking right cuts the ball inside to Weatherall on for Head in the box her angled strike low to the near post saved by Beevor the ball loose for a 2nd, Beevor dragging it back into her body with Sutton closing in.  Caister with the ball central up with King knocking it on for Turner moving right a powerful run getting into the box, falling back as she goes to strike the ball on the angle sends it over the bar. 

  Caister fighting for the ball in the middle now, Allen with Anderson, no way through the Dussindale & Hellesdon defence. Anderson playing the ball out to Turner moving into the right wing drives on with the ball squaring a cross into the Dussindale & Hellesdon box, Cole diving forwards to push the ball away a good save with Hunn running in clear behind. King lifting it back into the box for Turner six yards out closed down the ball scrambled away. A double change for Dussindale & Hellesdon with Kennett and Belton coming off on come Kari Kowalczyk an Ruby Wilson. Allen with the crossfield ball out to Turner in the right channel turning inside is tackled by Wilson at the back. 

 GOAL! The game moving into the final 15 minutes, the substitutes breaking up some momentum, Dussindale & Hellesdon find Hutchin out on the right again sends the ball inside for midfielder Nobbs up with play 25 yards out right of the D, shapes to shoot, the ball rising in towards goal, am behind it have to say I thought it was going over so did the crowd around me but no it drops down late to find it’s way in under the bar to bring up the 6th goal for Dussindale & Hellesdon’s number 6. 6-0!

  Caister make a change bringing Broughton back on for Smith. Play brought back for the foul with no advantage after Nobbs is upended in the centre. The ball played out to the right with Sutton up with Head put back to Wetherall top of the area sends it out to Kowalczyk on the left plays it back infield for Wetherall drives on by too much traffic ahead of her. Head taking the ball out to the left corner lifts a cross into the far post Sutton can’t get it down under control before the ball is launched clear. 

 Turner up the other end looking to get away on the right is stopped by Wilson in the corner. Muir looking to lift Caister make one last push as the game enters the final 5 minutes. Anderson off for Caister, Hills back on. Humphries up on the left forwards into Kowalczyk turns infield pushing the ball into Wetherall, attempts to lift it over the top into the box for Head but Beevor out to snatch it first. Head seeing the ball into her feet for Dussindale & Hellesdon outside the box moving central to right turning to send a shot wide across goal. 

 A quadruple change for Dussindale in the closing minutes with Goodenough, Humphries, Wetherall and Sutton coming off for Kennett, Belton, Kirstie Rusted and Zuleika Lafitte. Broughton getting hold of the ball central almost through for Caister but stopped by Kennett. Sims with the pass on for Hunn left for Caister can’t quite reach it before the keeper can claim. Belton looking to get on for Dussindale & Hellesdon left, Maher defending in the box for Caister doing well to get a goal kick. Beevor out to clear as Rusted looks to burst on through the middle for Dussindale & Hellesdon.

Full time Dussindale & Hellesdon Women 6-0 Caister FC Ladies

Dussindale & Hellesdon with a strong performance from start to finish to win the Plate Final 6-0 scoring in the opening seconds and playing a high energy game through out never letting their opponents settle on the ball racing into a 4-0 lead at the break. A mountain for Caister to climb to try and get themselves back into the game 2nd half. An early goal 2nd half denting those hopes will be disappointed with their performance on the day taking the gloss off what has been a magnificent first season as Caister. Runners-Up in a cup final they were still smiling at the end getting to collect there Division Two Champions medals after the game promoted to Division One next season. Congratulations to Caister on their title success.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto the first Women’s Football East – Player of the Match today. Several good performances to choose from and isn’t easy to single one out. Firstly for Caister a special mention for goalkeeper Laura Beevor despite the score line pulled off a number of crucial saves to keep the score down. Bethany Turner up top worked hard without getting much reward for her efforts. For Dussindale & Hellesdon were solid throughout. Calista Tink strong at the back. Georgina Belton in midfield winning the ball playing some great passes forwards. Lucy Wetherall getting on from the middle to support the attack. Chelsea Brister dangerous on the left of attack always available for the pass. Abby Hutchin too on the right side her first attack setting the tone for the rest of the game strong throughout. The award though goes to striker Shanice Sutton scoring with her first touch of the game going on to get a first half hat-trick found some great positions and space in and around the box.

 Congratulations to Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women on winning the 2021/22 NWGFL Plate Final. 

  One final down one to go, a quick look at the 7’s final in between. My thanks to both clubs for helping me out with the team details. Also for photographer Scott Grearhardy for the use of some of his pictures in the report. One more game left for Caister away to 3rd placed UEA FC Women with runners-up spot yet to be decided. 2 games for Dussindale & Hellesdon the first on Wednesday at The Nest welcoming 4th placed Thetford Town Ladies.

by Darren Gilham