Sunday 19th January

Norfolk Women’s County Cup

sponsored by Harrod Sport

Into the New Year, which means we’re into the business end of the various county cup competitions across the East, with most into the quarter final stage. Several tasty ties in the last 8 of those competitions too, none more so than in Norfolk and the all ERWFL Premier Division clash between Wroxham Women and Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women.

Both sides receiving a bye to the quarter final stage of the competition.

Wroxham Women reaching the final of the competition for the 1st time in their history last season. getting to play at Carrow Road. Missing out to Norwich City FC, will be aiming to repeat the run this season, but know they have a tough quarter final ahead of them. Has been a frustrating season so far this season, with a number of games postponed and 2 abandonment’s, which has left them down in 10th position, but like most of the sides in the bottom half of the table have games in hand and the potential to push for a top half finish. Injuries playing their part too are the draw specialists in the league, with 5 of their 9 league games ended all square to date.

  Hannah Fuller, Wroxham’s star striker often prolific in front of goal again top scorer so far this season with 12 goals from her 14 appearances. A good return from defender, Chelsea Clarke too, netting 8 goals so far this campaign. Captain, Becky Russell recently announcing she is pregnant with her 2nd child sees vice captain Tigi Robson taking on the captain’s armband. 

Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women, piping Harpenden Town Women to the ERWFL Division One North title last season as they stepped up to regional football for the 1st time in their history to win promotion to the Premier Division (step 5). Very sadly the club has loss one of it’s founder coaches with Andy Hutchin passing away to cancer last year, with the club since it’s youth beginning with Sprowston, was a likeable and well thought member of the woman’s football community in Norfolk with his whole family involved in the club, very sadly missed. 

  Winning promotion at the first attempt meant stepping up another level in quick succession. Have always thought the ERWFL Premier Division is where you notice a extra quality, a competitive league with alot of talented players. Dussindale & Hellesdon’s aim very much to retain their place in the league. A heavy loss to start, before seeing their 1st home game, against Wroxham abandoned due to injury. A couple more narrower defeats following the club has slowly started to find it’s feet in the league getting games in where other haven’t due to having an all weather pitch, picked up their 1st win at home to St Albans, and another against bottom side Cambridge City. Back to back win in November pulling them away from the danger zone at the bottom of the table, drawing 2-2 at Wroxham in December, having led 2-0 before seeing a player sent off. Starting the year with a win to climb to 5th feeling in go shape to complete their main goal of staying up. Now to see if they can make progress in the county cup. Anais Winney and Kyla Lagan the top scorers with 6 apiece with Rosie George netting 5.

The venue today the Ginger Pickle Area, or Trafford Park, home of Wroxham FC know as The Yachtsmen & women. The large grass pitch sloping slightly offers lots of space, a little cut up with the recent poor weather, but having seen their first 2 games of the year called off due to the weather, Wroxham haven’t played since their 2-2 with Dussindale & Hellesdon. The clubhouse and bar open serving hot and cold drinks. Standing all round the ground with a covered seated stand opposite the dugouts. The weather miserable, grey and overcast, not overly warm but still with no rain forecast.  

 Wroxham Women starting XI – Bryony Williams, Ella Gambell, Brooklyn Cheal-Ferris, Tigi Robson (C), Poppy Loveland, Rachel Cossey, Jennifer Drummie, Chelsea Clarke, Hayley Kindred, Lily Alexander & Hannah Fuller. Subs – Albany Hodgson, Rio Dobbie & Leilah Gooding.

 Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women starting XI – Tyla Cole, Rachel Bussey, Holly Walker, Jess Barnes, Calista Tink (C), Rachel Jermy, Chloe Shipman, Kari Kowalcyzk, Sofia Odell, Alisha Juby & Kyla Langan. 

(roll on roll off substitutes)

Wroxham welcome back defender, Albany Hodgson making her return after a long spell out with injury, on the bench today. Brooklyn Cheal-Ferris starting for Wroxham is dual signed with FAWNL side Cambridge United WFC. Chloe Shipman having played for Wroxham in the sides 2-2 draw back in December, starts for Dussindale & Hellesdon this afternoon. It’s Dussindale & Hellesdon to get the quarter final tie underway wearing an all claret kick with the hosts Wroxham lined up opposite wearing blue and white vertical striped shirts, blue shorts and socks. The ball rolled back into the defence played out to Holly Walker on the left, Wroxham closing in to immediately chase the ball down charged down for a throw in.

  Wroxham looking to press the ball inside their opponents half right from the off, pushed up, Cheal-Ferris from left back clipping a diagonal ball up towards the top of the D aiming for Hannah Fuller in attack, Jess Barnes getting to it first to head clear for the visitors. A lively opening Dussindale & Hellesdon not settled, Wroxham pushing up looking to disrupt push the midfield back onto the defence. Chelsea Clarke operating ahead of Cheal-Ferris on the left for Wroxham pulling wide to receive the ball. Rachel Bussey getting the block in to deflect the cross out for a throw.

  On the opposite flank, Ella Gambell is pressing on from right back to support Hayley Kindred on the wing, Kindred turning into the box running into traffic, the ball rebounding out to Gambell who lines up a strike from range the ball whistling low through to keeper, Tyla Cole. Dussindale & Hellesdon struggling to get the ball to stick up to pushed back the Wroxham defence winning any clearances. Kari Kowalcyzk getting onto the ball in the centre looking to travel before attempting to thread the ball through for Kyla Langan making a run for her centre, Wroxham’s captain, Tigi Robson turning with her sticking a boot out to cut out the pass.

  Jennifer Drummie winning the ball for Wroxham in the middle putting a diagonal ball into the right wing for Kindred to attack, her first touch a little heavy, gives Holly Walker the opportunity to clear for the visitors. Wroxham getting players forwards showing intent, Fuller seeing the ball down into her feet right side of the area lays it inside for Kindred who sees Cheal-Ferris free out on the left flank plays the pass, Bussey stretching for it taking the ball out of Cheal-Ferris’ reach. 

 Sofia Odell brings the ball on up the left for Dussindale & Hellesdon, Alisha Juby looking to provide support, as Clarke comes back to defend sends the ball out for a throw, Dussindale & Hellesdon not making it count Wroxham hit the on the break, the ball sent out to the right, Fuller bringing it under control combining with Gambell and Kindred down the wing, Kindred’s run blocked winning the set-piece. Swung into the box from wide, headed clear, Wroxham quick to get the ball back, Cossey into Kindred right side, drives on attempts the cross, Walker getting something on it, turning the ball out for a throw.

  Both Gambell and Cheal-Ferris able to come on double up on the flanks, keeping the momentum with Wroxham, as yet creating no clear cut opportunities. Fuller turning on the ball from a throw on the right sends a teasing ball in across the top of the D, Kindred looking to attack it, Barnes getting it clear in the nick of time. Dussindale & Hellesdon with little opportunity to get the ball into the final 3rd get hold of the ball high on the left, threaded though into the Wroxham box, Juby attacking it near post, Robson lunging in to send the ball out for a corner.

 Cheal-Ferris getting on up the left linking up with Clarke going beyond her on the overlap the cross swung into the Dussindale & Hellesdon box, Barnes up to head clear. Drummie central with Cossey on for Clarke in a central position play drawn away from the left, Cheal-Ferris running into space, Clarke picking her out down into the corner, held up on the by-line twists and turns getting room so send in a low ball to the near post, cut out by Tink, conceding the corner. Clarke sending the ball into the mix half cleared Poppy Loveland getting it back for Wroxham top of the area playing it back out to Clarke to fizz another ball into the congested near post area, the ball driven in wide of the post for a goal-kick.

  Robson bringing the ball on from half-way for Wroxham into the left channel looking to play Cheal-Ferris in down the wing is caught late, winning the free-kick. Clarke over the ball 25 plus yards out to the left of the area, curled in towards the near post, Drummie running onto the ball her shot blazed over. Chloe Shipman attempting to relieve the pressure on her defence clipping a ball upfield aiming for Juby, the Wroxham centre backs pushed up the the halfway line, it’s Loveland with the header to send the ball back the opposite direction. 

  Clarke getting hold of a misplaced pass 25 yards out for Wroxham left of the area fires it inside for Drummie making a central run lays it on for Fuller right of the D before continuing her run towards the area, Fuller attempts the return pass into her feet, Barnes winning it instead for Dussindale & Hellesdon. Rachel Jermy looking to get stuck into the ball get Dussindale & Hellesdon going forwards the visitors pushing on up the left the a hopeful ball played forwards behind the Wroxham defence has Langan racing forwards, as Bryony Williams starts to come to the top of her area, can’t quite reach it as Langan knocks it past her giving chase as Robson tries to recover the defender able to see the ball run wide of goal, another warning for Wroxham for all their play, Dussindale & Hellesdon have almost found a way through.

  Cole up the other end rushing out of her area to clear as Wroxham turn play around quickly launching the ball up top for Fuller to burst beyond the defence. Dussindale & Hellesdon winning a free-kick on halfway to the left, fancy it as they send players up from the back lining up across the top of the area. The ball flighted in towards the top of the are headed clear with the break on as Drummie comes away with the ball driving through the middle, lifted on for Fuller in attack, Cole rushing out of her area has to get there to clear, and does.

 Wroxham showing a strong determination to get the ball, winning most things fired forwards, Loveland with a couple of strong headed clearances, Clarke covering the ground finding some good positions, Cheal-Ferris and Kindred ready outlets on the flanks. Cossey seeing the ball on for Drummie sweeps a long ball out to Clarke breaking left into the corner her cross lifted into the six yard box claimed by Cole. The hosts with a throw on the right, Kindred taking it on powering into the box, a coming together, Kindred goes down the ball running through to the keeper, but no complaints.

  Dussindale & Hellesdon get the ball on left side knocked into the middle, Clarke attempting to hook the ball away with Bussey closing her down, gets penalised for a high boot the visitors winning the free-kick, 35 yards out central Dussindale & Hellesdon again bringing players forwards the ball fired into the area, Williams calling for it comes into the crowd making a confident catch. 

  Shipman on for Jermy presses though the middle, Loveland sliding in with the challenge slowing Dussindale & Hellesdon’s progress, the ball coming out to the right on for Langan plays the ball into the box for Juby left of goal, tackled by Robson the ball behind for a corner kick. A good delivery dropping into the mix near post, a Wroxham player going down in the melee, a free-kick awarded. 

  Loveland intercepting at the back for Wroxham sends a great ball out to Kindred on the right, Walker closing her down. Dussindale & Hellesdon having found it tough going to get some momentum in the final 3rd starting to find their passes, Jermy getting after the ball helping, Odell coming on right side, Cheal-Ferris slowing her up as Kowalcyzk gets up to support, Clarke back to defend too the crossing opportunity won’t come the ball out for a throw. 

  Fuller linking up with Kindred high on the right exchanging passes before Kindred looks to turn into the box, Jermy nipping in on her to take the ball off her foot send it behind for a corner kick. Curled into the mix at the near post knocked don into a six yard box a snap shot, blocked, deflected to the top of the area, Odell attempting to break for the visitors, the ball forwards won back by the hosts.

GOAL! Into the closing stages of the first half Wroxham looking for the break through have the ball central rolled out to Clarke on the left lays it back for Robson who clips a great ball down the line for Cheal-Ferris to attack, power her way down into the corner before firing a pacy cross into the box, coming on to the right post Kindred meets it inside the area catching it sweetly to drive the ball low under the diving keeper, inside the post 1-0.

  Wroxham with the lead in the 43rd minute. Dussindale & Hellesdon looking to get on the attack as the clock ticks down the ball through the middle, Kowalcyzk getting up field sending the ball in towards Langan inside the D, Loveland cutting it out for the hosts.

Half-time Wroxham Women 1-0 Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women

Wroxham heading into the changing room leading at the break. The break through coming late in the first half. Overall a deserved lead on the balance of play, Wroxham setting the tone early on came out of the traps fast looking to close the ball down squeeze play into the opposition half, getting on well down the flanks, has presented Dussindale & Hellesdon with a few problems, unable to get the ball forwards and make it stick, coming back the defence has put in a dogged shift limiting clear cut opportunities and if anything two of the best chances have fallen to the visitors with a couple of dangerous ball finding their way into the box exposing the hosts. Talking to both camps before the game expected nothing else. Just the one goal in it could still go either way and if all square after the 90 we go straight to penalties.

No changes for either side at the break. Wroxham to kick-off the 2nd period the ball played out to Cheal-Ferris left side, sends it long looking for Fuller up top, Barnes under the ball to clear for the visitors. Both sides battling for possession in the middle of the park, Gambell bringing the ball up the right for the hosts feeding it on for Kindred, charging forwards looks to go inside, Walker closing her down getting her foot on the ball.

Jermy taking the ball on through the middle for Dussindale & Hellesdon, Robson stepping out of defence to close her down, the ball quickly forwards swept out to Cheal-Ferris surging up the left wing into the corner angling a cross into the area, claimed by Cole in her six yard box. The visitors finding space on the left running in behind to swing a cross into the box over the Wroxham defence falls to Juby beyond the far post, can’t dig the ball out from under her feet to get a shot away before being closed down, manages instead to squeeze it back into Langan central top of the area, rushed into her shot the ball racing wide of the right post.

  Wroxham remain lively out on the flank, Clarke linking up with Cheal-Ferris breaking up the line forcing a throw off Bussey in the corner, leading to a corner kick. Clipped into the near post, cut out a launched clear by the Wroxham defence. Isn’t long before Wroxham have it back same result Clarke into Cheal-Ferris up the line to win the corner. Again into the near post, but this time it’s knocked on through the crowd to bounce up before Gambell in front of goal goes to strike it on the half volley, Cole having little time to react the ball coming in fast reacts brilliantly to produce a fantastic save batting the ball away to her left before being clear, Dussindale & Hellesdon looking to counter before play is stopped with Cole down in her area.

  A pause in play while Cole is see to. A lively opening 10 minutes to the 2nd half, Wroxham coming close to doubling their lead, but for Cole who after treatment is able to continue. Play resuming with a drop ball, Drummie passing to Gambell right side forwards into Kindred, powers her way up the wing tracking infield to fizz a cross into Fuller central, Tink cutting it out for the visitors. Loveland getting hold of the ball at the back for Wroxham bringing it on sending a through ball into Kindred breaking up the right to the by-line her cross swung into the six yard box taken cleanly by Cole. 

 

  Dussindale & Hellesdon making the first change of the game bringing on Maddie Goodenough to replace Bussey in defence, sees a change in formation with Odell pushed further up to make it a 4-3-3. Fuller going in to win the ball with Walker seeing the pair coming together, Walker coming off worse landing awkwardly on her ankle. Another break in play needs looking at. While Walker is being assessed Wroxham make their first change bringing of Cossey in the middle with Leilah Gooding coming on.

  Walker not happy with the challenge, is ok to continue play resumes, Kindred wit the ball into Alexander up the right off a throw in the corner looking for a corner, don’t get it. Tink forced into conceding a corner moments later however, from the right curled in across goal to the far post attacked knocked down towards the top of the area left of goal a strike blazed back in on the volley, blocked, Dussindale & Hellesdon with the ball threaten the break with players caught up field. Odell with the ball on her own left channel, Gambell does well to hold her up as Gooding comes round on the cover to clear the ball.

  Gambell down having taken a knock seeing another break in play. Kindred with the ball attacking right side for Wroxham plays the ball inside for Fuller, Barnes going with the striker getting her foot on the ball to clear for a throw. Another change for Dussindale & Hellesdon with Shanice Sutton joining the attack in place of Odell. 

  Fuller nicks the ball as a loose pass from the back 25 yards comes in her direction right of the D, opens the visitors defence up with a dangerous ball into the area, finding Clarke stealing inside unmarked to the left of goal, takes on the shot, driven in low towards goal, Cole diving on her line to pull off anther fantastic save blocking the ball, loose for a moment centrally, Kindred can’t  get free of the recovering defence to follow up. The hosts with a determined display looking for a 2nd goal.

  Jermy taking the ball on from Kowalcyzk in the middle lifting it high up towards the Wroxham defence an awkward one Loveland heading the ball up  into the air, Wroxham can’t get it clear, as Juby rushes in to try and take it in behind, Williams out to the top of her area seeing the threat out to kick the ball to safety. The game opening up a little Dussindale & Hellesdon looking to push on force the Wroxham defence back give their own defence a little respite.  

  Clarke coming off for Wroxham, with Rio Dobbie sent on. Attacking left side the ball played into the box, cut out Wroxham appealing strongly for a penalty, but nothing doing. Dussindale & Hellesdon frustrated with a few decisions going against them, Tink penalised for a shoulder barge presenting Wroxham with a free-kick outside the box left of the area 20 yards out. Kindred on the set-piece angles the ball in towards the far post, no one can get a touch as it runs wide for a goal kick.

  Fuller taking on an Alexander pass into the right channel surging into the box, Barnes on her shoulder, gets to the ball to play it back to the keeper, coming onto her quickly little reaction time slices it behind for a corner to the right. The delivery in central knocked down off a defender towards her own goal, Kindred sticking out a leg inside the six yard box, Cole with another point blank save to block well on her line, the ball cleared out to the left for another corner. 

  Tallulah Bell coming on for Dussindale & Hellesdon to join the attack replacing Juby. Into the last five minutes of regular play, the game stretched as Dussindale & Hellesdon fire a long ball up to Sutton outside box knocks it down well into the path of the advancing, Jermy, looks to fire it forwards for Langan pulling in behind the defence, Robson cutting it out. Cheal-Ferris up with Dobbie on the left for Wroxham players drawn over to the ball as the cross field ball comes straight to Gambell free 30 yards out from goal central look to get her head down drive forwards see’s her collide with Jermy as she goes to close her down, going down, Dussindale & Hellesdon incensed as the free-kick is awarded against them.

  GOAL! The free-kick in a good position 25 yards from goal roughly right of the D. It’s Drummie to take it, runs in hitting a superb strike angling in on goal over the keeper to see Wroxham at last double their lead 2-0.

  With all the stoppages however there is a good chunk of stoppage time to be played. Albany Hodgson making her return for Wroxham coming off the bench to replace Alexander as Wroxham look to see out the game goes into the middle. Dussindale & Hellesdon need to push players on, Kindred looking to exploit the space on the right driving to the by-line, Barnes going with her looking to run the ball out of play, Kindred attempting to play it off her try and win the corner can’t get it.

 Cheal-Ferris too on the opposite flank driving into the corner, getting Wroxham a corner. Drilled in to the near post area, scramble clear, Dussindale & Hellesdon can’t get the break going. Juby back on for Dussindale & Hellesdon as they look to make a push to get a late late goal force some last gasp pressure, Gambell doing well in defence to win the ball as the ball is lifted up top into Langan.

  Jermy driving on with the ball out to the right the cross swung in from deep the Wroxham defence tracking back into their own box, it’s Hodgson who gets her head on the ball to clear. Play stopped Kindred taking a knock down concern around her neck but time taken is slowly back to her feet. 5 minutes of stoppage time already played more to come, Dussindale & Hellesdon looking to mount a late charge, Fuller offside as Barnes steps up to clear on halfway launching the ball forwards.

 GOAL! Into the 9th minute of stoppage time Dussindale & Hellesdon pushed up Jermy through the middle squeezing a ball in behind the defence to the right of the area, Williams racing out to try and close down Bell, the attacker nicking the ball past her to roll on into the back of the empty net to set-up a nervous finish 2-1.

  2 minutes left the call from the referee, William hurt as she came together with Bell but alright to play on. Gooding sending the ball up to Fuller who runs the ball into the corner, playing for time Kindred up to support, the ball scrambled clear but brought back for Dussindale & Hellesdon free-kick. The ball into the middle helped on almost sees Sutton pulling into the left channel stealing in behind, but for a vital cut out from Loveland. Everyone up for Dussindale & Hellesdon bar Barnes as they look to force the game into a penalty shootout, Robson fouled by Bell the ball sent up to Fuller in attack running through the middle Barnes on her shoulder has to time her tackle well, and does.

Full time Wroxham Women 2-1 Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women

Wroxham winning the game 2-1 to advance to the last for of the county cup. A determined performance right from the off taking the game to their opponents pushing players on unsettling Dussindale & Hellesdon early on. Scoring late in the first half. Looked to press the advantage 2nd half double the lead early but goalkeeper Tyla Cole produced a number of top draw saves to deny them and keep her side in contention, the visitors changing things up looking to score themselves the game opening up, Wroxham having to wait till the 87th minute to get the 2nd goal. Dussindale & Hellesdon with a dogged defensive display, kept going finding a goal late in stoppage time to set up a tense end to the contest.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Time for this Sunday’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match award. This is certainly a hard one to call some strong performances out there today. Firstly for Dussindale & Hellesdon, goalkeeper Tyla Cole pulling off several quality stops to deny Wroxham in the 2nd half to keep the score line down and her side in the game right till the end. Defender Jess Barnes with some good challenges timing her tackles well limiting opportunities through the middle. Rachel Jermy covering the ground in the middle getting after the ball making some good runs. Wroxham with a determination in their performance up for the game from the off on the front foot. Poppy Loveland winning the ball well at the back, both with her head and on the floor. Chelsea Clarke playing further forwards lively finding space and linking up well with the attack. Allowed Brooklyn Cheal-Ferris to bomb on on the left flank, got forwards throughout never giving Dussindale & Hellesdon a break. Hayley Kindred likewise, driving on with the ball lively scoring the opening goal. Pressing the game higher up the pitch Wroxham won the ball well, Jennifer Drummie in the thick of the action getting hold of the ball setting up numerous attacks. A great free-kick to double the lead wins todays award.

  A cracking contest, Dussindale & Hellesdon getting stronger every time I see them never out of the game despite Wroxham piling on the pressure. My thanks to both teams for their help with the teams, I might be familiar with all the players but those numbers always help.

by Darren Gilham