Sunday 6th September

Women’s FA Cup

Heading to the east coast this Sunday along the A47 to catch of action from this season’s Women’s FA Cup, from the 1st Qualifying Round with Norfolk Women’s Division One champions, Lowestoft Town Ladies taking on Eastern Regional side, Needham Market Women. 

 The FA Cup capturing the occasion a special competition steeped in history, the clubs playing this weekend although highly unlikely to get there taking the first steps to Wembley Stadium. 101 ties across the country with the tier 6 and 7 sides playing in the early rounds of the cup. The prize money increased in recent season’s meaning a good run for a lower league side could result in a significant cash boost for the club, £1,800 on offer for the winning side today with the losers guaranteed £450.

  Lowestoft Town Ladies re-establishing their women’s side at the start of last season. The club with a long record supporting the women’s game through various sides over the decades with a certain amount of history too, including the Women’s FA Cup. Their new woman’s side formerly the Bungay Town Ladies 1st team making the move to the coast off of the back of double league success, hitting the ground running as Lowestoft going on to make it 3 title on the trot albeit under a different name.

 A strong squad full of experience some having previously represented Lowestoft, the club has ambitions to climb the pyramid once again, holding off from joining the ERWFL this season, wanting to make sure everything was in place to make the move successful on and off the pitch. Have made a few new additions to the squad for the new season, Taylor Cooke with experience at Ipswich and Ellie Hunter joining from Mulbarton, a box to box midfielder with a good engine will add steel to the middle of the park. Today their 1st competitive game of the season.

  Needham Market Women are already 4 games into their season with the ERWFL kicking-off back on August 16th. Moving into Division One North this season having finished 4th in Division One South last season following relegation from the Premier Division the season before. Has been a transitional period for the Suffolk club in that time having lost a good chunk of experienced players to rivals Sudbury which has seen them blood alot of youthful talent from their academy.

 Have a strong set-up with a Development side competing in the Suffolk Women’s Premiership. Have player 1 game in the Women’s FA Cup already beating fellow Suffolk side, Woodbridge Town Ladies 1-0 thanks to a goal from captain Mia Etheridge Golding to advance. Etheridge Golding leading the goal scoring charts early on with 2 to her name, with last season’s top scorer Annie Posnett also on 2 having bagged 19 last season.

  Crown Meadow, the home of Lowestoft Town FC the venue for today’s match. Has been a while since I was last here covering a women’s game. Opened way back in 1894, the clubhouse leading into the stadium itself the bar open today for the women’s FC A Cup match. The tea hut open too serving hot and cold drinks and snacks. A covered seated stand on one side of the ground with standing viewing around a large grass pitch that will see plenty of action over the season. In the heart of the community always a warm welcome whenever I attend. The weather still warm and mild into September, a little breeze but otherwise a sunny afternoon.

Lowestoft Town Ladies starting XI – Chloe Pearce, Marcie Prettyman, Charnelle Riggall (C), Mia Wilson, Francesca Heaney, Ellie Hunter, Beatriz Silva, Zoe Gibbons, Louise Nichols, Lauren Goulder & Beth Turner. Subs – Mia Rose, Brooke Osbourne, Imogen Smith, Erin Stocking & Sofia Serghiou.

 Needham Market Women starting XI – Danielle Clarke, Chelsea Brett, Sophia Gillingham, Libby Mann, Lily-Jo Hilton, Isabella Haste, Mia Etheridge Golding (C), Chloe Brame, Esme Marsh, Ella Edwards & Keira Topple. Subs – Amy Brunning, Darcey Bloss, Millie Lumden, Jae Lewis-Samuel, Anna Sullivan, Adele Stalnionis & Millie Bloom.

  Ellie Hunter making her debut for Lowestoft this afternoon in the starting line-up. Annie Posnett unavailable for Needham Market, referee Sarah Clark leading the two teams out onto the pitch. Should the scores be level after 90 minutes the tie going straight to penalties.

 A moment of silence held before kick-off in memory to two Lowestoft fans and volunteers, Fred Nixon and Phil Belton who passed away recently.

  It’s Lowestoft to get the game underway kicking off the first half wearing an all light blue kit, Needham Market lined up opposite wearing red shirts with black trim, black shorts and red socks with black piping. The ball rolled back to Ellie Hunter in midfield, Needham Market rushing on to squeeze the ball, Beatriz Silva looking to take it on out to the left, play brought back for a free-kick top of the circle awarded to the visitors a chance for Needham Market to put players forward test the Lowestoft back line.

 Libby Mann sending the ball in low cut out by Lowestoft’s Silva, look to counter the pass almost setting up Louise Nichols as she races on up the left flank. Needham Market always a side who like to keep the ball moving exchanging passes and looking to run in space create opening, Isabella Haste played in on the right driving forwards with the ball, Lowestoft captain, Charnelle Riggall rushing across to put the challenge in see the ball out for a throw.

  Play a little scrappy at the start as both sides rush in to get hold of the ball, Hunter into Zoe Gibbons for Lowestoft carrying the ball on through the middle threads it forwards for Beth Turner up top looking to force her way into the box, Chelsea Brett just getting to it ahead of her in defence for the visitors sending it back for goalkeeper Danielle Clarke to launch clear.

 Lowestoft conceding a little ground to their higher league opponents with Needham Market’s defence holding a high line captain Mia Etheridge Golding in midfield spraying a pass out to the right for Ella Edwards to attack taking the ball on squares her cross along the top of the opposition area, plenty back for Lowestoft, Hunter there to intercept see off the threat. Needham Market seeing plenty of the ball in front of a compact Lowestoft side with Turner operating as the lone attacker.

 Edwards for Needham Market out to the right laying in inside for Etheridge Golding pushed forwards, Lily-Jo Hilton providing the short passing option the cross flung into the six yard box, Lowestoft goalkeeper Chloe Pearce flexing an arm to knock the ball away from her goal her defence clearing. Lowestoft get the ball forwards into Nichols left fired up to Turner holding the ball up well in the corner that side played back into the advancing Gibbons she jinks inside 20 yards out looking too send a shot into the top corner, curled in collected safely by Clarke. 

  Edwards with the ball out on the right for Needham Market drawing the foul. Mann on the set-piece played in towards the near post, Keira Topple meeting it with the deft header looking to guide it goal wards instead placed wide of the upright. Needham Market continue to see plenty of the ball in front of Lowestoft but with their opponents deep finding a cutting pass is tricky some a little wayward. Etheridge Golding with the diagonal ball out to Edwards right side, again Riggall is out quickly to close her down.

 Turner strong looking to hold the ball up whenever it is played up to her drifting out to the left forcing Needham market into conceding a corner kick. An in-swinging delivery just lands the wrong side of the post in the side netting. Quarter of an hour played Chloe Brame linking up with Topple central for Needham market the ball payed out to Edwards right wing her cross into the box cleared by Lowestoft’s Francesca Heaney. 

Mia Wilson, volleying another Needham market cross behind to give away the corner. Put in near side cleared away before the goal kick is awarded. The visitors quick to regain possession as Silva can’t pick out Lauren Goulder as she looks to make the run up the right wing. Quick to feed the ball forwards for Topple looking to run in behind a vital interception from Wilson at the back for the hosts.

GOAL! Lowestoft defend on the right Marcie Prettyman getting the ball on quickly turned on through the middle into Goulder beating the offside trap on the right. Driving forwards with the ball the attacker cutting inside 20 yards out to unleash a low shot towards goal pace behind it past the diving keeper before she can get to it at her near post to put Lowestoft into the lead 1-0. 

 The hosts with the lead with the game closing in on the 20 minute mark. Needham Market caught out at the back the flag staying down. Pearce with a good take high inside her box as the cross from Edwards comes in from the right, Etheridge Golding making the central run. Topple across to the right combining with Edwards, Nichols back to help Riggall in defence the ball out for a throw. Needham Market a little rattled after conceding rushing their passes not finding their mark. 

 Turner causing problems up to looking to force her way forwards, Gibbons looking to get on from the middle to join her. Sophia Gillingham closing her down to get her foot in deny the opportunity inside the box. Goulder carrying the ball inside off the right finding Gibbons central, head down looking to take the ball on towards the box runs into traffic crowded off the ball. 

 Lowestoft feeling a little more confident now getting players forwards lifted up towards the top of the area, Brame getting her head on it to clear for Needham Market. Regaining possession Hunter getting the ball out to Goulder right side, Prettyman up with her looking to get into the box, no cross the pass back out of the area, Lowestoft continue to press, Gibbons squeezing a pass through the defence, Prettyman escaping clear to shoot, the flag up against her even as she slides the ball into the back of the net.

  Needham Market caught out again on the right as Goulder escapes the offside flag the cross dealt with by Mann comes back out to left Nichols up with Gibbons looks to take on the 25 yard strike slicing the ball off target into the box across goal, Turner latching onto it to send the ball into the back of the net but was offside in the build up an it won’t count. Lowestoft enjoying a good spell putting an unsettled Needham Market under a little pressure. The game scrappy at times Needham Market linking up well in the middle Brame into Etheridge Golding laying the pass out to Haste right side Edwards up with her Riggall putting in the tackle preventing the cross.

  Hilton finding Edwards with a good pass out to the right the ball squared back in central Hunter gathering it into her feet inside the D getting it clear for the hosts. Topple seeing the ball into her feet in attack for Needham market looking to lay it off for Brame looking to to past her central, Heaney getting her foot in to win it back for Lowestoft. Frustration for the visitors their passing play getting them no momentum, little space to exploit in behind, Edwards right playing it inside to Mann in space 30 yards out leading back into her shot sends her effort over the bar. 

 Marsh taking the ball left for Needham Market her evading Prettyman’s challenge her cross cut out by Wilson. Edwards coming central with a direct pass through the middle intended for Topple top of the area, past her, Pearce with a good starting position out to grab it before the attacker can react. Etheridge Golding pulls out to the right overlapping Edwards as getting the ball into her feet sends the cross into the area dealt with by Lowestoft’s Heaney. 

The 1st half drawing to a close, Lowestoft with a late free-kick as Prettyman is upended on the right. Fired in towards the D, Gibbons looking to get hold of it off her on beyond into the box, Nichols for a moment free in behind but the flag is quickly up to stop her getting the shot away. Lowestoft attacking late on Gibbons on for Nichols pushing well up the left flank cuts inside her cross driven into the box, the Needham Market defence holding well to catch Turner offside in front of goal.

Half-time Lowestoft Town Ladies 1-0 Needham Market Women

 Lowestoft heading back to the changing rooms with the slender lead at the break. Lauren Goulder’s 20th minute strike the difference between the sides, the hosts with the ball in the back of the net twice more but ruled off for offside. Frustration for Needham Market towards the end of the 1st half, have enjoyed more of the ball Lowestoft defending deep at times but have been wasteful with their passing not finding the mark with the final ball. Lowestoft patient working hard to keep thing’s tight against their higher league opponents finding joy on the flanks leading to Goulder being released in behind to score their goal. Plenty for Needham market to think about going into the 2nd half, Lowestoft will be expecting a response early in the 2nd half.

  Needham Market mang 3 changes at the break as they look to get themselves back into the tie with Haste, Marsh and Hilton coming off, Darcey Bloss, Adele Stalnionis and Anna Sullivan coming on. A change for Lowestoft too with Brooke Osbourne on the field replacing Silva. The visitors to get the 2nd half underway the ball fed out to Bloss as the substitute gets on the move up the right firing an early cross into the box, Heaney with the clearance for Lowestoft.

  Needham Market showing clear intent at the start of the 2nd half getting players forwards, Stalnionis bursting on up the left wing laying the pass inside to the advancing Edwards

Wilson lunging in with the tackle for the hosts. Pressure from the visitors in the final 3rd Topple fouled outside the D. Mann up from the back to take the free-kick wraps her foot around the ball, Pearce across her goal can see it safely out past the left post. Bloss taking the ball on up the right winning her side a corner kick.

 GOAL! Plenty up into the box for Needham Market as the corner is swung in on goal under the bar scrambled away past the far post hitting Etheridge Golding on it’s way down and sent back across goal over the line to level the scores 1-1.

 Needham market back on level terms within the first 5 minutes of the 2nd half, a blow to Lowestoft who have found themselves under the cosh early n the 2nd period. Wilson called on to defend in the box for Lowestoft as Topple looks to get onto the end of a Bloss cross fired in from the right, Prettyman in support launching the loose ball clear. Little opportunity to get the ball forwards for Lowestoft launched through the middle for Turner, Clarke comes rushing out of her area to try and clear, just colliding heavily with Turner in the process the striker staying down afterwards in need of treatment. Gets up slowly and heads over to the bench for further attention.

  Needham Market brighter pressing well Brame and with Etheridge Golding and Sullivan in the middle the ball played out to Stalnionis on the left into the box, Wilson in to close her down with Prettyman, Stalnionis looking to make a nuisance of herself as the ball in eventually scrambled away. Comes back quickly though Edwards getting up the right winning the visitors another corner. Is another good in swinging delivery in across the face of goal turned on at the far post blocked on the line, by Osbourne covering the post pops up off her safely for Pearce to claim.

 Edwards on for Bloss her cross off the right into to the advancing Sullivan inside the box, looks to met it on the volley, no control however the ball looping up and it safely caught by the keeper. A change for Lowestoft with Goulder giving way to be replaced by Mia Rose.

 GOAL! The game opening up with Lowestoft looking to get players on to press, Etheridge Golding exploiting it with a precise pass over the top into Topple central getting herself one on one with Heaney top of the area central good control to get the better of the defender turn inside her to wrap her foot around the ball and drive a low shot across the diving keeper into the bottom corner to send the visitors into the lead 1-2.

  Needham Market on top Sullivan getting hold of the ball pushing on through the middle, looking to send Stalnionis away up the left, Prettyman diving in with the tackle for Lowestoft. Topple getting players up with her causing a few issues for the hosts defence, Heaney and Riggall doubling up on her to get the ball back as the cross comes in from the left. Osbourne taking the ball on from Hunter finding Rose on the right looking to get on into the channel, Brett winning the ball back for Needham Market.

  Stalnionis clipping an attempt over the bar outside the box as Topple tees her up. Pearce down sharply to her left full stretch to save as Brame lets fly from all of 25 yards out as Needham market build well on their right the initial cross from Bloss just behind Sullivan cleared into the midfielders path.

  A corner awarded on the left. Is another vicious ball curled in under the bar, Pearce getting a glove up to it to flash it away to the right side a corner given. Flung into the box, cleared, play stopped though with Gibbons having pulled up with a knock. Is seen to and ok to continue.

 

 GOAL! Needham Market find themselves stretching their lead with a goal out of nothing a hopeful ball forwards from Bloss past the defence into the box looks a straight forwards claim for the keeper, Topple nevertheless looking to apply some pressure closing Pearce down forcing the error the ball not gathered Topple charging it down to see the ball rebound past both into the back of the net beyond to make it 1-3.

Needham Market opening up a 2 goal lead with the game moving into the final 20 minutes. In control 2nd half make another change with Jai Lewis-Samuel coming on replacing Edwards. Turner coming off too for Lowestoft with Erin Stocking entering the game. Stalnionis keeping Prettyman busy as she attacks on the right, the full back diving in to take the ball from the winger out from a throw as she looks to race past her to deliver the cross.

 

 Heaney winning the tackle as Topple looks to go left inside the box. Pressure maintained by the visitors, Stalnionis up on the left, Heaney out to tackle, Prettyman putting it behind for the corner. From the left the corner low into the near post cleared out to the left the cross back in smashing Prettyman in the face deflected behind for another corner. This one going long half cleared, Bloss striking it from range a low drive flashed wide of the far post.

 A game of 2 halves for sure, Lowestoft on the back foot through the 2nd half with limited opportunities to get forwards, Gillingham and Mann little troubled at the back. Gibbons looing to make things happen getting on the ball driving into the right channel before being challenged drawing the foul. Heaney tracking back cutting out the cross from Bloss as she looks to play Lewis-Samuel through on goal.

 Sullivan coming back into defence to tackle win the ball from Gibbons as she takes the ball on from Stocking on the right. Lowestoft bring players forward for the set-piece, the delivery into the six yard box cleared out to the top of the area, Wilson free latching onto it striking a low shot in on goal through legs, Clarke down well nevertheless to save getting behind the ball.

 Prettyman diving in with a strong tackle on Topple getting a talking too from the referee as Needham Market are awarded the free-kick 20 yards out to the eft side of the D. Mann to take looks to go for goal her effort striking the wall. sent back in from distance, Pearce behind it all the way. Gibbons coming off for Lowestoft, Imogen Smith coming on. Needham Market continue to throw players forwards as the game draws to a close, Stalnionis out on the right seeing her cross headed behind at the near post by Heaney for a corner kick. 

  Cleared, another shot from range blasted over the bar. Pressure from Lewis-Samuel as she rushes in to close the keeper down the ball striking her looping back over the keeper and thankfully over the bar too. Riggall closing Stalnionis down as she attempts to get on up the right. A miscued attempt  Topple left side turning into an inviting cross to Stalnionis right of goal inside the box her effort blocked turned behind for another corner kick. 

 GOAL! Needham Market have carried a threat from their dangerous in swinging corners all game players up into the six yard box the ball curled in from the right Ethridge Golding in the mix the ball dropping down into the six yard box in front of goal, Sullivan throwing herself at it to turn the ball over the line to score her 1st of the season and fire Needham market into a 1-4 lead.

 The 4th goal coming in the 87th minute Needham Market in full control haven’t given Lowestoft a look in 2nd half. Millie Bloom coming on for the visitors for a few minutes of action replacing Brett. Topple bursting into the box left of the Lowestoft goal sending a  cross in central to Lewis-Samuel her 1st touch giving Heaney a look in to stab the ball away to safety. Needham Market full of running late on the game into stoppage time winning another corner on the right, Lowestoft can’t get it forwards, tiring in the closing stages.

Full time Lowestoft Town Ladies 1-4 Needham Market Women

  Needham Market with a much improved 2nd half performance getting the job done over turning a 1-0 deficit at the break to equalise early in the 2nd half and go on to win the game 4-1 and advance into the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Women’s FA Cup. Very much a game of two halves this one. Needham Market although seeing plenty of the ball in the 1st half somewhat wayward with their final balls finding tough to open up a Lowestoft side defending deep looking to hit on the counter. That paid off for the hosts as they exposed Needham market at the back to break clear to open the scoring through Lauren Goulder in the 20th minute. Lowestoft growing in confidence as a result. Needham Market responding by making 3 changes at the start of the 2nd half getting on the front foot early on and never looked back, Bloss and Stalnionis getting on up the flanks, Etheridge Golding turning home a corner to quickly draw the sides level with striker Kiera Topple firing the visitors into a 3-1 with midfielder Anna Sullivan making it 4-1 late in the game. Lowestoft defending hard, couldn’t get any momentum going forwards becoming the frustrated party in the 2nd half.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Onto the Women’s Football East – Player of the Match, a few contenders here difficult to choose strong performers on both sides. Firstly for Lowestoft, Ellie Hunter was strong in the middle getting about the pitch to win the ball get Lowestoft going forwards. Zoe Gibbons looked to get hold of the ball make things happen. The defence busy Francesca Heaney and Mia Wilson with some vital tackles. A complete turn around in the 2nd half from Needham Market with all 3 of the half-time replacements, Darcey Bloss, Adele Stalnionis and Anna Sullivan making a huge impact to get the ball forwards with purpose. Kiera Topple finding room to receive the ball 2nd half getting on the scoresheet for two goals. The award going to captain Mia Etheridge Golding. Strong in middle throughout keeping the ball moving back to win it and ensure Lowestoft had little to fed on up top in the 2nd period scoring the equalising goal.

 Good to make the trip back to Crown Meadow at last having not had the opportunity last season. A new era for women’s football in Lowestoft a solid squad to build on will be favourites for the Division One title once again. Looking forwards to the draw for the next round of the Women’s FA Cup, Needham Market in the hat. My thanks to both clubs for their assistance with the team details today. Good to get my season started even if I can’t do a game next week.

by Darren Gilham