Sunday 4th October

ERWFL Division One North

The football action this Sunday comes from ERWFL Division One North, a short trip to Thetford to the Lomax Spiral Systems Stadium to watch Thetford Town Ladies play Cambridge City Women.

ERWFL Division One North and it’s counterpart Division one South representing tier 6 of the women’s football pyramid in the East of England. Been leagues featuring 11 sides this season with the winners of both promoted to the Premier Division above.

Thetford Town Ladies entering their 4th season playing at regional level, not an easy league to get established in with 3 sides going down in recent seasons as the pyramid looks to grow above, the regional set-up a vital cog in that with county league teams making the step up to compete at a higher and more competitive level. The Norfolk side comfortable in mid-table since joining the league looking to kick on become one of the leading clubs in the county.

Can be a disjointed start to the league for the tier 6 sides entering the Women’s FA Cup in the early qualifying rounds, a good run though can do wonders for a grassroots clubs finances Thetford reaching the 2nd Qualifying Round this time losing away to Enfield Town Ladies. Have lost a few players with experience over the close season, have added new faces in the likes of goalkeeper, Laila Zina, Maddison Cummings, Molly Stevenson coming in from Mulbarton Wanderers Ladies and striker Ellie Nicholls who joins having moved up into the area having played for ERWFL Division one South side, Southend United Ladies where she scored 13 goals last season. Thetford have played 3 league games so far winning 1 and losing 2 to lay 7th in the current table. New signing Ellie Nicholls top scorer with 4 from 4, Erin Robinson also joining over the summer netting twice.

Cambridge City Women are beginning a new era under new manager, Kevin Francis formerly with fellow ERWFL Division one North side, Newmarket Town Women. The two clubs having one thing in common a strong ethic on developing youth and bringing them up through the age groups into the women’s teams. Their youth players having to learn fast as Cambridge City Women have had to rely on them heavily as they struggled with the loss of experienced players dropping out of the FAWNL and ERWFL Premier Division. Making the move at last to Cambridge City FC’s new home stadium in Sawston, is back looking to rise up the pyramid again.

Still have the strong emphasis on youth running 3 women’s sides this season having run two u16 sides last campaign, an U23s in Cambs Division One and a development side in Cambs Division Two. Francis bringing in some familiar faces with useful experience in the ERWFL from Newmarket, Abbi Griffin, Katie Walker and defender Holly Dryland all coming in along with defender Jess Morley most recently with ERWFL Premier Division side Royston Town Women. Currently 5th in the ERWFL Division One North table having played 4 winning 2, drawing 1 and 1 loss. Abbi Griffin leading the goal scoring charts early on with 4 from her 3 appearances. Jess Wood, Izzy Storrie, Jess Morley and Alice Elphick all have 2 each.

Thetford Town FC’s, Lomax Spiral Systems Stadium the venue for today’s league encounter the women’s side enjoying good relations and support from the main club. The grass pitch offering plenty of width with a slope from one corner of the ground to the other, seeing plenty of action. A main seated stand with the changing rooms beneath, the new clubhouse and bar beside, with standing viewing all round. Into October the temperatures still above average bright and sunny with no rain in the forecast.

Thetford Town Ladies starting XI – Laila Zina, Jess Marriott, Maddison Cummings, Fran Peeling (C), Hannah Rogers, Jess Queimado, Megan Chandler, Molly Stevenson, Liv Dunne, Ellie Nicholls & Gabrielle Cobb. Subs – Amber Browne & Emily Birt.

 Cambridge City Women starting XI – Emily Maving, Holly Dryland, Juliet Russell, Kaya Penaluna, Emily Trezise, Jessica Morley (C), Alice Elphick, Athene Ross, Zoe Demetriou, Jess Wood & Sophie Billing. Subs – Izzy Storrie, Abbi Griffin, Lexa Feary, Ella Redford & Tilly Almeida-King.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

Thetford have had variable numbers in terms of match day squad availability at the start of the season and today have the bare bones with Emily Birt the only player available on the bench with manager Amber Browne in as goalkeeper cover. Unavailability and injuries playing there part, key defender Sausha Levy-Twomey suspended following at late red card during last weekends FA Cup match, a few carrying knocks and having to play out of position. Cambridge City in comparison travelling with a squad of 16 naming 5 on the bench. It’s the hosts Thetford to get the 1st half underway wearing all all claret kit with sky blue trim on the shoulder of their shirts. Cambridge City wearing white coloured shirts with black shorts and socks.

Thetford see the ball back into their captain, Fran Peeling in the heart of defence, played to Maddison Cummings on the right side, Cambridge moving on quick to press, Juliet Russell from left full back with the blocking tackle taking the ball on delivering an early diagonal ball into the box goes long Thetford able to see it out safely for the goal kick. Cambridge lively from the off prepared to get p-layers on quickly press the ball inside the Thetford half, their captain Jess Morley in midfield over to the left linking up with Russell going past Jess Wood on the overlap driving down the wing, Peeling coming across to close her down lunging in to challenge the cross prevented the ball turned up off Russell behind for the goal kick.

A bright start from Cambridge, pushing up as Thetford look to hold back keep a solid line in defence and midfield, Alice Elphick onto the ball for the visitors taking it left played on to Wood looking to charge down the wing, Maddison Cummings getting back at her for Thetford to close her down see the ball out for the throw. Thetford under pressure at the back early look to relieve the pressure with a long clearance forwards, Gabrielle Cobb giving chase the offside flag raised bringing Thetford’s attempted counter attack to an end.

 

Cambridge build on their right Holly Dryland on for Zoe Demetriou inside for Athene Ross 30 yards out moving central plays the reverse pass into the box to release Sophie Billing in behind clear left of the Thetford goal, rushes her shot pulling in wide across the six yard box, Jess Marriott clearing it at the far post for the hosts. Peeling marshalling her defence busy early on looking to plug the gaps across to defend putting the ball out for a throw as Wood looks to gain ground on the left.

Cambridge pushing players on Thetford’s midfielders needing to back up the defence, Megan Chandler back to win the ball carrying it forwards into space sends a long diagonal ball in central as Cobb provides the run, Emily Trezise going with her at the back for Cambridge intercepting the pass. Thetford prepared to concede possession early on inviting Cambridge on, Dryland and Russell from full back overloading the flanks. Wood lively for Cambridge seeing the ball into her feet wriggling free of her markers tracking inside looking for Ross, her pass into Billing top of the D cut out by Thetford’s Hannah Rogers.

10 minutes played Cambridge with the lions share of the ball knocking in around looking to keep the passing crisp in front of the Thetford defence, Wood spinning on the ball sending it on for Russell charging past her down the left, clips a high cross into the near post, pulled down well and claimed by Thetford goalkeeper, Laila Zina. Thetford’s attacks limited, Liv Dunne taking the ball inside from left wing her cross into the top of the D cut out by Morley. Thetford spending most of their time in their own half looking to frustrate Cambridge in the final 3rd.

GOAL! The Cambridge forward offensives mounting, attacking right side Demetriou putting the ball on for Billing the striker drives down to the by-line before cutting back up into the right of the Thetford area getting her shot away before being challenged, firing a low effort with pace in at the keeper, Zina going to ground quickly looking to get her foot out to divert the ball only getting a glancing touch seeing the ball run past her into the back of the net to open the scoring for the visitors 0-1.

Cambridge into the lead inside the opening 15 minutes, Thetford look for an immediate response getting the ball on through the middle drawing the foul, awarded left of the centre circle, Rogers t take for the hosts flighted on towards the near post, Cambridge goalkeeper, Emily Maving moving across her line pulling it down into her body before a runner can attack it. Thetford regain possession in the middle the ball put into Cobb plays it to her right into fellow attacker, Ellie Nicholls back to goal 25 out lays it back into the path of the advancing Cobb left of the D leaning into the strike clips her 20 yarder up over the crossbar.

 GOAL! No sooner have Thetford had a chance at one end Cambridge turn play around and get straight on the attack the ball into the right inside for Billing takes in into the middle before squaring in forwards into the box into the path of the pacy Wood central drives out to the right holding off a challenge before cutting her shot back across the keeper to plant the ball into the corner of the goal to double the lead 0-2.

20 minutes in Cambridge lively getting players forwards pulling Thetford out of position to create pockets of space to run into. Thetford on the back foot Cummings on for Molly Stevenson on the right inside taken on by Nicholls right corner of the Cambridge area pulls the trigger, her shot in low to the near post Maving has the angle covered saving as she gets down low behind the ball.

Dryland supporting the Cambridge attack on the right on for Demetriou inside to Ross her ball lifted on towards the D, intercepted by Thetford’s Chandler. Billing tracking inside with the ball at her feet on the right moving central shooting from all of 25 yards out, the ball on target plenty of bodies in front of her Zina diving to her right getting her body behind it well to save.

Thetford get the ball long from the middle into Stevenson breaking into the Cambridge area on the right brings the ball down well wrong footing her marker plays it back across the area to the top of the D into Nicholls, pulls the trigger her shot charged down by Trezise in the Cambridge defence the rebound popping back to Cobb left of the D, shoots her effort low wide past the far post.

 Cambridge quick to get the ball moving up the other end Russell getting on up the left flank closing in on the by-line firing a cross into the six yard box, Chandler racing back to help her defence cutting the ball out clearing for Thetford. The ball soon back with Cambridge as they push up with nearly everyone inside the opposition half. Morley playing the ball out to Demetriou on the right racing up the wing her cross into the box intercepted by Thetford’s, Rogers. 

Wood proactive seeing the ball into her feet twisting and turning to get away from her markers, coming inside from the left tracking across the top of the area looking for an opening to shoot, drags the ball back to get it onto her left foot, pulling the trigger, Peeling on hand to block the strike the ball charged down. Peeling busy in the heart of defence dropping off at times as she anticipates a Cambridge attack, Elphick coming left combining with Wood for the visitors exchanging passes, Peeling coming round putting in the blocking tackle to see the ball away for a throw in.

 Cummings having her hands full with Wood as the Cambridge wide player drives with the ball to the by-line, stays with her lunging in to tackle prevent the cross the ball behind for a corner kick. A good ball curled into the six yard box, defended by Rogers for Thetford, back out to the left retrieved by Russell, sends another cross in long over the attackers rushing in at the far post.

 Queimado into Nicholls for Thetford allowed to travel from halfway strikes the ball from all of 25 yards out on target Maving behind it beating the ball down into the ground collecting it on the bounce. Russell linking up with Wood on the left evading Cummings challenge skipping inside to charge towards the area, Peeling having dropped back in defence across quickly to snuff out the threat. Closing in on the half hour mark Thetford under pressure need to get a foot hold ibn the final 3rd, Stevenson on the right looking to get forwards keep Russell occupied.

 Cambridge seeing plenty of the ball moving it quickly Thetford pushed back in defence, the hosts stealing it back look to hit their opponents on the counter, Chandler up to Cobb back to goal 25 yards out right of the . lays it into the path of the onrushing Nicholls moving into the box left side bearing down on goal Penaluna and Trezise both going in to close her down, getting the one then another block in quick succession the ball spinning behind for a corner kick. 

 A rare opportunity for Thetford to get players up into the area the corner fired in from the left side long defended by Morley for Cambridge, comes back out to Dunne on the left 30 yards out unleashes a strike her attempt over the crossbar. Cambridge making a double change Demetriou and Ross off, on come Abbi Griffin and Lexa Feary. Wood jinking free on the left surging up the wing whipping a ball into the Thetford box, Peeling tracking back there to intercept. Cobb looks to release Stevenson on the right, sends an early diagonal ball up into the area looking for Nicholls, too close to the keeper though, Maving catching it safely.

 Wood taking the ball inside from the left for Cambridge across the D prods it on for Billing, turning the shot in on goal, Zina getting down sharply to get her body behind the ball to make the save. Wood playing the ball on for Russell on the overlap on the left for Cambridge lifts her cross long past the penalty spot into Griffin at the far post looking to bring the ball down, her touch a little heavy giving Marriott the chance to shield the ball let it run back to her keeper. 

 Zina by far the busier of the two goalkeepers, Cambridge allowed to come on at will late in the 1st half Wood a constant threat coming in off the left travelling with the ball moving central into traffic, sends the ball on for Billing towards the right of the D, pulls the trigger her snap shot turned in on goal with pace, Zina throwing herself at full stretch down to her left pushing the ball away to the right then back up on her feet quickly as Griffin retrieving the ball right side fires a rising shot in on the angle getting her fingertips to it to turn the ball up over the bar for a corner kick.

 Peeling out again to block Russell’s cross turn the ball behind for the corner kick. Cambridge piling players into the box as the delivery comes in dropping into the mix inside the six yard box, the ball loose the Thetford defence putting in a double block before the ball rebounds to the top of the area, a long range strike racing back in through legs, Zina alert getting down behind it to collect. 

 GOAL! The game heading for stoppage time in the 1st half, Cambridge lively up top pulling Thetford’s defence out of shape with some dynamic runs, Billing fed the ball into her feet running left inside the box to the by-line drawing Peeling with her before cutting the ball back into the six yard box to find Wood drifting in unchecked to smash the ball home from close range for her 2nd and Cambridge’s 3rd of the contest 0-3.

 Cambridge with their tails up have Thetford on the ropes late in the half Chandler back in defence with Peeling putting in the block as Billing looks to bring down a looping cross from the right hand side. Feary moving left linking up with Wood down the wing taking the ball down to the by-line her cross collected by Zina pulling it down into her midriff.

Half-time Thetford Town Ladies 0-3 Cambridge City Women

  A 3rd goal late in the 1st half seeing Cambridge take full control of the game as they head back to the changing rooms for the half-time interval. Thetford for the majority of the game on the back foot inviting Cambridge on looking to keep it tight at the back limit the final balls. Cambridge allowed to have the ball able to get players on on the overlap create pressure, taking the lead inside the opening 15 minutes. Thetford’s chances limited at they counter attacked creating one only to get hit with 2nd Cambridge goal. A couple more half chances for the hosts you’re thinking if they can get to half-time with only conceding two they given themselves a chance to pull it back in the 2nd half, only the pressure told as Cambridge stretched them at the back to score their 3rd. An uphill task for the hosts now to get back into the game in the 2nd half.

 Cambridge making another double change at the start of the 2nd half with Ella Redford and Tilly Almeida-King coming on replacing Billing and Elphick in the attacking line up. Thetford unchanged as the visitors get the 2nd 45 underway Thetford pressing the ball forcing Cambridge to play it back to their keeper, bringing the ball out from the back Penaluna right side looking to travel with the ball fires a diagonal ball up into the Thetford area, defended by Peeling out for a corner to the right. Griffin to take curls her delivery into the side netting for a goal kick.

 GOAL! Thetford get caught out attempting to play the ball out from the back, Wood rushing in to nick the ball left of goal inside the area firing it it past the keeper to score her hat-trick a with it Cambridge’s 4th right at the start of the 2nd half 0-4.

 A hammer blow for Thetford already on the back foot conceding a 4th goal. Make a change right away with Cummings coming off for Emily Birt taking up a position on the right. Linking up with Stevenson straight away taking the ball on up the wing her early cross cut out by Russell. The game stretched with Morley playing the ball to Redford in the left channel, lifts it long into the box looking for Griffin inside it to the right, Zina out to close her down throwing herself down in front of her to knock the ball away to safety.

   Queimado getting hold of the ball centrally for Thetford out to Birt right side has Cobb ahead of her looking to make progress up the flank Cambridge getting numbers back around her to close down the ball. Russel and Dryland able to get on join the attack with Almeida-King linking up with Griffin on the right. 

 GOAL! Penaluna travelling into space with the ball for Cambridge to the right plays it on for Almeida-King up with Griffin on the right getting hold of it as she arrives in box from the top corner on the angle sends in a rising shot, Zina reacts late getting her fingertips to it, but not enough as it deflects over her under the bar into the far corner to see Almeida-King score her 1st goal of the season at Cambridge’s 5th 0-5.

 Cambridge rampant at the start of the 2nd half getting forwards at will, scoring twice looking for another Almeida-King getting up with Griffin on the right, Griffin with the ball inside the box shooting on the angle a low drive, Zina covering the post down sharply to make the save turn the ball behind for the corner kick. 

 GOAL! The corner played in from the right by Griffin dangerous bouncing in across the face of goal, on out to the far post met by Morley nodding it down back across goal into the back of the net to bring up Cambridge’s 6th 0-6.

 Barely 10 minutes played in the 2nd half and Cambridge have doubled their 1st half score line in full control of the game. Thetford reeling struggling to find a reply. Birt with the fresh les taking the ball on up the right winning Thetford a corner kick. Played in near side, Maving calls for it coming out past her near post to collect high. Griffin making a run through the middle for Cambridge looking to get in behind, Marriott coming back at her to defend for Thetford. The hosts have gone quiet, flat footed as Cambridge full of energy continue to make runs into the gaps.

 Wood taking the ball on centrally playing it out to Almeida-King on the right carrying the ball to the by-line plays her cross behind. Birt on the attack for Thetford right hand side lifting a diagonal ball up into the box Cobb closing in on the keeper, Maving unfazed jumping up to grab hold of the ball. Birt getting forwards winning Thetford another corner, flung in near side the keeper coming for it arms up doesn’t get hold of it, drops centrally in front of goal Queimado looking to get it under control, however a hand ball is spotted by the referee awarding Cambridge the free-kick. 

  The game stretched Cambridge hit Thetford on the counter attack, Griffin right side sending a cross into the box, Stevenson defending as Redford looks to get on the end of it. 

 

 GOAL! A flash of hope for Thetford as they win a throw high on the right, Nicholls in possession closed down the ball popping loose into Chandler sends it back up the line into Birt’s feet level with the top of the area drives inside before pulling the trigger shooting across the keeper before Maving can get down to it the ball running on to strike the inside of the far post and in for the goal, Birt’s 1st of the season 1-6.

A pause in play after the goal, Peeling down having treatment for Thetford, as Cambridge make another switch Russell coming off, Ross back into the action. Another blow for the hosts as Peeling can’t continue, Cobb with the armband now dropping back into defence with Cummings back on with 25 minutes still to play. Play resuming Cambridge getting on the attack right side winning a corner kick. Fired into the near side, Dryland with the run pulling free of her marker to twist back in meet the ball on the volley firing her strike up over the crossbar.

GOAL! Cambridge in possession Almeida-King with the ball at her feet not closed down space opening up before her 30 yards from goal central takes on the strike, catching the ball sweetly launching it in on goal looping up and down to fly over the keeper and under the bar to score her 2nd of the match 1-7.

Thetford at sixes and sevens at the back reeling as Cambridge regain possession in the middle look to turn play around at every opportunity give no respite, a long pass fired up into the area, Zina poised to collect into her body even as Redford looks to close her down, the pair colliding, Zina doing well to keep hold of the ball prevent it spilling loose. 

 Cambridge full of energy keep the ball moving Ross putting it on for Almeida-King right side up the wing whips a threatening ball in across the face of the Thetford goal bouncing on to the far post Redford rushing in can’t quite get there to turn it home. Birt back in defence helping out Stevenson as Redford looks to plough her way into the area getting across her to see the ball back to her keeper. Dryland making way for Cambridge, no let up for Thetford as they take off a defender for an attacker with Billing coming back on.

  Nicholls looking to get over to the right for Thetford link up with Birt, winning her side a corner kick. Can’t make it count as Cambridge find Almeida-King high on the right lays the pass back to Griffin 25 yards out striking it on the angle, the ball swerving through the drifting wide past the top corner. Billing fed onto the ball inside the area left of the Thetford goal stabs a shot wide past the near post. The game petering out Thetford tiring, Cambridge still with energy to burn carrying the ball forwards. 

 GOAL! Ross racing away with the ball in the right channel powering her way into the box closing down the angle at the near post before pulling the trigger her shot with pace behind it striking the keeper as she gets down to block it is unfortunate as it skips up off her body to deflect into the net beyond as Ross celebrates scoring Cambridge’s 8th goal 1-8.

Dunne lining up a strike from range for Thetford blocked by Cambridge’s Almeida-King. Dunne forwards into Birt on the right Trezise defending for Cambridge the visitors straight on the attack the ball up for Feary looking to run clear through the middle, Cobb in to close her down the ball behind for the corner kick. Another vicious delivery in across the face of the Thetford goal, no one with a telling touch as the clock runs down.

 GOAL! Billing breaking clear played into the ball out on the left wide of the near post shooting low across the keeper to score her 2nd of the game wheels away in celebration 1-9.

 Demetriou back on for Cambridge. Marriott clearing the ball behind for a corner in stoppage time as Almeida-King makes the riving run on the ball through the middle. Flung into the near post from the left Redford looking to attack it, Cobb winning it for Thetford clearing the threat. Thetford mount a late attack with Chandler finding Stevenson taking the ball on up the right flank squaring a cross into the box Birt there closing down the keeper, squeezing her touch past Maving as they come together but frustratingly the spinning ball rolls just wide of the near post. 

 GOAL! Into the dying seconds of the game Redford breaking away with the ball on the right sending a deep cross into the box falling to Demetriou under challenge gets enough on the ball to lift it in on goal up and over the keeper to score at the death 1-10. The final whistle blowing up straight after to bring the game to an end.

Full time Thetford Town Ladies 1-10 Cambridge City Women

 Cambridge rampant in the 2nd half quickly adding 3 more goals to their 1st half tally to knock the stuffing out of their opponents. Relentless coming forwards Thetford struggling to stem the tide couldn’t get a foot hold going forwards themselves growing tired and losing their shape a game to write-off reset and go again. Cambridge climbing up to 3rd in the ERWFL Division One North table with a double figure score.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto this Sunday’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. A few contenders in the finish. A few performances to mention, a tough day at the office for sure for Thetford who will want to forget this and move on. Captain, Fran Peeling did all she could at the back to marshal the defence dropping off well, reading the Cambridge attacks to get across to win the ball. Emily Birt coming on 2nd half looking to get the hosts moving in attack getting on the score sheet. Cambridge allowed the lions share of the ball kept up the attack throughout overloading the flanks at times. Juliet Russell providing good support on the left getting her tackles in at the back. Tilly Almeida-King with some great runs in the 2nd half took her goals well. Sophie Billing with a brace too, with some good positional runs up top pulling defenders out of position. The award going to hat-trick scorer, Jess Wood was a handful throughout setting the early tone for the visitors, lively taking on players getting down the wing and turning in field to link up with her fellow attackers, scoring the 2nd, 3rd and 4th gaols taking the game away from Thetford.

  Great to catch up with both sides even if Thetford won’t want to see this report a tough day with numbers light. Good to see Cambridge City looking on the up have had few tough days themselves in recent seasons. My thanks to both for their help with the team details today.

by Darren Gilham