Still early days into the season and it’s clear there are going to be few easy games in the league. Actonians Ladies are no longer ‘Old’ as they were in previous seasons listed as Actonians now. Were promoted to the FAWPL South East Division One last season and after a promising start got bogged down in an extended cup run and suffered from several postponements. Games in hand at the end of the season got the points needed to pull them away from the relegation places. Have started promisingly this season too, in 5th place with 6 matches played a record which reads W,L,D,W,L,D so on that form are due a win…

  Travelling to North Greenford United to play Actonians today are Norwich City Ladies, Norfolk’s premier women’s football side arrive having played half the games their opponents have the lowest in the FAWPL South East Division One, 3 so far. started with a home win against Lowestoft Town Ladies, 2 defeats since losing to the 2 sides setting the early pace at the top of the league, Cambridge United WFC and AFC Wimbledon Ladies. Have one of the youngest squads in the division.

  Thought I’d brave the London traffic head down to Actonians Ladies home venue today, North Greenford United, pass The Hive on the way heading for Wembley and Harrow the ground situated at the end of residential area backing onto green fields. !st weekend of October the weather is still holding onto the late summer sun going into autumn a few black clouds around but these would come to nothing. Several postponements last season the pitch like many others in the region suffering due to the heavy rainfall over the winter, looks a picture now the pitch reseeded looked great plenty of grass cover a good size too. Slopes a little from one corner to the other. A small seated stand behind one goal, the clubhouse and bar on the way into the ground, nice layout.

 Actonians Ladies starting XI – Naomi Swift, Sinead Friel (C), Lafe Uche, Jodie Regan, Leah Taylor, Hannah Olofsson, Jessica Byrne, Sinthujah Sooriyakumar, Katrina Marshalleck, Melissa Jung & Carla Williams. 
 subs – Catherine Murphy, Anais Escalona, Rhena Eames & Paige Hornsell.

 Norwich City Ladies starting XI – Ellie Bird, Erin Wilson, Brooke Osborne, Bryony Radley, Ellen Fewkes-Woodrow, Paige Shorten (C), Jodie Drake, Kyla Love, Ellen Swift, Natasha Snelling & Chelsea Garrett.
 subs – Rebecca Russell

  Traffic was heavy on the way to the ground I arrived half an hour later than I’d expected to and the Norwich City Ladies minibus heading in the same direction as me wasn’t there yet, arriving late the visitors didn’t have as much warm up time as they’d have liked nevertheless were ready to kick-off come 2 O’clock… ish. It’s Actonians to get the game underway kicking off 1st half are wearing blue and white vertical striped shirts with blue shorts and socks, with Norwich lined up opposite wearing green shirts with yellow vertical piping, yellow shorts and green socks. The visitors win the ball early push into the Actonians half, captain Paige Shorten on the ball in midfield plays a speculative ball forwards to the right of the area looking to pick out Chelsea Garrett, Lafe Uche at left back for Actonians gets across her and wins the ball.

  Direct play from Actonians sees the ball headed on in midfield by Jessica Byrne up the pitch to Sinthujah Sooriyakumar coming in from the right wing to the top of the area gets her foot on the ball turns into the area, Ellen Fewkes-Woodrow in the Norwich defence gets close to her doing enough to put the attacker off the ball running on into goalkeeper Ellie Birds gloves. Brooke Osborne brings the ball forwards from the back for Norwich crossing the halfway line moving left sends it high up towards the area with Garrett breaking forwards to receive controls well as the ball drops in the six yard box the angle acute, gets the shot away early, Naomi Swift in goal for Actonians gets down smartly at her post to make the save.

Actonians Ladies, Melissa Jung

 An end to end game in the early minutes both sides looking to release their attacking players quickly, Carla Williams moves out to the the left side receiving the ball looks to take it down the line before cutting back inside making a run across the face of the area, reverses the ball sending it into the box with Sooriyakumar looking to spin in behind the Norwich defence, Osborne tracks her run and gets a foot in to take the ball away from her out for the corner kick.

 GOAL! Norwich take the lead inside the opening 10 minutes, have possession inside the Actonians half ex-Nettleham Ladies player Kyla Love travelling with the ball up the right flashes a cross into the area, Actonians Leah Taylor gets up highest to head it on out for a throw on the left. Play is drawn over to that side as Norwich retain possession from the throw the ball rolled into the feet of Natasha Snelling out on the touchline is a good way out takes on the shot regardless sending the ball up towards goal, on target the arc of the shot sees it fly over Swift and drop under the crossbar into the back of the net 0-1.

  Snelling with possession on the left side again prods the ball forwards into Garrett making the run ahead of her left side of the area, is prevented from turning inside to shoot by Jodie Regan the defender tackling to concede the corner. Put into the area from the left the ball drops invitingly at the near post, Bryony Radley up from the back gets her head to the ball sending a looping ball in towards goal, straight and Swift the keeper pushes the ball wide of goal out to the far post Actonians clearing the danger hit Norwich on the break.  

GOAL! The home side move the ball from one end to the other clearing it to the left Katrina Marshalleck on the move has the ball on into the middle the ball comes through to Williams racing forwards right side in front of the area controls well before she unleashes a shot from 25 yards out firing the ball across the keeper and into the bottom corner of the net to equalise 1-1.

Actonians Ladies, Carla Williams

  Attacking down the right side Actonians push bodies forwards Jung receiving the ball outside the box helps it on to Marshalleck to the left, bringing the ball down turns and hits the shot, comes at Bird quickly the keeper makes the save the ball spilt, she recovers and grabs it before Marshalleck and get another touch. Actonians have Norwich on the back foot the ball inside their half, Sooriyakumar into Williams on the right, the striker attempts to lob the ball over Bird from outside the area the ball landing on the roof of the net. Williams and Jung look to link up outside the Norwich box exchanging passes Fewkes-Woodrow getting in between the to win the ball before either and get in behind to shoot on goal.

  Garrett is the outlet for Norwich in attack plenty of pace she is sent clear on the left side outpacing her marker into the area plants her shot wide into the side netting. Snelling and Shorten combine to win back the ball on the left side, play drawn across there is room for Norwich right back Erin Wilson to bomb forwards, Shorten picks her out with a superb crossfield pass taking the ball on down the wing cuts the cross back in towards the D with Love coming forwards can’t quite take the shot in her stride, Actonians win the ball and are immediately on the counter attack.

 GOAL! Byrne carries the ball forwards for the home side before playing it long up into the area with Sooriyakumar coming in from the right, Bird comes to close her down sliding in, Sooriyakumar bringing the ball down shifts it to her right avoiding the keeper pushes forwards wide of goal sends the shot in Norwich defenders racing back in an attempt to stop it is a handball but doesn’t keep the shot out is turned into the back of the net Actonians lead 2-1.

   Ellen Swift with space to run into on the right for Norwich sends a good cross into the box along to top of the six yard box Swift sets herself to claim the ball isn’t fazed as Garrett racing in throws herself at the ball, doesn’t connect the keeper claims. Hannah Olofsson plays the ball on for Byrne in the centre as Actonians build another attack pushes the ball forwards into Jung ahead of her right of the D one touch to put the ball on into the area, Wilson across just gets her toe to the ball to knock it on for Bird to gather before the shot can be taken. 

  Wilson with the ball out from the back picks out Snelling high on the left nods the ball back to Shorten in the centre looks to release Garrett as the striker gets in behind the Actonians defence, Swift is out of her area quickly to deal with the threat knocking the ball clear. Every attack is met with a counter, Actonians have the ball on the left Uche onto Marshalleck plays it across the face of the area Jung lets it run on with Sooriyakumar racing in behind, shots early the ball off target bouncing across the six yard box, Marshalleck has continued her run is inside the box, Bird scrambling across makes the save at her feet.

Melissa Jung headers the ball on for Actonians Ladies

  Actonians are seeing more possession of the ball in their opponents half, Jung with a drive through the middle releases Marshalleck on the right now, into the area flashes a shot across the six yard box, Sooriyakumar left retrieves and fires the ball back into the danger-zone, Wilson gets it away for Norwich. Olofsson bringing the ball on attempts to thread it on for Jung to burst into the box, under challenge from Fewkes-Woodrow the defender does just enough to kill the pace on the ball prevent Jung carrying it in behind.

 GOAL! Actonians extend their lead with possession on the right have a throw the ball is passed back to Olofsson 30 yards from goal given time and space lines up a shot strikes it well a low drives that bounces once across the area before nestling in the far corner 3-1.

Hannah Olofsson with the strike to make it 3-1 to Actonians Ladies

  Getting the ball up the other end of the pitch Norwich win a corner on the right, Love to take it, her delivery towards the near post is cleared back to her, moving to the top of the area curls a ball back into the centre of the box, Regan rises to clear for Actonians then as the rebound is knocked in towards goal from the top of the area, the defender shields the ball back to her keeper. Swift with a run on the right fires a low cross into the Actonians six yard box is just behind Garrett, Byrne tracking back is behind her clears the ball out of the area runs straight towards Jodie Drake the Norwich midfielder going to strike the ball blazes it wide.

  Actonians have the ball on the right the cross whipped in Jung coming near post stoops to head the ball gets it on target, Bird dives to her right dropping on the ball to make the save. Williams picking up the ball in a central position lines up a shot from 25 yards out a deflection of Fewkes-Woodrow puts it wide for the corner. 

 GOAL! Their is some frantic defending at the top of the area as Norwich struggle to get the ball away finding some space it’s Jung who plays the ball out to the left for Marshalleck left of goal dribbles the ball into the area closing the keeper down tries to lift her shot over Bird as she slides in to make the save does so a stinging shot blasted into her, the deflection falls favourably for the attacker Marshalleck getting in behind the stranded keeper to send the ball into the empty net beyond 4-1. 

Katrina Marshalleck extends Actonians Ladies lead late in the 1st half

  All Actonians in the closing stages of the 1st half, Norwich hanging on concede a corner left the ball is whipped into the six yard box drops onto Williams head, sends the ball wide across the goal.

Half-time Actonians Ladies 4-1 Norwich City Ladies

  A good 1st half display from Actonians Ladies despite suffering an early set back conceding a goal have come back strongly to lead 4-1 their attackers causing the Norwich defence a few problems the game has been open end to end. The better chances falling Actonians way as they get players forwards with pace, Marshalleck and Sooriyakumar providing good outlets on the wings with Jung and Byrne in the centre bringing the ball forwards with purpose. A comfortable lead for the home side at the break the visitors have to improve if they want to find a way back into the match.

  Norwich having stayed out on the field at half-time get the 2nd half underway. Shorten with the ball at her feet brings it on before sending it forwards towards the area, Uche with the interception. The ball is played up towards the Norwich box the clearance falls to Byrne in the centre 25 yards out opens up her body to lift a shot in towards goal goes over the bar. Wilson with a good tackle on Sooriyakumar on the right as the attacker looks to get in behind the defence. 

Norwich City Ladies Jodie Drake

  Snelling is fouls wide left inside the Actonians half, a chance for Love to play the ball up into the area, amongst bodies Swift calls for the ball and makes the claim. Norwich have started the 2nd half brightly pressing the ball higher up the park getting more of it inside their opponents half, Love plays the ball over the top for Garrett running in behind, Swift is again out of the box quickly to get to the ball 1st kicks clear. Shorten has a go from distance 30 yards out turns the ball away from the target.  

 GOAL! The early pressure from Norwich pays off Drake gets the ball into Snelling over on the right holds it up well outside the box rolling it inside to Shorten getting forwards, Garrett makes a run in between the pair bursting into the area the ball played into her feet shoots and sends the ball under the keeper and into the back of the net 4-2

  Actonians make a double change Uche and Sooriyakumar coming off. Anais Escalona and Rhena Eames coming on. Eames goes to centre back with Regan moving into the left back position. Drake wins the ball in the middle then sends Garrett away on the left side, her pace carrying her into the box driving towards goal, Taylor gets on her the shot wanting to force her wide Garrett manages to shot with the outside of her right boot from 8 yards out sends the ball over the bar. 

  A completely different game of football from the 1st half, Norwich are pushing Actonians back, sharper to close down the ball and enjoying more of it inside the final 3rd. Snelling advances down the right, stops then squares the ball inside coming at Shorten quickly she attempts the volley throwing herself at the ball connects drags the attempt wide at the far post. The tempo of the match has been high all game, Marshalleck with the ball on the right advances into the Norwich half passes inside to Byrne pushing on through the centre sends the ball into the box her shot blocked spinning out to the right picked up by Williams fires a cross/shot back in the ball blocked spins behind for the corner. Comes into the middle of the six yard box from the right, Bird just about gets her fingertips to the ball managing to help it away from goal out to the left, a handball is spotted by the referee Norwich get the free-kick.

Jessica Byrne wins the header

  Marshalleck shows a good turn of pace on the right as Byrne plays her in down the right wing takes the ball into the box, shoots her drive towards goal saved by Birds feet as she goes to ground, the rebound coming back to Marshalleck wide of goal goes to send the ball back into the middle Radley blocks to put it behind for the corner. Floated in near post on the right, Bird gets up to grab the ball.

 GOAL! Friel fouls Love as the Norwich midfielder advances with the ball the free-kick given away 10 yards inside the Actonians half to the left side of the box. Shorten on the free-kick hits the ball long into the box, a bit of back spin on it as it drops over everyone lined up along the face of the area, Swift looks to have it covered coming straight at her, bouncing the ball skips up off the surface, wrong footing the keeper flies up over her looping down into the goal beyond 4-3.

  Love is put clear on the left as Osborne brings the ball forwards taking it down the line Friel gets back on her to put the block in stopping her cross taking it behind for the corner kick. Love to play in is knocked down near post dropping to Rapley inside the area sends the pass it to Love her 2nd attempt to put the ball in is charged down by Williams before being cleared. Norwich push players forwards Osborne coming on to support Garrett as she holds up a Snelling pass outside the area on the left, getting the ball sends it long into the area looking to pick out Shorten at the far post, tries the overhead kick doesn’t come off.
 

Kyla Love bringing the ball on for Norwich City Ladies

 Love and Snelling bring the ball on for the visitors the ball played into the run made by Garrett to get into the box on the right shoots a low drive aiming near post, Swift down quickly makes a great save pushing the ball wide for the corner kick. A good delivery from the corner drops into the middle of the six yard box a shot is sent in, Swift makes the save on her goal-line the loose ball is then flung over the bar.

 GOAL! At this point Norwich are all over Actonians they are giving the ball away, clearing their area the ball drops to Love left side some 40 yards out, time on the ball lines up a shot comes in at a fast pace could well be heading for the top corner, either way an Actonians defender in it’s path tries to get her head to the ball a glancing touch takes it away from one corner deflecting it across goal, Swift can’t adjust her feet in time flails at the ball but can’t keep it out Norwich come back from 4-1 down to make it 4-4.

 GOAL! Just as Norwich celebrate getting it back to 4-4 they are hit on the counter straight from the restart, Actonians pile forwards from catch the Norwich back line a little off guard, Williams receiving the ball central 25 yards out with the centre backs split, Bird has read the threat comes racing out off her line to the edge of her area, Williams bringing the ball into her body, turns quickly and lifts the ball over the advancing keeper, the ball dropping into the six yard box beyond and into the back of the net 5-4.

Carla Williams makes it 5-4 for Actonians Ladies

 Norwich make a substitution 16 year old Rebecca Russell coming on to make her debut for the club replacing Snelling. A free-kick to Norwich in the middle the ball lifted up into the area, Olofsson defends heading the ball out to the right is gathered by Garrett who takes it on down the line before squaring the cross in towards the near post, Osborne having now moved up top to join the attack is there near post sends her header up over the bar. Having gotten there noses back in front Actonians have livened up the game stretched in the latter stages. 

Brooke Osborne attacking for Norwich City Ladies

 Wilson is clipped inside the Actonians half giving Shorten another opportunity to lift the ball up into the area, it runs deeper this time and Swift gets everything behind it to claim the ball. Up the other end Bird’s clearance drops to Byrne in the middle of the Norwich half with the keeper off her line she attempts the lob getting it over her the ball runs wide of goal. Drake with the ball plays it on for Love attacking down the left size fires the ball inside looking for Osborne at the top of the area centrally under challenge from Eames one or the other connects with the ball the result seeing it run into the six yard box for Swift to gather. The referee brings an end to the match as Actonians defend a late Norwich corner.