The Round-Up
Norfolk – Sunday 8th January
Norfolk Women’s Division One
A full fixture list in Norfolk Women’s Division One to start the year with all 8 sides in action on Sunday. Table toppers Thorpe United Ladies had ended 2016 with a 100% record in the league winning 8 from 8. Started the year with an away trip to play 2nd placed North Walsham Angels Ladies who have had a good 1st half of the season since earning promotion in the summer. Looking to close a 6 point gap on the leaders, Thorpe United were having none of it, North Walsham scoring twice were beaten 5-2 to see Thorpe United extend their lead at the top of the table.
Kings Lynn Town Ladies have had a great 1st half of the season too in Norfolk Women’s Division One after losing their opening game of the season didn’t drop another league point in 2016, 6 straight wins putting them up to 3rd level on points with North Walsham Angels Ladies. Were at home to Brandon Town Ladies at the start of the year, the visitors taking the lead in the 1st half before Kings Lynn pulled it back to 1-1 at the break. Brandon Town getting the lead in the 2nd half only for Kings Lynn to draw level again captain Shelley Woods with both the goals for Kings Lynn the points shared 2-2 the final score enough to see Kings Lynn move into 2nd place in the table.
A difficult start to life in Norfolk Women’s Division One for Kirkley & Pakefield FC Ladies promoted as Division Two Champions last season have struggled for players since, hampered by injuries too, are looking for additional players to bolster their squad. 6 games without a point to end 2016 bottom of the table started with a home match in 2017 against Aylsham FC Ladies. The visitors leaving with all 3 points edging the result 3-2 to climb a place into 4th in the league table.
A big win away from home for Bungay Town Ladies to start 2017 as they travelled to Clipbush Park to play Fakenham Town Ladies, wracking up a double figure score line winning the game 11-0. Strikers, Lacey Andrews and Hannah Waters both scoring 4 goals each with Lauren Matthews netting a brace along with a goal for Lauren Purling.
Norfolk Women’s Division Two
2016 was a bad year for writing about clubs folding and unfortunately 2017 sees no change 2 more gone over the festive period. The 1st one is in Norfolk, Harleston Town Ladies gone from Division Two after achieving promotion just last season. Have been struggling for a while for numbers and have been conscious of this coming for a while to be honest. A shame but not all doom and gloom the club is to continue in the 7 a-side format of the game for now and hopefully they will return in the future.
That sees the Division Two table adjusted, leaders Gorleston FC Ladies losing 3 points are still a massive 15 point lead however with a 100% winning start to the season 8 from 8 now. There was just the one game played in Division Two on Sunday with 2nd placed Long Stratton Ladies match at home to Briston Wanderers Ladies postponed it gave an opportunity for 3rd placed Sprowston Ladies to climb above them if they got the 3 points at home to Bohemians Ladies. The sides contesting a goalless 1st half a single goal in the 2nd half was enough to secure all 3 points with the 1-0 win going to Sprowston Ladies.
Norfolk Women’s Division Three
The top 2 in Norfolk Women’s Division Three were due to meet this Sunday, with leaders East Coast Ladies due t travel to Dereham to play, 2nd placed Tavern Ladies both sides level on 15 points the game was postponed however giving a chance for 3rd placed Wymondham Town Ladies Reserves on 13 points going into the New Year to go top with 3 points if they beat Freethorpe Ladies away from home. Goals from Sally Hammerton, Emily Anderson and Natalie Wood seeing Wymondham Town win the game 3-0 to take over top spot in Division Three.
In the other game played in Division Three on Sunday it was a good start to the New Year for Toftwood United Ladies as they scored 7 goals without reply at home to bottom side Cromer Town Ladies.