Tuesday 27th May
Suffolk Women’s County Cup Final
sponsored by MH Goals Ltd
Back to Suffolk this Tuesday evening to watch my final match of the season, at Portman Road, home of Ipswich Town FC, once again hosting the Suffolk Women’s County Cup Final, sponsored by MH Goals Ltd, AFC Sudbury Women the holders and overwhelming favourites, playing Bungay Town Ladies who have done the double this season.
The Suffolk Women’s County Cup long dominated by Ipswich Town Women now promoted to FA WSL 2 (formerly the Championship). No longer competing in the county cup, since then AFC Sudbury Women and Needham Market Women have emerged as the leading sides in the county Sudbury winning 2 of the last 3 finals. Winning the trophy at Portman Road last time out. Bungay Town Ladies finalists against Needham Market Women at Colchester a couple of seasons ago, stronger now having won back to back league titles in Norfolk Women’s Division One. making it a double last weekend winning the League Cup.
AFC Sudbury Women come into the final as overwhelming favourites due to their league status and growth in recent season’s, finishing 7th in FAWNL South East Division One in their 2nd season in the 4th tier of the women’s football pyramid. A rapid rise with back to back promotions to reach the FAWNL. I thought they might struggle in their 2nd season, however the club recruited well, mostly from rivals Needham Market to add experience to a young talented group. Goalkeeper, Nino Meollo a Filipino international, joining the club from Ipswich on loan for the season. Picking up some good results learning from their first season to have a trouble free mid-table finish.
New challenges await the 4th tier only getting stronger year on year some big clubs in their and the FA demanding more from their member clubs. Sudbury will face these challenges financing a huge issue Sudbury finding it a struggle to get a front of shirt sponsor despite showing themselves to be a competitive force within the FAWNL. Have had their share of injury problems too with captain, Ronni Harrison only recently returning after a long injury lay off. One back one lost however with Amber Cantwell having made a huge impact since joining from Needham Market in the summer suffering a very serious knee injury. Jess Allen the top scorer with 13 goals recorded to her name from 15 appearances while, Jasmine Drake, Lina Nagib, Eva Frazzoni and Alex Penny all have 5 each.
Bungay Town Ladies come into this evenings final on a potential treble, know however that 3rd trophy will be a tough one to win, definitely the underdogs, still can hopefully relax and give it their all and enjoy the occasion getting the opportunity to play at a Premier League stadium. Building on last season’s Norfolk Women’s Division title, successfully defending it this time around winning it with games to spare, out in front for much of the season. Going one better in the League Cup final having missed out last season came back from a goal down to beat Aylsham FC Women 2-1 to lift the trophy and complete the double.
Step 7 versus step 4 is a huge gap, Bungay have assembled an experienced squad with proven goal scorers, adding to that a crop of young talented players losing just one league game all season. New signings, Hazel Saddington and Beth Turner have 35 goals between them, 17 and 18 respectfully. Mia Rose scoring the winning goal in the League Cup final, has 13 to her name. Zoe Gibbons has 11 goals from her 9 appearances while Abi Bell also scoring in the League Cup final is also into double figures.
Road to the Final
No seeding in the Suffolk Women’s County Cup so the higher placed sides enter in the 1st Round. Sudbury however handed a bye in the 1st round. Bungay on home soil taking on Bacton United 89 Ladies from the Suffolk Women’s Championship. Bungay rampant firing in the goals, Beth Turner netting 6 with Zoe Gibbons striking 5 times, Hazel Saddington bagging a brace with goals too for Lola Barbour-King, Porsha Renwick and Abi Bell in a 16 nil win.
Into the 2nd Round Sudbury at home taking on Suffolk Championship side, Leiston St Margarets. Getting the defence of the cup off to a dominant start racking up a double figure score line, Lina Nagib and Amber Cantwell both scoring hat-tricks. With Ella Edwards and Emily Newcombe both getting 2 each, Sophie Jeffery, Yasmine drake and Jess Allen also scoring in a 13-0 result. Bungay handed a tough tie in the 2nd round away to Suffolk Premiership champions, Brantham Athletic Ladies the champions of Norfolk and Suffolk drawing 1-1 at 90 minutes to send the tie into a penalty shoot-out Bungay edging it 4-3 to advance to the last 8. Selina Rowland with their goal.
Into the quarter finals, another strong performance in front of goal from Sudbury as they travelled to play Norfolk Division Two side, Waveney FC Ladies, Megan Edwards firing in a hat-trick. Daisy Canny on hand to score two goals, with Ellie Rossiter, Alex Penny Ella Edwards and Lina Nagib also amongst the goals in a 12-0 win. Bungay also away in the last eight taking on Suffolk Premiership side, Woodbridge Town Ladies. The hosts scoring twice, however Bungay advanced through to the semi-finals scoring 4 in reply with Brooke Osborne, Mia Rose, Turner and Rowland all on the scoresheet.
The semi-finals of the Suffolk Women’s County Cup held on neutral ground with Sudbury taking on their rivals Needham Market Women in the last 4 at Hadleigh United FC. Eva Frazzoni on target to strike home 2 goals for Sudbury with Leonnie Bezant also grabbing a goal in a 3-0 victory to see the club return to Portman Road. Bungay travelling to Stowmarket Town FC to play Sudbury Sports Women competing in Essex Women’s Division Two. Bungay getting into a 2 goal lead at the break going on to win the game 4-1 after a long injury break in the 2nd half. Gibbons on target for two goals with Saddington and Rose also scoring to send the club to Portman Road.
Last years Suffolk Women’s County Cup final having to be suspended for over an hour due to a huge amount of rainfall from a passing storm. A Premiership quality pitch however the Portman Road playing surface handing the game to continue. This evening no exception with another day of heavy rainfall affecting the area the pitch looking superb. The fans in the upper tier of the Cobbold Stand opposite the dugouts. Situated in the lower tier for media duties on this one rain still about little cover but enough for me to keep the camera and notepad relatively dry.
AFC Sudbury Women starting XI – Millie Carter, Sophie Jeffery, Ellie Rossiter, Aliyat Lambe, Leonne Bezant, Maisie Goodwin, Megan Edwards, Phoebe Guiver (C), Alex Penny, Lina Nagib & Jess Allen. Subs – Maddison Carpenter, Lily-Jo Hinton, Kate Edwards, Emily Newcombe & Jade Barrett.
Bungay Town Ladies starting XI – Chloe Pearce, Grace Storey, Charnelle Riggall (C), Ruby Roos, Fran Heaney, Selina Rowland, Ab Bell, Lauren Purling, Hazel Saddington, Beth Turner & Mia Rose. Subs – Maddie Flatman, Lila Eden, Sofia Serghiou, Brooke Osborne & Molly Webb.
(roll on roll off substitutes)
Should the scores be level after 90 minutes the final going straight to penalties.
Ipswich Town Women’s legend, Natasha Thomas the guest of honour meeting the players from both sides a few who have played in the same side her. Playing in the newly renamed FA WSL2 next season. Phoebe Guiver playing her last game for Sudbury, captaining the side this evening. Using as many of the players that have played in the county cup this season as they can, Millie Carter in goal back with the club after a season out on loan at Royston Town Women. Bungay captained by Charnelle Riggall, missing a few key players tonight, notably attacking midfielder, Zoe Gibbons with attacker, Lucy Eagle cup tied, young talent Marseilles Will also unavailable.
Bungay wearing their all red away kit to kick-off the first half, Sudbury lined up opposite wearing yellow coloured shirts and socks with blue shorts. The ball clipped into the left channel with forwards Mia Rose on the move, the ball quickly closed down, Sudbury snapping in to get hold of it swept out the the left, Abi Bell coming to close the ball down for Bungay send it out of play for a throw. Two attempts to cross the ball into the area cut out by Bungay centre back Ruby Roos. Sudbury busy in the opening minute the ball worked back to Aliyat Lambe at the back pushed up on half way the ball inside for Ellie Rossiter to fire long into the right wing for Alex Penny, Riggall at left back closing her down to force the ball out for a throw.
GOAL! Sudbury looking to press players on up an around the Bungay area early on Guiver putting the ball into Jess Allen’s path on the right, drives inside into the box before striking the ball hard looping up and over goalkeeper, Chloe Pearce, to cannon against the crossbar rebounding back into play inside the box, Sudbury pushed up, Maisie Goodwin left of the D getting hold of it to strike the ball low at hard into the left side of the net to put Sudbury into an early lead. 1-0.
A blow for Bungay conceding inside the opening 3 minutes, Selina Rowland winning the ball in front of her defence trying to get Mia Rose on the move left side, Rossiter on half way defending winning the ball getting play turned around rapidly, fired forwards into Lina Nagib 25 yards out right of goal, can’t quite get the ball under control before being closed down. The full backs pushed on for Sudbury keeping Bungay pinned inside their own half, Megan Edwards taking the ball into her feet from a throw on the right turned across the top of the area pushing in on into the D, Goodwin latching onto it her low drive saved by Pearce back on her line.
Sophie Jeffery bringing the ball driving into the channel forwards into Allen up top right cuts inside, challenged by Bungay’s Fran Heaney. Edwards pushing on with the ball at her feet right side for Sudbury cuts in inside for Allen positioned right of the D, her shot whipped in on target claimed by Pearce going to ground. Sudbury winning the ball back quickly in the final 3rd stopping Bungay from getting out keeping the pressure on rolled on for Penny left side her cross cut out by Grace Storey for Bungay, Bell attempting to get it up field into striker Beth Turner on halfway, Aliyat and Rossiter quick to close her down get possession back with Sudbury.
Wave after wave of Sudbury attack, moving the ball about the pitch, Guiver to Leonne Bezant out to the left, the ball driven to the by-line the cross into the six yard box charged down by Roos. Allen running in on goal central getting her head onto the end of a cross placing her attempt straight at the keeper. Goodwin sending a pass into Edwards attacking right wing fed down the line for Allen, Riggall getting back at her to put the tackle in send the ball behind for a corner kick. The corner swept in long through the six yard box dropping to Aliyat at the far post, Bungay surrounding her quickly to close her down before she get release a shot on goal.
Rossiter defending on half way reading the ball moving it on win it before Bungay can get hold of it in attack denying Hazel Saddington as she looks to try and get Bungay on the move on the left, her pass forwards into Allen surging into the right wing, Riggall getting a toe on the ball to divert it away for a throw. The rain falling steadily making the pitch slick. Sudbury snapping in to win the ball getting it across the 18 yards box players fluid in their positioning.
The ball coming into Allen inside the box from the left, the attacker right of goa looking to turn and shoot closed down by Heaney the ball behind for a corner kick. Sent into the near post from the right, cleared, Sudbury quick to get it back the ball crossed into the middle a snap shot turned wide of the right post. Saddington taking the ball into her feet coming left as Rowland wins it back for Bungay looks to get on the move has Rose coming over to offer support, Rossiter tackling to halt the advance.
Goodwin lining up a strike for Sudbury left side outside the box 20 yards driven in low wide of the right post. Riggall challenging Jeffery for the ball in the right corner as she takes it on from an Allen layoff.
GOAL! The pressure tells as Sudbury double their lead on 16 minutes, Nagib into Goodwin left outside the box players running on into the area looking for the ball, Goodwin threads it through into the path of Guiver central bearing down on goal digs the ball out of her feet to strike it wide to double the advantage 2-0.
Bungay under pressure working hard at the back to try and slow Sudbury down, Saddington tracking back to put the tackle in on Penny as she takes the ball on down the right wing. Goodwin getting about the midfield to win the ball for Sudbury sending it into Jeffery in the right channel, inside Edwards, Heaney getting in the tackle for Bungay. Bezant linking up with Goodwin in the middle the ball fed into Allen inside the area right of goal, shoots in low with pace Pearce saves pushing the ball behind to the right for a corner kick.
Curled into the box, Rowland heading it clear for Bungay, Saddington looking to get hold of it bring the ball away left for Bungay, Jeffery putting the challenge in for Sudbury. Jeffery out on the right given the ball as Sudbury regain possession in the final 3rd down the line whips a cross in along the face of goal, attacked by Nagib at the far post, close in snatched up into her gloves by goalkeeper, Pearce.
Heaney winning the ball inside the box for Bungay looks to bring it into midfield is quickly closed down by Goodwin. Sudbury keeping the ball moving it around crisply left to right a cross lifted into the six yard box claimed confidently by Pearce. Sudbury building on the right Edwards out to Jeffery wide bursting down the wing, as Jeffery feeds it into Allen corner of the area, she turns it on for Edwards taking it to the by-line, Riggall rushing back to get her tackle in see the ball behind for a corner.
Another delivery fired in long to the far post down into the mix scrambled away to the top of the area, Goodwin with Guiver looking to find a way through on goal, Bell getting it clear for Bungay. Bezant sending a diagonal ball through to Jeffery attacking right side, her cross from 25 yards out charged down by Riggall. Saddington fighting to get on the ball take it on left for Bungay lifts it on through the middle for Rose surging in behind the centre backs, Carter with little to do in the Sudbury goal alert as she comes out quickly to the top of her area to claim the ball before Rose can pounce.
The keeper playing a great ball forwards, Allen pulling off the Bungay defence with a great touch to knock the ball down into her feet, moving right hits a rising shot in at goal, but not enough on it to beat the keeper, Pearce behind it all the way. Rowland with Bell coming on with the ball out of the back for Bungay fed up to Turner who knocks it on for Rose , Rossiter getting across her to see the ball back safely to her keeper.
Nearly half an hour played Sudbury ringing the changes, bringing off Rossiter, Guiver Penny, Allen and Goodwin, on come Maddison Carpenter, Jade Barrett, Lily-Jo Hinton, Emily Newcombe and Kate Edwards.
GOAL! Sudbury get the ball out to Megan Edwards on the left wing driving forwards bursts into the area and from the angle lashes a shot in across the keeper to land inside the far post 3-0. Sudbury 3 goals up on the half hour.
Newcombe working the ball on with Bezant through the middle for Sudbury, fed out to Hinton on the right her cross into the top of the area cut out by Bell for Bungay. Riggall getting hold of the ball for Bungay at the back sending it on for Saddington up to Rose on the left inside for Turner, looking to battle her way past Aliyat the central defender doing well to see the ball back to her keeper.
GOAL! Sudbury have the ball on the left Jeffery into Barrett the ball crossed into the area cut out by Heaney cleared outside the box, Newcombe latching onto it for Sudbury left of the D, puts her foot through the ball sending it flying back in on goal racing past the keeper before she can react 4-0.
Bungay winning a free-kick on halfway the ball lifted into the top of the area defended cleared to the left Rose looknig to take it on into the corner for Bungay, Kate Edwards moving in to close her down. Little for the Bungay strikers to feed on the midfield pushed back onto the defence, Turner and Rose needing to be patient holding the line on halfway ready to attempt a counter attack. Barrett linking up with Jeffery on the left the cross from 20 yards out intercepted by Storey, cleared by Heaney.
Sudbury getting the ball out to the by-line on the left Nagib up with Newcombe the cross flashed in along the face of the Bungay goal cleared by Bell. Barrett taking the lay off from Newcombe down the left flank, Purling getting back to put in the tackle for Bungay. Sudbury remain lively players moving rapidly looking for the ball Bezant into Barrett left, Jeffery up with her the ball flashed in across goal, Carpenter racing in far post can’t quite get there.
Sudbury with a corner on the left taken short up the line to Barrett her initial ball into the box cut out by Roos, coming back to Barrett fires her effort over from the angle. A roar from the Bungay supporters as the ball is launched forwards, Rose looking to race in behind the defence chase it down, Carter rushing out the other way to the top of her area just about gets there.
Saddington cutting out the back back helping defend for Bungay top of the D as Kate Edwards looks to thread it forwards into Nagib. Bungay break right at the end of the first half the ball played into Turner up top lays it on for Rose as both turn to burst forwards Rose left channel rolling it back inside to Turner pulling out to the right getting into the area bearing down on goal ready to pull the trigger, Carter rushing out to slide in and save bravely at the attackers feet.
Half-time AFC Sudbury Women 4-0 Bungay Town Ladies
A dominant first half display from Sudbury putting Bungay under pressure right from the start taking the lead inside 3 minutes. Getting players up and around the area, first to the ball moving it about crisply looking to find openings. Adding a 2nd before ringing the changes making it 3 on the half hour going on to add a 4th. Bungay battling hard in defence under pressure but getting in the blocks tough to get going the other way rare glimpses, an encouraging break at the end of the first half giving them something to take into the dressing room as they prepare for the 2nd half.
Sudbury to get the 2nd half underway the ball played into Jeffery on the left evading a tackle sending a cross into the area, cut out by Heaney out to the right, the 2nd delivery cut out turned behind for a corner kick. The corner lifted into the crowded six yard box headed away to safety. Sudbury looking too get after the ball early in the 2nd half keep Bungay’s defence pushed back.
Rowland winning the ball back inside her D, lifted up to Rose attacking through the middle, Bezant going in to tackle hurt in the challenge the ball kicked out of play so she can be seen too. Sudbury press right the ball on for Megan Edwards crossed in low intercepted by Heaney, Bells clearing the ball out for a throw high on the right. Hinton on the move with the ball at her feet for Sudbury, closed down by Riggall the ball out for a corner kick. Dropped in near post, Bungay get it out to the top of the area.
GOAL! Sudbury moving the ball quickly moving in to get the ball back shift it out to the flanks Carpenter in the corner with Edwards the cross flashed in near post, Nagib running in on the keeper, both missing it the ball rolling on straight to Newcombe central a yard out to poke home from close range for her 2nd of the game 5-0.
Sudbury adding to their lead 5 minutes into the 2nd half a strong start pressing the ball. Jeffery getting onto the ball racing on left wing drives into the area, Purling tracking her all the way lunging in to tackle sending the ball out for a corner kick. The corner played in from the left, Megan Edwards not quite able to pick out Nagib top of the area, Bell getting it away for Bungay.
Saddington seeing the ball played into her as the pitch suddenly opens up before her running forwards her cross swung in from deep cut out by Hinton. Bungay making their first change on 56 minutes bringing off Turner up top sending on Lila Eden. Bell winning the ball top of the area for Bungay sending it on for Rose attack, battling with Aliyat to get in behind comes away with the ball shooting from all of 25 yards out her strike straight at Carter who saves comfortably.
Bungay stirred into life looking to get players out from the back relieve the pressure on their defence, Bell on for Purling getting forwards on the right, Aliyat coming across to put in the tackle the ball out for a corner kick. The ball swung into the six yard box half cleared as Jeffery goes to attack it near post with Rowland, falling to Bell outside the area right of goal, strikes the ball back in seeing it race wide past the far post.
Aliyat picking up the first card of the game after bringing down Purling on the right as Bungy look to up things get after the ball higher up the pitch themselves. The free-kick cleared by Sudbury as it’s floated into the area. Eden snapping in to win the ball in the middle for Bungay into Bell going right, Jeffery closing her down. The game opening up Bungay allowed to get out with the ball Sudbury dropping off a little, opens up the pitch more, Jeffery getting on with the ball left combining with Newcombe but the ball cut into the area, cleared by Storey.
The game moving into the final half hour Sudbury ringing the changes once again, Rossiter, Allen, Goodwin and Guiver coming back on, Megan Edwards, Bezant, Nagib and Jeffery coming off. Riggall clearing a Sudbury free-kick played into the top of the area by Barrett. Heaney doing well in defence for Bungay cutting out another cross played in from the corner on the left.
Rossiter racing on with the ball on the right touch line sent into the area cleared to the top of the area, Barrett latching onto it outside the D, shifting the ball inside onto her right foot sending a strike over the bar. Bell fouled as she looks to take it on for Bungay. Roos moving out to the right to put the blocking tackle in on Allen as she drives into the box from the right for Sudbury. A different feel about the game now, more open Sudbury ringing the changes, Bungay looking to get hold of the ball higher, Eden moving in well to close it down Rose ready to burst forwards.
Bell rushing in to close Carpenter down as she brings the ball inside from the left into the D. Rossiter away on the right cutting a cross back to the top corner of the area, Goodwin 20 yards out taking on the shot firing over the bar. Rossiter right feeding the ball into Allen’s path as she drives into the area right of goal, Heaney in to challenge well the ball turned behind for a corner. Curled into the area the ball knocked in cleared off the line out off the area to the left of the D, Carpenter striking it pulls her attempt wide of the left post.
Into the final 20 minutes, Aliyat coming off at the back for Sudbury, with Jeffery returning to the pitch. Bungay making a change too with Purling coming off, Molly Webb sent on. Saddington looking to get on with the ball chopped down in the middle. The ball out to Bell coming right linking up with Webb and Edan as Bungay look to get into the area the ball into the top of the box cleared into midfield.
GOAL! Rowland getting onto the end of a loose pass for Bungay sending the ball into the left wing for Saddington to attack, charging in behind turning into the area, from the angle drills a powerful shot past the keeper into the bottom corner, to see Bungay grab themselves a goal at Portman Road 5-1.
Bungay responding well to conceding a 5th goal early in the 2nd half have showed no fear looking to get forwards the game opened up Sudbury looking to use the space to their advantage too as they press right side Barrett on for Allen, Riggall getting across her path to see the ball back to Pearce. Eden making an impact for Bungay snapping after the ball in the middle, giving Rose something to feed on as she looking to provide some probing runs left and right.
Sudbury overload the right side Rossiter taking the ball on the overlap squaring it back inside to Hinton right of the D, flashes a shot in low towards the near post Pearce across her line to save knocking it behind for a corner kick. Played into the middle of the box Bungay look to launch a counter attack, Barrett in to win the ball back for Sudbury putting it forwards into Goodwin who sends her strike from range onto the roof of the net.
Heaney moving in to tackle top of the area the ball deflected behind for a corner kick. Curled into the six yard box from the right missed by Pearce over her but Rowland is back on the line to head off the line and makes a 2nd block as the rebound it turned back in on goal. Storey coming off for Bungay with Maddie Flatman coming on as the game enters the final 6 minutes. A competitive 2nd half.
Sudbury keen to develop their young players using the final to enhance that football experience Allen on for Rossiter right side Riggall getting help from Roos as she races to the by-line the ball cleared for a throw in the corner. Goodwin lining up another strike from range her shot coming in under the bar Pearce up to save, landing behind her looks to be in for a minute, but no reaction, is actually behind the net turned over the bar by the keeper. Taken short on the right the cross from deep going long past the far post.
Riggall racing back to track Rossiter’s run blocking her cross, Bungay look to get on the attack with Eden and Bell through the middle but the final ball not finding Rose. Carpenter coming into the middle seeing her 20 yards strike blocked inside the box turned away to the right, Riggall then blocking to cross. Sudbury pushing for a goal late on attacking right an angled shot smashing down off the bar bouncing up inside the six yard box, Penny racing in central can’t get enough onto as she glances it over the top.
Riggall coming off for Bungay in the closing stages with Sofia Serghiou coming on a left back. Into added time Sudbury with a corner on the right, dropping over everyone at the near post comes at Allen unexpectedly doesn’t get hold of her header sending it wide past the far post.
Full time AFC Sudbury Women 5-1 Bungay Town Ladies
Full time and Sudbury win the game to successfully retain the Suffolk Women’s County Cup, 3 wins in the past 4 seasons to lift the trophy. A dominant first half the game effectively won in the opening half hour with 3 goals scored, putting Bungay’s defence under pressure getting players forwards moving the ball well. Ringing the changes adding a 4th goal before half-time. Bungay with little opportunity to get forwards themselves with as good break late in the half. Sudbury out of the traps fast too in the 2nd half to add a 5th goal. Bungay responded well prepared to give it a go themselves as Sudbury dropped off allowing the pitch to open up Bungay battling for the ball putting Saddington through on the left to fire in a goal. Defended resolutely throughout Pearce a good shot stopper with some vital saves, Sudbury coming close to adding further goals but Bungay pleased to hold them to a 1-1 in the 2nd period.
Women’s Football East – Player of the Match
Onto the final Women’s Football East – Player of the Match award of the season, it’s a tough one as is more often the case but sticking with my original pick on the night. Great performances from both sides. In truth had to single out a Bungay player as they all played their part in a spirited performance looking to be in danger of getting over run responded well 2nd half prepared to take on their opponents get the ball forwards. Fran Heaney with a strong defensive display getting her blocks in and winning the ball. Captain Charnelle Riggall ran herself into the ground working hard at left back blocking crosses and trying to limit balls into the box. Abi Bell covering the ground box to box 2nd half looking to get Bungay something positive from the game. Hazel Saddington scoring at Portman Road worked hard to try and provide an outlet throughout the game despite the constant threat posed by Sudbury. Sudbury in turn with a fluid performance getting players on shifting the ball well winning it back quickly and had players constantly looking for openings. Ellie Rossiter composed and patient reading the game at the back 1st half adding to the attacking threat 2nd half. Sophie Jeffery got up and down the pitch well throughout winning the ball setting up attacks. Jess Allen making some great attacking runs. Megan Edwards with some great passes. The award though goes to midfielder Maisie Goodwin opening the scoring was hugely influential at the start of the game setting the tone winning the ball and keeping Sudbury on the front foot.
Congratulation to AFC Sudbury Women on successfully retaining the Suffolk Women’s County Cup.
Last game of a long season completed and I can tell you I’m ready for a rest, the new season won’t be long in coming of course and I know it never really stops. Another great evening out a Portman Road, My thanks to both teams for their help this evening, The staff at Ipswich and Suffolk FA too, much appreciated. Thanks to Nick Flexman for letting me use some of his pictures in the report. Followed both sides some tie now and looking forwards to seeing how both progress into the new season.
by Darren Gilham