Tuesday 21st May

Suffolk Women’s County Cup Final

  sponsored by MH Goals Ltd

Heading down into Suffolk this Tuesday evening for my penultimate cup final of the season. The Suffolk Women’s County Cup contest sponsored by MH Goals Ltd being played at Ipswich Town FC’s, Portman Road Stadium. AFC Sudbury Women playing Stowupland Falcons Women.

  The fabulous occasion for both clubs with the county cup final returning to Portman Road, the town on a high following Ipswich’s back to back promotions returning them to the Premiership. Many within both clubs huge fans and a dream for the players to get to play in the stadium. The competition dominated by Ipswich Town Women for a long spell before they bowed out of the competition, since then a rivalry has developed for the county cup between the next highest league placed sides in the county AFC Sudbury Women and Needham Market Women. But the final has also seen a good proportion of sides from tier 7 make it to the final, Bungay Town Ladies last season, now Stowupland Falcons Women into their first ever county cup final.

  AFC Sudbury Women themselves enjoying back to back promotions to reach the FAWNL (tier 4) last season. A huge step up for their young players many coming through the ranks of their academy. However they rose to the challenge and despite struggling for results got the crucial wins against the sides around them at the bottom of the table to pull clear of the bottom two and retain their league status for a 2nd season. Winning the county cup back in 2022 beating Needham Market in the final were knocked out early on previous season by their rivals but went on to secure the ERWFL Premier Division. Returning the favour this time around they are overwhelming favourites to lift the cup once again. Jess Allen top scorer this season closely followed by Sophie Jeffery.

  Stowupland Falcons Women have grown as a side since 1st entering a women’s side into the league in Suffolk 4 years ago. A club with a strong youth setup the woman’s side adding Clare Bevan and Amy Gilson from Henley Athletic Ladies to squad last season went on to win the Suffolk Women’s Premiership. As defending champions this season Stowupland enjoyed a good rivalry with a newly rejuvenated Brantham Athletic Ladies. Stowupland with games in hand always chasing, just missing out to finish as runners-up. The two going head to head on both the semi-finals of the league and county cup, the score 1-1 their too with Stowupland’s players reaching the final for the first time and getting the opportunity to play at Portman Road. Clare Bevan captaining the side top scorer this campaign with over 23 goals, Amy Gilson also into the 20’s with her goals with 18 of the 22 players used this season all getting on the scoresheet. Know they face a tough test this evening against a side 4 league higher

  Road to the Final

  Unlike some of the other county cups in the East, Suffolk don’t have a seeding system in place all sides entering in the 1st round the big guns potentially drawn together. Sudbury beginning their county cup campaign on the road taking on the newly formed, Bury Town Community Women. The gulf between the sides soon apparent as Sudbury racked up a huge double figure score-line, Keira Harms on target for 5 goals. Evie Creaton hitting 4 into the back of the net Their were braces too for Sophie Jeffery and Phoebe Guiver. Kate Edwards, Kaylee Dodd and Holly Kennard all scoring too, final tally 16-0. Stowupland also away taking on another need side and can say they beat Sudbury in the cup no matter what, this the newly formed Sudbury Sports Women, Laura Brame scoring a hat-trick with goals from Clare Bevan, Emily Bates, Millie Gant and Lydia Denny securing a 7-1 win.

  Onto the 2nd Round, Sudbury at home taking on Premiership side, AFC Kesgrave Ladies, was to be another goal rout with Jasmine Drake putting away a hat-trick, Chloe Brame with a brace and five other scorers in a 10-0 win, Jess Allen, Maisie Goodwin Keira Harms, Kaylee Dodd and Amber Provan. Stowupland also winning by a double figure margin as they took on early Championship pacesetters, Ipswich Valley Rangers from the league below. Clare Bevan finding the back of the net for 4 goals. Emily Bates and Amy Gilson both netting a hat-trick each with Ellis Rabey also scoring. 

 Into the last eight, Sudbury at home taking on another Premiership side, Woodbridge Town Ladies. Progressed to the semi-finals courtesy of a 5-0 victory with 5 different scorers, Jess Allen, Eva Frazzoni, Maisie Goodwin, Sophie Jeffery and Alex Penny. Stowupland taking on fellow Premiership side Needham Market Women Development at home in the quarter finals, Amy Gilson scoring in the first half the sides level at the break, the hosts going on to in it by a single goal in the 2nd half with Enya Moore on target for the winning goal.

  The semi-finals played at neutral venues, the big guns drawn together in the last 4, the holders, Needham Market Women, Sudbury’s opponents. Knocking Sudbury out in the 2nd Round last season, Sudbury were in no mood to repeat the feat this time around and a brace for both Jasmine Drake and Jess Allen ensuring the win, 4-0. Stowupland up against their league rival, Brantham Athletic Ladies in their semi-final clash Amy Gilson firing home a brace as Stowupland ran out 3-1 winners, Ellis Rabey also scoring to send the club to Portman Road.

 The County Cup Final held at Colchester United FC in recent season’s making a welcome return to Portman Road home of Ipswich Town FC a dream for both sets of players and their manger’s too to get the opportunity to play at the stadium The Cobbold Stand open for the final, the fans allocated a section each opposite the dugouts. Suffolk FA looking to make it a special occasion for the players, which is great to see as these are the opportunities they dream of. The weather was going to have a large say in the final, with the forecast heavy rain beginning to fall… more about that later. For once undercover I didn’t have to worry about getting wet.

AFC Sudbury Women starting XI – Millie Carter, Ronni Harrison (C), Kaylee Dodd, Amber Provan, Aliyat Lambe, Leonnie Bezant, Maisie Goodwin, Jess Allen, Sophie Jeffery, Eva Frazzoni & Yasmine Drake. Subs – Jessica Egan, Amy Jarvis, Ava Jouvenel, Ella Edwards & Alex Penny.

 Stowupland Falcons Women starting XI – Emily Huggins, Eloise Flack, Lucy Daly, Anya Williams, Ebonie Calvert, Ellis Rabey, Millie Gant, Laura Brame, Clare Bevan (C) Mollie Frost & Amy Gilson. Subs – Porscha Rampley, Caitlin Jackson, Millie Bloom, Lydia Denny & Enya Moore.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

  AFC Sudbury wearing pink for this evenings final, their shirts and socks with black shorts, traditionally in yellow and blue, so too are their opponents colours, Stowupland wearing yellow coloured shirts with blue shots and socks. The rain getting stronger as the captains meet with this evenings official led by Isobel Chaplin. Stowupland to kick-off the first half the ball rolled back into the middle lifted out to the left, captain Clare Bevan racing on looking to pressure, Sudbury’s Aliyat Lambe as the defender looks to clear the ball, forces Sudbury into conceding the throw high up the pitch.

  A positive start from Stowupland looking to close the ball down on the left get a cross into the area, cleared by Sudbury’s Amber Provan the ball runs out to Stowupland midfielder, Ellis Rabey all of 25 yards puts her foot through the ball her shot racing wide of the left post. Bevan attacking left for Stowupland, with Millie Gant the cross fired into the area, just behind Amy Gilson on the penalty spot. 

 GOAL! Sudbury playing the ball out with pace fired up to Sophie Jeffery on the left getting the ball into her feet drives down the wing firing a diagonal ball into the box, Stowupland’s Anya Williams getting it clear to the right, latched onto by Sudbury’s Bermudan International, Eva Frazzoni out wide flashed  dangerous ball in across the face of the Stowupland goal, Jeffery having run in at the far post turning it over the line to put Sudbury into the lead inside 2 minutes 1-0.

 Jess Allen played in on the right for Sudbury, bursts forwards with the ball checking her run to lay it into the middle for Maisie Goodwin who carries the ball out to the left 25 yards out fires and angled ball in towards, Yasmine Drake at the near post, looking to hit the shot as the ball runs across her sends the ball wide of the post. 

  Sudbury moving the ball about quickly using the whole of the pitch, Allen and Jeffery outlets on the flanks. Leonnie Bezant with the ball in the middle, looks to thread it through the Stowupland defence, playing a high line, Frazzoni looking to run in behind, goes a fraction too soon, flagged offside.

 Gilson after the ball played into the left channel, tires to fight her way in behind Lambe the defender getting her body in between the ball and attacker to play it upfield. Ronni Harrison wearing the captain’s armband for Sudbury lifting a cross-field ball out to Allen on the right, cuts the ball back in towards the top of the box right side, Frazzoni looking to strike the ball, Ebonie Calvert lunging in to block the ball striking the referee, play halted resuming with a drop ball.

  Sudbury lively nipping in to win the ball, Stowupland snapping back to try and win it back, their opponents getting it moving quickly stretching them. Goalkeeper, Emily Huggins having to come racing out of her area to clear the ball as Frazzoni looks to pick out Allen with a diagonal ball on the right. The rain pouring down now with 10 minutes played. 

 Sudbury with the early goal settling quickly into a rhythm continue to spray the ball about the pitch, Goodwin linking up with Bezant in the centre the pass out to Allen powering on down the right wing to the by-line her cross turned behind for a corner by Stowupland’s Lucy Daly.

 GOAL! Jeffery to take the corner from the right a threatening delivery curled in towards goal at the far post the defender covering it trying to keep it out with Frazzoni pressuring the ball as it falls forced over the line, Sudbury double their lead, difficult to tell who got the final touch, Frazzoni or an OG, Jeffery’s corner may even have already been over the line either way it’s 2-0.

 The rain falling heavily, water already beginning to lay on the pitch. Sudbury undeterred press Stowupland for possession, Bezant in on Bevan as she looks to drive central, launched up field, Calvert looking to get it down, play it forwards for Rabey. 

  GOAL! Sudbury are awarded a free-kick out wide on the left, about level with the corner of the Stowupland area, Jeffery over the ball looks to float the ball in central, Lambe up from the back rising highest to get her head on the ball and drill her header down into the back of the net, Huggins throwing herself at the ball instinctively getting a faint touch but too much power on the ball 3-0.

 Sudbury powering into a 3 goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes. conditions horrendous torrential rain now. Jeffery splashing up water as she sprints out to the left with the ball angling a diagonal ball back into the box targeting Drake making a near post run, the ball into her path turns her shot wide past the far post.

 GOAL! Coming out to the right Allen squares the ball into Drake right of the D, goes to strike the ball charged down by Calvert the rebound come into Frazzoni’s feet 22 yards out central, unleashes a powerful shot rising, crashes down off the underside of the crossbar to bounce down over the line, no mistake about the scorer of this one, fabulous strike 4-0!

 Stowupland shipping in goals undeterred in their effort to try and get the ball up the pitch attacking on the right win themselves a corner. Players up lifted in near side, it’s Jeffery to head the ball clear for Sudbury midway through the first half. Goodwin rolling the ball on through the middle with Allen making a central run, can’t quite take it into her strike as Williams comes to close her down.

 GOAL! There’s no one else involved in Sudbury’s 5th goal as Kayleigh Dodd scores a superb solo effort. Picking up the ball on the wing the right back drives forwards checking back to turn inside a defender get into the box and smash her shot across the keeper into the bottom corner 5-0.

  All this and the rain is still raging down, players and officials alike, like drowned rats, “run the line in a cup final at Portman Road, yeah I’ll be up for that.” 

 Good for the sliding tackle mind, if you’re not planning to stop. Stowupland making a change Daly coming off, Caitlin Jackson coming on with half an hour played. Sudbury playing the ball from left to right at the back, Dodd getting on the move up the wing putting the ball on for Allen who surges towards the by-line, Gant looking to close her down doing enough to see the attacker turn her cross behind.

 Sudbury ringing the changes, as they often do, this time a quintuple substitution, Jessica Egan, Ella Edwards, Amy Jarvis, Ava Jouvenel and Alex Penny coming on. Jeffery, Allen, Goodwin, Dodd and Harrison the players off, Bezant now wearing the captains armband. Stowupland with a rare attack get the ball out to the right Mollie Frost with Gilson coming to support, turns inside on the by-line the ball laid back to the top of the area, Gant striking the ball, the shot blocked.

 Bezant bringing the ball on for Sudbury central looks to lay it out to Egan attacking on the right, Huggins again out of her box sharply to kick the ball clear. Alot of water on the pitch, players slipping over the ball holding up. Drake taking the ball on down the left flank, powers on before being up ended Sudbury awarded the free kick  out wide of the corner of the area, Penny stood in the pouring rain eying up a shot on goal. Fires in pacy strike towards goal, cutting through the spray, evades the keepers gloves to find the back of the net 6-0.

  Sudbury 6 goals up with nearly 40 minutes played doesn’t look good however rain pouring down off the stadium roof, water splashing up players falling, referee Isobel Chaplin calling over the captains, player safety the number one concern… they walk off play suspended.

 Doesn’t look good the pitch having adsorbed alot of water in a short space of time the rain still falling an inspection to take place at 8:45pm. Headed downstairs to hospitality to take advantage of the buffet generously laid on by Suffolk FA. Some concern, will the final have to be abandoned, the only chink of light the rain has started to ease. A further inspection at 9:05 water still visible on the surface the ball not moving freely but no rain can it drain enough… the crowd patient a healthy number 920 in attendance a further inspection and discussions and play will resume at 9:35pm a delay of 1hr 20 minutes, the two sides back on for a short warm-up. 5 minutes left in the first half then a 5 minute turn around for the 2nd half.

 Play getting underway with a Sudbury throw on the right. Water still kicking up but the pitch is holding up well. Egan on the right putting a ball into the Stowupland box, Drake looking to head the ball down her effort charged down. 

 GOAL! Sudbury feed the ball out to Penny on the left on the move her cross lifted into the box, turned behind, a handball spotted, Chaplin pointing to the spot Penalty! Drake placing the ball on the spot opts for power drills the ball in central giving the keeper no chance 7-0.

  Pretty much one way traffic, Stowupland can’t make the ball stick Sudbury’s players lively snapping in to claim the 2nd ball. Bevan attempting to feed the ball into Gilson up top, Jarvis in close to challenge get Sudbury back on the ball. Egan putting the ball on for Penny as the pair attack on the right, Jackson getting back on Penny defending for Stowupland.

Half-time AFC Sudbury Women 7-0 Stowupland Falcons Women

  An extended first half draws to a close the teams staying out on the pitch with a brief turn around for the 2nd half. Sudbury adding a 7th goal to their tally before play was suspended. A commanding 7-0 at the break. Got off the the perfect start scoring early in the game settling quickly and moving the ball about well have steadily built up their lead. Stowupland working hard but can’t get the ball to stick, the conditions no doubt playing a part but Sudbury lively nipping in to win the 2nd ball. All they can do is continue to work hard and hope they get an opportunity to score a goal.

  The 2nd half kicking off at 9:47pm Sudbury to get the game restarted the ball played left down the line, Ella Edward pushing on, Flack clearing for a throw. Sudbury pressing get on down the left an early ball slid into the box for Drake to attack, Flack sliding in to get the ball out of the box. Sudbury keep it on the left Jouvenel up with Edwards, Frost back to help Flack in defence the ball turned behind for a goal kick.

  The left flank being over used in the opening minutes of the 2nd half the ball rolled into Drake wide looks to turn in towards the area, Flack getting her body across the attacker to shield the ball knocks it into Williams to hook the ball clear. Provan at left back since the changes for Sudbury pushing on down the wing sends it on for Jouvenel but the flag goes up against her offside. 

 Bezant gives the ball to Penny moving inside in the right channel drives for the area, Calvert standing in her path to close the ball down. Sudbury winning a free-kick 30 yards out on the right lifted into the area headed clear back to the right falls to Penny’s feet, latches a shot back in on the angle, the ball cannoning down into the six yard box off the crossbar. Penny carrying the ball down to the right corner, Gant up with her Calvert coming across, the ball put out for a corner kick.

  Played into the near post, turned behind for a 2nd corner. Curled in to the near post again, Drake looking to attack it, scrambled behind for another corner. This delivery in high before the near post, Frazzoni looks to turn her header in towards goal sends the ball over the bar. Lambe stepping in to block, Brame’s pass as she attempts to play Gilson in behind. 

 Frost with a strong tackle to wrestle the ball away on the right, turn and has an opportunity to run forwards coming inside sends the ball into the area for Jackson central holding off a challenge gets her shot away low to the left side of goal, Sudbury goalkeeper untroubled till that point getting down with a smart dive to her left to stop the ball. The Stowupland fans at that end of the ground giving a loud cheer of encouragement.

 Frost and Edwards again in a tussle of possession on the right both going to ground, the Stowupland player eventually pulled up for a foul. Egan playing the ball on for Penny on the right pushing into the corner, Gant over to defend sees the ball out for a throw in. A busy start to the 2nd half, Jouvenel turns on the afterburners she she brings the ball forwards through the middle for Sudbury attempting to lay Drake on in behind, Calvert reads it and steps in to cut the pass out.

  Stowupland giving it their best looking to press, Frost getting about on the flank. Edwards racing on left wing looking to get inside Flack, the full back under pressure does well to see the ball back to her keeper to clear. An hour played, Sudbury once again ringing the changes, Harrison, Dodd, Allen, Jeffery and Goodwin back on. Frazzoni, Bezant, Drake, Lambe and Provan coming off. 

 GOAL! The changes breaking an immediate effect as Allen gets hold of the ball on the right and moves inside twisting and turning as the keeper come rushing out gets inside her to rifle her strike into the empty net 8-0.

 Stowupland making a double change, Rabey and Frost coming off, on come Millie Bloom and Enya Moore. Jeffery finding Penny inside the box forced wide to the left by Flack the ball cleared for a throw in the corner. Jeffery looking to find a way into the box, Brame back to defend for Stowupland. Sudbury full of running Allen playing a one two with Jeffery on the right running onto the box looking for the return pass, Flack sliding in with the challenge to clear.

  Huggins is drawn out of her goal to come out to try and close Allen down as the attacker gets in behind on the right, into the box, rounds the keeper, looking to fire the ball on the angle into the goal beyond the Stowupland defence back covering, Flack intercepting the shot. Gant blocks as Allen right lays the ball back to Jeffery top of the area. 

 GOAL! Jouvenel sees the ball into her feet central and turns to attack racing forwards into the box right of goal letting fly with her shot as putting it past the advancing keeper to score before running over to the Sudbury fans and knee sliding in celebration 9-0.

 72 minutes played Jouvenel on the drive with the ball rom the left is knocked off the ball, hooked behind for a corner on the left, taken short is blasted into a Stowupland defender going to block. Allen is dispossessed on the right the ball fed on up the wing for Denny to chase, Egan getting back on her to clear the ball for a throw. 

Stowupland with a chance to get players up into the box as they win a free-kick wide on the left the ball angled in is behind everyone, Allen far side latching onto it races away on the counter attack surging up the flank comes inside bursting into the D before pulling the trigger, sending her shot racing wide of the far post. Gant coming off for Stowupland, Daly back on going into the left back position. 

 GOAL! Sudbury getting a corner on the right, curled in towards goal, Huggins getting her fist on the ball to knock it away from her goal drops straight to Penny running in top of the area puts her foot thought the ball rifling it through the crowd into the goal beyond to bring up Sudbury’s 10th 10-0.

 GOAL! Moments later Penny has her hat-trick getting onto the ball from the right powering her way on into the area, evading a couple to challenges gets inside to blast the pall past the keeper 11-0.

  Into the final 5 minutes, Sudbury intent on getting forwards Dodd dinking the ball inside into Penny central inside the D goes to shoot, the ball caught by Huggins. 

 

 GOAL! Stowupland have been up against it all gave but never lost their spirit working hard to find an opportunity to threaten it comes a Moore up top nips in to steal the ball top of the area and moving inside keeps her composure to send her shot under Carter to score, the loudest cheer of the night coming from the Stowupland end as Moore runs over to celebrate with her teammates 11-1.

 Rabey sent back on for Stowupland replacing Williams at the back as they look to see out the close stages of the match, Penny into Allen wide right her cross scooped up into the area, caught well by Huggins at her near post. The final whistle blow at it’s Sudbury’s fans to roar out a cheer as they win this season’s Suffolk Women’s County Cup. 

Full time AFC Sudbury Women 11-1 Stowupland Falcons Women

 Never looked in doubt from the word go. An early goal is always going to settle any nerves and dampen the underdogs spirit. Sudbury moving the ball quickly using the pitch breaking down the flanks soon getting a 2nd and a 3rd despite the horrendous conditions play suspended with them 6 up after 40 minutes. The long delay thankfully seeing the rain ease and the pitch drain enough for the game to resume a penalty seeing Sudbury 7 up at the break. Stowupland continued to work hard keep the score down and try to find an opportunity of their own eventually forcing Carter into a save before Sudbury rang the changes again and extended the lead eventually reaching double figures, but not a clean sheet as Stowupland grabbed themselves a goal at the finish. The win probably never in doubt Stowupland nevertheless enjoying the occasion at Portman Road.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Onto this evening’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. Glad I didn’t have to call this one at the game as I knew it was a tough one. Also know my notes can help immensely in that regards. A few performances of note to mention of course. For Stowupland the defence was under the cosh throughout nut still gave it there al, Ebonie Calvert and Eloise Flack with some good challenges. Clare Bevan running through the middle trying to unlock the defence for the attackers. Mollie Frost when she could making her presence felt. Sudbury were lively throughout using the whole squad moved the ball well creating numerous chances. Jess Allen with some great movement on the right setting up chances getting on the score sheet. Sophie Jeffery opening the scoring getting on well down the opposite wing. Eva Frazzoni with some great link up play and movement into the channels scoring a quality goal. The award though goes to the hat-trick scorer Alex Penny coming on to score a brilliant free kick. Ran constantly at the Stowupland back line creating chances and took her 2nd and 3rd goals well.

 Congratulations to AFC Sudbury Women on winning this season’s Suffolk Women’s County Cup.

  A late one in the finish but got the game finished 10.45 when I left the stadium the celebrations still going on The rain holding off or the 2nd half coming back with a vengeance for the drive back to Norfolk. Full credit to Suffolk Fa and Ipswich Town FC for coping with the atrocious conditions, play having to be suspended the fans patient the pitch drained enough to get the final finished. A night to remember no doubt. A great occasion and experience for the players and managers of both clubs. Thanks to everyone for their assistance tonight, and the hospitality. Good to catch up with Darrell Allen too, despite our shared interest in the game haven’t crossed paths much this season, but will hopefully do it again on Wednesday with a top of the table clash in Norfolk Division One possibly seeing the title won.

by Darren Gilham