Friday 16th May

Suffolk Women’s Cup Final

Heading down to Suffolk this Friday evening to attend this season’s, Women’s League Cup Final, Brantham Athletic Ladies looking to do a double, double as they take on Needham Market Women Development aiming to retain the trophy.

Successfully defending their league title one more game left the League Cup, held at Brantham Leisure Centre, home of Brantham Athletic FC, Needham Market Women Development’s young squad looking to stop them unbeaten in 5 coming into this evenings final.

Getting the balance right between the two divisions in Suffolk has been a challenge the past couple of seasons, expanding to feature the women’s Premiership and Championship below, just 7 sides contesting the Premiership with 11 in the Championship, but in terms of strength of squads and competitiveness this has been the right call as sides look to grow and development and hopefully it will continue in that direction.

A complete turnaround for Brantham Athletic Ladies, from almost folding due to lack of numbers a couple of seasons ago, to bringing in need coaches and adding experienced players to the group, leading to the formation of a new Development side, the 1st team winning the League and Cup last season, continuing that momentum into this campaign winning the league comfortably and odds on favourites for the league cup. Have applied for promotion to the ERWFL and as Champions they are highly likely to be accepted.

A successful season for Brantham Athletic FC all round with the men’s side winning the Thurlow Nunn, Premier Division. The women’s side has dropped just two points all season, unbeaten, winning all but one of their 12 league matches. Scoring plenty of goals along the way too with Ella Long and Laura Tuley leading the way up front both on 24 goals coming into the last game of their season. Chloe Wilson also into double figures having netted 10 times this campaign.

Needham Market Development achieving their best ever league finish this season, ending the campaign 3rd in the Women’s Premiership table. A young squad aiming to break into the 1st team, playing in the ERWFL Premier Division. Needham Market bursting onto the scene with their women’s side and academy making their mark on women’s football in Suffolk in their relatively short history. This the first cup final appearance for their Development squad.

Have plenty goals within the side with 14 of the 24 players used this season on the scoresheet. Poppy Nunn leading the leading the way, top scorer with 18 to her name from 15 appearances. Imogen Porch also into double figures on target for 10 goals. With Hannah Cobbold and Poppy Dyson both on 8 apiece. The nature of a 7 strong league means there can be longer periods without a game a healthy gap of nearly 8 weeks between Needham market’s last league match and this evenings final. Brantham themselves only playing one competitive game in March, April and May respectfully coming into the final.

Road to the Final

  Brantham awarded a home win in the 1st Round of the league cup. Needham Market were on the road taking on Championship side, Coplestonians Ladies, Poppy Nunn, Imogen Porch, Poppy Nunn and Hannah Cobbald all scoring a brace each, with Jessica Marriot and Elise Rossman also scoring in a 10-1 win.

Needham Market taking on Brantham Athletic Ladies Development side in the 2nd round of the league cup. Emma Drake and Chloe Taylor both bagging a brace with Porch and Ashleigh Goddard also scoring a goal to see Needham Market leading 3-0 at the break go on to win the game 6-1. Brantham at home taking on Championship side Framlingham Town Ladies in the 2nd round, Ella Long firing in 4 goals for Brantham. Laura Tuley and Chloe Wilson scoring 2 each with Emmi Bennett and Rachel White also finding the back of the net in a 10-0 win.

Into the last 8 of the league cup, Needham Market at home to Championship side, Leiston St Margarets Ladies, another strong showing in front of goal with Cobbold and Nunn both scoring a hat-trick. Lucy Cherney, Taylor, Dyson ad Porch also getting in amongst the goals in a 10-0 romp. Brantham taking on fellow Premiership side, Stowupland Falcons Women on home turf in the quarter finals. Bennett on target for a brace in the game, with Lucy Dunnett, Tarnya McKew and Long all getting a goal in a 5-1 victory.

Needham Market away in the semi-finals taking on Capel Plough Women, newly promoted to the Premiership. Poppy Dyson firing home twice to send her side into the final with Hepsie Attrill also bagging herself a goal in a 3-0 win. Brantham away to Championship title challengers, Ramsey & Mistley Ladies, Laura Tuley finding the back of the net for two goals, with Long, Bennett and Wilson all getting on the scoresheet in a 6-2 win to send Brantham into their 3rd successive league cup final.

Brantham Leisure centre, home of Brantham Athletic FC the venue for this evenings final, has been a while since I last visited the ground, but hosts a number of Brantham sides, the main grass pitch with training pitches and cricket area beyond. The carpark often busy, full this evening the clubhouse open leading out to the pitch, the kitchen hatch too serving hot food and drink. The grass pitch firm with good cover despite the lack of rain recently. Standing viewing all round with a small covered stand offset behind one goal and another between the dugouts. The weather noticeably cooler with a stiff breeze at time cloud cover but no rain forecast. Brantham the ‘away’ side for this evenings final.

Needham Market Women Development starting XI – Zoe Adams, Jess Marriott, Khyla Anderson-Hayler, Mia Lockwood, Sophia Gillingham, Emma Drake, Amy Trenter (C), Chloe Taylor, Hannah Cobbold, Hepsie Attrill & Immy Porch.  Subs – Ashleigh Goddard, Maddi Steward, Poppy Dyson, Elisa Rossman & Lucy Cherney.

Brantham Athletic Ladies starting XI – Daisie-Mae Gibbs, Aimee Berry, Chloe Wilson, Kirby Steward (C), Issey Hines, Sophie Crabtree, Lucy Dunnett, Emmi Bennett, Tarnya McKew, Laura Tuley & Ella Long. Subs – Stacey Teager, Ines Bowman-Boyles & Rachel White.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

  Harriet Young refereeing this evenings final leading the two teams out onto the pitch, the overcast skies leading to the floodlights coming on prior to kick-off. Brantham will kick-off the first half wearing an all navy kit with white trim on the shirts. Needham market lined up opposite wearing red coloured shirts with black across the shoulders, black shorts and red socks. The ball rolled back into Lucy Dunnett in midfield, played on for Ella Long in attack her early shot from range charged down the ball coming to the right for Emmi Bennett breaking forwards, Jess Marriott moving in to win the ball for Needham Market at left back getting it back to her goalkeeper, Zoe Adams to kick clear.

Needham market look to push players on with pace getting the ball up the right, forcing Brantham into conceding an early corner. Played into the top of the area, Brantham with a nervy clearance, Needham Market quick to win it back pressing the ball, Dunnett able to get hold of it for Brantham sending a diagonal ball out to the right looknig for Bennett, Marriot intercepts for Needham Market.

Brantham winning a free-kick in a central position some 30 yards out, Dunnett their dead ball specialist over the set-piece, lines up the strike fired in on target however straight at the keeper a comfortable save for Adams. Tarnya McKew wide on the left for Brantham looking to break away, full back Khyla Anderson-Hayler getting back at her near the corner to play the ball out of her for a throw.

Long into Laura Tuley in attack as Brantham play the ball on through the middle, comes out to Bennett right side, Marriott with the blocking tackle, Emma Drake taking it on looking to break on the right, Aimee Berry pushed up from defence snatching the ball back inside to roll it on into the box for Tuley breaking in behind right of goal her angled strike flashed in high into the side netting.

A corner awarded lifted into the keeper from the right, Adams under pressure comes in near side, knocked behind for a 2nd corner on the right. Put in long beyond the far post turned behind for a 3rd corner to the left. Brantham getting bodies into the box as the delivery comes in central defended cleared out to the right side Berry looking to curl in a cross to the near post, Immy Porch up to head the ball away for Needham Market.

Brantham captain, Kirby Steward coming across to the right to deal with the ball as Chloe Taylor and Hannah Cobbold look to bring the ball on up the wing for Needham Market the ball out for a throw. Brantham looknig to get the ball out too their wide players, McKew hugging to touch line on the left getting down to the by-lined, challenged the ball out for another corner. Lively both sides wanting to get the ball forwards, Needham market with the ball at their feet, pace as Drake gets it on up the left flank before Berry lunges in to make the challenge get the ball back for Brantham.

Brantham winning a free-kick deep on the left Dunnett to send the ball into the top corner of the area, Chloe Wilson seeing her strike charged down the ball cleared out to Needham Market’s Drake on the left burst forwards the ball knocked on for Porch, Brantham keeper, Daisie-Mae Gibbs rushing out of her area looking to clear the ball, Porch instead charging the kick down running after the ball as it rebounds on into the area defenders racing back to try and cover the empty goal as Porch on the angle looks to turn the ball in to the near post instead collapses in frustration as the ball crashes into the side netting.

Sophie Crabtree linking up with Dunnett through the middle for Brantham the ball clipped out to the right wing for Bennett, Marriott diving in to play the ball out for a throw in the corner, Brantham turn it into a corner kick. Played into the top of the area from the right, Long moving in to strike it first time her shot into the crowded six yard box, blocked. Comes out to the right, Bennett fouled by Porch, Brantham winning another set-piece out wide.

 Dunnett sending the ball into the top of the box, Hepsie Attrill winning the ball for Needham Market charging out of the area looking to lead a counter attack the ball launched up the left channel for Porch to attack, defender, Issey Bines looking to go with her chase the ball down, Porch too eager in her hunt tugging on Innes ponytail looking to gain the advantage the defender going to ground the referee immediately blowing for the free-kick having a stern word with Porch.

 Is competitive, Needham Market looking to try and close the ball down get it into their attacking players quickly, Brantham with the more experience squad looking to play the ball into the channels and out wide with players making timely runs. Drake getting on well with the ball for Needham market on the left winning a corner kick. The delivery long into the far post area knocked down scrambled away to the right falling to Cobbold out wide her angled shot back in held safely by Gibbs.

  Porch moving over to the right side with Taylor and Cobbold as Needham Market bring the ball on, Taylor sending the ball into Porch 25 yards out, is tugged back herself resulting in Needham market getting the set-piece. Attrill over the ball to the right of the area, lifted in near post, Long heading the ball clear for Brantham, a shot taken from distance finding it’s way through to the keeper.

  End to end as Berry gets forwards with Bennett on Brantham’s right, giving Bennett the ball goes on the overlap the ball sent into her path taking it to the by-line, Sophia Gillingham across to help Marriott out the ball played behind for a corner kick. Brantham looking to put the ball in on the keeper, an in swinger just over her dropping far post a snap shot, blocked on the line put clear to the left a shot on the angle blazed over.

  Tuley pulling away to the right for Brantham sending a shot in on the angle across the keeper from 20 yards out, McKew retrieving it left side laid on for Wilson coming on from the back, her near post strike from outside the box, saved by Adams dropping onto the ball. Needham Market energetic unsettling Brantham to a degree Steward cutting out an intended through ball from Trenter for Porch, turning play around, into Dunnett out to Tuley right 25 yards out, Long making a run across her getting hold of the through ball taking it on the angle her shot rising, over the ball, the keeper getting a faint touch a corner given. 

GOAL! The game fast approaching the half hour mark, Brantham building some momentum McKew getting on well down the left the ball fed into her path taking it on, cuts it back inside to Long positioned top left corner outside the box shifts the ball inside before striking the ball, hard up over the keeper and into the far corner of the goal beyond, 0-1.

  Needham Market looking for an immediate reply the ball from Taylor right on for Porch passed infield into Attrill takes it on across the D looking for an opening her effort saved by Gibbs back in her six yard box. Long up the other end flashing a shot wide across the face of the Needham Market goal as she is played in by McKew in the left channel. 

  Brantham getting hold of the ball in the middle Crabtree out to McKew left takes the ball inside before rolling it across the top of the area for Bennett on the right side, Marriott diving in giving away the corner kick. Players up from the ball surrounding the keeper, curled into the middle of the six yard box, Adams does very well amongst the crowd to get her arm up to push the ball away to the left. Trenter with Attrill as Needham Market get the ball forwards, out to Taylor advancing on the right, Wilson stepping in to tackle for Brantham. 

 GOAL! Brantham attack down their left flank McKew on the ball cut back inside to Long left channel has Tuley ahead of her rolling the ball on, Tuley drives forwards battling her way into the area getting clear to fire the ball on the angle across the diving keeper to double the lead 0-2.

 Needham Market falling 2 goals behind making a change bringing off Trenter, send on Poppy Dyson. Marriot donning the armband. Drake taking the ball on with pace up the left getting a corner for Needham Market. players up onto the box. Swung into the near post at in inviting height, Gillingham rising to attack it with her head, turns it narrowly wide of the upright. 

  Bennett coming back to help defend for Brantham as Drake dispossesses Berry on the wing looks to drive on up the left. Attrill taking the ball on from Parch on the right, getting pulled back. Taking the free-kick lifted on into the box, Dunnett getting it clear for Brantham. A shot struck in from distance Gibbs behind it falling onto the ball. Taylor bringing the ball on up Needham market left channel driving on looking to get into the box, catching the ball with the outside of her boot in an attempt to knock it on into the box before Innes can close her down, Steward with the clearance for Brantham.

  The game a little stretched with both sides going for it Dunnett with a good range of passing at her disposal the ball on for Long up top left side fed on for McKew down the flank her angled strike in low to the near post held by Adams. Moments later McKew played in again down the left tries the angled short rising this time threatening to loop up over the keeper, Adams does well getting her arms up quickly to snatch the ball down into her gloves. 

 Dunnett taking the ball left taking on the shot from distance the ball cut out by Needham Market, Lockwood top of the area. Adams rushing out to the edge of her area sliding in to save at the feet of McKew as she is played on down the line by Long. The flag up against her for offside however. Marriott doing well in defence for Needham Market getting her body across Bennett as she looks to get hold of the ball on the right, plays it back to her keeper to kick clear. 

 Brantham pushing for a 3rd goal late in the first half McKew taking the ball on down the left putting it inside for Tuley, making a move to skip into the box, Lockwood with the challenge to halt the attack. Needham Market launch a counter attack, Dyson on the move through the middle with the ball fired into Drake outside the D, moving left the Brantham defence moving in to close her down the loose ball coming to Taylor some 30 yards out goes to strike the ball, her effort inches over the crossbar. 

Half-time Needham Market Women Development 0-2 Brantham Athletic Ladies

Brantham head back into the changing rooms at the break leading the league cup final 2-0, the goals coming in quick succession around the half hour mark. Has done little to dampen Needham market’s spirits lively in the first half have unsettled their opponents to a degree created some very good chances of their own. Not taking one however, Brantham using the ball and the pitch to their advantage spreading play, 2 goal leads always tricky of course a 3rd goal would sap the energy as little, Needham Market get the goal at it’s very much game on.

 No changes for either side at the break. with Needham Market getting the 2nd half underway. Needham Market with the kick-off, find Porch on the left drives on with the ball, tackled by Berry, the ball into the middle for Dunnett lifted out to McKew wide left sends it forwards for Tuley through the middle beating the offside trap racing for the box, Gillingham back on her shoulder getting a foot on the ball to turn it to the left, Long latching onto it outside the box her low strike straight at the keeper.

  Brantham looknig to get after the ball at the start of the 2nd half close Needham Market down inside their own half. Dyson attempting to put the ball on for Porch in attack, Steward moving across her box to dive in put the ball out for a corner kick. Defended at the near post Brantham’s turn for the counter the ball lifted up to Long racing on up the left wing, Anderson-Hayler getting back on her to tackle turn the ball behind for a corner. 

  Swung into the area from the left, Porch up high to head the ball clear, Taylor looking to take the ball on through the middle get Needham Market on the attack, Steward across lunging in to make the tackle, hurting herself in the process but aright to continue. Marriott getting in to challenge Long as the attacker links up with Bennett on the right. 

 

Needham Market advance on the left, Porch with the ball at her feet level with the top of the area laying the ball inside for Taylor, her shot blocked by Innes, the rebound finding it’s way out to Attrill to the right of goal her shot on the angle saved by Gibbs across to cover the near post. Needham Market remain lively looking to take the ball to Brantham, who themselves are probing looking for a 3rd goal.

GOAL! And it arrives 10 minutes into the 2nd half, with Long given the ball coming inside from the right moving towards the corner of the area 20 yards out striking the ball with her left foot, sending it flying in over the keeper into the back of the net for her 2nd of the game 0-3.

 Brantham making a change bringing on Stacey Teager, for Dunnett in the middle. McKew remains a ready outlet on the left for Brantham keeping Anderson-Hayler busy. Brantham with a flowing move getting forwards, McKew left cut back to Teager who lays it across to Long to send out to Berry getting on down the right flank her cross swept high into the six yard box, McKew leaping up from close range looking to head the ball knocks it just over.

  Attrill battling for the ball in the centre for Needham Market bringing in forwards attempting to put the through ball on for Taylor, Steward cutting the ball out at the back for Brantham. Dunnett not off the field for long coming back on with Crabtree the player off. Lockwood closing McKew down as she looks to drive on into the left channel. Bennett played on by Teager right side, Marriott closing her down.

  Brantham winning a free-kick on halfway, Dunnett to send it into the top of the Needham Market box, headed clear falls to a Brantham boot the strike from range dipping on the keeper but Adams claims confidently. Attrill coming off for Needham Market with Ashleigh Goddard entering the action. Anderson-Hayler putting the ball on down the right for Parch to attack, Wilson defending in the corner the ball out for a throw. Put up the line the cross intercepted by Wilson.

  Drake stealing onto the ball 30 yards out left of the box goes for the shot angled in skipping off the surface, Gibbs down quickly to smother the ball. Needham Market winning a free-kick deep on the left played into the top of the area, cleared by Dunnett, Brantham look to break the ball fed on for McKew through the middle racing on, Lockwood in well to close her down.

  McKew pulling up down needing to come off, Crabtree coming back on. Needham Market also making changes bringing on Maddi Steward for Marriott sees Anderson-Hayler move to left back with Steward right. Elisa Rossman on too. Remains competitive Needham Market keep pushing looking for an opportunity, Brantham reasonably comfortable in defence can pick their time to attack. 

 Maddi Steward over a Needham Market free-kick wide on the right played in to the top of the Brantham area. Knocked down to the right, Rossman looking to get hold of it, Crabtree winning the tackle for Brantham. Porch has given it all to try and find a goal for Needham Market this evening as play builds on the left with Drake and Taylor the ball put across the D into Porch goes to strike it first time frustration once again as her rising strike packing plenty of power swerves to brush the side netting on it’s way behind. 

  Lucy Chenery coming on for Needham Market with the game moving into the final quarter hour. Parch with a blast from range all of 35 yards out on target, dips into the keepers gloves. Ines Bowman-Boyles coming on for Brantham, to replace Bennett. Porch up with Taylor on the left outside the Brantham box the pass cut inside for Goddard moving across the D looking for a gap, Steward diving in to take the ball for Brantham.

  Needham Market not sitting back prepared to give it a go look for a goal, McKew returning to the action for Brantham with Crabtree coming off. Gillingham tackling Teager for Needham Market as McKew tries to get the ball into her from the left. Wilson moving in to close Goddard down as she picks the ball up from Dyson in the middle drives forwards. Needham Market pushing players on late on as Brantham start to tire getting up around the box, Drake into Rossman into the box forced out to the right, her cross cut out at the near post. 

 Cobbold back on for Needham Market as Porch giving away a foul is shown the yellow card, Brantham get on the attack through the middle, Long up with Teager and McKew the ball blocked 3 times by the Needham Market defence top of their area as they try to force a shot through onto the keeper. Needham Market with a throw high on the left into Drake on the angle her shot struck low to the near post, blocked. A corner won on the left angled into the near post high, Gibbs coming for it getting up to grab hold of the ball.

  The clock ticking down, Needham Market pressing for a goal late on as Brantham look to defend keeping players back behind the ball. Gillingham cutting the ball out at the back for Needham Market as McKew looks to put Teager on through the middle. Needham Market get on the counter the ball from Dyson on for Porch getting into the box right slide, Steward sliding in on her with a strong tackle. Porch hurt stays down for a moment up hobbling comes over to the side lines.  

 In final whistle moments away Needham Market doing all they can to get an opportunity at goal, Brantham solid in defence working hard at the back keeping things tight determined to keep a clean sheet. Brantham celebrate as they win they retain the Suffolk Women’s League Cup and complete a historic double double.

Full time Needham Market Women Development 0-3 Brantham Athletic Ladies

 An intriguing final between two contracting sides, Brantham the favourites having won the title convincingly and having a vastly experienced squad, Needham Market’s talented youngsters giving it a good go however never letting their heads drop. Brantham getting the ball on well first half using the flanks creating opportunities taking the lead just before the half hour, quickly adding a 2nd to get control of the game. Needham Market creating good chances of their own just not taking them trailing at the break. Brantham adding a 3rd goal early in the 2nd half allowing them to settle back defend their box wait for the right moment to break forwards. Needham Market applying late pressure doing all they could to find a goal.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto this evenings Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. Several performances of note was an entertaining match, but there is a clear winner. For Needham Market the defence all played their part, Khyla Anderson-Hayler, Jess Marriott, Mia Lockwood and Sophie Gillingham all putting in timely tackles and inceptions. Emma Drake took the ball on well breaking out from the back. Chloe Taylor with so useful link up play. Immy Porch in attack will feel frustrated she didn’t score but she created the opportunities sometimes it just won’t happen. For Brantham Kirby Steward was strong in defence getting her tackles in reading the game and cutting passes out. Issey Bines too, with some vital tackling and tracking back with Needham Market looking to drive forwards. Lucy Dunnett used the ball well in midfield having good passing options ahead of her. Tarnya McKew one of those outlets a constant threat out on the left created several chances. Laura Tuley with good movement up top scoring a goal. The award goes to the other goal scorer Ella Long opened the scoring and an assist for the 2nd got forwards into the channels linking up play throughout, adding a 2nd and Brantham’s 3rd in the 2nd half.

 Congratulations to Brantham Athletic Ladies on winning this season’s Suffolk Women’s League Cup and completing a 2nd successive league and cup double.

 Had to wait to the cup final to see Brantham in action this season, have had an excellent couple of season’s and should they get promotion to the ERWFL will be more than competitive. 1st look at Needham Market’s talented youngsters gave it a go and look forward to seeing how they develop within the club and beyond. My thanks to both sides for their help with the team line ups tonight. Back in Suffolk next Wednesday for the inaugural Women’s League Plate final between Bacton United Ladies and Halesworth Town Women at Stowmarket Town FC on Wednesday evening.

by Darren Gilham