Sunday 17th May

Norfolk Women’s League Cup

Moving onto the 2nd game from today’s NWGFL Women’s Finals, Day the League Cup final itself, another all Division One line-up with Aylsham FC Women into their 2nd successive League Cup final taking on Costessey Sports Ladies, finishing as runners-up in Division One this season.

All the teams across the 3 Divisions competing in Norfolk playing in the League Cup with those knocked out in the earlier rounds going on to contest for the League Plate won by UEA FC Women this morning. A busy weekend for the NWGFL with all the girls finals taking place on Friday and Saturday.

Aylsham FC Women enjoying their best campaign in Division One last season finishing runners up in both the league and league cup. Have lost a few experienced players during this campaign through various reasons including injury and pregnancy, needing to call up a few of their 7’s players at times, winning as many as they have lost to record a 6th placed finish. Their best form saved for the cup competitions a good run in the county cup followed by getting into a 2nd successive league Cup final, players returning and young talent coming on. Started the season strong with 5 wins from 6, come into the final with the opposite record and know they have a tough test on their hands with Costessey today. Shelley Woods still going strong leading the goal scoring charts finding the back of the net for 16 goals this season. Sophie George also into double figures netting 13 so far with Olivia Baker also amongst the goals with 8.

 Costessey Sports Ladies are very much as side on the rise, have enjoyed a memorable season in Division One, securing runners-up spot losing just 2 league games. Knocked out higher league opposition to progress to the semi-finals of the County Cup and go on to reach their first senior final in the League Cup. Ambitious building one a strong core of youthful talent. 14 wins and 2 draws the only defeats in the league coming at the hands of defending champions Lowestoft (were Bungay Town Ladies last season). Got the better of Lowestoft however in the cup to advance to the final. Goals throughout the side with Thea hackney and Chloe Moulton joint top scorers with 18 goals to their names, Alisha Juby right on their tails has 17. Chelsea Brister has 9 and Kyara Everett and Hannah Campbell both have 8 each.

Road to the Final

  Aylsham FC Women awarded a home win in the 1st Round of the league Cup with the new incarnation of Bungay Town Ladies not quite ready. Division Three opposition for Costessey Sports Ladies too with a trip to Long Stratton Women and having hit the ground running with a 12-0 win in the league on the opening day repeated the feat in the cup, Kyara Everett firing home a hat-trick, there were braces for Chloe Moulton, Chelsea Brister and Layla Watts, plus a goal each for Abbigail Tate, Grace Wall and Aimee Dickson.

  Into the 2nd Round, Aylsham making the trip over to the east coast to play Division Two side, Martham FC Ladies, a brace from Olivia baker, along with a goal apiece for Shelley Woods, Marseilles Will and Sophie George seeing the game won 5-2. Costessey away too in the 2nd round playing fellow Division One side, Bure Valley Women, the hosts scoring twice, Costessey hit back with 4 to advance to the quarter finals, Hannah Campbell, Thea hackney and Alisha Juby amongst the goals.

 Into the last 8 of the League Cup, both sides paired against Division Two opposition, Aylsham away taking on Beccles Town Ladies a close game the visitors winning by a single goal to clinch a 3-2 victory, Sophie George, Olivia Baker and Rachel Bussey all on the scoresheet. Costessey heading along the A47 to play Brundall Bolts Women, a brace for Poppy Lyons plus a goal each for Hannah Campbell and Kyara Everett seeing Costessey leading 4-0 at the break, no more goals in the 2nd period as they booked their spot in the semi-finals.

  An all Division One line-up in the League Cup semi-finals, Aylsham at home playing KLSC FC Women, goals from Rachel Bussey and Sophie George securing a 2-1 win and Aylsham’s successive League Cup final appearance. Costessey at home taking on Lowestoft Town Ladies the visitors leading by a single goal at the break, Costessey came back to level midway through the 2nd half Thea Hackney scoring, that sending the game into extra-time, Costessey getting their noses in front late on through Hannah Campbell, who went on to add another goal in the closing stages to send Costessey into the final for the 1st time.

Youngs Park hosting the NWGFL finals weekend, the main pitch in superb condition, the barbeque open serving burgers the clubhouse bar and kitchen open too serving hot food and drink. The clouds hanging around but the threat of any rain minimal.

 Aylsham FC Women starting XI – Fawnee Ansbro, Carly Allum, Katie Garner, Charlotte Crane, Sophie Buckley, Cayla Brown, Shelley Woods (C), Felicity Hunton, Rachel Bussey,  Vicky Lubbock & Sophie George. Subs – Tegan Lusher, Sophie-Jayne O’Connor, Olivia Wenn & Ellie Snowling. 

 Costessey Sports Ladies starting XI – Kelly Fox, Sydney Brown, Olivia Smith, Phoebe Pierpoint, Alyssia Baldock, Abbi Nobbs, Chelsea Brister (C), Holly Williams, Thea Hackney, Alisha Juby and Chloe Moulton. Subs – Grace Wall, Jenny Moore, Hannah Campbell, Kyara Everett & Mia Finnermore.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

 Should the scores be level after 90 minutes then a period of extra-time will follow by a penalty shootout if required.

Members of the NWGFL committee leading the two sides out onto the pitch, Dan Knowles referring today’s League Cup final assisted by Elise Carroll-Mileham and James Sutherland. Costessey with a good sized squad having 5 to call on from the bench, Aylsham naming 4 on their bench some returning from injury, Olivia Baker having played in all of Aylsham’s matches this season not available for the final. The threat of a shower passing prior to kick-off, it’s Costessey to get the League Cup final under way wearing their away colours, light blue shirts with navy sleeves, navy shorts and socks. Aylsham Lined up opposite in their home colours, orange shirts with blue shorts and socks. The ball played back into defence, sent back into a congested middle, Aylsham getting it cleared over the top, Sophie George giving chase, Kelly Fox out to close it down the goalkeeper putting the ball out for a throw on the right.

Aylsham looking to be positive at the start George seeing the ball down heading for the by-line but is dispossessed as she looks to flick the ball on into the box. George linking up with twin sister Vicky Lubbock in attack exchanging passes Alyssa Baldock getting a foot on the ball to get it away for Costessey. A few nerves at the start from Costessey passes rushed but the more experienced amongst the squad calming things down, Abbi Nobbs looking to find Alisha Juby as she makes a run through the middle, Sophie Buckley intercepting the ball at the back for Aylsham.

Aylsham captain Shelley Woods playing the ball right into Rachel Bussey forwards for George in attack winning Aylsham a corner. Taken short back up the line the cross in from deep long to the far post, Felicity Hunton making the run to try and attack it has too much to do can only glance it wide for a goal kick. Costessey getting the ball up to Thea Hackney on the right, Carly Allum putting it out for a throw. Hackney collects it into her feet, turning infield sending a cross into the box, claimed by Aylsham keeper, Fawnee Ansbro.

Two contrasting side, Costessey’s group younger lively looking to get the ball on, Aylsham with a wealth of experience on the pitch reading the ball getting it forwards with George and Lubbock working the channels in attack. Sydney Brown charging down the ball as George drives inside from the right the ball skipping up Fox on hand to get it away to safety. Holly Williams providing the outlet on the right getting hold of the ball for Costessey charging forwards her cross curled in on goal onto the roof of the net.

Olivia Smith closing Lubbock down as she looks to get the ball on down the left as Katie Garner wins it at the back. Probing balls played forwards, Charlotte Crane challenging Chloe Moulton in attack as captain Chelsea Brister sends the ball up through the middle for Costessey. Hackney bringing the ball infield from the left whipping a ball in across the box, Garner heading it clear for Aylsham.

Brister seeing the ball into the feet of Phoebe Pierpoint out to Moulton moving right clips the ball in towards goal over Ansbro’s crossbar. A good tempo to the game players rushing in to close the other down, Lubbock fouling Williams Costessey with the free-kick right of the circle, Nobbs to send the set-piece up into the box, players lined up to attack the far post the ball in Aylsham winning the header away to the left for a throw in.

A long throw helped on across the top of the area Costessey seeing two snap shots blocked in quick succession. Woods sending the ball over the top of the Costessey defence pressed high, George running in behind central, Fox out of her area to close her down the ball charged down turned out to the right Bussey taking it on her angled shot wide past the far post, a nick on the way through the corner awarded. Played long into the area Hackney back to defend clearing the ball sent up to Williams on the right bursting forwards her cross low into the near post, Ansbro has the angle covered.

The game end to end at times Aylsham with a throw on the left, George lining up with Lubbock played in central Woods helping it out to Bussey right side, Brown in to challenge for the ball. Garner onto the ball left inside the Costessey half sends a diagonal ball into the box, Woods attacking it looking to flick the ball goal wards off her heel lacks the power to trouble Fox the keeper collecting the ball.

Up the other end Ansbro out quickly to the top of her area to save at the feet of Williams as she looks to see the ball into her feet right of the D the ball cleared away to the left, the cross swung back into the area, Ansbro recovering back inside her six yard box to lay claim to the ball. Crane across to defend against Williams as she gets free into space on the right. Williams staying down after the tackle Costessey needing to make a change sending on Hannah Campbell.

Costessey winning a corner on the left as Brown gets up the pitch to support Hackney. A vicious delivery attacked at the near post flicked on across goal no one attacking it at the far post out for the goal kick. Cayla Brown in to make the tackle for Aylsham as Smith looks to get on up the right for Costessey. Allum pulling Moulton down as Juby looks to send the ball into her the free kick awarded, 25 yards plus out, hit in towards goal, safely through to the keeper. Aylsham strait on the counter attack the ball played out to George on the left keeping the ball in pace taking the ball on turning into the area holding off Smith as she shapes to shoot falling back pulls her shot wide of the near post.

A little physical, Aylsham asking a few questions up top both George and Lubbock running at the defence. Lubbock pressing right linking up with Bussey for Aylsham the later looking to force her way into the box slowed down by Nobbs, George looking to keep the ball alive, Costessey getting numbers back inside their box to successfully defend the cross. Lubbock closing in on the right post as Aylsham mount an attack on the right, the ball angled in to the attacker looks to knock it on through to goal, places it wide of the post.

Pierpoint combines with Moulton as Costessey attack on the right the flag up though as Moulton squares it into the middle for Brister. 25 minutes played in the first half. George attacking for Aylsham on the right forces her way inside pulling off her marker to get a shot away on the angle low save by Fox and cleared away to the left for a throw in the corner.

GOAL! Players up into the box a garner sends the throw in long headed on across goal at the near post dropping to Bussey at the far post to attack and turn over the line for fire Aylsham into the lead 1-0.

Brister finding Hackney up on the left from the restart the winger collecting the ball into her feet checking inside her cross intercepted by Crane. A pause in play while the linesman makes repairs to his flag a chance for both sides to have a breather take on fluids. Play resumes Brister linking up with Pierpoint the ball sent on up top to Juby in attack, Crane tackling for Aylsham. Costessey appealing as they attack up the right side no free-kick but are awarded the corner kick.

GOAL! Have been practicing their corner routines a great ball played in long across the area players lining up to attack it beyond the far post, Hackney rising highest to knock the ball down back in towards goal and sends it past the keeper to level up the scores 1-1. 

Costessey back on level terms just 6 minutes after falling behind. Aylsham finding George on the right battle her way on to win a corner kick. Fired into the near side hitting a defender square in the stomach behind for a 2nd corner. Put into the near post again Nobbs getting her head on the ball to turn out away too the left. George looking to volley the ball back in towards goal left side sending a high ball looping over the bar.

Smith taking the ball on for Costessey on for Pierpoint right side, Brown across to close her down the ball out for a throw. both sides fancying their chances of adding another goal, Hackney a threat on the left cutting inside pushing the ball inside for Juby, Brown getting a foot to clear for Aylsham. George getting hold on the ball on the left down the line cut inside for Woods intercepted and behind for another corner. A high ball played into the box, half cleared falling to Brown top of the area played back to George on the left sending the in swinging cross back into the box players in to attack it however the offside flag halts proceedings.

Fox well placed to gather the ball at the top of her area as Aylsham thread it in behind for Lubbock to chase. Play turned around quickly by both sides, some robust challenges the tempo more often than not leading to a mis-timed tackle. Hackney surging up the right flank her cross won by Crane. Hackney sending another ball in across the top of the area,, Juby attacking it near side driven wide. The same pair linking up again with hackney delivering another teasing ball in across the six yard box, Juby rising to attack it centrally lifting her headed attempt over the bar.

Costessey getting a head of steam up towards the end of the first half Hackney the main threat taking the ball on inside Allum, Crane across to close her down put in the blocking tackle. Juby seeing the ball from Campbell into her feet turning it out wide to Hackney, shoots on the angle the ball low into the near post gathered by the keeper. Pierpoint with a strike from distance dropping wide of the right post. The first half ending with the scores level.

Half-time Aylsham FC Women 1-1 Costessey Sports Ladies

 An intriguing first half much closer than predicted, Aylsham getting into to close the ball down defending their 18 yard line well seeing the ball into their attackers, Lubbock and George working the channels stretching the Costessey defence. Finding the opening goal. Costessey looking a little nervous at the start son settling getting hold of the ball Hackney and Williams the outlets on the wings. Taking the ball on levelling up the scores soon after falling behind, were building some momentum towards the end of the first half. Alot put into that half by both sides will be interesting to see if it can be maintained in the 2nd half all square all to play for.

Costessey out early for the 2nd half conducting their team talk in front of their dugout preparing to make some positional changes for the 2nd half. Grace Wall and Williams back on taking up positions on the right on for Brown and Moulton. Aylsham making a change as they return for the 2nd period Ellie Snowling on for Garner at left back. Aylsham getting the 2nd 45 underway the ball played back into their defence, Cost with 3 up top now looking to press. A throw won on the left played into Campbell, Crane moving in to close her down.

Snowling getting the challenge in on Williams over on the right as Wall sends the ball on up the wing. Costessey making a bright start to the 2nd half the ball in across the area from the right, Hackney running in can’t keep it in play out past the far post for a goal kick. Allum defending for Aylsham diving in too deny Hackney as she looks to drive on with the ball at her feet on the left.

Brister into Williams right her cross turned behind for a corner kick. The ball fired in central top of the six yard box the shot flashed in on goal blocked in the line by Allum covering the far post. Crane into charge down a 2nd attempt as Aylsham clear their lines. No foul on Juby as she almost escapes in behind as Campbell sends the ball inside to her from the left. Aylsham soaking up more pressure in the 2nd half, can’t get the players up to support, Lubbock and George in attack. George strong on the ball getting in off the left, tackled well by Baldock.

Williams onto the ball bursting forward for Costessey in the right channel, running into Buckley the defender playing it out for a throw on the right. Aylsham win the ball back in the middle Hunton on for Woods to release Bussey wide on the right up the line fires a dangerous ball in across the face of the Costessey goal, out past the far post for a goal kick. Juby breaking away with the ball on Costessey’s right sends an angled shot in low to the near post claimed by Ansbro.

Ansbro beating down another long range strike fired in towards her goal, the ball knocked forward, Allum getting it away in the nick of time before Juby can run onto it. George with the ball at her feet powers her way into the box before giving away the foul. Lubbock back to defend on Juby as Campbell looks to pick her out through the middle. George get pulled down up the other end giving Aylsham a free-kick top of the circle. Bussey to play the ball into the area aiming for the far post no one getting a touch though as it races out of play.

20 minutes into the 2nd half, Costessey lively with 3 up top, Aylsham winning a corner on the right, the delivery curled in on goal over the bar. Hunton taking on the strike from distance picking out the keeper. Remained physical in the middle, Allum and Brown with some strong tackling. Hackney seeing the ball forwards as Costessey counter on the left, under challenge form Allum gets the ball into the box, Crane getting her head on it knocking the ball up and over her on towards goal. Ansbro rising to claim it high.

George has Woods up ahead of her on the left as Aylsham attack, Wall in with the challenge the ball out for a throw.

GOAL! Costessey get the ball up the pitch quickly Williams carrying on into the left channel sending the ball in behind the Aylsham defence to see Juby beat the offside trap and race in behind, Ansbro coming out to the top of her area to close her down, the attacker takes the ball wide of her moving right into the area to send the ball on into the empty net beyond 1-2. 

 

Costessey taking the lead in the League Cup final with 25 minutes played in the 2nd half. Costessey making a change with Brown returning to the pitch replacing Smith. Woods controlling the ball in the middle played into Cayla Brown to her right 25 yards out takes on the strike curled into Fox at the near post. Hackney continues to be a threat on the left of attack, Buckley across to close her down send the ball out for the throw. Williams onto the ball pace breaking on forward for Hackney left side, Allum sliding in on her to deny the cross.

 Costessey full of energy still in attack getting at the Aylsham back line even as their opponents risk pushing up to get more support into their attacking players. Woods defending a Costessey send the long pass forwards the ball out to the right Snowling closing Williams down, snaps back to take the ball inside, Buckley stopping her cross the ball behind for a corner kick. Curled into the box Aylsham win it back look to counter, Williams quick to get across and win the ball back for Costessey

GOAL! Costessey getting hold of the ball in the middle Moore linking up with Williams the pass through the middle to put Juby in behind the defence nipping in to get the ball before the advancing Ansbro to strike it past the keeper into the open goal beyond to open up a 2 goal lead 1-3.

 Aylsham making a double change with 10 minutes left to play, Garner back on along with Olivia Wenn replacing Woods and Allum. Williams run of running attacking for Costessey on the right coming inside towards the top of the back the pass intended for Juby cut out. Hackney with the ball driving inside to get into the box wrapping her foot around the ball, striking it goal wards, Ansbro saving down to beat the ball away from her goal.

Costessey looking dangerous to towards the end of the game, bringing on subs to keep the energy levels up, Cayla Brown getting the ball up to Lubbock coming inside from the left, Baldock into challenge for Costessey. Kyara Everett on for Costessey in place of Williams with a little over 5 minutes to go. The substitute played into space clear on the left, Crane getting across slowing her down, putting in the tackle to win the ball back. 

 Campbell pushing on with the ball at her feet for Costessey central passed into Everett moving into the left channel, Crane lunging in to get the ball for Aylsham. Played out to the left, Moore closing the ball down to keep Costessey on the front foot on for Hackney right side the cross cut back into the top of the area, Campbell unleashing a strike from 18 yards striking the crossbar and over. The 90 minutes up into stoppage time Costessey sending on their final sub, Mia Finnermore coming on to replace Nobbs. 

  Everett forcing a superb save from Ansbro as she runs onto the ball sent on into the left channel, cutting back to get into the box, gets the ball onto her right foot striking the ball in with pace rising towards goal Ansbro throwing and arm up to her right to turn the ball behind for the corner kick. Another threatening delivery in across the six yard box, attacked the defenders covering both posts blocking the ball.

 Costessey busy younger sides tend not to run the ball into the corner late in a game, intent on attacking Crane into make the tackle on Everett as she surges into space on the left. Brister coming off late on for Costessey, Pierpoint back on. Tempers fraying towards the end, the referee calming thing’s down, Costessey with the free-kick, Hackney off, Moulton on with seconds left to play Campbell cutting the ball out as Aylsham make one last effort to get the ball forwards and that’s it the final whistle blow and Costessey win the League Cup on their debut in the final.

Full time Aylsham FC Women 1-3 Costessey Sports Ladies

  Aylsham forcing Costessey into a change in formation in the 2nd half going 4-3-3, saw them show more thrust in attack Williams and Hackney strong on the flanks Juby lively in the middle the front three caused problems. Able to rotate their substitutes too kept fresh legs on the pitch did better at stopping Aylsham getting the ball into their own attacking players kept the pressure on Juby put clear to fire Costessey into the lead adding a 2nd to put them into a excellent position going into the final 10 minutes of the match, creating further chances one off the bar and a couple of excellent saves from Ansbro keeping the score down, Aylsham tiring held out for 70 minutes struggling to get any meaningful pressure themselves disappointed in the end to miss out in another final, but this season seeing something of a transition within the squad will come back all the stronger next season. Costessey certainly a club on the rise League Cup winners on top of a runners-up finish in Division One assembling a talented squad there’s more to come.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto the 2nd Women’s Football East – Player of the Match award of the day. Tough to single out an individual player great performances across the pitch from both sides. Firstly for Aylsham, Charlotte Crane was excellent in defence getting stuck in to win the ball, cutting out crosses and closing players down throughout. Felicity Hunton with a disciplined game in the middle winning the ball keeping Aylsham on the front foot especially in the first half as the attackers looked to apply pressure, Up top Sophie George and Vicky Lubbock worked hard to chase the ball down getting into the channels and creating chances might have added more goals on another day. For Costessey the energy levels were excellent all game, two goals from Alisha Juby to seal the win lead the line well taking her opportunities when they came. Holly Williams lively attacking on the right and coming inside more in the 2nd half, a ready outlet taking the ball on linking up with her fellow attackers. Phoebe Pierpoint might have gone more unnoticed in the match but did well getting about the pitch chasing the ball and finding pockets of space to receive the ball. The award goes to Thea Hackney a constant threat on the left always looking for the ball driving at players looking to get into the box take on a shot or set up a teammate, scoring the equaliser.

Costessey changing into their regular home colours before the presentation.

Congratulations to Costessey Sports Ladies on winning the 2025/26 Norfolk Women’s League Cup and clinching 2nd spot in Division One.

 Another enjoyable NWGFL Women’s Finals Day, congratulation too to Gorleston Rangers Ladies on winning the 7’s League Cup Final. Thanks to both teams for their help with the team line-ups. Thanks too to all at the NWGFL committee for your assistance today and all the hard work you put in throughout the season. The cup finals almost over for me one more to go, the season’s almost done.

by Darren Gilham