Wednesday 20th May

Suffolk Women’s County Cup Final

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  Last cup final of the season, and it’s a big one heading down to Ipswich Town FC’s, Portman Road Stadium for the final of this season’s Suffolk Women’s County Cup between holders AFC Sudbury Women and Needham Market Women.

This season’s final between the two of the strongest teams in the county, the competition long dominated by Ipswich Town Women now competing in FAWSL 2. Now no longer entering a side in the Suffolk Women’s County Cup, Needham Market Women and AFC Sudbury Women have dominated the competition since 2022, meeting in that years final at Colchester United FC, Sudbury winning the trophy. No seedings in the Suffolk competition meaning the big guns can get drawn together more easily, Needham Market coming back to dump Sudbury out early on the following year to win their maiden county cup at Colchester. The final moving back to Portman Road in 2024, Sudbury coming back to win back to back finals aiming for a 3rd successive win this evening.

No doubt it has been a tough season for AFC Sudbury Women, having won through to the FAWNL following back to back promotions to get to tier 4, after three season’s that comes to an end as they finished in the bottom two relegated back to the ERWFL. A hard league to compete in Sudbury lost some experienced players and have been unfortunate with injury to other key individuals, midfielder Maisie Goodwin a notable example out with an ACL and although competitive throughout couldn’t pick up the points they had in the previous season’s to retain their FAWNL status. Thus the county cup taking on a more significant meaning as they look to end the season on high especially with the departure of manger and coach Luke and Stefan Mallett with the women’s set-up for 7 and 5 years respectfully, leading the women’s section during a highly successful spell for the club.

Plenty to be positive about however, the club with it’s academy always bringing players through and elsewhere it has been a hugely successful campaign for their Reserves and Development sides playing in the Suffolk Women’s County League this season. The Development side winning the Championship title. The Reserves doing the double winning the Suffolk Women’s Premiership and this Sunday beating Woodbridge Town Ladies 4-2 to lift the League Cup. Amy-Leigh Abrehart, Sudbury’s top scorer with 15 goals, Lucy Loomes with 10, Faith Harrison scoring 9 before her move to Norwich City Women and Jess Allen has 8 to her name.

Sudbury’s rise and growth in the FAWNL coming at the expense of rivals Needham Market Women to a degree as the club saw several of their more experienced players leave to join Sudbury, leaving them without key experience and ultimately losing their ERWFL Premier Division status. Have been in a period to transition as they look to get back up the leagues dropping into ERWFL Division One South have enjoyed a solid campaign recording a 4th placed finish.

 Like Sudbury, Needham Market have academy to develop young players, with a Development side competing in the Suffolk Women’s Premiership, currently 2nd in the table can finish no lower than 3rd once the final standings done. Annie Posnett the leading goal scorer for Needham Market this season with 20 goals to her name. Keira Topple has 14 and Megan McCrae-Robinson has 11 goals. This will be  the first county cup final for Needham Market played at Portman Road.

Road to the Final

  No seeding in the Suffolk Women’s County Cup hence the big guns can potentially and have been drawn together in the early rounds of the competition. This time round that was avoided to see both progress to the final. AFC Sudbury Women receiving a bye in the 1st round of the County Cup, Needham Market Women were on the road taking on Suffolk Women’s Premiership side, Capel Plough Women, leading 3-0 at half-time Needham Market went on the win the contest 5-0 with Kiera Topple scoring a hat-trick along with a goal each for Ciera Flatt and Paige Pugh.

  Into the 2nd Round, Sudbury were at home playing Premiership side Stowupland Falcons Women, who they faced in the final itself two season’s ago. Sudbury saving up the goals for this one racking up an eye watering 20-0 score line, Lucy Loomes netting a double hat-trick, Evie-Mai Harding with 3 goals too. Braces for Megan Edwards, Faith Harrison, Amy-Leigh Abrehart and Lina Nagib, plus a goal each for Jess Allen, Jade Barrett and Alex Penny. Needham Market in just as ruthless form in front of goal as they travelled to Norfolk Division One side, Waveney FC Ladies in the 2nd Round, Keira Topple scoring 4 this time, Megan McCrae-Robinson with a hat-trick, Anna Sullivan, Mia Etheridge-Golding, Jae Lewis Samuel and Chloe Brame all scoring two, with Cate Jackson also bagging a goal in a 16-0.

 Those scores frightening the opposition in the quarter finals, with both sides progressing courtesy of an away win in both circumstances against Bacton United Ladies and AFC Kesgrave Ladies. Into the semi finals, Sudbury effectively away to the side they beat in last years final with Lowestoft Town Ladies taking on the bulk of the old Bungay Town Ladies squad. A closer game this one, an own goal, plus one each from Jess Allen and Amy-Leigh Abrehart securing a 3-1 victory to see Sudbury make it 3 Portman Road finals on the trot. There league season wrapped up almost a month before Needham Market were due to play their semi-final were on the road again taking on Premiership side, Halesworth Town Women. Goals from Posnett, Etheridge-Golding and McCrae Robinson sealing a 3-0 win to see Needham Market back into the final after 3 season absence. 

 Back to Portman Road for this evenings Suffolk Women’s County Cup final, home of Ipswich Town FC now back in the Premiership. Some modifications taking place in the stands opposite ahead of the new campaign the rival spectators in the upper tier of the Cobbald Stand. The pitch looking immaculate, the sun setting over the stand opposite, would disappear behind it once the action got underway, no rain in the forecast which was welcome after the previous two finals.

 AFC Sudbury Women starting XI – Isabelle Peachey, Sophie Jeffery, Alana Smith, Sheryce Slater, Jade Barrett (C), Lina Nagib, Megan Edwards, Ruby Clark, Jess Allen, Amy-Leigh Abrehart & Lucy Loomes. Subs- Matilda Cox, Stacey Roper, Alena Kendall, Evie-Mai Harding & Olivia Clennell.

 Needham Market Women starting XI – Danielle Clarke, Libby Mann, Cate Jackson, Ciera Flatt, Laura Bloomfield (C), Charlotte McGrath, Mia Etheridge-Golding, Adele Stalnionis, Chloe Brame, Kiera Topple & Annie Posnett. Subs – Sophia Gillingham, Jae Lewis-Samuel, Faith Witmore, Esme Marsh & Nicola Henderson.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

  Olivia Clennell top scoring for Sudbury’s Reserves side on the bench for this evenings final. Both naming 5 on the bench, roll on roll of substitutes. It’s Needham Market to kick-off the first half wearing red coloured shirts with black shorts and red socks with black hoops. Sudbury lined up opposite in their usual colours yellow shirt and socks with blue coloured shorts. The ball played into the left channel Sudbury moving in fast to try and close the ball down, Alana Smith in with a heavy challenge on defender Cate Jackson to see the ball out for a throw to Sudbury on the right.

  Sudbury keen to get on with the ball off of the throw Jess Allen looking to carry the ball on up the right in attack closed down by Needham Market’s Ciera Flatt, the ball played up to Annie Posnett up top intercepted by Sudbury defender Sheryce Slater. Sudbury positive at the start setting a fast tempo looking to get players on winning a free-kick inside the Needham Market half on the left, captain Jade Barrett to send the ball long into the top of the area, Charlotte McGrath sliding in with the challenge to win the ball for Needham Market.

 GOAL! Sudbury capitalising no their fast start the ball over on the left, Sophie Jeffery up with Amy-Leigh Abrehart the ball taken down the line the looping cross put into the area players drawn across missed by the defender at the near post bouncing through to Allen, free central in front of goal getting her foot up over the ball to ram it home past goalkeeper, Danielle Clarke to open the scoring 1-0.

  The perfect start from Sudbury into the lead inside the opening 2 minutes of the final. An early blow for Needham Market look to get on from the restart the ball played up to Posnett up top, the ball intercepted at the back Sudbury looking to quickly turn play around, Allen a ready outlet up to breaking free into the left channel, Clarke coming racing out of her area to get hold of the ball first, collected by Abrehart has a go from range 30 plus yards out the ball dropping wide of the left post.

  Ruby Clark into close the ball down for Sudbury right side played on for Allen up the wing, Jackson in to close her down giving away the free-kick. Sudbury putting plenty of players up into the box as Barrett plays in into the middle, lifted in into the area, long collected cleanly by the keeper. Barrett at the back allowed time on the ball picking her pass sending in long into the right as Smith overlaps Allen the pass cut back to the attacker top of the area sends it into the D, Mia Etheridge-Golding getting it clear for Needham Market.

  Jeffery pushing on up Sudbury’s left to support Abrehart the cross whipped low into the six yard box, Clarke getting down to get body behind the ball cut the cross out. Posnett seeing the ball into her feet letting fly from range not troubling Sudbury goalkeeper, Isabelle Peachy. Needham Market’s defence under pressure Sudbury getting players on well down the wings the ball in from the left not cleared, comes through to Allen right of goal taking a swing at it Clarke down behind it to save. 

 Allen lively attacking for Sudbury right side picked out by Lina Nagib races down the line her cross cut out by Needham Market’s Libby Mann. Sudbury seeing alot of the ball in the opening 10 minutes getting players on with intent Barrett into Megan Edwards fed to towards the top of the D, captain Laura Bloomfield into to win it back for Needham Market. 

 GOAL! Sudbury winning another free-kick wide left inside the Needham Market half, Barrett over the set-piece sent long up into the packed area, Slater knocking it down towards goal blocked by McGrath clears the ball to the top of the area, players going to attack it, finds it’s way through into the left channel, Abrehart bursting into the box clear putting her foot through the ball to drill it across the keeper and score to double Sudbury’s lead 2-0.

  13 minutes played, Sudbury with a strong start racing into a 2 goal lead looking a threat every time they go forwards. Posnett leading the line frustrated as she gets pulled up for offside trying to run in behind onto a pass from Etheridge-Golding through the middle. Allen seeing the ball come on into her path as she presses on up the right taking it into the box, Jackson closing her down, the ball not clear, Allen snatching it back unleashing a shot struck wide of the near post.

  Adele Stalnionis getting hold of the ball out on the right for Needham Market looking to drive on up the win, tackled by Jeffery, Sudbury turning play around the cross-field pass in towards Allen on the right, Jackson getting to it first seeing the ball back to Clarke to clear. Sudbury’s defence pushed up, Barrett and Sheryce Slater in the centre of defence, having time on the ball plenty of passing options ahead of them. Posnett looking to get hold of the ball when she can drive forwards but starting deep, is quickly closed down Nagib tackling.

  Allen pulling away on the right sending a cross long across goal to the far post attacked by Abrehart her header taking a deflection off a defender behind for the corner kick. Taken short, back up the line Sudbury send the cross in long to the far post no one getting a touch out for a goal-kick. 20 minutes played is a competitive tussle free-kicks given away as Sudbury look to close Needham Market down on the ball as their opponents look to try and get a foot hold in the game. McGrath on for Chloe Brame, looks to try and pick out Posnett through the middle, the ball cut out by Barrett.

  Needham Market’s fans vocal encouraging their team on, pushed back getting players forwards a challenge, Sudbury lively pouring players on as quick to get back behind the ball the midfield tight, Keira Topple left for Needham Market put on for Posnett to attack on the wing, shoulder to shoulder with Smith riding a challenge to get into the box, Barrett getting her foot in to clear the ball, referee Sarah Clarke bringing play back for the earlier foul on the Needham Market striker. An opportunity for Needham Market to get players forwards create an opportunity of their own.

 The free-kick 25 yards out left corner of the area, Bloomfield over the ball, clips it in over the Sudbury wall, dropping down to the bottom left corner, Peachey diving down across her goal getting down to push the ball out to the left for a throw. From the throw Needham Market force a corner kick, curled in to the near post Needham Market defend, the ball out of their box, Posnett getting hold of it looking to keep the attack alive the ball crossed back in to the right Stalnionis offside. 

 Is no quarter given between the two sides some heavy tackles and comings together the tempo remaining high, Slater on for Jeffery pushing up the left for Sudbury onto Abrehart her early cross intercepted by Needham Market’s Bloomfield. Topple looking to get up to support Posnett on the left the cross flung into the area from deep claimed well by Peachey inside her box. 

 Closing in on the half hour mark, Lucy Loomes laying the ball into Abrehart left side outside the box the shot taken, Clarke right behind to save holds onto the ball. Flatt finding Stalnionis as she gets a move on up the left, combining with Posnett the pass inside returned to her up the line before she squares a good cross into the D, Nagib back to defend clearing for Sudbury. 

 Clarke needs to come rushing out of her box as the ball popping about in the centre suddenly rebounds clear for Loomes to break in behind the defence. Sudbury remain the more dominant side, signs Needham Market are beginning to find a few openings getting players on to support Posnett in attack. Posnett snapping in well to steal the ball back releasing Stalnionis out on the left takes it into the left channel, Smith back at her to defend see the ball back to the keeper.

  Posnett batting for the ball gets in the clear 25 yards out to the right of goal, taking on the strike blazes her shot over the bar. The free-kicks mounting up, Needham Market wining one right of the centre circle, Bloomfield launching it up to the top of the Sudbury area, Nagib defending heading the ball clear. Loomes turning on the ball looking to play Allen in to the right of the box, Flatt lunging in to nick the ball for Needham Market. 

 GOAL!  Closing in on the final 5 minutes of the first half, Barrett in possession inside the Needham Market half, has been given time on the ball, able to pick her options all of 40 yards out central is a striker in her own right and decides to have a pop, and what a strike too! Connects with the ball beautifully angling in on goal going to cause any goalkeeper problems as it dips late to sail under the bar and send Sudbury into a 3-0 lead. Barrett runs across the pitch in celebration, think she liked that one was a fantastic hit!

 Sudbury able to get their full backs pushed on Jeffery up on the left crossing into the area, cut out by Bloomfield as Loomes goes in to attack it. Needham Market finding themselves closed down rapidly by Sudbury when in possession, Edwards tackling Brame. Allen on the attack right side, getting inside Flatt inside the box to whip an angled shot into the near post, Clarke adjusting smartly to throw herself down to the left get a hand on the ball push it across goal her defence scrambling it clear. 

 Flatt turning Smith’s cross behind for a corner as she gets on well up the right. Swung in long across the face of goal headed clear at the far post, Jeffery getting hold of it letting fly from distance, Clarke right behind her 25 yard strike. Needham Market giving the ball away at the back, Abrehart with it left side close the the by-line turning a shot wide across the face of goal. Into 2 minutes added time Abrehart meeting the ball on the volley off of a throw left of the D sending the ball over the bar.

Half-time AFC Sudbury Women 3-0 Needham Market Women

  Sudbury heading back into the changing rooms with a dominant first half display to lead 3-0 at the break. Getting off to the perfect start into the lead inside the opening 2 minutes, got players on well with attacking intent to push the Needham Market defence back put them under pressure, setting the tone for the game, on the back foot opportunities for Needham Market to get forwards themselves limited. Sudbury extending the lead in the 13th minute a wonder strike from captain Jade Barrett late on the half extending the lead. A huge task now for Needham Market to get back into the game and with Sudbury likely to ring the changes to keep legs fresh will be looking to score more goals.

 The sides out for the 2nd half no changes as Sudbury get the game restarted the ball out to the left Jeffery powering forwards on the wing taking the ball down the line firing a vicious cross into the area, attacked by Loomes, Clarke with a wonderful save diving to her left getting down to turn the ball behind for the corner kick. 

 GOAL! The area packed as the ball is curled in long across the six yard area to the far post, knocked back down into the mix Needham Market don’t get it away the ball prodded back at goal, Loomes latching onto it burying the ball into the back of the net from close range 4-0.

 The perfect start to the first half from Sudbury with an early goal, followed up by another early goal in the 46th minute in the 2nd half to extend the lead make things comfortable, making it a mountain for Needham Market to climb now. Sudbury making a change replacing their goalkeeper, Matilda Cox coming on to replace Peachey. Nagib playing the ball on for Allen right channel, Flatt in close to put in the tackle. 

 Sudbury keep it on the right Clark up with Allen the strike fired in on the angle, Clarke behind it at her near post to beat down and claim. Both sides tackling, Etheridge-Golding tangling with Nagib the free-kick given away on halfway. Barrett playing in forwards into Loomes, Bloomfield winning it back off the attacker. 

 Abrehart getting onto the ball right side travelling turning into the box, getting a shot away even as Topple slides in to make the challenge, the ball pulled wide of the near post, Abrehart getting an unintentional knee in the back for her efforts, but is up back on her feet. Needham Market remain under pressure pushed back, Posnett finding herself isolated in attack, has alot to do but will fight for every ball, annoyed as she gets pulled up for offside. 

 Jeffery linking up well with Abrehart on the left side the cross from deep turned behind by Mann to concede the throw in the corner. 10 minutes played in the 2nd half, Brame gets the ball on for Mann as she looks to advance on the right the ball squared in central Posnett her target, Barrett in close on the striker to defend for Sudbury. Sudbury come right the ball passed back to Clarke, Allen racing in to close her down, Clarke snatching it away in the nick of time but in doing down catches Allen with her follow through leaving her down in pain in need of treatment a painful impact injury. No need to take any risks Sudbury making the change Allen hobbling off, Alena Kendall introduced to the action.

  Mann finding a little joy on the right for Needham Market threading in on through the right channel for Posnett, Slater getting to the ball first turning it safely back to her keeper. Another long pause for an injury as Etheridge-Golding sliding in too tackle comes off the worst in the centre. Needham Market’s turn to make a change as they bring Etheridge-Golding off, Nicola Henderson.

 Needham Market looking to give it a go try and get some joy going forwards, Bloomfield on for Mann on the right putting the defence under pressure the ball cleared into the middle, Posnett after it inside the D, giving away the foul. Needham Market with a corner on the left Sudbury getting it clear out of their box Brame getting it back 25 yards out on the spin sending her effort in on the keeper, Cox holding onto it. 

 Barrett and Slater comfortable at the back for the most part for Sudbury, Jeffery and Smith both pushing up on the flanks keeping Needham Market pinned back. Slater into Jeffery as she bombs on up the left, fouled by Topple the free-kick awarded.

 GOAL! Players rushing in to attack the far post as the ball in launched into the box, Clarke trying to get up amongst bodies to get something on the ball can only knock it down into the ground is a melee of red and yellow shirts the ball put across goal, Edwards getting her foot to it to turn the ball over the line turning in celebration sending Sudbury into a 5-0 in the 68th minute.

  Needham Market make a double change, McGrath and Stalnionis taken off, on comes Esme Marsh and Jae Lewis-Samuel. Sudbury ringing the changes too making 3 changes, Smith, Clark and Loomes coming off, Stacey Roper, Evie-Mai Harding and Olivia Clennell coming on. Into the final 20 minutes Jeffery surging on up the left, a strong tackle form Topple appeals but no foul. A give and go between Jeffery and Abrehart on the left sees the full back race down the line while Abrehart breaks into the box looking to get onto the end of the cross, Flatt blocking her shot, Abrehart getting a 2nd bite rushed shooting low puts it straight at Clarke who can snatch the ball up into her gloves.

  Topple down after the ball another pause in play while she is treated, feeling the back of her leg is allowed back on. Needham Market making a change with flat coming off at the back, replaced by Sophia Gillingham. Play a little disjointed now with all the changes. Harding pushing no up the right seeing her cross cleared by Bloomfield. Topple feeling her injury needs to come off with Faith Witmore coming on. 

 Posnett keeping the Sudbury defenders honest as she fights to get hold of the ball, Barrett holding her off to see the ball back for Cox to kick clear. Marsh getting Needham Market a free-kick on the right as she is pulled back, Bloomfield to send the ball long into the area, headed clear away to the left, Lewis-Samuel chasing it down to win a throw. Into the final 10 minutes Needham Market’s defence still under pressure, Gillingham blocking as Harding hits the ball from the right of the D. 

  The game opening up a few tired legs out there, Jeffery combining with Abrehart on the left the ball in central Barrett onto it in space encouraged to shoot, tries anther ambitious effort not enough in it this time dropping safely in front of Clarke to catch on the bounce.  

 GOAL! No let up from Sudbury the ball fed on through the middle into Abrehart’s feet left side of the D, 20 yards out shifts it inside to create half a yard for a shot and wrapping her foot around the ball, drives it low and fast past the keeper before she can react 6-0.

 Brame coming off for Needham Market, Stalnionis coming back on. Sudbury making changes too, Loomes, Smith and Clark back on for Nagib, Abrehart and Edwards. Bloomfield into challenge Kendall as she takes the ball on to the top of the D. Gillingham cutting the cross out as Harding looks to pick out Kendall from the right.

GOAL! The changes seeing gaps across the pitch as the game moves into 5 minutes of added time, Clarke racing out to the top of her area as Harding breaks in behind on the right, gets the ball past the keeper as she slides in and running in beyond her puts the ball into the empty net 7-0.

 GOAL! No let up from Sudbury Jeffery still full of running on the left linking up with Loomes the ball into the attacker returned to Jeffery down the line to float a cross into the six yard box Clark making the run to get onto the end of it blasting the ball across the line from close range to make it 8 on the night! 8-0.

 Sudbury celebrate as the final whistle blows as they win the county cup for the 3rd successive year.

Full time AFC Sudbury Women 8-0 Needham Market Women

 Sudbury dominating from start to finish getting the early goal and never looking back kept coming forwards Needham Market on the back foot couldn’t get a foothold in the game, the goals coming at crushing intervals 2-0 in the first half late on hold out and maybe it’s a different picture for the 2nd half, Jade Barrett’s screamer changing that! 3-0 at the break Sudbury scoring a 4th straight after the restart to take full control of proceedings adding a 5th and 6th late in the game. 2 further goals in stoppage time adding to the rout. Joy for Sudbury at the end of a tough season, Luke and Stefan Mallett leaving the women’s section in a healthy place despite relegation, as a new era begins. A hard loss for Needham Market to suffer it will hurt 8 goals without reply but they know they are rebuilding themselves and have talent coming through will bounce back.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Time to pick the Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. As is often the case singling one player out is tough good performances across the park. A tough night for Needham Market no doubt and their players will be hurting, battled though out Danielle Clarke despite the score with some crucial saves. Laura Bloomfield winning a good share tackles at the back. Annie Posnett often alone up top working tirelessly to try and find an opening. For Sudbury, Jess Allen set the tone early on scoring the opener after two minutes dangerous going forwards always available on the right. Likewise Amy-Leigh Abrehart on the left of attack got on well into some good positions took her goals well. Jade Barrett with a superb 40 yard strike to make it 3-0 was composed and solid at the back throughout. But based on my notes the award goes to Sophie Jeffery got forwards on the left, menacing the defence, linking up well with Abrehart in particular, taking the ball and players on putting several dangerous balls into the box.

 Congratulations to AFC Sudbury Women on winning the 2025/26 Suffolk Women’s County Cup, and making it 3 successive cup wins. Ending a difficult season on a high.

 My thanks to the staff at Suffolk FA for letting me cover the game and their assistance this evening. Best of luck to Luke and Stefan Mallett for whatever comes next, some great memories made with Sudbury getting the club back up the leagues. Great to catch up with a few footballing friends in Suffolk. That’s the finals complete for another season, not quite done yet there’s still one league title to be won.

by Darren Gilham