Sunday 25th August

ERWFL Premier Division

Bank holiday weekend and a trip over to The Nest this Sunday for my first taste of football action from the ERWFL Premier Division, an all Norfolk affair with newly promoted Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women taking on Wroxham Women.

The ERWFL representing tiers 5 and 6 of the women’s football pyramid in the East of England, up to full strength with two Division One’s North and South featured 12 sides apiece all vying for a place in the 12 strong Premier Division. Looks the strongest it ever has been with the talent pool growing in depth and quality throughout the game. Tier 5 onwards and the step up in quality becomes ever steeper.

Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women one of a number of county league sides applying for promotion to the ERWFL the season before last. Made sure thing’s were in place behind the scenes before making the move and it certainly paid off with a young talented squad more or less at the top of Division One North all season, enjoyed a tight race for the title with another newly promoted side, Hertfordshire’s Harpenden Town Women. Edging them to the title by a single point. From county football to step 5 in two season’s, have always said this is a huge jump up.

A baptism of fire for Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women on the opening day, doesn’t come much tougher than a away trip to play Haringey Borough Women who are amongst the favourites for the Premier Division title this season. Proved to be a tough game with Haringey powering into a 6 goal lead at half-time. A goal back for Dussindale & Hellesdon in the 2nd half eventually going down 8-1. Now with their first home fixture of the campaign will be looking to put thing’s right albeit with another challenge from Wroxham. Have brought in a number of new faces to bolster the squad ahead of the Premier Division season. 8 in all including, Ellen Piggott, Kyla Langan, Ella Kruez. Holly Walker comes into the club having played for Wroxham previously. Jess Harper joins having previously played for Norwich City Women. Defender Rachel Jermy joins after an impressive debut season with Mulbarton Wanderers Women along with twins Lily-Ann and Anais Winney who gained valuable experience with then FAWNL side Cambridge City Women.

Wroxham Women are a long established side within the ERWFL Premier Division, keen to push on an challenge for the title and with it promotion to the FAWNL above, but with one place up for grabs winning the league is far from easy. Adam Race begins his second season in charge off the back of a 5th placed finish along with reaching the finals of both the County and League Cup.

The squad trimmed down with a few departures over the summer including striker Luci Middleton retiring from the game and Lara Densley going back to Norwich after an impressive season playing for Wroxham. However retain a strong core of experienced players and have added 5 new faces to the bring depth to the squad. Midfielder, Chloe Shipman played a vital role in Dussindale & Hellesdon’s promotion last season, comes into Wroxham off the back of those performances. Leilah Gooding previously with Norwich, joins having had a spell at fellow ERWFL Premier Division side Needham Market Women. Also joining from Needham Market attacker, Hayley Kindred. Poppy Loveland from Mulbarton and Rio Dobbie form North Walsham, two young players with lots of potential.

The Nest, a community footballing facility newly built in Horsford on the outskirts of Norwich home to both Norwich City Women and Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women. An ever growing site close to the airport to the north of the city. With Norwich also at home today, Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women are playing Wroxham on the new Lauren Hemp Community 3G pitch before the main pitch. Opened by Lauren Hemp herself just last month. The pitch offering viewing along one side and goal end. Supporters able to visit the café for hot and cold food and drinks. After a rain filled day on Saturday, the weather much more pleasant today bright albeit with some dark clouds around but no rain forecast a strong breeze blowing across the pitch likely to cause issues during the game.

Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women starting XI – Tyla Cole, Rachel Bussey, Ellen Piggott, Jess Harper (C), Addi Gregory, Lily-Ann Winney, Kari Kowalcyzk, Holly Walker, Rosie George, Alisha Juby & Anais Winney. Subs – Siesha Humphries, Izzy Noakes, Ella Kreuz, Shanice Sutton & Sofia Odell.

 Wroxham Women starting XI – Bryony Williams, Ella Gambell, Chelsea Clarke, Tigi Robson (C), Breanna Rudd, Chloe Shipman, Rachel Cossey, Lily Alexander, Rio Dobbie, Hayley Kindred & Hannah Fuller. Subs – Lucy Eagle & Poppy Loveland.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

  Both sides missing several key players through unavailability and injury. Dussindale & Hellesdon without their 1st choice centre backs captain, Calista Tink and Jess Barnes. Wroxham with a few out with longer term injuries including their captain, Becky Russell and defender Albany Hodgson. Midfielder Jennifer Drummie out since March though is close to making her return. The wind is certainly stronger a kick-off approaches, Wroxham to take the kick-off 1st half will attack with the wind at their back wearing their away colours, mint coloured shirts with black sleeve and shoulders with black shorts and socks. Dussindale & Hellesdon wearing their all claret home kit. The ball rolled back to Lily Alexander in midfield plays it into her right back, Ella Gambell, the visitors patient keeping the ball at the back, captain Tigi Robson threading a pass into Chloe Shipman in the middle looks to drive forwards, tackled by captain, Jess Harper at the back for Dussindale & Hellesdon.

Wroxham quick to regain possession lift the ball out to the right with Hayley Kindred on the move, takes the ball down the line whipping a cross in on the angle the ball inches over the crossbar. Chelsea Clarke coming on from left back for Wroxham tracking inside before laying the ball on for striker Hannah Fuller pulling wide into the left channel, her cross put back in along the top of the area cut out by Dussindale & Hellesdon’s, Addi Gregory.

The hosts look to launch their first attack, Harper into Kari Kowalcyzk with Lily-Ann Winney pushing on through the middle, Rachel Cossey getting her foot on the ball to get Wroxham back on the offensive. A little congested in the middle, not alot of room to get hold of the ball both sides snapping at each other. Wroxham winning a throw on the left as Rachel Bussey steps in to take the ball away from Rio Dobbie. Played inside Alexander turns powering her way infield 25 yards out puts her foot through the ball her effort wind assisted flying up over the bar.  Wroxham looking to impose themselves on the game early on getting forwards with the ball.

Attacking down the left Clarke on for Dobbie on the in sends the pass forwards into Fuller turning on the by-line to fire a cross in along the face of goal, cut out at the far post, turned into the top of the six yard box, Kindred is looking to latch onto the ball, getting taken out by an outstretched foot as she does, the referee pointing to the spot Penalty!

GOAL! Kindred picking herself up to take the penalty kick. Hits it well low and hard to race into the bottom left corner giving the keeper no chance as she celebrates her first Wroxham goal. 0-1. Wroxham with the lead inside 6 minutes.

GOAL! No sooner have Wroxham taken the lead they double their advantage getting down the other end to win a corner kick on the left, Kindred coming over to play the ball into the area curled into the six yard box a mix up in the middle seeing the ball go all the way in at the far post 0-2.

Two goals in 3 minutes to see Wroxham gain control of the match. Dussindale & Hellesdon looking for at outlet up top play the ball over the top into space on the left, Rosie George bursting forwards, Clarke coming across brings her down outside the area top corner earning herself the first booking of the game. Harper coming up from the back to take the free-kick, strikes the ball in towards the near post, Wroxham goalkeeper, Bryony Williams right behind it taking the ball low into her body as she drops forwards.

Anais Winney closing down Robson at the back on the right side, steals possession to run in behind attack the area, goes early with her angled shot 20 yards out , looping doesn’t have the height to trouble the keeper, Williams with the easy catch. Gambell into Cossey, played right for Kindred to attack, charging down the wing drives into the box, Ellen Piggott timing her tackle well to deny the shooting chance the ball behind for a corner kick.

The delivery floated into the six yard box, cleared out to the top of the area straight to Alexander left of the D, puts her foot throw the ball her strike racing wide through the crowd behind past the far post. Clarke left putting the ball on into Fuller up to left channel, has Alexander making an overlapping run lays the ball on for her, the cross flung into the near post cleared by Harper for a throw in.

The wind definitely favouring Wroxham n the 1st half, particularly from corners, see another inviting curled delivery from the left fall narrowly wide of the far post. The next opportunity swung in towards goal crashing out off the crossbar. Gambell  bringing the ball on down the right, tackled by Piggott, Shipman quickly regaining possession putting it cross-field into Dobbie, has Clarke racing past her on the overlap wanting the ball closing in on the by-line her cross caught in the wind flying to the far post, Fuller rising can’t quite get her head on the ball. George having picked up a knock for Dussindale & Hellesdon is replaced by Izzy Noakes.

Alisha Juby with the ball at her feet on the drive through the middle for Dussindale & Hellesdon attempts to thread the pass in behind for Walker, intercepted by centre back Breanna Rudd for Wroxham. Wroxham comfortable at the ball, Dussindale & Hellesdon moving the ball quickly but cramped up for space, with Alexander, Cossey and Shipman closing it down in the middle for Wroxham. Is space in behind with Wroxham pushing up it’s a case of whether Dussindale & Hellesdon can pick out the pass, they do with a good diagonal ball out to the left for Walker to run onto the winger on the move taking they ball on into the area rapidly closing down the six yard box, goes to pull the trigger, Robson diving in to charge the attempt down force it behind for a corner kick.

The corner from the left swung in towards the near post over everyone attacking that side drops to Robson beyond to clear safely at the far post.

GOAL! Just as Dussindale & Hellesdon get an opportunity at one end they are hit on the counter attack the ball cleared into midfield played forwards into the box right post side cut out, Fuller nipping in to get hold of the ball lashes it home from six yard out to make it 3! 0-3.

Almost a half hour played in the 1st half Wroxham with a 3 goal advantage, work for Dussindale & Hellesdon to do, Lily-Ann Winney finding Noakes on the right wing pushes on has good support from Anais Winney, look to play a one two expose Clarke as they turn the full back, Clarke though is one on the best full backs in the league and reads the pass to halt the attack.

Kindred has Fuller up with her on the right feeding the striker the ball, Fuller gets down the line to win a corner kick. Curled in across the six yard box comes all the way through to Robson at the far post her stooping header put back in towards goal, Cole right behind it to save for Dussindale & Hellesdon. Another change for Dussindale with Siesha Humphries on at the back in place of Piggott.

Fuller brought down on halfway winning Wroxham a free-kick. Clarke over the ball sends it long into Kindred attacking the right post, Cole with a sharp save down to get a glove on the ball turn it away from goal. Harper playing the ball out to Noakes on the right, Anais Winney making a run into the right channel ahead of her wanting the past played in behind, Noakes attempted through ball cut out by Robson. Dobbie seeing the ball into her feet on Wroxham’s left comes inside, Bussey coming back at her to put in the challenge, wins the free-kick as Dobbie comes back after the ball.

Alexander travels out to the left with the ball, Dobbie racing on down to the by-line wanting the pass, Bussey tracking back with her to win the tackle, the ball away for a throw in. Wroxham pressing late in the first half, Fuller 30 yards out right of the D, has Dobbie in ahead of her lays the ball forwards Dobbie striking the ball low and hard from outside the box, Cole with a fantastic save, getting down to glove the ball behind for a corner kick.

Curled into the mix from the right, dropping down outside the six yard box, Kowalcyzk looks to bring it away for Dussindale & Hellesdon. Wroxham quick to get the ball back find Kindred out on the right pressing forwards stopped by Humphries. Kindred receiving the ball from the resulting throw in spinning inside from the right striking the ball on the angle the effort crashing into the side netting. The visitors pushing hard for a 4th goal late on attacking through the middle Cossey with Shipman forwards for Alexander to the right of the D, 25 yards out unleashes a strike, Cole with another vital save diving to her left to push the ball away from her goal.

Half-time Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women 0-3 Wroxham Women

  Wroxham end the first half in a strong position leading 3-0. Have been strong on the ball right from the off, the wind at their backs aiding their play at times, taking an early lead from the penalty spot quickly adding a 2nd goal to put Dussindale & Hellesdon on the back foot. Play often congested in the middle of the park Wroxham pressing pushing their opponents back the hosts have struggled to get the ball into their attackers impose any pressure of their own. Alot of work to do if they are to find a way back into the game, will have the win advantage 2nd half will be interesting to see if they can make it count.

Dussindale & Hellesdon making a double switch at the start of the 2nd half bringing on Ella Kreuz and Sofia Odell in place of Kowalcyzk and Williams. The hosts getting the 2nd period underway the ball put back into midfield, Wroxham move in to press, play stifled in the middle of the park. The ball eventually clipped long out to the right for Noakes, Clarke seeing it safely out of play. 

  Dussindale & Hellesdon looking to be positive winning a free-kick inside the Wroxham half from deep Harper floats the ball up into the box seen behind by the Wroxham defence for a corner. Curled in across the six yard box from the left, through everyone out beyond the far post for a goal kick. 

 Shipman bombs on from midfield to the left looking to combine with Kindred the ball knocked forwards, Humphries in with a firm challenge to slow the ball down, Harper coming across to hold it up and launch clear. Humphries bringing some energy onto the pitch on the left for Dussindale & Hellesdon getting stuck in and taking the ball forwards, running into a challenge wins her side a free-kick, 30 yards out to the left of the box. Harper on it lifts the set-piece high in towards goal. Williams back on her line keeping her eye on it claims cleanly.

  Wroxham press the attack the ball cleared at the back, Clarke latches onto it 25 yards out in a central position striking the ball is over the bar. not by much as it lands on the roof of the net. Dussindale & Hellesdon looking to be more competitive getting stuck in trying to regain possession both sides giving fouls away. Robson breaking from the back with the ball at her feet for the visitors moving into the right channel prods it wide for Dobbie, Bussey winning the challenge for Dussindale & Hellesdon.

Alexander bringing the ball left combines with Clarke and Dobbie as they move up the wing, Alexander with the ball again to send a cross in low towards Fuller poised on the penalty spot, Gregory covering though the defender in front of the attacker to cut the ball out and clear. Gambell breaking away on the right for Wroxham receiving the ball the middle as she runs inside from 25 yards out, a wild swing at the ball sees her screw her effort wide.

  Wroxham making a double switch as they prepare to bring on Poppy Loveland and Lucy Eagle, Alexander and Dobbie the players coming off. Shipman playing the ball to Fuller up top outside the box knocks it down off her head to Kindred running on down the right wing whips her cross into the box, across the top of the six yard box just over Eagle as she runs in to attack it.

 Gambell sending the ball up the right for Loveland plays it forwards looking to release Kindred in behind, Harper racing across to lunge in win the ball out behind for a corner kick. Harper on hand to block as shot from outside the box by Clarke as the full back receive the cut back from Kindred on her right 25 yards out. 

  Little for Anais Winney to feed on up top, hasn’t stopped her trying to get after the ball, forces an error at the back as she charges down the keeper as Williams goes to kick the ball clear top of her box, striking Winney it rebounds behind, however his cleared behind for a corner before she can capitalise. Swung in low from the left the ball is defended at the near post. 

 Wroxham launch a quick counter Shipman bringing the ball on lifted up towards the top of the box, Dussindale & Hellesdon stretched as Fuller breaks in behind stretching to get her foot on the ball, falling forwards even as Cole saves with her legs the ball loose rebounding back towards the attacker Fuller lunges forwards trying to get to the ball brushes her head even as Humphries comes diving in herself to try and clear the pair colliding heads, in the immediate aftermath with both players down their is a little confusion however it’s another penalty!

 Before it can be taken though both players are in some discomfort and their treatment is the priority, Fuller slowly back up the first to her feet, Humphries has come off the worse an icepack strapped to her head she can’t continue and is helped off the pitch with Piggott back on.

  GOAL! A long pause between the penalty award and play resuming it’s Gambell placing the ball down on the spot. No fuss a low hard strike into the bottom left corner sending the keeper the wrong way to extend the advantage 0-4.

 The 4th goal coming midway through the 2nd half Wroxham with possession attacking on the left Eagle after ball Bussey closing her down the pair com together, Bussey coming off the worse appears to come down hard hurting her back in the process. Play stopped immediately the physio on, alot of concern. So much so an off duty paramedic is found inside the ground and calls an ambulance for the stricken player. Unable to be move until medics arrive the decision and it is the correct one is taken to abandon the match with 69 minutes played.

Game abandoned in the 69th minute 

Dussindale & Hellesdon Rovers Women 0-4 Wroxham Women at the time.

 Player safety is of paramount importance at the end of the day. You go out there to play and enjoy the game the last thing anyone wants to see is a serious injury occur, but it will sadly from time to time. Wish Rachel Bussey all the very best hoping the injury is not as serious as it appears and for a full and speedy recovery.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  No Player of the Match award this Sunday, just a few performances to highlight. Some fantastic saves from Dussindale & Hellesdon goalkeeper, Tyla Cole. Jess Harper making some vital challenges and clearances at the back. Rachel Bussey too dealt with the threat on Wroxham’s left well with Chelsea Clarke supporting Rio Dobbie. For Wroxham, Clarke was superb in defence and getting forwards supporting and encouraging Dobbie. Lily Alexander made some fantastic runs created opportunities too. Tigi Robson solid at the back winning the ball and timing her tackles.

 My thanks to both sides for their assistance today. A challenging day in the finish on a sad ending. Chances are the game will have to be replayed but that is for a committee to decide. Credit to everyone at The Nest for the support and help in dealing with the incident and let’s hope for good news.

*UPDATE* Pleased to say Rachel has suffered no lasting damage and after a short period of rest and recovery will be back playing football.

by Darren Gilham