Sunday 20th Oct

Suffolk Women’s County Cup

Action from the Suffolk Women’s County Cup this Sunday on Women’s Football East with a trip east to watch the 1st Round fixture between Beccles Town Ladies and Capel Plough Women.

Sponsored by MH Goals Ltd the Suffolk Women’s County Cup has been dominated by Ipswich Town Women since it’d inception. That ending after a decade as Ipswich climbing up the women’s football pyramid have not entered the competition, that has seen a new dominance emerge with AFC Sudbury Women the current holders, enjoying a healthy rivalry with Needham Market Women. No doubt to two strongest sides in the competition but with the draw sometimes seeing them face-off in the earlier rounds of the competition that means with a favourable draw the other way any other club could potentially go all the way to the final as has been the case with Bungay Town Ladies and Stowupland Falcons Women from the county leagues respectfully. Meaning today’s opponents have a realistic opportunity to go deep into the competition.

Beccles Town Ladies amongst the sides pushing hard at the top end of the old Women’s Division Two last season in Norfolk, before falling away late on to finish 4th in the table. With a host of new sides joining the Norfolk league the women’s section expanded to 3 divisions. Beccles retaining there status in Division Two now featuring 8 sides and amongst the favourites to challenge for the title. Didn’t get the start they were hoping for as they lost 2-1 at home to one of the other title contenders, FC Viking & Valkyries Women. Bounced back well since with 2 wins and a draw to put them into 3rd place. Scarlett Snell and Alesha Tuttle the joint top scorers with 4 apiece with midfielder, Vicky Bloomfield on target for three goals. 

 Capel Plough Women made their debut last season, entering into the Suffolk Women’s Championship, scoring their way to the title, netting 107 in total to clinch the title and win promotion to the Suffolk Women’s Premiership, whilst also reaching the last 4 of the League Cup too. Zara Pike the runaway goal scorer in the Championship scoring a staggering 66 goals in her 20 matches for the club. Maddie Green 2nd in the table for Capel Plough with 11 to her name. With further goals coming from throughout the squad. A 4-4 draw against fellow promoted side Bury Town Community Women to open life in the Premiership this season, hen a humbling 12-0 loss against defending champions Brantham Athletic Ladies. Just 2 league matches on the board has certainly been a stop start opening to the season with the Premiership seeing some withdrawals.

 Beccles Town FC’s, College Meadow the venue for today’s county cup match. The multi sports facility as usual a thriving hub of activity with youth games in both football and rugby taking place before the women’s match. Always good to see. The main grass pitch beside the railway surrounded by trees. The tea hut open serving hot and cold drinks along with snacks. A small covered stand with some seating beside. The cover the important factor with the trailing arm of Storm Ashley blowing in rain across the region. Not overly heavy just persistent but with a strong breeze accompanying it likely to blow through. Making the pitch slick nonetheless the wind from on end to the other could play a role too.

 Beccles Town Ladies starting XI – Chloe Nixon, Kelly Collins (C), Evie Bailey, Georgia Tiffin, Emily Wilkinson, Vicky Bloomfield, Stevie Potter, Vicky Ottey, Alesha Tuttle, Phoebe Wakefield & Scarlett Snell. Subs – Jessica Wilkinson, Millie Reeve, Charlotte White & Marie Carter.

Capel Plough Women starting XI – Chloe Smith, Boni Shepherd (C), Mineezeh Shahid, Tayla Stephenson, Aimee Stephenson, Gemma Foster, Kimberley Edwards, Shannon Cameron, Codie Southgate, Katie Green & Maddie Green. Subs – Daisy Hill, Amelia Burrell & Annabel Sauter.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

 Chloe Nixon signed on this week making her debut in goal, answering the clubs call for a replacement keeper with Annabel Outlaw focusing on her studies. Has plenty of experience in the game and a useful addition to the squad, Acle United Ladies amongst her previous clubs. The rain falling lightly but seeing the wind pick up it’s the visitors Capel Plough to take the kick off first half with the weather at their backs wearing pink shirts with black shorts and black and white hooped socks, with Beccles lined up opposite wearing white shirts with black shorts and socks. Maddie green rolling the ball back to Gemma Foster in midfield she sprays the ball out to the right, launched up the wing Beccles can see the ball out safely for a throw.

 Beccles bring the ball on through the middle Alesha Tuttle on the move lifting a diagonal ball into Evie Bailey in the right channel, attempts to bring the ball inside, closed down by Capel Plough’s Aimee Stephenson the ball lifted forwards for captain Boni Shepherd to take on down the left wing into the corner lifts a cross into the near post met by Katie Green six yards out sends her header wide of the post.

  Play congested in the middle of park as both teams squeeze up, Mineezeh Shahid in to close the ball down at left back for Capel Plough deflecting it over the Beccles defence a high line, sees Maddie Green race in behind, Nixon rushing out to the top of her area gathering the ball first. Alesha Tuttle getting hold of the ball for Beccles making a strong run through the middle before lifting the ball on into the right channel for Scarlett Snell to attack, closing down on the box, Shepherd slides in from behind with a well timed tackle to dispossess the attacker.

  Capel Plough with pace in their attack, turn play around smartly clipped out to the right, Codie Southgate taking the ball on squaring a cross into the Beccles area, cut out by Emily Wilkinson. 

 GOAL! That pace bringing them the opening goal as the visitor press the ball in the middle, Kimberly Edwards into Foster the ball threaded though the Beccles defence central with Maddie Green pulling off the shoulder of the last defender to ace on towards goal, taking on the early strike from all of 20 yards out placing her pacy strike low past the keeper before she can react. 0-1.

 A goal inside the opening 5 minutes of the contest for Capel Plough. The visitors looking to impose themselves on the game putting the Beccles defence under pressure, Shephard left with another powerful run on the ball down the left flank her cross cut out by Tiffin. The ball moving forwards quickly skipping up off the slick pitch, Maddie Green causing issues with her pace through the middle. Caught offside this time as Shepherd puts the ball over the top. 

  Tuttle strong with the ball at her feet as she travels on through the middle with purpose, closed down yet squeezing the ball through for Evie Bailey to burst clear in the right channel taking the ball on into the box angling a shot in towards goal, Capel Plough goalkeeper, Chloe Smith getting down to make the save the ball not sticking however, skipped back towards Bailey, but before she can get a 2nd bite at it, Shepherd comes sliding in turn the ball behind for a corner kick. A vicious delivery curled into the six yard box from the right however it goes through everyone to run harmlessly out of play.

  Tuttle herself in sent clear moments later, breaking into the right channel after the ball, Smith comes racing out of her area to try and get to the ball first, just by a fraction of a second gets it away even as Tuttle slides in to attack it, Smith going over the Beccles attacker, taking a knock, hurt the referee quick to stop play for the goalkeeper to be accessed. Felt it but okay to continue. 

End to end action, Capel Plough moving the ball quickly getting it out to the right for Shannon Cameron to take forwards her cross into the near side intercepted by Tiffin for Beccles. Vicky Bloomfield combining with Stevie Potter through the middle for Beccles, Tuttle taking the ball on, the visitors rushing to close her down, stabs the ball into Bailey’s path out on the right, wrapping her foot around the ball drops her cross onto the penalty spot, Capel Plough defend on Snell, the ball carrying on through to Phoebe Wakefield positioned left of the D, getting her foot over the ball, sends a shot looping in towards goal, the pace taken out of it from a deflection, Smith can get across her line to claim the ball at her right post.

 Maddie Green across to the left to support, Shepherd as she carries the ball on down the line, Bailey outnumbered but manages to get her foot on the ball to turn it out for a throw allow her side time to regroup. 

GOAL! Breaking up a Beccles attack through the middle, Shepherd gets onto the ball catches the hosts with a high line as she threads a superb ball though the middle splitting the defence for Maddie Green to race onto a latch onto the ball, holding off a pursuing defender as she reaches the top of the box, strikes the ball, low past the keepers right, Nixon dives attempting to get to the ball, brushes her fingertips as it travels on into the back of the net. 0-2

Capel Plough racing into a 2 goal lead with 16 minutes on the clock a strong start. Maddie green’s pace a real issue for Beccles. The striker seeing the ball come into her feet from the right dragging a shot wide of the left post from the top of the D. Edwards laying the ball on down the right flank for Southgate to attack, Wilkinson comes racing across to close her down send the ball out for a throw. 

 Beccles put Wakefield way on the left wing taking the ball on cuts inside, before being tackled by Tayla Stephenson. Tuttle getting about the pitch for Beccles picking up a few knocks for her trouble as Capel Plough rush to close her down, sends Vicky Ottey clear on the right wing, drives on, Shahid coming to close her down, tackling to play the ball out for a throw. The throw lifted into Wakefield inside the box nearside, Tayla Stephenson making the challenge to send the ball out for another throw by the corner flag. 

 The hosts pressing well in the final 3rd Wakefield in the right channel knocking it down for Potter to spread play to Tuttle breaking away on the right wing her shot angled into the near post, Smith has angles covered getting down behind the ball to save. Beccles working hard to get hold of the ball in the middle, Capel Plough likewise snapping in to close them down a danger on the counter as they look to turn play around  another clearance put over the defence threatening to set Maddie Green away. Nixon reading it early out of her area quickly to clear the ball.

  Into the final 15 minutes of the first half, Shepherd getting onto the ball for Capel Plough laying a great through ball on for Maddie Green to turn the defence, Tiffin adjusts well however to stay with her and stick her foot out to take the ball away from her as the pair race into the D. 

 Tuttle up ended on halfway as she gets on the moves through the middle for Beccles. Bloomfield over the set-piece for Beccles launching the ball up to the top of the Capel Plough area, Edwards winning the challenge as she and Tuttle go for the ball. A lively encounter Wakefield with the ball for Beccles bringing it inside from the left rolled into Snell central looks to turn 25 yards out, Shepherd sliding in to make the blocking tackle, sees the loose ball run out to the right Bailey latching onto it for Beccles driving to the corner cutting inside to cross, cut out by Shahid turned behind for a corner. 

 Bloomfield on the corner whipped into the box from the right, missed by Tiffin positioned on the penalty spot, races through to Snell quickly beyond the near post, attempts to get a shot away, her effort looping up and falling wide of goal. Beccles pressuring the Capel Plough defence late in the first half, Snell nipping in to steal the ball off Shahid 25 yards out racing towards the area right of the D, Tayla Stephenson moving in to close her down before she can shoot Snell squeezes a cross into Potter up to the left of the D, shoots low aiming for the inside of the far post, Smith diving full stretch across her goal, getting her outstretched gloves around the ball.

  Katie Green seeing the ball into her feet turning it out to Maddie Green on the right, her cross intercepted by Wilkinson for Beccles. Caple Plough with Cameron up with Southgate on the right the ball fired in across the Beccles goal falling to Shephard beyond the far post, snapping at the ball with Bailey coming to close her down, the ball rebounding off Shephard behind for a goal kick. Nixon getting settled in marshalling her defence, ready for Green if she skips in behind quickly out to clear the ball. Wakefield picking up a knock for Beccles replaced by Millie Reeve.

  Bloomfield sends a good ball through for Snell up top attacking through the middle for Beccles, Aimee Stephenson stabbing in with a challenge to get the ball back to her keeper to clear. Capel Plough coming on strong right side Maddie Green with Edwards the shot struck hard into the near post on the angle, Nixon down smartly to save batting the ball away, drops for Katie Green central 20 yards out sends her shot curling wide of the right post. A good contest Bailey snapping on to get onto the ball right side, brought down winning her side a free kick. 

 Bloomfield on the set-piece a teasing delivery into the box, but not attacked at the near post as it runs out of play for a goal kick. Capel Plough winning the ball at the back, Foster up to Southgate, lays the ball on for Shepherd pushing down the right, Ottey in to close her down conceding the corner. Swung into the near post, Tiffin winning the header for Beccles. Tiffin winning the ball in defence again soon after as she tackles Southgate as Foster looks to send the ball on through the middle for Capel Plough.

  Tayla Stephenson coming off for Capel Plough at the back with Annabel Sauter coming on. The visitors with the ball fired up to Southgate making a run into the left channel, Bailey tracking back to defend for Beccles. Capel Plough quick to regain possession the cross-field pass finding Maddie Green on the right crosses, headed clear in the box by Tiffin for Beccles the hosts look to break quickly but Tuttle is flagged offside. 

Half-time Beccles Town Ladies 0-2 Capel Plough Women

  Capel Plough head into the changing rooms holding a 2 goal advantage at the break. Maddie Green’s pace causing Beccles issues early in the game and she capitalised to core twice. Beccles battled on and getting onto the ball in the middle drove forwards to create some useful opportunities in front of goal, forcing two good saves from the opposition keeper, while Nixon was on hand to save herself as Capel Plough threatened to score a 3rd. Alot for Beccles to do to get back into the game, certainly can’t afford to concede a 3rd but will be encourage by the chances they created in the first half. 

 The rain all but blown through now remains breezy with both sides out ready to begin the 2nd half, waiting on the officials. Beccles with the kick-off 2nd half, Daisy Hill on up top for Capel Plough replacing Southgate. The ball rolled back into Tuttle in the middle lays it out to the right the ball fired up the line for Ottey to race after, however the Capel Plough defence can see the ball safely out for a goal kick. 

 The hosts pressing the ball right from the off at the start of the 2nd half winning a throw high on the right. Players drawn the the ball the pass fired long across the penalty area with Bloomfield free to the left, looks to turn inside line up a shot but gets up ended instead, awarded the free-kick. In a dangerous position some 30 yards out, with the winds behind her Bloomfield has an attempt on goal, lifted in high in towards the target is straight at the keeper and Smith back on her line sees it all the way taking a high by tricky catch before bringing the ball down, Beccles appealing that the ball might have carried over the line but nothing doing. 

  Beccles making a positive start to the 2nd half getting players on to support the attackers. Maddie Green attacking on Capel Plough’s right channel taking the ball out to the wing her cross into the box long, incepted by Bailey far side and cleared up the line for Beccles. Foster putting a diagonal ball into the path of Maddie Green as she charges on through the middle, taking the shot on from 25 yards out fires her attempt over the crossbar.

  Tuttle is certainly in the wars for Beccles her strong runs seeing her fouled regularly, brought down on halfway. The hosts attacking down the right Bailey with Ottey the cross defended put behind for a corner. Curled in low to the near post, hits a couple of players as it rebounds through to the keeper to snatch into her gloves, Beccles again appealing for a handball but don’t get the decision. 

 Tuttle bursting through the middle lays the pass out to bailey to her right, in turn the ball cut back into the box in to the path of Potter making a near post run, looking to shoot, Foster races back to close her down divert the ball behind for a corner. Beccles pushing hard the corner knocked on at the near post dropping central for Snell in the six yard box, attempts to nod the ball down towards goal her effort blocked, Snell stretching trying to lay the ball on for Tuttle to her right Tuttle can’t quite take it on in her stride out for a goal kick.

  Capel Plough pushed back, looking to get forwards through Maddie Green as Katie Green sends the ball through to her in the right channel, Emily Wilkinson in to close her down for the hosts. Beccles making a change as they bring off Ottey, bring on Jessica Wilkinson who goes in at right back. Snell up with Tuttle on the left the pair pressing the ball, Snell inside for Tuttle to pull the trigger from 25 yards out her shot straight at the keeper.

  Cameron getting hold of the ball on Capel Plough’s left flank drives forwards, her cross though seeing Maddie Green flagged offside. 

GOAL! Beccles capitalise on their strong start to the 2nd half as they push players on down the right the ball played into Bailey who cuts inside from the right across the top of the Capel Plough area, moving to the left instead checks back onto her right to sends her shot back across the keeper low into the bottom right corner to pull it back to 1-2.  

 Beccles pulling a goal back on the hour. Capel Plough looking for a response the ball played into Maddie Green in the right channel turns on the ball well to send Cameron away up the wing, Emily Wilkinson moving in to close her down puts the ball away for a throw in. That brings the visitors a corner kick. Players up from the back the delivery dangerous curling in under the bar. Nixon with a strong fist up to punch the ball away to the left. 

 Thing’s getting a little heated a few strong tackles flying in. the referee having a word with Foster for Capel Plough. Cameron with a good challenge to take the ball away from Reeve as the winger looks to get away from her on the left. Foster bringing the ball on for Capel Plough trough the middle sending Maddie Green away on the right, Collins in to challenge for Beccles. 

 End to end action, Beccles looking for the equaliser, Capel Plough aiming for a 3rd to restore their 2 goal cushion. Tuttle battling for the ball left fired into Snell up top, turns to attack, Sauter tackling her 25 yards out. Maddie Green beating the offside trap to race away with the ball up the right wing for Capel Plough before firing a vicious ball across the face of the Beccles goal, Hill racing in to attack the far post can’t quite reach it to turn home. 

  Foster with a strike from distance all of 30 yards wide of the left post. Capel Plough making a double change with Shepherd and Hill the players coming off. Southgate returning to the action along with Amelia Burrell. A good contest, Beccles encouraged by their fans competing for the ball better in the 2nd half pushing their opponents back limiting the ball through to Green in attack. That said Maddie Green is a constant threat as she takes on the ball herself on the right knocking it over her marker to run on up the right laying a cross back to Southgate top of the rea central she shoots a low drive for the left corner, Nixon diving across her goal, grabbing it into her body on the line.

  Tiffin intercepting the ball at the back for Beccles, lifting it up to Tuttle on the right, Foster committing the foul to stop her turning inside, is shown the yellow card. Tuttle in some pain, but too pumped up to stay on the ground and receive treatment. Hobbles about for a bit before settling down. Bloomfield over the free-kick. Hits a pacy ball on the angle in towards goal, Smith right behind it saving comfortably for Capel Plough.

 Caple Plough hit Beccles on the counter as the ball fired up to Maddie Green on the right sees three players surging on towards the box! The cross angled in square towards Katie Green on the penalty spot, can’t quite get it under control as it is turned on through to Southgate at the far post 10 yards knocks the ball down and shoots low for the bottom corner Nixon diving getting a glove on the ball can’t keep it out, the visitors turn to celebrate 3-1 kills the game even as Beccles appeal for a handball, the lineman has seen something, the referee going over to consult and the goal is ruled out. 

 The game moving into the final 10 minutes, time running out for Beccles to find another goal and potentially send the tie to a penalty shootout, Capel Plough seeing a 3rd goal ruled out. The hosts making a change with Wakefield back on replacing Reeve. Capel Plough winning a free kick deep on the left. Foster on the ball takes on the shot angling the ball in to the near post Nixon with it covered can see the ball run safely out of play.

  Bailey causing Capel Plough some problems on the left with some mazy runs with the ball sends a cross inside looking to put it into the path of the oncoming Potter, the midfielder not quite able to bring the ball under control as Aimee Stephenson clear for the visitors. Getting scrappy both sides tiring giving free kicks away. 

 

 Foster sending the ball on for Cameron up on the right lays it inside for Maddie Green, Emily Wilkinson stepping across her to cut the pass out for Beccles. Capel Plough getting the ball forwards looking for a 3rd goal to secure the tie, Cameron sliding the ball through for Maddie Green attacking the box right of the d, Nixon rushing out to try and win the ball first sliding into block the ball deflecting off Maddie Green across the D into Katie Green 20 yards out her strike at goal blocked at close range by Tiffin.

  Beccles counter the ball played down the left for Wakefield, turns inside, Cameron putting in the tackle lunging in the ball deflected on into the middle straight to Potter to have a go from range her shot placed straight into the keepers gloves. Capel Plough winning a throw high on the right Southgate with the lay off for Maddie Green up the line, Bailey turning it behind for a corner. Swung in defended by Tuttle in the six yard box, Beccles look to break but no way through a Shahid reclaims possession for the visitors.

  Bloomfield finding space in the middle for Beccles sending the ball into Bailey out on the right, taking on the shot from the angle struck low into the near post, Smith has the angle covered down behind the ball for Capel Plough. The game open as Capel Plough counter the ball fed up to Maddie Green surging clear on the right fired a cross into the six yard box coming to Southgate beyond the far post, Jessica Wilkinson defending for Beccles getting hold of the ball knocking it safely into her keeper. 

GOAL! The game into stoppage time little time left for Beccles to find an equaliser, Tuttle taking the ball on down the right with aa surging run into the area, is closed down the blocking tackle seeing the ball rebound out of the area, straight to Bloomfield in space 30 yards out, told the fans at half-time she’d score a worldie and deliver, catches the ball well sends it angling back in towards goal high beyond the goalkeepers reach to drop under the ball and nestle in the back of the net 2-2!

  Beccles joyous as they level the scores with mere seconds left to play. Capel Plough making a change sending Shepherd back on (maybe with penalties in mind) to replace Shahid. The ball rushed up top into Maddie Green racing on into the box her wide right of goal her cross flashed across the face of goal. No time left he game ends and will be settled from the penalty spot. 

Full time Beccles Town Ladies 2-2 Capel Plough Women

  Beccles with a positive start to the 2nd period pressing players on getting the ball out wide and capitalising to pull a goal back on the hour. Encouraged to go on and equalise the game opened up Capel Plough determined at the back waiting to strike going forwards. seeing a goal chalked off for handball would have secured the game. Beccles kept going finding that elusive goal to take the tie to penalties and that then become a lottery.

Penalties

  Beccles up first to take the penalty with central defender Tiffin placing the ball on the spot, trikes the ball hard to the left of goal, Smith though goes the right way throwing her arms out to pluck the  push the ball away 0-0

  Shepherd first up for Capel Plough goes for power her strike rising central smashes down up into the air off the crossbar and bounces over the line 0-0

  No score as Snell comes forwards from the middle for Beccles, placing the ball on the spot goes for power too her strike rising to the left hits the underside of the crossbar and bounces down over the line 1-0

  Foster up next for Capel Plough another opting for power strikes the ball high and wide of the keeper to score to the right of goal 1-1

 Tuttle’s not subtle expecting power behind this strike and she delivers as she blasts Beccles 3rd penalty to the keepers right to score 2-1

  Katie Green up next for Capel Plough sends the ball low looking for the left bottom corner, Nixon going the right way diving to grab hold of the ball keep it out 2-1

  Bloomfield up next for Beccles, ecstasy one moment scoring a brilliant equaliser at the death for the hosts, agony moments later as she fires her penalty straight down the middle. low claimed by Smith 2-1

 Maddie Green with Capel Plough’s 4th penalty, as cool as you like slotting it home low to the right 2-2

  Wakefield has to score for Beccles as she walks up to take the 5th penalty, gives the diving keeper no chance as she fires it high to the left to score 3-2

 Edwards on Capel Plough’s 5th penalty has to score to send the shootout to sudden death goes high and finds the back of the net 3-3

The pressure ramped up a notch as Bailey comes forwards for Beccles, composed (well she looked it on the outside) as she fires the ball home low into the bottom left corner 4-3

 Southgate up next for Capel Plough has to score to keep the shootout alive but it’s agony as she sees her high strike rebound against the bar! 4-3

 Beccles start to rush forwards in celebration but hesitate… have they won the shootout. Nixon tells them they have as they break forwards to celebrate with their new keeper as they win the shootout on sudden death to advance to the next round of the Suffolk Women’s County Cup.

     

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

  Onto this afternoon’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. A few contenders here once again and a tough one to single out. A few performances of note, firstly for Capel Plough. Maddie Green was a constant threat in attack her pace causing Beccles problems early on too her two goals well. Boni Shepherd with some forceful runs to link up with the attack. Chloe Smith on hand to make some crucial saves during the game. For Beccles, Alesha Tuttle was strong on the ball throughout making some good runs, picking up a few knocks for her efforts looked to get forwards constantly. Georgia Tiffin making some vital challenges and interceptions at the back. Chloe Nixon with an eventful debut for Beccles grew into the game giving her defence good instructions and protection from the threat Capel plough posed making a couple of vital saves. Vicky Bloomfield with  worldie of a strike to equalise used the space well and her set-pieces carried a threat. Today’s award goes to the scorer of Beccles opening goal, Evie Bailey provided a god outlet on the right for Beccles got forwards well looking to score and create chances for others, too her goal well and gave her side the belief to push on.

  Penalties are a lottery, no doubt Capel Plough missing out couldn’t find the 3rd goal that could have killed off their opponents resilience. Make for an entertaining cup tie between two evenly matched sides. Good to see Capel Plough in action and will look on with interest to see how they fair in the Suffolk Women’s Premiership this season. Based on today’s game they’ll do okay. Beccles progress in the cup will be looking forwards to the draw. My thanks to both sides for their help today as always much appreciated. 

by Darren Gilham