Sunday 1st March

ERWFL League Plate semi-final

Back at it at last, wasn’t planning in taking a month off, but that’s how it went, fell ill with some mystery bug that has really laid me low left me, took a while to get over but am right again now and ready to go again. Watched a match last weekend without the camera and notepad so keen to get back at it now march is here and we move into the business end of the season with league titles and cup final spots to challenge for. Off to a semi-final match this afternoon as Wroxham Women take on Real Bedford Women reserves looking to reach the ERWFL League Plate final.

The sides losing in the early rounds of the ERWFL League Cup going on to compete for the League Plate. A blow for Wroxham getting knocked out of the League Cup this season having reached the League Cup final in both 2022 & 2024. Have nevertheless responded well to push on in the League Cup getting to the semi-finals and potentially one game away from another final and a double final appearance having reached the final of this season’s Norfolk Women’s County Cup. Real Bedford Women Reserves too have the potential to make it a cup final double having reached the final of the Bedfordshire Women’s Senior Cup for the first time where they will take on the Real Bedford Women’s 1st team.

Captain, Tigi Robson’s long range strike fumbled by the keeper to see Wroxham beat UEA FC Women by a single goal in the 2nd half to book their spot in Norfolk Women’s Cup Final last weekend aiming to make it a cup final double appearance this Sunday. The ERWFL Premier Division side currently 7th in the table but with games in hand on the sides above them have a busy run in till the end of the season. With that in mind manager Joe Simpson has bolstered the squad by bringing in a few new faces, defender. Elise Wade joins from Needham Market. Rebecca Stephenson comes to Wroxham having had spells at both Cambridge City Women and Needham Market and most recently has gained valuable experience playing in the FAWNL with Cambridge United Women. Also joining on a dual registration from Norwich City Women is attacking midfielder Lauren Hailes.

  A hat-trick from Hannah Fuller, plus goals from Anais Winney, Rebecca Stephenson and Kathryn Stanley seeing Wroxham beat, ERWFL Division One North side, Stevenage FC Women Development in the quarter finals of the League Plate to book their spot in the last 4. Fuller, Wroxham’s top scorer once again this season leading the way with 13 goals, while Maddie Green and Kathryn Stanley joining the club this season have 8 and 7 goals respectfully.

  In any other season, Real Bedford Women Reserves would be challenging for the league title such has been their form, however with Histon Ladies continuing their 100% record at the top of the table, they are in a tight battle trying to clinch runners-up spot in the table currently 3rd neck and neck with Stevenage FC Women Development. Looking strong with one of the youngest squads in the league this just their 2nd season playing at this level. Real Bedford Women featuring 3 sides, the 1st team investing strongly in their squad reaching the 3rd tier of women’s football, The Reserves playing regional football while the Development squad has joined the Cambridgeshire Women’s Football League this season. A 3 squads going strong, Real Bedford Women Reserves unbeaten in 9 matches.

  Beating Biggleswade United Women 2-0 at home in their League Plate quarter final, Amelia Proctor and Ellie McGirl with the goals. Lauren Hawkins leading the goal scoring charts, netting 16 goals in her 18 appearances. Ellie McGirl has 8 goals to her name with Georgie Oliver on 6 so far this season. 

 Wroxham FC’s Ginger Pickle Arena (Trafford Park) unavailable due to the rain earlier in the week, Wroxham Women making the call early to move the semi-final tie to an all-weather pitch at Aylsham’s Sports Hub. Played their quarter final here too and with Sunday’s running out to get their fixtures in could ill afford another postponement, situated on the outskirts of Aylsham one a new housing development the sports facility offering an all weather pitch, limited viewing for spectators on one side, the 1st day of March hopefully bringing better weather a little overcast with a keen wind, rain wasn’t forecast but still it came, so too would the sun later on.

 Wroxham Women starting XI – Bryony Williams, Tigi Robson (C), Ella Gambell, Poppy Loveland, Elise Wade, Lily Alexander, Anais Winney, Rebecca Stephenson, Holly Farrow, Maddie Green & Hannah Fuller. Subs – Yasmine Walford, Lauren Bullard, Katie Green, Katie Knights & Kathryn Stanley.

 Real Bedford Women starting XI – Izabella Bruci, Carol Cripps, Connie Medri, Zara Labastide, Marli Frederick, Freya Stichbury (C), Ellie McGirl, Georgie Oliver, Madison Flowers Amelia Proctor & Lauren Hawkins. Subs – Phoebe Matthews & Destiny Pap.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

 Wroxham despite having a few out with injury including defender, Jordan Arnoup and winger Hayley Kindred still naming a strong substitutes bench. Elise Wade starting in defence making her debut. Real Bedford Women Reserves with just the two substitutes to call upon having lost a player due to illness before the game. Wroxham to take the kick-off 1st half wearing blue and white vertical striped shirts with blue shorts and socks with Bedford lined up opposite wearing yellow coloured shirts with black shorts and socks. The ball fed out to the right, Ella Gambell playing in on up the line for Maddie Green to whip a cross into the box, defended by Bedford, comes back to Gambell right side who strikes a diagonal ball back into the area, Bedford seeing it safely behind for a corner kick.

  The corner curled in towards the near post, Carol Cripps comes off the post to intercept and clear for Bedford the ball away for a throw out on the left. Wroxham looking to make a positive start the throw dropped into the feet of striker, Hannah Fuller, 20 yards out left of the D, turns to hit the ball her effort blocked by Marci Frederick, rebounds back off Fuller and runs behind for a goal-kick. 

The Premier Division side moving in to close the ball do preventing Bedford getting out of their half early doors, the ball being moved quickly, Lily Alexander on for Anais Winney in the middle out to Holly Farrow charging on down the left her cross cut out by Cripps. Wroxham’s captain Tigi Robson closing down the ball at the back sending it into Alexander central she plays it out too Ella Gambell bursting forwards on the right, the full back allowed to travel turns inside 20 yards out slicing her shot the ball flashing wide of the near post. 

  Bedford getting onto the ball centrally sending a good diagonal ball into the right wing for Madison Flowers to attack, Farrow tracking back helping out the defence out for a throw. Both sides showing plenty of energy flying into their tackles, Bedford captain, Freya Stichbury with a strong tackle on Gambell as the ball goes out for a throw. Georgie Oliver for Bedford seeing the ball into her feet and driving on through the middle, closed down is upended as the Wroxham defence clears the ball, the visitors appeals for a foul waved away.

  Robson on the left sends the ball on down the line for Farrow to attack, Cripps moving in to close her down force her down the line forces the ball out for a throw, taken quickly Wroxham getting players into the box is helped on in towards the near post for Winney, the midfielder looking to bring it down and hit on the turn, Bedford’s. Zara Labastide in close to her getting a toe on the ball to take it away from her. 

  A miscued clearance at the back from Wroxham see’s the ball swerve up into the air and Bedford’s Flowers race onto it taking it forwards with pace, the home defence recovering quickly to squeeze her off the ball allowing goalkeeper, Bryony Williams to clear. Wroxham regain the ball in the middle, Winney into Fuller moving right looks to combines with Green up the line wanting the return ball played into her as she drives for the area, Labastide does well at the back for Bedford intercepting the pass. Oliver taking the ball right for Bedford looking to pick out Flowers ahead of her, Alexander cutting the ball out for Wroxham.

  Williams with a loose ball out of her box, sees Bedford’s Lauren Hawkins run onto the ball looking to take it left into the area, Gambell, closing her down eases her off the ball. The game being played at a fast pace, both sides keen to close the ball down keep it moving, Wroxham build on the left Robson with a diagonal ball into the box for Fuller left of goal knocks it out to Farrow wide on the wing she returns it inside to Fuller who attempts to tee up Green positioned central top of the area, Proctor getting back on her in the nick of time to take the ball off her feet as she is about to line up a strike.

 

  Wade bringing the ball out of defence for Wroxham with space to run into as Bedford drop off sends it on up the right for Green, Connie Medri stretching out a leg getting hold of the ball for the visitors. Bedford with pace in their attack quick to break launching a counter attack on the right, McGirl on for Flowers, the cross taken early flung into the box, Williams throwing herself forwards getting a fist on the ball enough to take it away from Hawkins running in unmarked central.

  Gambell able to come on with the ball on the right offer support to Green on the right, the attacker winning Wroxham a corner kick. The delivery curled into the middle off the defence, goalkeeper, Bruci having Fuller for company shaking her off well to get out and claim the ball.

  Some players vocal in not getting decisions, with the game continuing at a fast pace, Fuller getting a telling off from the referee. The hosts with a throw on the right inside the Bedford half, Loveland with a long throw in her arsenal, launched into the top of the area, Frederick heading it clear for Bedford. The wind bringing in the rain despite the forecast blowing at my back so at least I can keep the camera and notepad reasonably dry. Stephenson linking up with Winey through the middle turning to send the ball into Fuller up top, tries to turn on the ball closely marshalled by Labastide.

  Alexander bringing he ball on for Wroxham moving left sending it out to Farrow on the wing plays it inside to Fuller, 20 yards out left of the D, is fouled as she goes to strike the ball, the hosts awarded the free-kick. Gambell over the set-piece goes for goal her low shot driven in wide of the left upright. 

  Oliver sending the ball into Flowers on the right for Bedford cuts it back inside for Stichbury running in across the top of the D, Wade moving out to close her down. Wroxham looking to make a rapid counter attack, Stephenson helping the ball on through the middle her target Green, a vital interception from Labastide for Bedford. The rain falling heavier now. Gambell charging on with the ball into space right side feeding it on for Green up the line Labastide going with her in ahead of her edge of the box to divert the ball back to her keeper, Bruci clearance however played straight back to Green, her 1st touch heavy, Labastide lunges it with a well-timed tackle to get her foot on the ball send it behind for the corner kick.

  Swung into the area from the right the keeper punching the ball up and away for a throw out on the left, Wroxham take it quickly looking to keep the pressure on, players up and around the box, Gambell upended inside the D, frustrated as no foul is awarded. Cripps clearing the ball away to the left. Remains a busy game, Bedford the busier in defence but Wroxham for all their possession not carving out any clear cut chances. The rain slowing even if the game isn’t, Gambell’s turn to get a warning from the referee to halt the back chat as she is involved in a good completive tussle with Hawkins.

  Loveland at the back playing the ball on for Robson travelling on the left plays it on for Fuller out on the left wing wide of the area, Frederick at her back throwing out a leg to take the ball away from her. Winney snatching hold of the ball for Wroxham 20 yards out left of the D, plays it on in central to Green inside the D. her low shot safely claimed by Bruci. 

 McGirl tacking back to help defend for Bedford on Gambell as the full back looks to get on join the Wroxham attack. Winney with Stephenson in the middle the ball rolled back to Alexander to lay forwards into the left wing for Farrow, Cripps in quickly to prevent the cross. Bedford soaking up a fair bit of pressure at the back, always ready to launch a counter, up on the right forcing Williams to run out to the corner of her area to defend picks up a knock in the process. 

  Cripps coming into the middle to win the ball back for Bedford playing the ball on for Oliver bursts forwards playing it on for 9 up top, turns, her shirt pulled by Loveland the visitors awarded the free-kick 25 yards out. Proctor over it to the left of the D, pass the wall curled in low on goal, Williams getting down sharply to save block the ball turn it away behind to the right for a corner kick. Bedford yet to make the most of their corners.

  Labastide getting in ahead of Fuller to cut the ball out outside her box as Stephenson plays it on through the middle. Wroxham able to get players on to support the attack as Bedford drop back, not much room to get in behind the ball from the left comes inside to Stephenson, 30 yards out lines up the strike angled in low and fast at the near post, Bruci had started to move the opposite way but adjusts her body fantastically twisting enough to throw a glove out to her right to block the ball and turn it behind for a corner kick. Wroxham dropping another corner into the six yard box, Gambell rising highest to nod the ball down towards goal, somehow, Bruci gets her hands on the ball to prevent it dropping over the line.

  Bedford quickly launch a counter from the corner as Bruci releases the ball forwards, Wroxham short at the back the ball into Oliver right side looks to take it on, Wade moving in quickly to close her down sliding in to put the ball out for a throw. Into the closing moments of the 1st half Wroxham with one last attack pushing bodies on, Robson with Farrow left side inside to Stephenson, is brought down, no foul awarded as she throws her arms up in appeal 25 yards out, however a split second later, Alexander is similarly upended and gets the decision. Stephenson over the free-kick takes on the shot, strikes the ball over the bar.

Half-time Wroxham Women 0-0 Real Bedford Women Reserves

  The sides heading back to the changing rooms goalless at the break, Bedford working hard in defence keeping it tight dropping deep at the back, conceding possession whilst limiting Wroxham’s chances inside the box, Wroxham positive throughout looking for the break through the final ball not quite there as both side play at a fast pace looking to close the ball down and run players off the ball. Chances limited although both keepers have been called into action will be interested to see if Bedford can keep it up 2nd half, extra-time and penalties if required.

  The rain gone at the start of the 2nd half albeit the dark clouds remain, Wroxham making a change at the start of the 2nd half, Kathryn Stanley on on the left replacing Farrow, with Stephenson moving right as Green takes up an attacking position on the left as Bedford get the 2nd 45 underway. The ball out of play for a throw on the left, Loveland sending it long for Green to attack, Cripps moving in to close her down the ball out for another throw. A quieter start to the 2nd half as both sides work to close the other down. Hawkins moves in quickly to press, Wade at the back nearly succeeds in dispossessing the defender, stealing in behind however Wade recovers well to get back at her challenging to win the ball back.

  Stichbury bringing the ball on for Bedford feeding it on for Oliver ahead of her central 25 yards out takes on the strike her effort taking a hefty nick off a blocking defender seeing the string taken out of it as it runs on safely through to the keeper. Wroxham’s Green and Stephenson look to link up on the left Green inside to Stephenson who plays it on down the wing for Green to attack, Labastide going with her looking to shield the ball out of play for the goal-kick gets a shove in the back for her efforts. 

 Stanley onto the ball central inside the Bedford half driving on with the ball at her feet pushes it on for Fuller up top Cripps sticking a leg out marking her to get the ball into Frederick to launch clear. Bedford continue to be hard to break down even as the game begins to open up more, Wroxham not finding the clinical final ball. Proctor coming together with Stephenson bringing her down hard as she looked to turn in the ball in the middle, picks up the 1st yellow card of the game. 

 Alexander finds Stephenson as she drifts in from the right, is tackled by Bedford’s Stichbury before she can pick out Green as she breaks away on the left. Lively Cripps getting the ball back for Bedford out on the left looking to send it on for Flowers bursting on up the wing, Robson cutting the ball out for the visitors. Wroxham preparing a double change just past the hour mark with Katie Knights and Katie Green coming on to replace Winney in midfield and Wade in defence. 

 Knights straight into the action giving away a free-kick against, Oliver. The flag going up for offside however as Bedford sweep the ball into the top of the area. Hawkins combining with Flowers for Bedford on the right side, Loveland in between doing well in defence for the hosts. The sun’s out, a very welcome appearance has been a dull old start to the year. Bedford making a change, Proctor coming off to be replaced by Phoebe Matthews. The visitors win the ball back centrally, McGirl out to Flowers right drives on her cross charged down by Loveland out for a throw.

  The clock ticking down, moving into the final 20 minutes both sides looking a little tentative, Wroxham frustrated by Bedford can’t find that final pass, Katie Green defending a bouncing cross inside the box the ball cleared on up through the middle, Labastide in ahead of Fuller to see the ball back to her keeper. Wroxham winning a free-kick top of the circle the ball sent into the area dipping in front of the keeper, turned out back to the top of the area Knights appearing to be pulled down inside the D, the advantage played as the loose ball comes to Maddie Green left of the D her low shot drilled in across the keeper, Bruci down to save it.

  Stanley picks up a yellow card for Wroxham after tripping Cripps. Bedford with a free-kick half-way to the left the ball sent long up into the area, brought down well by Hawkins but before she a put her foot through the ball, Katie Green nips in to clear the ball sending it out for a throw on the left. Loveland doing well in defence for Wroxham as Hawkins looks to shake her off break on in behind into the box. 

 Into the final 15 minutes of the game Wroxham build an attack, Gambell taking the ball on up the right wing as players push on through the middle, a cross flashed into the D, Frederick with the challenge on Fuller as Alexander is upended, a strike coming in from the left of the D narrowly wide of the left post, play however brought back for the foul on Alexander inside the D.

 GOAL! Alexander picking herself up to take the free-kick central inside the D, strikes it low with pace to the diving keepers left can’t reach it as the ball cannons off the base of the post and back out across the six yard box to the right off goal, Stephenson first to react breaking forwards on the follow-up latching onto the ball to smash it back in across goal and into the back of the net to fire Wroxham into the lead 1-0.

Wroxham with the break through with 15 minutes left on the clock, keen to press for another goal as the game resumes pushing players on nearly catching Bruci on the ball at the back as she mis controls a back pass dragging it out across her six yard box, scrambling it away before Fuller can take advantage. Wroxham’s substitutes giving them the extra edge Winney coming back on as Fuller is rested. Labastide defending inside her area well as Stanley looks to run inside from the left.

  Stanley fouled out on the left giving Wroxham another set-piece, 25 yards out the shot drilled in takes a deflection of the wall and another defender before being stopped by Cripps inside the six yard box and cleared. Wroxham with their tails up finding an extra burst of energy after scoring Knights playing the ball up to Maddie Green in attack, Labastide looking to go with her as both wrestle for the ball top of the area, Green squirming inside Labastide to throw a leg up to prod the ball on towards goal, Bruci too close can save as the ball comes straight at her.

  Oliver back to defend on Knights as she looks to take on the shot 20 yards out as Stanley picks her out travelling with the ball on the left. Wroxham looking in control now, Bedford tiring, Loveland with a long throw on the left into Stanley taking it inside 20 yards out left corner of the Bedford box sends it on for Knights central her strike screwed wide of the far post. Into stoppage time Labastide defending on Maddie Green left side as she looks to get onto the end of a pass from Knights. 

 Gambell pressing on with the ball right side crossed low into Stephenson inside the area right of goal the keeper rushing out to try and close her down, strikes the ball past her but also wide beyond the far post. The clock ticking down Wroxham looking to keep the ball in the corner take no risks. Bedford frustrated can’t find a way out late on the Wroxham back line intercepting the ball as the hosts see out the game to win 1-0 to make it to two cup finals this season.

Full time Wroxham Women 1-0 Real Bedford Women Reserves

  Wroxham breaking the stalemate in the 75th minute to score and book their place in this season’s ERWFL League Plate final. Real Bedford proving a tough side to break down working hard in defence, making it tough for Wroxham in the final 3rd. The game payed at a furious pace as both sides looked to get after the ball, rarely still. Wroxham’s substitute’s giving them an advantage 2nd half, bringing on fresh legs and with it crucial experience found the extra edge to break the dead lock. A fine effort from Rea Bedford just ran out of steam late in the game struggled to create chances of their own the goal knocking the stuffing out of them can nevertheless be proud of their effort.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto the Women’s Football East – Player of the Match award, a tough one as is more often the case with several contenders. For Real Bedford, Zara Labastide with the pick of the defenders winning a number of crucial tackles and marshalling her side throughout. Carol Cripps too with a number of vital tackles get stuck in to win the ball back. Madison Flowers looked a threat whenever she got the ball into her feet and drove forwards. For Wroxham, Ella Gambell was competitive and got stuck in to win the ball bringing in forwards well looking to link up with the attack. Maddie green whether operating on the left or right made herself available for the pass throughout and created some good opportunities. Poppy Loveland with some good tackling hard to shake off the ball. Anais Winney with some good positional play in midfield got on well to support the attack adding an extra dimension going forwards, linking up well with Rebecca Stephenson who got into some good positions and scored the all important winning goal. The award though goes to Lily Alexander covered the ground, working well with the defence and using it well whenever she came forwards, bringing others into the game kept Wroxham on the front foot.

Good to be back at it after a month off, most unusual for me but sometimes that’s how it goes just needed the rest to recover, an exciting end to the season to be sure. An entertaining semi-final, my thanks to both clubs for their assistance today as always much appreciated. 

 by Darren Gilham