Thursday 28th May

Norfolk Women’s Division Three

Popping up the A47 this Thursday evening to watch another game from the nail biting title battle in Norfolk Women’s Division Three. The title between 2 now with Bungay Town Ladies knowing only Dereham Town Women can catch them now, so long as they win their two remaining fixtures starting this evening at home to 3rd place Dersingham Rovers Women who saw their own title hopes dashed away to Bungay on Sunday.

Just 3 fixtures remain now in the East of England all in Division One with two of those having a massive bearing on the destiny of the league title itself, starting this evening in Dereham. Saw Bungay Town Ladies finish their own debut season with a 5-3 win against Dersingham on Sunday to end with 52 points at the top of the table, knowing only Dereham Town Women with two wins from their final two games could pip them to the title.

Dersingham Rovers Women dropping down to 4th in the table, following North Walsham Town Ladies 4-0 at home to Watton United Women yesterday evening. 

 Both Dereham Town Women and Dersingham Rovers Women amongst the new sides established in Norfolk Women’s Division Three this season, two sides packed with seasoned players having played across the county and at regional level above.

 Dereham, with a new women’s side this season, now under the umbrella of Dereham Town FC itself, playing in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division at Aldiss Park. The core of this new Dereham side brought over from Fakenham Town Ladies who had previously been a long established side within Norfolk, adding too plenty of players with experience playing in Norfolk, that put them amongst the favourites for the title. Hit the ground running with 3 straight wins before losing against North Walsham back in November, that their only defeat in the league itself.

  Cup games saw Dereham remain in the chasing pack rather than get out into a lead at the top of the table, winning 11 and drawing 5 to stay unbeaten, those draws particularly late on 5-5 away to Wymondham Town United Wolves and most recently 3-3 at home to Waveney Ladies A have set up a nail biting finish to their season especially with Bungay’s strong end to the campaign. Know what they have to do though on 47 points have 6 left to play for win and they are champions anything less and Bungay get the accolade. Certainly have the firepower to do it, captain Georgina Pooley, I have to say not previously known for her goal scoring prowess wading in with a magnificent 43 goals so far this season way out in front in the goal scoring charts in the league. Also amongst the leading goal scorers in the league is Katie Hart-Copsey, has always been prolific in front of goal when representing Dereham over the years and has 27 so far this campaign. Alice Collins also into double figures with 13 from the 9 games she has played for the club. 

 A 5-3 defeat against Bungay in a game with some controversial decisions saw Dersingham Rovers Women’s own title ambitions vanish on Sunday away to Bungay, a long trip from the North West of the County down to the Suffolk border, have another away fixture with a 6:30pm KO to end their season. Pushed down from 2nd to 4th, having been pretty much in the top 3 all season. A win this evening putting them back into 2nd and ending Dereham’s title ambitions feel they owe their opponents having been on the wrong end of an 11-1 loss early on in the season. 

 Dersingham Rovers FC establishing a women’s side for the first time sees a new club formed in an as of yet untapped area of the county, Norfolk is a large county but the North West area above King’s Lynn had no women’s football coverage until now. Building a squad full of experience a mixture of results at the start of their new era, Dersingham went on a run of 9 straight wins in the new year to cement their place at the top end of the table, Emma Leech the leading goal scorer with 23 goals to her name, captain Eliza McDonald has 10 goals and Crystal Hart with 8.

 An early evening KO at Aldiss Park situated, just off the A47 to the east of Dereham. Went to school in Dereham know the town well, good to see Dereham with a women’s side once again. Now playing at Aldiss Park the large carpark and clubhouse leading out to the main pitch itself with various training pitches beyond. The main grass pitch is a good size plenty of width a seat stand situated on the opposite side to the clubhouse the bar open with viewing all round. Another hot day, with temperatures above average for May, although a covering of cloud made it feel much cooler.

 Dereham Town Women starting XI – Amie Hutchinson, Lucie Taylor, Hayley Marjoram, Freya Adams, Kirstie Rusted, Sophie Shapter, Eloise Peek, Alice Collins, Talya Ewles-Belton, Georgina Pooley (C) & Katie Hart-Copsey. Subs – Karina Townsend, Laura Booth, Holly Websdale & Lisa Ferdani.

 Dersingham Rovers Women starting XI – Shayla Kendle-Johnson, Molly Sands, Tiffany Ross, Holly Melton, Loretta Burrell, Emily Rix, Eliza McDonald (C), Chloe Melton, Crystal Hart, Carolyn Flowerdew & Emma Leech. Subs – Lyndsey Bunn, Chloe Bunn, Georgia Stephenson & Leeanne Smith.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

 A small dispute over one of the Dersingham players edibility to play prior to KO resolved. Dersingham with 4 on their bench, Georgia Stephenson and Chloe Bunn unavailable for Sunday’s clash with Bungay. Dereham also with 4 on the bench, including a replacement keeper, in Karina Townsend with Amie Hutchinson starting between the sticks both more than capable outfield players in their own right. Dereham to kick-off the first half the sun setting behind the clouds of the goal they are attacking, wearing black and white vertical striped shirts black shorts and socks, Dersingham lined up opposite wearing light blue coloured shirts with white sleeves, blue shorts and socks. The ball played back clipped out to the left for captain Georgina Pooley to attack, Molly Sands closing her down for Dersingham.

Dereham looking to get forwards at the start, impose themselves on the game off the throw players forwards the ball fed on across the top of the area, Dersingham with plenty back as it comes to the right side, Emily Rix defends seeing it out for another throw. Good distance on the throw attacked near side turned behind for the goal kick. Is a big pitch players drawn to the ball, space to exploit if anyone wants to run into it, the diagonal ball finding Pooley on the left charging forwards to the by-line challenged by Sands the ball behind for a corner kick.

The delivery long across the area turned out wide for a throw on the opposite side, Dersingham penned back early on struggling to get out of their half. The break out eventually coming, alot of work for attacker Carolyn Flowerdew to do as she gives chase to the ball through the middle, goalkeeper Amie Hutchinson rushing out of her area to strike the ball clear. Into the right channel, Alice Collins racing after it closing the defence down pressuring the ball to force a corner kick.

Holly Melton getting the corner away for Dersingham, the ball helped on up through the middle, Flowerdew’s touch taking in in beyond the Dereham defence, again see’s Hutchinson charging out of her box to volley the ball upfield. Players drawn to the ball condensed at times a large proportion out on Dereham’s right with Collins looking to link up with Eloise Peek through the middle and Katie Hart-Copsey in attack, Tiffany Ross getting the challenge in for Dersingham, the ball soon back with Dereham however.

An opportunity for Dersingham too finally get some players forwards as they win a free-kick high on the right, wide 35 yards out captain, Eliza McDonald over the ball…

 GOAL! McDonald fires the ball in with pace into the top of the area, races on towards the far side bypassing the defenders lined up inside the D, runs on for Emma Leech pulling in clear at the back post even as the keeper starts to make a move to close the ball down, hooks it up high over her and falls down beyond Hutchinson to land in the back of the net for put the visitors into the lead. 0-1.

  Dereham’s bright start to the game undone inside the opening 10 minutes, look to get straight on the offensive, Talya Ewles-Belton up with Collins on the right winning a free-kick out wide Dereham’s turn to angle the ball into the top of the area, plenty back for Dersingham, the ball flighted in, cleared away to the left, Sands able to see it out for a goal kick. 

 Hart, Leech and Flowerdew looking to work the ball on up the left attacking for Dersingham, Kirstie Rusted closing the ball down, Dersingham look to get it back but the ball is behind for the goal kick. Collins getting hold of the ball for Dereham central looking to play Hart-Copsey in up top as she makes the run, the diagonal pass good, but the Dersingham defence hold their line catching the attacker offside. Certainly a little niggle in the game Dereham a little unsettled, Dersingham determined at the back.

 Sophie Shapter through the middle for Dereham finding Hart-Copsey up top who in turn plays it out to the right wing for Collins, Rix back at her to challenge for Dersingham the ball out for a throw. High up the pitch Dereham with numbers up on the right get the cross in along the face of goal, Pooley coming in at the far post looking to attack it, Kendle-Johnson rushing across her goal to throw an arm up punch the ball, colliding with Pooley. Picks herself up no complaints. 

 Dersingham look to get on through the middle, Chloe Melton out to Leech moving left, put on for Flowerdew, Rusted getting a foot in to defend for Dereham, play turned around the hosts pressing forwards the ball played long into Hart-Copsey into the right wing winning Dereham a corner kick. Swung in viciously under the bar, Kendle-Johnson getting her gloves up to punch the ball down into the turf inside her six yard box reacts sharply to fall forwards onto the loose ball as players rush in to attack it.

  Dersingham finding a little joy on the left as play seems to migrate to that side of the pitch, Leech’s cross cut out by Freya Adams, the 2nd bite cleared by Rusted as Dereham get their defence back. Leech surging on with the ball at her feet left side Ewles-Belton back at her to tackle conceding the corner. Players up from the back for Dersingham the delivery curled into the near post, Hutchinson coming through bodies with an arm out punching the ball away from immediate danger, then as a defender goes to hook it clear the referee sees a push in the back blows up for the free-kick to Dereham.

  McDonald putting the ball on through the middle up to Leech in attack top of the D looks to put Flowerdew in behind the offside flag halting the attack. Pooley is a little frustrated out on the left play more to the right there is space to exploit, Collins finding her with the pass looks to get on down the wing with the ball, Sands going with her checks inside to get the ball onto her right foot, the shot from 25 yards angled in on goal, Kendle-Johnson behind it all the way.

  20 minutes played, Adams defending a cross for Dereham as Hart looks to get on up the left. The ball out for a throw on the far side the referee calling for a drinks break. Play resumes with Dersingham getting on the attack left Rix on for Hart up top with Leech the ball lifted into the area cleared by Dereham’s Lucie Taylor. McDonald snapping in with a strong tackle to win the ball back for Dersingham to the right looks to thread the pass through to Flowerdew in attack, however the move is halted by the raised flag.

   Hutchinson is quick to get out of her box to volley the ball clear as Dereham push Dersingham back neutralise the threat of their attackers running through onto the ball as the visiting defence clear. Hart-Copsey pushing on into the right channel with the ball looking to find a way through on goal, Rix tackling then Ross clears for Dersingham. Dereham continue to press en masse, Eloise Peek looking to get on with Shapter through the middle passing it into Pooley towards the left channel, Burrell lunging in with the challenge for Dersingham.

   Collins finding Pooley out on the left her cross cut out by Sands, gets it back to fire a 2nd cross into the near post, Kendle-Johnson dropping onto it to kill the attack at her near post. Dereham soon wining it back in the middle Peek and Marjoram the ball coming to Shapter lets a shot loose from all of 30 yards out, Kendle-Johnson behind it all the way.

 Dereham making a change then as Shapter gives way for Lisa Ferdani. Dersingham making a change too, Lyndsey Bunn coming on in place of Rix. Burrell intercepting the ball as Pooley sends in an early delivery from the left. Dersingham are working hard in defence to limit Dereham’s opportunities in front of goal. Collins driving Dereham on up the right support from Hart-Copsey the corner kick won. Fung into the near post area helped on up to the top of the area, Bunn defending for Dersingham, the free-kick given away Dereham presented with a set-piece to the top left corner of the box 25 yards out. 

 Ewles-Belton over the set-piece lines up the strike going for goal her attempt wide of the top right corner. The Dersingham defence soaking up alot, Dereham able to press, Holly Melton, Burrell and Sands all getting in a block doing a good job in frustrating Dereham. Marjoram defending for Dereham the ball out for a corner kick on the right, curled in central claimed well by Hutchinson.

 Dereham keen to get the ball up the pitch Collins pushing on right side linking up with Hart-Copsey, sends the diagonal ball in long across the area, Pooley rushing on at the far post can’t quite get onto the end of it. Dereham’s defence pushed up at times Hutchinson acting as a sweeper keeper out of her area to deal with any balls over the top confident in her volleying. One long clearance seeing Hart-Copsey run in behind right channel after the ball but a good starting position from Kendle-Johnson sees her get there first dropping onto the ball.

  Hart-Copsey looking to find an opening in the Dersingham back line as play is broken up at the other end, Taylor putting the ball long sees the attacker break in behind, Kendle-Johnson again out to close the ball down with a blocking save as she goes to ground at the top of her area, then as Hart-Copsey looks to get hold of the loose ball gives away the free-kick.

  Rusted coming in well to close Flowerdew down as the Dersingham striker looks to make ground on the right channel. Taylor left side sends the ball up the line for Pooley getting hold of the ball fires it in across the top of the D into Ferdani looks to shoot curling a low ball in on goal, Kendle-Johnson moving across her line to get behind it and save.

  Bunn gets back to help Sands in defence as Pooley looks to get inside from the left. Taylor pushing on for Dereham left side delivers the early cross into the middle, Burrell cutting it out for Dersingham. Competitive there is a tense feel about the game, Dersingham fighting for the ball central McDonald trying to make ground right side on for Flowerdew, tackled by Adams. Sands being kept busy in defence for Dersingham on the left by Pooley as she looks to get the ball into her feet make thing’s happen for her side.

  Burrell taking a painful blow as she is caught on the follow through going to clear the ball crossed in from the left. A pause in play as she receives treatment but is back up on her feet able to play on. The first half drawing to a close, Dersingham working hard at the back frustrating Dereham. A couple of defensive miscues at the back for Dereham seeing Dersingham with a throw up high on the right, Sands into Bunn, Ferdani getting it away for Dereham only as far as the top of the area, Flowerdew looks to turn into the box her touch heavy Hutchinson out to snatch it into her gloves. Taylor in to defend on Flowerdew as the Dersingham attacker looks to control the ball from a throw in top of the area to the right.

Half-time Dereham Town Women 0-1 Dersingham Rovers Women

 Dersingham head back into the changing rooms holding the advantage at the break leading 0-1. Leech putting them in front with her 24th goal of the season, against the run of play inside the opening 10 minutes. The visitors have worked hard at the back since limited their opponents chances getting numbers back to defend, have stifled their own attack to a degree as a result the plan is working so far. Dereham positive from the off keen to get after Dersingham impose themselves on the game the early break through not coming falling behind have toiled away but clear cut chances have been limited. Time yet to turn the game around but can ill afford to concede again.

 A half-time presentation at Dereham have heard a bit about Dereham girls U15’s side, celebrating this evening at Aldiss Park in front of a decent crowd, a triple success, a League and Cup double as well as winning the U16’s Norfolk girls county cup. A fantastic achievement and congratulations to all involved.

  Changes at the break Dereham looking to mix thing’s up knowing they need to win this evenings game to keep their title ambitions alive. Karina Townsend on for the hosts taking over in goal as Hutchinson moves into a midfield position. Hart-Copsey the player off. Dersingham putting Leeanne Smith on up top replacing Flowerdew. With the sun setting bright behind the ground, have headed over to the opposite side of the ground for the 2nd period as Dersingham get the game restart looking to defend their single goal lead. McDonald sending the ball out to the left Hart looking to get on up with Smith in attack, Adams defending for the hosts.

  Hutchinson operating in midfield now getting the ball up to Shapter pulling out to the right channel, Ross lunging into make the tackle for Dersingham. Dereham feeling a sense of urgency to score, Dersingham determined at the back to stop them a few niggly fouls being given away. Dersingham getting a free-kick on the left put on for Smith into Hart wide left the shot taken early wide at the near post. 

 Collins looking to get hold of the ball for Dereham make things happen finding Pooley pushing on up the left sending a cross into the box looking for Shapter top of the area, the ball intercepted by Holly Melton. Marjoram defending left side high putting the ball into Collins turns it on up the line for Pooley her pacy cross cut back across the top of the box behind Shapter at the far post, Chloe Melton clearing for Dersingham.

  Ewles-Belton operating on the left for Dereham with Pooley up top turns the ball on for her captain, checks inside running into Burrell. Dereham pressing early in the first half as they did in the first winning a free-kick central played up to Ferdani outside the D shoots the ball past the keeper hitting the inside of the right post spinning along the goal line striking the opposite post before Dersingham scramble it clear. 

 Pooley bursting no into the right channel top of the box sees her shot charged down by Kendle-Johnson. Dereham have a corner on the right. Headed on across the six yard box at the near post, Leech bringing it away left side back defending for Dersingham. The offside flag stays down as Shapter bursts in on the right side, Burrell across to close her down putting the ball behind for the corner kick. A vicious ball into the six yard box met central, Kendle-Johnson right behind it gloves up saving at close range then dropping down to smother the loose ball. 

 Dereham intent the ball won in the middle, Hutchinson putting herself about, pops clear in behind for Pooley too escape free bare down on the keeper, Kendle-Johnson getting a strong hand on the ball as Pooley looks to place it to her left turned away that side Pooley goes after it, but Sands recovers the ground to snap in get the ball away to safety. 

 Townsend coming out to the top of her area to clear as Smith looks to spin in behind her marker in the left channel. Smith lively on the left of attack for Dersingham capitalising on a defensive mistake to run onto the loose ball cut away down the left, shooting on the angle, Townsends down well to throw out an arm turn the ball behind for the corner kick. 

  The corner for Dersingham played in central, Leech with the stooping header in on goal, Townsend instinctively throwing out a glove turning the ball away to her right hitting the post and back out into the mix is quick to drop down to claim the loose ball. 

  Dereham with a throw on the left Pooley seeing it inside to Collins 20 yards out central, Holly Melton making the challenge for Dersingham. Dereham pressing the Dersingham defence winning a corner on the right, midway through the 2nd half. 

 GOAL! Ewles-Belton putting the corner into the top of the area from the right side, Pooley looking to jump for it a defender on her shoulders preventing her leap, goes down, the referee spotting a kick on Pooley in the lead up blowing up for a Penalty! Dereham with an opportunity to level things up from the spot, Hutchinson up for it placing the ball on the spot, know she can strike a ball and this one is hit with force rising to the keepers left to burst the back of the net an level the scores 1-1.

 Dereham back on level terms but still in need of a 2nd goal making a change up top, Hart-Copsey back into the action replaces Shapter. Marjoram up to press in defence on the left for Dereham the ball into Ewles-Belton up the line her cross into the area headed away by Dersingham’s Sands. Dereham back on the ball Hutchinson inside for Ferdani central lines up the strike, Kendle-Johnson diving to her right getting behind the ball.

  Dereham asking the questions, Dersingham fighting at the back, McDonald in to close Collins down central top of the D as Pooley gets the ball into her feet from the left. Dereham for all their attacking intent need to be careful at the back Dersingham looking to overload the left Leech up with Smith the cross into the area, Townsend down to get behind it. Some refereeing decisions frustrating Dersingham their is a tense feel about the contest a partisan crowd vocal in their support willing Dereham on, the Dersingham manger yellow carded. The visitors making a double switch Georgia Stephenson and Chloe Bunn on replacing Hart and Lyndsey Bunn. 

 Dersingham getting players up into the final 3rd Smith forcing a corner on the left. Dereham defending it at the near post. Dereham attack off of a throw on the left the ball inside Collins driving on with it on into Pooley outside the D is brought down heavily by Burrell the advance played though as Collins bursts through into the area closing in on the keeper shoots Kendle-Johnson getting her glove up behind the ball to save at close range knocking it off Collins behind for the goal kick… afters though as the referee calls Burrell over to him and after a lengthy conversation the defender is incredulous as she is shown a red card and sent off, Dersingham down to 10.

 

 A further card issued to the Dersingham bench as Burrell headed off the pitch. Dereham with the player advance as they desperately look for the goal to keep their title ambitions alive, Collins strong on the ball throughout winning it left turning inside firing a diagonal pass in behind for Hart-Copsey right of the D, the keeper racing out to close her down releases the shot top of the area past her but so too agonisingly wide of the right post.

 

  McDonald dropping back into defence for Dersingham, the visitors are not content to just sit back and defend with Dereham needing the goal risk over committing the counter on as Leech gets away right inside for Stephenson her cross inside for Bunn attacking the near post wide off of a defender for a corner kick. Put into a congested near post Dereham bring it away to safety. Into the final 10 minutes.

 Holly Melton getting her head on the ball as Collins taking the ball from Ewles-Belton on the left looks to play in Hart-Copsey up top. A lively ending to the game you can feel the tension in the ground Dereham willing their team on. Collins constantly fighting to get hold of the ball for the hosts linking up with Pooley in attack through on goal one on one with the keeper shoots puts it straight at her Kendle-Johnson has proven in the 2 games I’ve seen her relishes such an opportunity. 

 Flowerdew back on late on for Dersingham as they feel they can get back in front themselves the game stretched little time on the ball. Hart-Copsey getting clear right of the D shooting on the run her effort close past the right post. Into the last minutes of the match Dereham throwing everything forwards winning a throw on the left Marjoram pushed high in defence, Ewles-Belton inside for Collins closed down by Ross the ball out to the right Dereham winning the corner kick.

 GOAL! Dereham sending players up to pack the box for the corner, Ewles-Belton to deliver and she sends in a peach of a ball rising near side, Hutchinson meeting it with a strong header turning the ball into a bullet blasting it past the keeper into the back of the net to send Dereham into the lead, runs away in celebration doesn’t get far before she is mobbed by her joyous teammates 2-1.

 A change for Dereham after the goal Hart-Copsey feeling her ankle taken off, Shapter back on. A blow late on for Dersingham have battled so hard, Sands looks to get on up the right with the ball, Marjoram in to close her down out for a throw. Into stoppage time Dereham energised closing the ball down looking to get it forwards Pooley carrying it away up the left tackled by Holly Melton. A tense finish bit it’s Dereham now with the determination to defend as the final whistle blows and they celebrate grabbing the win at the death, to take the season to the final day.

Full time Dereham Town Women 2-1 Dersingham Rovers Women

 Dereham coming back from a goal down at the break to beat Dersingham at the death, Hutchinson with the bullet header to keep their title dreams alive, move onto 50 points 2 behind leaders Bungay, one more game to play away to Waveney Ladies A on Sunday, nothing short of a win will do, a few walking wounded out there but they know what they have to do. Waveney have led the table for a good while themselves and won’t be planning on going out with a whimper. Tough on Dersingham on the back end of two controversial matches leaving a bitter taste to the end of what was a successful debut season in Division Three, have been in the top three for pretty much all of it to drop out late on will hurt. Looked like it wasn’t going to happen for Dereham for a bit late in the game but they stuck at it the chances mounting up. Chances are a good chunk of Division Three sides will be promoted to Division Two next season with up to 6 new sides potentially joining the league next season and Dersingham have shown in the two games I’ve watched that they are capable of competing at that level.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto the Women’s Football East – Player of the Match. One clear winner here which is rarely the case but of course their were several performances of note players form both sides in contention. Shayna Kendle-Johnson put in a determined performance in goal for Dersingham thwarting several one on ones and getting hold of the ball. Holly Melton at the back won her fair share of headers and closed the ball down. For Dereham captain Georgina Pooley looked to provide the outlet on the left first half getting on with the ball in an advanced role that has lead to her scoring so many goals this season. Alice Collins was pro-active got hold of the ball, finding some good positions and looked to get the ball into the attackers throughout. But due to the context of the game and the result the award goes to Amie Hutchinson, Dereham needed the win and she took her two goals the penalty and header from the corner superbly, was pro-active in her role as goalkeeper first half and won the ball well in the 2nd from midfield to put Dereham win a win of becoming league champions.

 Have been looking to get to a Dereham match for a while so glad I got over to Aldiss Park this evening, the season’s not quite done yet in Norfolk one more game to finish my season have to make the trip to Waveney now to see how it all unfolds. My thanks to both clubs for their help with the teams this evening, will have to make a trip over to see Dersingham at home next season. Dereham have one more game win it and they clinch top spot.

By Darren Gilham