The Round-Up
Norfolk – New Season Sun 11th September
A new season of County league football across the country began this weekend, teams putting a long pre-season behind them and playing their 1st competitive games of the season. A new look to The Round-Up this season breaking it down into smaller sections, everything still covered, this edition focuses on Norfolk.
22 sides competing in the Norfolk Women’s Divisions for the 2016/17 season. Across 3 Divisions with 8 sides in Division 1, and 7 in both Division 2 & 3. This season a change in the number of fixtures with sides playing each other 3 times instead of twice.
Norfolk Women’s Division One
Wymondham Town Ladies won the title last season and have taken promotion to the ERWFL Division One. Have formed a new Reserves side which began its season in Division 3 on Sunday. All of the 8 sides contesting Division 1 this season played on the opening Sunday.
Thorpe United Ladies with a new manager in charge this season off to a fantastic start as they welcomed Kings Lynn Town Ladies now affiliated with the men’s club to the Thorpe Recreation Ground on Sunday. Captain, Rebekah Lake (pictured right) netting a hat-trick along with Shanice Sutton 1 of her three goals from the penalty spot. Charlotte Groves also bagging an opening day brace with Vivian Moyo completing the scoring as they romped to a 9-2. Kings Lynn Town Ladies were optimistic of achieving good things in the league this season a bombshell to start the season far from what they expected will regroup and go again. Jordan Turner and Shelley Woods with their goals one in either half.
Fakenham Town Ladies started their season with a trip to the east coast to play newly promoted Kirkley & Pakefield FC Ladies who went undefeated dropping just 2 points on their way to the Division 2 title last season. Fakenham have been busy over the summer brought some new players in 4 of which made their debuts on Sunday as they put in a strong performance Sam King scoring inside the opening 2 minutes. Rochelle Woods making it 2-0 on 20, led 3-0 at half-time. Extended the lead 2nd half 4-0 on 59 minutes before Emily Woodhouse scored from the penalty spot with 10 minutes to play , Woods scoring her 2nd goal of in the 90th minutes, winning 6-0 to go 2nd in the table the only side not to concede a goal on the opening day too.
Also promoted from Division Two last season having chased Kirkley & Pakefield all the way were North Walsham Angels Ladies. Were at home taking on Bungay Town Ladies on Sunday. Luci Middleton (pictured left) was North Walsham’s top goalscorer last season with a total of 38 from 17 appearances. Didn’t hang about this season to get started either helping herself for 4 goals. Younger sister Hope also got her name on the scoresheet on the opening day along with Emma Allsopp. North Walsham didn’t have it all their own way however Bungay having been 4-1 down in the 1st half came back 2nd half to score 3, Emily Leach amongst the goals the final score 6-4 to North Walsham.
Two of the favourites for the Division 1 title went head to head on the opening day with Brandon Town Ladies travelling across the county to Youngs Park to play League Cup Winners, Aylsham FC Ladies. The home side getting off to a blistering start going 3-0 up inside the opening 5 minutes, Kiera Squires with 2 of the goals Michaela England with the other. Brandon fought their way back into the game found the back of the net twice, captain Tiffany Forshaw and Ruby Robertson with the goals, wasn’t enough however Aylsham holding on for the 3-2 win.
Norfolk Women’s Division Two
7 sides contesting Norfolk Women’s Division 2 this season. A new name in the league Briston Wanderers Ladies, a familiar squad however they are the former Red Rose Ladies 1st team, have renamed following their manager breaking away from the old club at the end of last season. Were scheduled to play Bohemians Ladies away on the opening day of the season the home side unable to fulfill the fixture saw Briston awarded the away win.
Leading the way after the opening weekend are Sprowston Ladies, were at home at the Open Academy on the opening day taking on newly promoted Division 3 runners-up, Harleston Town Ladies. Got their season off to a brilliant start winning the match 6-0, Olivia Leggett with two of their goals. Rebecca Kirby, Joanna Davey, Keri Boorman and Lois Irving also opening their goal scoring accounts for the season.
Gorleston FC Ladies formed last season won the Division 3 title, began life in Division 2 with an away trip to play Stalham Town Ladies. Samantha Hunn netted 2 goals for the visitors with Leanne Smith, Kayleigh Byrne and Beth Turner also scoring in a 5-0 win to see Gorleston start with 3 points. Long Stratton Ladies the side sitting out the opening weekends fixtures in Division 2.
Norfolk Women’s Division Three
As with Division 2 there are 7 sides contesting Division 3 this season. 2 new sides in the league, Wymondham Town Ladies new Reserves side along with Lowestoft based, East Coast Ladies. Tavern Ladies are the renamed Dereham Town Ladies who were the side sitting out the opening weekend.
Red Rose United might have wished they’d sat out the opening weekend of fixtures too as they were soundly beaten on their travels away to Toftwood United Ladies. The home side scoring double fixtures hitting 12 goals without reply.
Cromer Town Ladies fared little better as they welcomed East Coast Ladies to Cabbell Park on Sunday the newly formed side with some impressive pre-season results took that form into the league Rosie Cook scoring 4 goals in the 1st half, with Jodie Ellis to make it 5-0 at the break. Cook going on to add a 5th goal 2nd half. Lucy Robbens who had been keeping goal in the 1st half got in on the goal scoring action 2nd half scoring 4 herself, Chelsea Shorten with a goal in the last 10 minutes too the final score 11-0.
Wymondham Town Ladies Reserves began with a home fixture, Freethorpe Ladies travelling to Kings Head Meadow. Scored 2 goals in each half to secure their 1st win, Gemma Hamilton getting a brace, Kelly Ayers and Helen Watts amongst the goals too final score 4-0.