Sunday 29th March

Norfolk Women’s Division Two

Negotiating all roadworks on the A47 this Sunday as I make my way east across Norfolk into Suffolk to catch some action from Norfolk Women’s Division Two with Beccles Town Ladies currently 5th in the table hosting 3rd placed Brundall Bolts Women. 

 My first taste of action in the Division this season, and long overdue with a competitive tussle at the top end of the table between 5 sides, with Shrublands Ladies losing just one game this season and racking up 7 straight league wins on the verge of clinching the title one more game to play and then only Hickling Ladies with games in hand can overhaul them with maximum points. Could be a tall order however as Hickling are amongst the pack chasing Shrublands with just 2 points separating the sides placed 2nd to 5th. Those sides currently being Martham FC Ladies, Brundall Bolts Women, Hickling and Beccles Town Ladies.

  Beccles drawing 2-2 away to Brundall Bolts last weekend welcome them to College Meadow this Sunday with their own title bid knocked off the rails some what by suffering 2 defeats in their last 4 league games, that after a long pause without games having gotten off to a fantastic start to the season with 6 straight league wins. have an established core of experienced senior players with a good stream of young talent joining the squad, a good blend but Norfolk seeing U16’s players stepping up into adult football can be a steep learning curve takes time to bed in. Top scorer, Poppy Manders hasn’t taken much time to bed in however hitting the back of the net 19 times so far from her 14 appearances. Lola Middlemass and Olivia Bailey both with 4 goals apiece.

  Brundall Bolts Women are playing in just their 2nd season since being formed in 2024, a strong debut season in an expanded Norfolk women’s football league finishing 2nd behind champions Martham FC Ladies in Division Three to clinch promotion to Division Two. Both promoted sides amongst the title contenders for much of the season. A mixed bag of results early in the season winning as many as they lost in their 1st 8 matches have put together a strong run into the last couple of months to win 4 on the spin before drawing with Beccles last Sunday. Have plenty of goals in their squad too, with top scorer Amy Morris, like Manders for Beccles also on 19 from her 13 played. Caitlyn Moore also into double figures netting 13 from 15 with Ines Briec and Chloe Musson also both pushing double figures on 9 and 8 goals respectfully. 

Been a while since I was last at College Meadow home of Beccles Town FC, features a good sized grass pitch that sees plenty of action. The tea hut open serving hot and cold drinks, a cup of tea most welcome on another bitterly cold Sunday with the wind biting blowing across the pitch with the threat of rain later on. A small covered stand with some seating opposite the dugouts offering some cover, but we could do with some warmer Sunday’s coming along soon.

Beccles Town Ladies starting XI – Chloe Nixon, Kelly Collins (C), Amelia Kennard, Georgia Tiffin, Megan Vincent, Vicky Bloomfield, Vicky Ottey, Emily Coe, Evie Bailey, Millie Reeve & Lola Middlemass. Subs – Erin Rose & Marie Carter.

 Brundall Bolts Women starting XI – Ava Wilson, Eden Simmonds, Caitlyn Moore, Gemma Burwood, Izzy Lever, Viktorija Miglane, Emma Clark (C), Daisy Hill, Robyn Nash, Amy Morris & Ines Briec. Subs – Elle Kendall, Hannah Davidson, Chloe Pawsey-Cole, Chloe Musson & Sapphire Secker.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

It’s Beccles to get the game underway kicking off the 1st half wearing white coloured shirts with black shorts and socks, Brundall lined up opposite wearing blue coloured shirts with navy across the top of the chest and sleeves, with navy shorts and socks. The ball played back to Megan Vincent in defence the ball clipped forwards to Evie Bailey pushing on up the right knocks it inside through the middle with midfielder Vicky Ottey looking to bomb forwards get into the box, goalkeeper Ava Wilson out to the top of her area to get to it first clearing for Brundall.

  The visitors mount their first attack pushing on down the right, captain, Emma Clark turning the ball on down the line for Robyn Nash driving forwards, closed down by Beccles, Georgia Tiffin the ball out of play for the goal kick before a cross can be delivered. A tentative opening as both sides look to get the ball moving, closing each other down the ball charged down in the middle, Beccles playing a high defensive line sees, Ines Briec flagged for offside just over halfway as Brundall look to turn play around.

  Midfielder, Vicky Bloomfield over the ball to the right launches it long up into the area, Wilson looks to have it even as players rush in to try and close it down, a Beccles boot knocking it out of the keepers gloves, but runs harmlessly wide past the right post for a goal kick. Ottey snapping in to win the ball in the middle  plays it on for Bailey right, checking inside sends it back inside to Ottey who fires it up to Lola Middlemass making a run into the D, the ball defended well by Gemma Burwood at the back for Brundall.

  Lively, Brundall battle for possession through the middle, Viktorija Miglane on for Clark forwards to Amy Morris, back to goal 25 yards out spins it out to Nash pushing on up the right, her cross whipped into the box, cut out by Vincent as Briec makes the run into the box from the left flank. Pushing up to halfway, the Beccles defence have to be alert to Brundall attempting to counter quickly as Eden Simmonds gets a foot in to deny Bailey as she charges on with the ball up the right, lifted forwards, Tiffin with a crucial interception to stop the ball being fed in behind.

  Brundall over loading the right a times looking to gain ground, Beccles back to defend counter through the middle Bloomfield to Ottey sends it up the line for Bailey to attack on the right, Simmonds going with her lunging in to take the ball behind for the corner kick. Bloomfield to deliver the corner played into the near post knocked on falling down central top of the area, Vincent attacking the shot charged down, then a 2nd blocked by the Brundall defence before being scrambled away to the left.

  Beccles goalkeeper, Chloe Nixon breaking out of her area to get to the ball to clear as Brundall look to get Morris away through the middle. The ball rarely still both sides snapping after the other, Briec closing down Amelia Kennard as she looks to get away down the left, tracking inside, Kennard coming back at her to put in the challenge before she can get it through to Morris in attack. 

 Play squeezed up by both sides now as Brundall push players on down the right, Daisy Hill on for Nash inside to Clark, attempts to feed the pass into Morris, Tiffin closing the ball down. Beccles launching a quick counter the ball played on through the middle catching the visitors defensive line high, Middlemass escaping in behind into the left channel knocking the ball forwards, the keeper racing out of her area to try and intercept, Middlemass getting a touch to take it beyond her, into the area forced out to the left, defenders racing back, Middlemass attempts to find the goal the ball instead wide at the near post.

  Clark getting forwards to see the ball into her feet right channel off Nash turns it wide into Morris breaking up the wing her cross angling into the keepers gloves at her near post. Fairly even as both sides work hard to close the other down, passes rushed often cut out by the opposing defence. Nash right side prodding the ball into the channel for Morris to turn onto and chase down, Tiffin going with her diving in to get a foot in send it out of play for the throw.

  GOAL! 20 minutes on the clock Beccles counter getting the ball on through the middle from Bloomfield sees, Middlemass beat the offside flag to run in behind the Brundall back line, in the clear the keeper coming again to try and close her down, the attacker getting her shot away early 20 yards out firing it low past the advancing keeper and on to roll into the back of the net to open the scoring 1-0.

  Beccles taking the lead, have their tails up as the ball is closed down by Kennard on the right the full back playing it on up the line for Bailey to burst on into space, Wilson racing of her area to get something on it to clear for Brundall. 

 The game open Brundall’s Miglane up to Morris sends the ball into Briec out on the left, getting the ball into her feet bursts on up the flank, Vincent coming out to try and close her down the pair fighting for possession as Briec forces her way inside 20 yards out, squeezes a dangerous cross into the box, Clark making a run onto the penalty spot can’t quite bring it down under control, as she knocks it goal wards but lacking any power as Beccles get it away to safety.

 Vincent conceding a corner kick to Brundall as the visitors over load the right the cross turned behind. A crowd gathered at the near post the ball curled into the mix knocked down by Morris into Briec central, can’t quite dig the ball out of her feet get the shot away before she is closed down. Bailey charging the ball down for Beccles on the right takes it on in behind on the wing pushing on, Simmonds coming back at her throwing a foot forwards to block her cross take the ball out of play as she looks to find Middlemass and Coe breaking into the area.

  The ball charged down all over the pitch, Kennard tussling with Briec on the left wing, captain Kelly Collins being kept busy on the opposite wing as Clark pushes on up with Nash and Morris, the former sending a cross in along the top of the area cleared by Vincent long up to Bailey right side, Ottey providing a run through the middle but the flag goes up against her as she looks to take the ball on. A scrap in the middle Ottey fouling Clark on halfway.

 Beccles get another ball in behind into Middlemass bursting clear out too the left, Lever does well to get back on her get her foot on the ball as the attacker looks too turn inside, not clear, Millie Reeve having raced to get on up with Middlemass on the wing looks to knock it back into the attacker who is by then in an offside position the flag going up, loudly vents her frustration swearing at the decision the referee having none of it brandishing the yellow card and sending her to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

 Beccles reduced to 10 as Brundall look to capitalise Morris taking the ball on down the right firing a cross inside to Clark top of the area, held up by Tiffin, gets a shot away on the angle the ball wide across the face of goal. A lively contest on Brundall’s left flank between Simmonds and Briec, Kennard and Bailey for Beccles the latter in the heat of the moment narrowly getting her hand out of the way as she looks to stop a clearance forwards. Ottey winning the ball well in the middle for the hosts plays a good pass on for Bailey through the middle, Miglane snapping back at her with a timely foot in to take the ball out of her path.

  Kennard and Briec tangling for the ball on the touchline in front of the Beccles supporters Kennard going down in some discomfort, the crowd unhappy letting Briec know what they think accused of a snap, Briec protesting no such malice intended just a strong coming together, nevertheless Kennard is down needing treatment a pause in play the referee having a word with the coaching staff coming across to calm thing’s down. Kennard is back on her feet as play resumes able to play on.

  Tiffin with another vital interception on halfway as Clark looks to get the ball on through the middle. Brundall winning a corner out on the right again have plenty in at the near post lofted in Morris helping the ball on, for Burwood to attack with her head beyond her driving the ball narrowly wide of the upright. Game getting a little physical, both sides closing the other down. Simmonds defending as she tracks back with Bailey looking to attack the ball played on up the right prodding it back into the box for her keeper to clear. 

 Middlemass back on for Beccles bringing them back up to 11, Brundall get forwards sending Nash away on the right from the angle drills a strike into the box, Nixon saving with her legs the ball loose Morris attempting to latch onto it lifting a shot wide at the near post. Vincent lunging in to defend against Briec as the attacker drives on with the all left of goal.

 Another dangerous ball over the top by Beccles sees Middlemass again racing into the clear central, Wilson comes racing out of her area looking to get to it first bouncing up Middlemass goes to attack it hoping to knock it past the advancing keeper as the pair collide the ball instead knocked away to the right, a heavy clash however play stopped immediately with concern for both players, primarily the goalkeeper. Some claims the ball had been handled outside the area, the one picture I have inconclusive.

 Another long pause in play with Middlemass gingerly getting back to her feet, the goalkeeper needing a little more time but is thankfully back up on her feet and willing to play on the ball back in play Beccles play it back to Brundall, with Middlemass coming forwards to shake hands with the keeper in a good natured play of sportsmanship. 

  Wilson undeterred in the closing stages of the first half coming out of her area to clear before Middlemass can pounce as Bailey looks to square the ball into her from the right after Ottey regains possession in the middle.  

Half-time Beccles Town Ladies 1-0 Brundall Bolts Women

 Beccles heading back to the changing rooms holding a narrow 1-0 lead going into the 2nd half, Lola Middlemass played in behind to score on 20 minutes. Have been few chances otherwise in a lively contest often the ball moved around quickly as both attempt to get forwards an open game as a result, Beccles prepared to push up, play squeezed both keepers needing to stay alert. Thing’s a little heated at times too, Middlemass in binned, Brundall not able to capitalise on the player advantage but with just a single goal in it all to play for in the 2nd period.

 No changes for either side, the rain holding off so far the wind still bitingly chilly. Brundall to get the 2nd half underway the ball put into Morris central sends it long to Nash surging on up the right, a little too much weight on the pass, Collins can see it out for the throw. The visitors looking to push on at the start of the 2nd half Clark playing the ball into Morris pulling right takes on the cross early a diagonal ball up into the area gather low by Nixon.

 Middlemass breaking in behind into the right channel taking the ball on towards the box, Lever getting back on her shoulder, the attacker getting a shot away 20 yards out, Wilson getting down behind the ball to make the save pushing the ball away to the left. 

 Beccles turning play around Bloomfield into Ottey the ball finding Bailey out on the right her cross from 20 yards out taking a wicked deflection of a defender looking to cut it out turning the ball on central for Coe to race onto and hit a rising shot in on goal, Wilson right behind it to pluck the ball down into her gloves. Brundall quick to get up the other end Briec from the angle on the left drilling a ball into the area, Nixon claiming it.

  The game a little tense Brundall unhappy with a few decisions, the ball lifted out to Middlemass moving right, Simmonds in well to close her down for the visitors. On the opposite flank Collins defends keeping close to Nash as the winger looks to spin off her trying to take the ball in behind from Morris. 

 Nash back to help out in defence as Beccles play a free-kick from halfway up to Reeves on the left. Morris beating the offside trap to get in behind the Beccles defence carrying the ball on into the area shapes to shoot put the ball across the keeper into the left of goal, Nixon with a great save diving to her right to get a glove on the ball turn it wide for the corner kick. 

 Ottey defending the corner central inside the box as Moore looks to help it on from the near post. Simmonds conceding the corner as Middlemass looks to link up with Bailey on Beccles right. The hosts making their first change with Erin Rose coming on to replace Reeves in attack. 

 Morris taking the ball down on the right flank pushing forwards winning her side a corner kick, the initial delivery defended by Bloomfield, cleared back out to the right, Lever to fire it back into the area from deep angling in, Nixon calling for it, under pressure as Brundall attackers look to get onto the end of it, palms the ball down before her defence scramble it clear. The game open stretched at times as both sides look to get forwards quickly, Lever at the back for Brundall defending lunging in to deny Middlemass in the right channel as she looks to tee up Rose central.

  Brundall making a change with Briec coming off on the right, Chloe Musson joining the action. Ottey looking to play a give and go with Bailey as she takes the ball left, Lever cutting out the return ball for Brundall. A couple of robust challenges as Hill looks to hold up Rose on the left. Moore clashing with Bloomfield central as both sides a determined to get hold of the ball. Brundall’s captain covering the ground looking to link up with the attack, Miglane sending the ball up to Morris, turns, Tiffin close in getting a foot on the ball.

  Rose taking on the shot from all of 25 yards out as she sees the ball run across her path from the right, on target but not troubling Wilson back in her six yard box as she palms the ball down into the turf to claim. Tiffin in the way to cut the pass out central as Morris advancing on the right looks to pick out Nash racing on through the middle. Another change for Brundall with Moore coming off to be replaced by Hannah Davidson taking up a position on the left of attack. Chloe Pawsey-Cole on too in place of Burwood. 

 

Miglane back to defend for Brundall as Rose is played on through the right channel for Beccles. Coe playing the ball out to Middlemass peeling right her shot on the angle collected low by Wilson at her near post. Fresh legs on the flanks for Brundall, Musson taking the ball up the right, Collins diving in with the challenge to see the ball behind. Nash coming off for Brundall with Sapphire Secker on taking up a defensive position. Morris on the corner curled into the box defended by Ottey comes back out to Morris wide on the right angles a dangerous ball in across the face of goal Clark breaking clear central and Davidson at the far post can’t quite get onto the end of it.

  A counter from Beccles Bailey on for Middlemass right side cuts the cross back into the top of the area for Rose breaking through on goal the keeper coming to close her down pulls the trigger looking to put the ball across her, Wilson with the faintest off touches taking the ball wide behind for the corner kick. Both keepers called into action the sides still separated by a single goal. 

 Ottey fighting to win the ball back for Beccles in the middle played up to Coe turns it left into Bailey looks for Middlemass up the line, Simmonds getting her leg out to stop it for Brundall. Tired legs out their Brundall frustrated, not happy Beccles winning the 2nd balls Simmonds again with a timely stretch of the leg to deny Middlemass from bursting in behind as Bloomfield attempts the through ball. 

 

 Clark looking to take the ball on from Pawsey-Cole on the right has support with Morris, Coe getting back on her to defend for Beccles. Bailey sending a deep cross into the box from the right cleared by Secker back out to the right won back well by Kennard and drives a shot on the angle wide of the near post.

  Moving into the last 10 minutes of the 2nd half Beccles winning a corner on the right, Ottey helping it on into the centre at the near post falls to Coe who sees her strike from the top of the six yard box blocked by Secker. Tiffin defending inside her box for Beccles as Clark driving on looks to take the ball on from Musson on the right. Brundall making another switch with Hill coming off and Elle Kendall coming on.

 Miglane winning the ball for Brundall lifting it on up the right for Musson bursting forwards taking the ball on to the by-line Collins diving in to block the cross taking it behind for the corner kick. Morris to swing it into the box, Ottey winning it to clear for Beccles.

 Both sides pushing for a goal the game stretched Rose and Middlemass pressing high up the pitch a free-kick won 25 yards out on the right. Swung into the area the keeper looks to get a touch as it flies wide of the far post but no a goal kick awarded. Coe seeing a misplaced goal kick put straight at her left of the D 20 yards out an awkward height to control nevertheless knocks it down into the area with Rose looking to latch onto it, Wilson out smartly though to grab hold of the ball.

  Beccles pushing players on Middlemass into Rose linking up with Coe through the middle, on for Middlemass driving into the box, moving left then right under pressure form Miglane gets a shot away turns in frustration as it races wide of the near post. Kennard coming off late on for Beccles with Marie Carter coming on, the hosts looking to finish the game off Middlemass back to goal turning it into Rose on the right her cross/shot driven in across goal Coe running in far post can’t quite get there.

  Brundall frustrated late in the game not finding the mark with the final ball. Vincent in to clear as Clark looks to try and find Miglane making a run forwards into the left channel. Pawsey-Cole on for Morris attacking on the right on for Musson but the flag goes up for offside, tempers raring up at the end of the game a couple of strong tackles coming in Beccles keeping the ball Clark hurt as she goes to kick the ball upfield her foot catching a Beccles player, the final whistle blowing soon after sees Beccles claim the 3 points to see the sides swap positions in the Division Two table.

 Tempers flaring at the end Brundall clearly frustrated with the referee Morris is shown a red card, along with their coach.

Full time Beccles Town Ladies 1-0 Brundall Bolts Women

 Beccles coming out on top of a bruising and competitive encounter, Lola Middlemass’ 1st half strike the difference between the two sides in the finish both goalkeepers called into action in the 2nd period to keep the opposition out. Chances coming and going Brundall not happy at the end a tough loss to take ending their recent good spell. Beccles climbing back above them into 3rd still 3 points between the 4 sides positioned 2nd to 5th with Beccles, Hickling and Martham all having 4 games left to play the race for 2nd will go all the way. Shrublands winning 4-1 at home to local rivals Great Yarmouth have played out their fixtures sit 11 points clear at the top only 2nd placed Hickling can catch them with maximum points from their final 4 games, 2 of those against Beccles and Brundall, both have a say in the destiny of the title race, Shrublands Ladies will be watching anxiously. 

Women Football East – Player of the Match

 Time to choose this Sunday’s Women’s Football East – Player of the Match and it’s another tough one with a couple of clear contenders. Performances of note across the pitch, firstly for Brundall, was a strong performance from their captain, Emma Clarke busy throughout covering the ground getting after the ball, joining the attack and looking to get her side into advanced positions. Viktorija Miglane got after the ball winning it well at the back and got it moving quickly. Amy Morris a threat in attack good link up play, found some good positions in the final 3rd and came closest to scoring. For Beccles, Lola Middlemass led the line well, pulling off the shoulders of the defence on several occasions scoring the goal as a result. Evie Bailey providing a strong outlet on the right ready to break forwards cause Brundall problems. Georgia Tiffin with several vital interceptions at the back and one on one challenges inside the box just misses out the award going to midfielder Vicky Ottey working hard all game winning the ball well in the middle, taking it forwards and helping out in defence.

 Good to get a game in from Division Two will be intriguing to see where everyone finishes a few twists and turns yet I expect, good to catch up with Beccles and take my first look at Brundall, a competitive tussle. My thanks to Beccles for the team sheets as always much appreciated. 

by Darren Gilham