Sunday 15th December

Norfolk Women’s Division One

It has been a lean spell football wise with Storm’s Bert and Darragh playing havoc with the fixture lists across the country. One last game to watch in 2024 however and getting to see Costessey Sports Ladies in action has been a challenge in itself. At last getting down to the FDC to see them play as they take on Fakenham Town Ladies in Norfolk Women’s Division One.

The first 4 months of the season have been highly disruptive across the board in Norfolk Women’s Division One with the weather and early season FA Cup fixtures seeing games postponed and moved. With many having played just 4 or 5 out of there 20 scheduled league games so far it promises to be a busy 2025. Bungay Town Ladies the defending champions, looking strong again this season in what is a competitive league will be intriguing to see if other challengers emerge.

  Have been looking to see Costessey Sports Ladies in action this season and having seen two attempts fall by the way side (the first with just half and hours notice… not their doing however) am glad it’s 3rd time lucky. Costessey ports Ladies amongst the new crop of sides joining the Norfolk Women’s Football league last season. The only one to be placed straight into Division One. A young squad signing a few experienced players to bolster the group, had an up and down debut season results wise winning as many as they lost, a 4 game winning streak to end the campaign securing them a comfortable 6th placed finish.

  Began this season with a couple of heavy defeats at home to champions, Bungay and in the county cup against promoted Bure Valley. A lean spell fixture wise to follow starting with an away walk over in the FA Women’s Cup, had hoped to see them then against Suffolk’s Stowupland, had even got to the carpark when I was notified the game was off. Still Costessey got an away day against Essex side Bowers & Pitsea Ladies their 1st FA Cup adventure ending, back to the league getting to play at last a win and three draws pulling them away from the bottom giving Costessey a solid platform to build on. Have recruited more experience in the squad with the arrival of ex-Dussindale & Hellesdon midfielder, Abbi Nobbs, along with attacker, Chelsea Brister. The most recent addition attacker Grace Wall joining from Long Stratton.

  Fakenham Town Ladies ended a 2 year spell playing regional football, dropping out of the ERWFL last season. Were in danger of folding entirely as they lost much of that squad with the season just a week away with just a handful of experienced players remaining, amongst them, new captain, Gina Pooley and goalkeeper, Tilly Betts. Under new management were fortunate to have a group of younger players to call upon, as well as recruiting a few from the highly thought of Dussindale & Hellesdon u16s side. Nevertheless began the season with a young and very inexperienced squad. 

  Hasn’t seemed to phase them however as they began their season with a 5-1 win in the FA Women’s Cup against Essex side Stanway Rovers Ladies before clinching a 2-2 draw with last season’s Division One runners-up, Sprowston FC Women, a loss followed before Fakenham clinched back to back wins and a draw to climb into 4th spot in the table, a loss against Bungay following that clinched a point away from home last weekend, come to the FDC with a solid start to the new campaign behind them. Helped largely by their top scorer Maddie Green, dual signed with Suffolk side Capel Plough Women along with sister Katie. Is the leagues leading scorer so far with 12 goals from her 8 appearances. Have recently added Holly Williams to the squad coming in from King’s Lynn.

  The FDC (Football Development Centre) in Bowthorpe the venue for this afternoon’s fixture. Home for the Costessey Sports teams this season. The football facility one of a number dotted about the county. On the way into Norwich from the east off the A47. Boast a number of small artificial pitches along with the main Harrod Sports Arena. A large 3G pitch with a small seated stand on one side with standing viewing on 3 sides of the pitch. The café/bar open serving hot food and drink. The weather much kinder this Sunday calm and relatively mild, the sun able to make a showing was soon the sink below the horizon with a 2:30pm kick-off and the shortest day fast approaching.

Costessey Sports Ladies starting XI – Ellie Hambrook, Layla Watts, Paige Barnard (C), Alyssia Baldock, Sophie Crowle, Abbi Nobbs, Hannah Campbell, Abbie Tate, Thea Hackney, Chelsea Brister & Chloe Gaff. Subs – Kelly Fox, Sydnie Brown, Grace Wall & Hannah Thrower.

Fakenham Town Ladies starting XI – Tilly Betts, Gina Pooley, Kirstie Rusted, Ella Ballett, Marcie McCullagh, Megan Bond, Katie Green, Holly Williams, Roxanne Grant, Beth Seymour & Maddie Green. Subs – Laura Booth, Sydney Smith & Fran Wood.

(roll on roll off substitutes)

 Referee, Daniel Knowles straight into his 2nd match of the day having officiated the youth game ending on the same pitch half an hour earlier. Fakenham with the kick-off 1st half wearing amber coloured shirts with black sleeves, black shorts and socks with Costessey lined up opposite wearing red coloured shirts with black shorts and socks. The ball rolled back into Katie Green in the middle launches it long out to the left flank for sister, Maddie to attack, a strong run, is tracked back by Costessey’s Layla Watts the defender holding Green up, forcing her to switch direction knock the ball on across the top of the D, turning to send the ball into the area, quickly scooped up by Costessey goalkeeper, Ellie Hambrook. 

 The visitors testing their opponents with a couple of long passes into the flanks early on. Costessey captain, Paige Barnard dealing with the ball pull down Fakenham’s right wing. Both sides moving to press the ball, is a wide pitch space to exploit if play gets too congested in the middle. Thea Hackney seeing the ball played into her feet out wide on Costessey’s left surging forwards is brought down the hosts winning a free-kick, played up the line for Hackney to attack gets her foot around the ball whipping an inviting cross in towards the penalty spot, Fakenham captain, Gina Pooley running back towards her own goal twisting well to stretch and get a foot on the ball to divert it out of her area. 

  Costessey regaining possession in the middle, Abbi Nobbs on for Abbigail Tate threads it into the right channel for Chelsea Brister bearing down on goal from the angle pulls her shot in towards goal past Tilly Betts coming to cover her near post the ball across the x yard box, cleared by Kirstie Rusted at the far post straight back to Brister on the right, tries again for the near post, Pooley in the way blocking her effort off the defender for a corner kick. 

  The corner swung into the box from the right, headed clear by Fakenham’s defence. Pooley going on on the overlap on the left taking the pass from midfield on down the line holding off a challenge before turning inside to cross on the angle, too close to the keeper at her near post, Hambrook laying claim to the ball. 

  Costessey having rode out a little pressure at the start getting onto the ball turning play around quickly, Tate, feeding the ball on for Hackney out on the left touchline burst forwards winning her side a corner kick. Brister to deliver, a vicious in-swinger in at the near post, Bets getting her gloves up to punch the ball away to the right, half cleared out of the box, Costessey win it back the shot from range sailing over the crossbar. 

  The hosts getting the ball into Hackney on the left, allowing midfielders to break forwards, the cross put inside across the top of the area, Hannah Campbell looking to attack it on the run, doesn’t quite get hold of it cleanly, the ball put on towards goal, lacking pace, Betts coming to gather. The two sides appearing evenly matched in the early exchanges. McCullagh bringing the ball out from the back for Fakenham sending it on for Holly Williams moving out to the left taking it on down the line cuts the cross back in central to Maddie Green outside the D, looking to hit it first time as she runs onto the ball, closed down doesn’t get enough on it to trouble Hambrook.

  Williams in the middle nicking the ball, turning to strike from range top of the centre circle, her effort on target angling in straight into the keeper’s gloves. Costessey’s Campbell, stealing onto the ball in the middle of the park, driving on linking up with Tate ahead of her the pass swept out to Brister on the right, from the angle 25 yards out takes on the shot, blasted wide across goal at the far post adjudged to have taken a nick off a defender on the way through a corner awarded. 

 The corner whipped into the near post with pace his headed out by a Fakenham head for a 2nd corner. The delivery coming back out to Campbell outside the box to the left of goal her strike racing in wide of the far post. Competitive in the middle, the ball rarely still both sides keen to turn play around quickly. Maddie Green leading the line for Fakenham often pulling out to the left flank looking to see the ball into her feet and turn to attack down the line, is keeping Watts busy the full back going with her holding Green up in the corner getting a challenge in to send the ball out for a throw. 

Hackney the outlet on the left for Costessey pushing forwards as Nobbs lays the diagonal pass into her path, threatening to go beyond the Fakenham backline, Betts takes no chances rushing out of her area to launch the ball clear before Hackney can latch onto it. Katie Green plays the ball into Maddie Green on halfway, the attacker seeing the ball down into her feet well before turning to race away from her marker down the left wing shooting on the angle targeting the near post, Hambrook down at her post to get behind the ball and make the save. 

GOAL! A half chance at one end Costessey hit their opponents on the break with a rapid counter the ball fired up the line into Hackney bursting away on the left, long legged strides into the box closing in on goal, the angle quickly going against her into the six yard box shoots sending her strike low past the keeper into the bottom corner 1-0.

 Costessey with the opening goal inside the first 15 minutes of the contest, getting the ball forwards well the attackers looking to combine. Tate moving left linking up with Chloe Watts exchanging passes before Watts surges on with it to the by-line just not quite able to keep it in play as she looks to put the ball in across the face of the Fakenham goal. Watts left channel seeing the ball into her feet turning well to lay it on into the box for Hackney, McCullagh getting the tackle in to see the ball turned behind for a corner kick. 

  The corner curled in across the six yard box cleared at the far post, the hosts with players around the top of the area moving in to close the ball down regain possession, Campbell with a strike from distance, caught by Betts back on her line. Busy game mustn’t take your eye off it, Pooley bringing the ball on looking to link up with Maddie Green on the left the return ball played back inside for Pooley pushing on, intercepted by Costessey’s Alyssia Baldock at the back. 

Advantage played as Hackney is brought down on the left, Tate in possession bringing the ball infield lifting her pass on for Brister wide right she shot/cross into the six yard box, cleared by Fakenham’s Ella Ballett. Watts and Maddie Green continue to enjoy a good contest the attacker finding the full back hard to shake off taking the ball into the left corner, Watts getting a foot in to tap it out of play for a throw. 

  Katie and Maddie Green looking to combine passes from the throw in the cross whipped into the near post headed away by Sophie Crowle back playing for Costessey having returned from her first term in Exeter at university. Fakenham looking to up the ante get themselves some much needed momentum going forwards, Katie Green laying down the gauntlet looking to get hold of the ball and drive forwards into the tightly packed area inside the Costessey D, the ball deflected off a defender a shot taken from 20 yards out flying narrowly over the crossbar.

 GOAL! Fakenham having moved up a gear pressing players on the ball won back inside the Costessey half coming to Pooley central lays it out to the right with Katie Green pulling into space 30 yards out, decides to try her luck taking on the strike catches the ball sweetly sending in up into the air on target angling over the keeper to drop under the bar and into the back of the net to level the scores 1-1.

 Fakenham back on level terms 7 minutes after conceding, make an immediate change bringing off Bond with Sydney Smith coming into the attack taking up a position on the left. Costessey with a change too bringing on Grace Wall in place of Watts in their attack. Fakenham coming back into the game strongly in the last 5 minutes getting back on level terms. Costessey looking to fightback the ball up the right into Wall, tackled by Pooley for a throw high up the pitch. Wall edge of the box looking to head it on into the mix, Fakenham don’t clear pops back to Wall right of the D, goes to shoot her effort hitting a Seymour at close range. A painful one but denies a goal scoring chance.

  Grant winning the ball back on the right for Fakenham keeping an attack alive sends it inside for the onrushing Katie green who in turn clips a diagonal ball out to the left, looking for Smith, Watts the last defender getting a vital touch to turn the ball back into her keeper to clear. A busy game Tate lifting a high ball on for Hackney on the move left side the Costessey winger screwing her cross back into the area, a sliced clearance almost seeing the ball run on for Wall to run onto, Pooley stabbing it out of her path. The ball cleared out to the right Crowle latching onto it trying her luck with the shot back in towards goal Betts at her near post taking it on the bounce.

  Both sides enjoying good spells of play in the match even for the most part, Tate linking up with Hackney on the left sends the cross out to Wall breaking up the right, Pooley stretching a leg out to intercept the ball turning it back in to her keeper.  

GOAL! Fakenham attack through the middle the ball finding Maddie green pulling away to the left corner of the area, Watts going with her holding the attacker up Green forcing the ball inside across the top of the D, Williams taking it on looking to find a gap in the Costessey defence threads a ball through into Smith positioned wide left of the goal six yards out strikes the ball under the keeper to score her first goal for the club and put the visitors into the lead 1-2. 

  Just over half an hour played and Fakenham have come from behind to take the lead. Look to press the advantage, Williams busy on the ball taking it right finding Maddie Green out on the wing, looks to take the ball on Barnard going with her seeing the ball out for a corner kick. Curled into the near post Costessey defend clearing the ball get on the move up the other end, Hackney played in down the left her pace taking the ball on rapidly, the challenge coming in the ball put out for a corner up the opposite end of the ground. 

 Brister has been playing in some useful deliveries from her corners this one curled into the box Wall up to head the ball near side turning it wide across the six yard box cleared to the right as the floodlights start to come on with the light fading fast.

  Maddie Green shaking her marker for once on the left taking the ball on down the line her touch too heavy however allowing Crowle the chance to get round on the cover getting in the way of her cross to turn it behind for a corner. The game stretched end to end if anything both sides a little too hasty to get the ball into their attackers making it hard for support to get up with them quick enough, Wall played in on the right looking for options, Pooley comes sliding in to take the ball out for the throw.

  Katie Green back in her box to clear the cross played in from a throw in, sends it up to Smith on the left, plays in inside to Maddie Green, back to Williams, tries to put the return ball into Green’s path as she breaks into the box, Baldock reading it standing her ground cutting out the pass. Barnard over on the right now fouled by Smith, Costessey taking the free-kick quickly Barnard up the wing on the overlap taking the ball on sending a low ball racing into the six yard box, Hackney making the central run, can’t quite untangle the ball from her feet to get a shot away before Ballett stabs it clear.

  Half-time Costessey Sports Ladies 1-2 Fakenham Town Ladies

The teams stay out on the pitch by their respective dugouts at half-time. Has been a fast paced and entertaining opening 45 minutes. The ball rarely still both sides competitive, looking to get forwards quickly. Both enjoying good spells of play throughout the half, Costessey opening the scoring, Fakenham fought back well needing to lift things and did going on to not only equalise but take the lead. Both sides creating further chances will be interesting to see if they can keep up the intensity in the 2nd half. 

  The floodlights now taking full effect as the 2nd half begins a beautiful purple sky over the ground. Costessey with a change of keepers at the break, Hambrook who looks to have been carrying a knock off replaced by Kelly Fox in goal. Fakenham bringing on midfielder, Laura Booth. The hosts to get the 2nd half underway the ball rolled back to Barnard, clipped out to Hackney breaking forwards on the left, Rusted seeing it out for a throw in. 

 Fakenham attack with Maddie Green played forwards for Smith top of the box right of goal but can’t quite take the ball on in her stride to break through onto goal the ball cleared out to the left a high ball sent back into the Costessey box headed clear by Baldock. Costessey looking to press the ball early in the second half winning a throw high on their right the ball dropped into Hackney inside the box right of goal turns to send the ball into the side netting.

  The hosts quick to regain possession in the middle turn play around, Hackney inside left playing the ball central for Wall lays it on for Tate moving wide of her on the right takes on the shot from the angle her effort racing across goal past the far post. A little testy now a few niggly fouls coming in players getting on with it however, Smith looking to make ground on Fakenham’s right tackled by Costessey’s Watts. 

  Barnard getting hold of the ball at the back for Costessey scooping the ball forwards for Hackney on her left, the winger surging on towards the box her momentum carrying her right in on goal at the near post ground running out she lifts her attempt into the side netting. Costessey pushing hard to find an equalising goal at the start of the 2nd period. Fakenham on the back foot still very much a threat on the counter, Katie green finding space in the middle sending it on to her sister Maddie who clips in out to Grant moving up the right wing, Barnard lunging in to take the ball off her out for a throw in.

  Costessey winning a corner on the left, taken short into Tate high on the left outside the box flashes her strike in whistling wide of the far post. Fakenham making a double switch bringing off Williams and Smith with Seymour back on along side Fran Wood. Katie Green having gotten a taste for a long range strike finding room out to the right to try her luck again angling in towards the far post, Fox drifting out beyond it taking no chances grabbing onto the ball.

  Hackney seeing the ball into her feet left looks up to see Tate breaking into the box, attempts an audacious lofted pass over the top of the defence into her path, not easy, Betts able to see it all the way with time to get out to gather the ball into her gloves before Tate can react. Remains competitive, Seymour sending the ball on for Grant on the right looks to drag the ball inside, Barnard challenging to halt her progress. Barnard reading the game intercepting as Booth attempts to put Grant away on the right the defender fouled then as she tries to bring the ball forwards herself.

   Nobbs over the set-piece lifts a high ball in towards the far post, Fakenham defending the ball cleared out to the left. Wall taking on a strike from distance seeing her effort landing straight into the keeper’s gloves. Costessey making a change bringing off Campbell in the middle on comes 16-year-old Sydnie Brown as Costessey look to give the youngster more playing experience at this level, goes over to the left back role with Barnard switching over to the right. The hosts pushing hard Hackney left back up the line for Tate through the middle to Brister 25 yards out goes for goal her shot straight at Betts.

  Maddie Green the outlet for Fakenham up top always alert looking to steal in behind beats the offside trap to burst clear as the ball is sent over the top but just a little too much on it as Fox comes rushing out to claim the ball. The ball played long into Hackney out wide left her touch taking her inside some 25 yards out whistles a shot over the bar.

GOAL! The momentum firmly with Costessey pressing the ball top of the Fakenham area Hackney across the top of the area into Tate out to Wall right inside the box deflected through to Brister ahead of her turns to strike the ball on the angle sending in across the keeper into the bottom corner 2-2. 

 Costessey with a strong start to the 2nd half equalising in the 64h minute. Fakenham making a change straight after the goal bringing Williams back on for Booth. The visitors straight on the attack after the restart. Crowle defending for Costessey. Fakenham regain the ball in midfield the diagonal ball lifted into the box for Maddie Green making a superb run at the near post the ball dropping onto her feet on the angle turned in towards goal, Fox down smartly to get behind the ball and save.

  Costessey continue to push players forwards Hackney a handful on the left winning her side a corner. Whipped into the far post from the left the ball headed behind. Tate crossing the ball from the left cleared by Pooley at her far post out to the left, a strike racing back in from distance, didn’t see who blazes narrowly wide of the left post. Watts and Maddie Green continue their battle the attacker, with a great first touch looking to shake her marker, Watts getting back at her to slide in to make the tackle turn the ball behind for a corner.

  The ball played into the top of the area a shot charged down Costessey attempt to break, Rusted winning the ball back well. Brown gets back to defend on Grant as the winger attempts to turn in behind on Fakenham’s right. Really is a beautiful twilight sky over the ground a glorious purple visage a wonderful sight to behold but mustn’t get distracted from the action with is showing no signs off letting up the game could go either way. Costessey pressing hard a little too eager to deliver the final ball, giving Fakenham’s defence time to deal with the ball.

  Play resuming with a throw out on the left Fakenham bring the ball on through the middle threaded on trough the defence for Maddie Green to steal in behind left of the D, Fox comes racing out to try and close her down but has no chance of reaching the ball first as Green slots it past her, Fox can only turn to look at the ball racing towards her goal relived to see it cannon off the base of the right post as Brown races back to wrap her foot around the ball to clear. 

A pause in play at last with a Fakenham player in need of treatment both sides going to their respective benches for fluids and instructions with 15 minutes left to play. Baldock taking the ball into the middle for Costessey looking to play in Wall making a move to break on her right, just goes a little too early the flag halting her progress. Brown getting in another timely tackle on Grant as Williams looks to pick her out on the right. The game delicately poised the clock ticking down a draw may well be a fair result but you sense a winning goal is still out there just a question mark over who might get it.

  Wood is released down the left for Fakenham pushes on with the ball at her feet, Crowle moving out to put in the tackle deny her the cross. Costessey press left Brister into Hackney the ball swung in across the six yard box to the near post turned behind for a corner. Brister to play it in long across the six yard box to Barnard beyond the far post can’t get a telling touch to threaten the Fakenham goal. 

 Betts taking a catch back on her line from a looping Costessey effort from outside the box. Costessey attack Tate on the ball left channel tackled by Rusted the ball only cleared to Hackney on the left fires in back across the top of the area to Brister right of the D, lays in back inside to be met by Nobbs racing in central her sot fired in on target, Betts behind it down well to save. 

  Katie Green continues to cover the ground in the middle for Fakenham getting onto the ball looks to pick out Maddie Green on the left with her pass, Watts herself has worked hard to keep tabs on the elusive attacker getting in the challenge to slow her progress the ball out for a throw on the left. High up the pitch the cross finding it’s way into the middle of the area, Brown getting there in the nick of time to scramble the ball clear as Grant lines up a strike.

 GOAL! Into the final five minutes of the game Fakenham once again building momentum going forwards as both teams tire. The ball rolled forwards into Katie Green moving out to the right, finding herself in space over 30 yards out in a similar position to where she scored in the first half decides to try her luck again and once again connects sweetly with the ball lifting it in towards the top corner with late dip to whistle over the keeper and creep under the crossbar to see the visitors retake the lead 2-3!

  A blow for Costessey late in the game having fought hard to get back on level terms. Fakenham resilient able to move up a gear in the closing stages. The hosts look to get on the attack from the restart, Hackney still with energy in her legs late on breaking down the left, Rusted finding the reserves in her legs to get back at her to lunge in and send the ball behind for a corner. The corner curled in central knocked on to the far post turned behind off the upright for a goal-kick.

Brister pulls a shot wide from 30 yards out from a central position as the ball is played into her from the right. Betts coming out to her right to clear the ball, presents it straight to Tate on the left wing, attempts to take advantage of the open goal sending a shot looping back into the box, Betts trying to recover her ground sees the ball safely bounce up over her wide at the near post. A nervy finish to the game. Costessey in need of a goal over committing in attack the ball won back, cleared up to Maddie Green looking to take advantage, Crowle getting in close to win the ball back.

  The clock ticking down moving into stoppage time Baldock pushed on for Costessey looking to combine with Brister and Hackney in attack, Seymour getting in the way of the ball hurt as she halts the attack. Costessey working hard to find a reply, Fakenham pushed back fighting hard in defence, Hackney left 25 out crossing into the box for Brister back to goal lays it outside to Baldock to take on the shot from 20 yards out her effort only finding the keeper. Seconds left on the clock Costessey on the attack the ball rolled on for Wall surging into the area from the right closing in on the near post, Fakenham defenders all around her the ball struck behind off the near post!    

Full time Costessey Sports Ladies 2-3 Fakenham Town Ladies

The final whistle blows and it’s Fakenham that hold on to win the 3 points. A cracking game to end 2024 on. Could well have gone either way in the end. Both sides evenly matched for a large part of the game both enjoying good spells throughout. The ball rarely still, competitive without going over the top, hardly saw the referee needing to speak to anyone let alone brandish a card the action never stopped hence the word count! Costessey starting well taking the lead inside the opening 15 minutes, Fakenham needed to lift it and did not only to equalise but lead at the end of the first half. Costessey strong in the 2nd half taking the game to Fakenham finding the reply but couldn’t hold on conceding a 3rd goal. Fakenham with chances to extend the lead Costessey fought hard to come back a 2nd time but couldn’t. Fakenham closing the gap to the leaders to just a point going into Christmas. Sums up Norfolk Women’s Division One this season highly competitive and both sides will play their part come the new year.

Women’s Football East – Player of the Match

 Onto the final Women’s Football East – Player of the Match award of 2024, often a tough decision, but not today a clear winner. Plenty of performances to mention before that however and I’m bound to miss someone out Firstly for Costessey a huge effort to get back into the game. Thea Hackney standing out playing on the left, her pace and determined runs causing Fakenham problems throughout the contest, scoring the opening goal. Layla Watts in defence stuck to her task well and marking Maddie Green is no easy feat worked hard to limit her opportunities in attack put in a shift. Paige Barnard reading the game at the back intercepting the ball and looked to get it forwards with purpose. Abbigail Tate finding some great positions to create chances bring her fellow attackers into play. For Fakenham, Gina Pooley won the ball at the back well as did Maisie McCullagh. Holly Williams showing great movement in the final third busy on the ball. Maddie Green always a threat in attack looking to break clear no easy task this afternoon but nevertheless was unlucky not to score. The award though goes to her sister Katie Green,  the defining moment that put her into contention was when she got the bit between her teeth in the first half and took the game to Costessey getting hold of the ball and in turn encouraging her team to get forwards, two superb strikes of course helping to win the game too.

 Today was my 588th match report and the joyous thing about that is is that no two matches have ever been the same and that is what makes them a pleasure to write. Great to see Costessey Sports Ladies having been trying for a while now, having followed them from distance before hearing many good things. Fantastic to catch up with Fakenham too having seen them several times just up the road have a soft spot for the club and seeing the events after their relegation feared for their future, glad to see it looks in good shape a talented squad like Costessey, look forward to see how both develop. My thanks to both for the team details, give me the names and numbers and I can do the rest. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year. Will be back rearing to go in 2025.

by Darren Gilham